Seth Jones/Chapter 18
CHAPTER XVIII.
GETTING OUT OF THE WILDERNESS.
Night, dark and gloomy, slowly settled over the forest. Nothing was heard save the dull soughing of the wind through the tree-tops, or the occasional howl of the wolf in the distance, or perhaps the near scream of the panther. Heavy, tumultuous clouds were wheeling through the sky, rendering the inky darkness doubly intense, and shrouding even the clearings in impenetrable gloom.
By and by, the distant rumble of thunder came faintly through the air, and then a quivering fork fire, like a stream of blood, trembled upon the edge of a dark storm-cloud for an instant. The heavy clouds, growing darker and more awful, poured forward until they seemed to concentrate in the western sky, where they towered aloft like some old embattled castle. The thunder grew heavier, until it sounded like the rolling of chariot wheels over the courts of heaven, and the red streams of liquid fire streamed down the dark walls of the Storm Castle. Now and then the subtle element flamed out into a dazzling, instantaneous flash, and the bolt burst overhead.
"Keep close to me and step light, for I tell you there's enough lightning."
Seth had thoroughly reconnoitered the valley to which we have referred, and had found, as he expected, that there was an ambush laid for them. There was a sort of foot-path, apparently worn by the passing of wild animals, which nearly crossed the valley. It was here that the Indians supposed the fugitives would be entrapped, until the death of a too daring member of their party led them to suspect that their intentions were discovered.
The little band was hours in crossing this valley. Seth, with an almost inaudible "sh!" would often pause, and they would stand for many anxious minutes listening intently for the dreaded danger. Then they would resume their march, stepping with painful slowness.
It was at least three hours after the fugitives commenced this journey, and when Seth judged that he must be nearly through it, that he suddenly discovered he was walking in the very path he had striven so carefully to avoid. He was considerably startled at this, and left at once.
"Sh! down!" he whispered, turning his face behind him.
They were not ten feet from the path, when they all sank quietly to the earth. Footsteps were now audible to all. The darkness was too profound to discern any thing, but all heard their enemies almost near enough to touch them with the outstretched hand.
The situation of our friends was imminently perilous. The Mohawks were not passing along the path, as at first supposed, but evidently searching it! Haldidge and Seth felt that they could not be aware of their proximity, and yet they knew a discovery was unavoidable.
Seth Jones rose to his feet so silently, that even Haldidge, who was within a foot of him, did not hear a rustle. He then touched Haverland's ear with his mouth, and whispered:
"Scatter with the gal as quick as lightning, for they must find us out in a minute."
Haverland lifted Ina in his strong arm—she needed no caution, and stepped forward. It was impossible not to make some noise, when the wet bushes brushed against them. The savages heard it and started cautiously forward. They evidently suspected it was the fugitives, and had no suspicion that any one was lingering in the rear. The first warning Seth had, was of a savage running plump against him.
"Beg your pardon, I didn't see you," exclaimed Seth, as each bounded backward. "Curse you," he muttered, "I only wish I could sight you for a minute."
Seth, Haldidge and Graham were now maneuvering against some five or six Indians. Had a bright flash of lightning illuminated the scene, just at this time, it is probable that all would have laughed outright, at the attitude and movement of themselves. The Indians, upon finding how near they were to their deadliest enemies, immediately bounded backward several yards, in order to avoid a too sudden collision with them. The three whites did precisely the same thing—each in his own characteristic way. Seth leaped to one side, crouched down in his usual panther-like manner, and with his rifle in his left, and his knife in his right hand, waited until he could settle in his mind the precise spot upon which one of the savages was standing, before making a lunge at him.
It would be tedious to narrate the artifices and stratagem resorted to by these two opposing forces. Simon Kenton and Daniel Boone, once reached the opposite sides of the Ohio river at the same moment, and at the same time, each became aware of the presence of another person upon the other side. These two old hunters and acquaintances reconnoitered for over twenty-four hours, before they discovered that they were friends. For nearly two hours, the Mohawks and the whites maneuvered with the most consummate skill against each other. Now retreating and leading, dodging and eluding, each striving to lead the other into some trap that was as skillfully avoided, until, judging that Haverland was safe, Seth concluded to retreat himself, accordingly, he cautiously withdrew, and ten minutes later, found himself upon the outermost edge of the valley.
Ten minutes after Seth departed, Haldidge moved off, of course unknown to himself, in precisely the same direction. Graham soon adopted the same course. They all came out of the dangerous valley within twenty feet of each other. It took them some time before they came together; but, as each suspected the identity of the other, this did not require as long is it otherwise would.
"Now, boys," whispered Seth, "I cac'late we're out of the Valley of Death. Best give it a wide berth, is the private opinion of Seth Jones."
"But how about Haverland?" asked Graham.
"I think they must have come out near that point," replied the other.
"Let us move round then, and we've got to be spry, for daylight can't be far off, and I'm thinking as how them Ingins will find out that we've absconded; and my gracious! won't they feel cheap?"
Just as the light of morning appeared in the east, they came upon Haverland, and resumed their journey. No halt was made for breakfast, for they were all too anxious to get forward upon their way. In the course of an hour or so, they struck a sort of path, made by the passage of wild animals, which, besides being so hardened as to conceal their trail, was easily traveled.
Seth and Haldidge were too experienced woodsmen to relax their vigilance. They maintained the same duties as before, the former taking it upon himself to lead the way through the wilderness, and the latter to guard against danger from behind. The settlement toward which they were so anxiously hastening, was still several days distant, and to reach it, it was necessary to cross a river of considerable breadth. This river was reached by Seth at noon.
"By gracious! I forgot about this!" he exclaimed to himself. "Wonder if the gal can swim? If she can't, how are we going to get her over? Put her on a chip, I s'pose, and let the breeze blow her across: the rest of us can swim, in course."
A few minutes later, our friends stood consulting upon the bank of the stream.
This consultation ended in active preparations for crossing on a raft. Hunting up material for constructing a raft now was the order of the hour. This was work of extreme difficulty. They had no instruments except their hunting-knives, and these were little better than nothing. Large, rotten limbs were broken from the trees, and placed together by Haverland, who took upon himself the task of lashing them with withes, while the others collected wood.
Haldidge went up the river, and Seth and Graham went down. Graham soon noticed a large, half-decayed log, lying partly in the water. "Just the thing, exactly! Why it's a raft itself. This will save further trouble. Let us launch it at once, and float it up to the spot," he said, delightedly.
The two approached it, stooped, and were in the very act of lifting it into the water, when Seth suddenly removed his shoulder, and arose to the upright position.
"Come, give a lift;" said Graham.
"Graham, I guess I wouldn't take the log, I don't think it will answer."
"Won't answer? Why not? In the name of common sense, give some reason."
"Let that log alone! Do you understand?"
Graham looked up, and started at the appearance of Seth. His eyes fairly scintillated and he seemed ready to spring upon him, for daring to utter a word of dispute.
"Come along with, me!" commanded Seth, in a voice hoarse with passion.
It wouldn't do to disregard that command; and, taking up his rifle, Graham lost no time in obeying it. But he wondered greatly whether Seth was suddenly become crazy or foolish. He followed him a short distance, and then hastened up beside him. Seeing that his face had recovered its usual expression, he gained courage and asked what he meant by such commands?
"Didn't you take notice that that log was holler?"
"I believe it was, although I did not examine it closely."
"Wal, if you had examined it closely or even loosely, so that you took a peep into the log, you'd have seen a big Mohawk curled up there snug and nice!"
"Is it possible! How came you to see him?"
"The minute I seed the log was holler, I had my s'picions that there might be something or other in it, and I made up my mind that we shouldn't undertake to lift it till I knowd how it was. When I come to look closer, I knowed thar was something sure enough, for the way the bark was scratched at the mouth showed that plain enough. It wouldn't do, you see, to stoop down and peep in, for like as not the redskin would blaze away smack into my face. So I jest dropped my cap, and, as I stooped down to pick it up, I kind of slewed one eye 'round over my shoulder, and, as sure as blazes, I seen a big moccasin! I did, by gracious! I then proceeded to argufy the question; and, after considerable discussion, both in the affirmative and negative, I came unanimously to the conclusion that as I'd seen an Injin's foot, if I'd foller it up, I'd be pretty sure to find the Injin himself; and, moreover, also, if there was one Injin about, you could make up your mind that there are plenty more not far off. By gracious! If I hadn't looked a little ramparageous, you wouldn't have let go that log so very quick, eh?"
"No; you alarmed me considerably. But what is to be done?"
"The cowards are poking; around the woods, fixing out some plan to ambush us again. They've no idea we've smelt the rat that's brewing in the bud, and they're too cowardly to show their faces until they find they've got to, or let us slip."
"Shall we tell Haverland?"
"No; I will let Haldidge know it, if he hasn't found it out already. The raft has got to be made, and we must keep on at it till it's finished, as though we knowed every thing was right. Keep still now, or Alf will notice our talking."
They were so close to the woodman that they changed their conversation.
"No material?" asked Haverland, looking up.
"It's rather scarce down where we've been," replied Graham.
"Shan't I help you?" asked Ina, looking up archly.
"I guess we won't need your help as Haldidge seems to have enough already."
The hunter at this moment approached, bending under the weight of two heavy limbs. These were instantly lashed together, but it was found that the raft was much too weak and light, and more stuff was necessary before it would even float Ina. Accordingly, Haldidge plunged into the wood again. Seth walked beside him until they were a few yards away, when he asked:
"Do you understand?"
"What?" asked the hunter in astonishment.
"Over there," answered Seth, jerking his thumb over his shoulder toward the log mentioned.
"Redskins?"
"I rather guess so."
"I smelt them, awhile ago. You'd better go back and watch Alf. I'll get enough wood. Danger!"
"No; they'll try some game; look out for yourself."
With this, Seth turned on his heel and rejoined Haverland. Graham was a short distance away cutting withes, which the woodman was as busily using. As Seth came up he noticed Ina. She was sitting upon the ground a few feet from her father, and her attention seemed wholly absorbed with something down the stream. Seth watched her closely.
"Isn't that a log yonder?" she asked.
Seth looked in the direction indicated. With no small degree of astonishment, he saw the identical tree which he and Graham disputed over, afloat in the river. This awoke his apprehensions and he signaled at once for Haldidge.
"What's the row?" asked the hunter as he came up.
Seth gave his head a toss down stream, by way of reply, and added, "Don't let 'em see you're watching it, for it might scare 'em."
Nevertheless Haldidge turned square around and took a long, searching look at the suspicious object.
"What do you make of it?"
"Them Mohawks are the biggest fools I ever heard of, to think that such an old trick as that can amount to any thing."
"What trick do you mean?" asked Haverland.
"Why, you see that log yonder, half sunk in the water, that we are all looking at? Well, there are four or five Mohawks behind that, waiting for us to launch our raft."
"Maybe it's nothing more than a floating tree or log," said the woodman.
"Y-e-s," drawled the hunter sarcastically, "maybe so; "I s'pose a log would be very apt to float up stream, wouldn't it?"
"Why, is it approaching?" asked Graham.
"Not very fast," answered Seth, "for I guess it's hard work for them fellers to swim up stream. Ah! by gracious! I understand the game. Look; don't you see it's farther out than it was? They're going to get as near the middle as they can, and so close to us that when we undertake to cross, the current will carry us right down plump against 'em, when they'll rise up in their wrath and devour us. Fact, as sure as you live."
"We might as well understand matters at once," added Haldidge. "The plan of the Indians is undoubtedly the same as Seth suggests. In crossing, we cannot help drifting downward, and they are trying to locate themselves so as to make a collision between us. But they will make no attack until we are in the water. So you may keep at work upon the raft, Alf, without any fear, while Seth and I reconnoiter. Come, Graham, you may as well go along with us. Let us enter the wood separately at first, and we'll come together as soon as we can get out of sight. Act as though we didn't suspicion any thing, and I'll wager my rifle here against your hat that we'll outwit the cowards after all."
The three entered the wood as proposed. After going a few yards they came together again.
"Now," whispered Seth, "by gracious! you will see fun. Follow close, boys, and keep shady."
Being now fairly within the wood, they proceeded in a direction parallel with the course of the river, using extreme caution, for it was more than probable some of the Indian scouts were secreted in the wood. Keeping entirely away from the river until Seth judged they were below the suspicious log, they approached it. A reckless move, at this point, would have been fatal. Fortunately, there was a species of grass growing from the wood out to a considerable distance in the water. Through this, they made their way much after the fashion of snakes. Seth, as usual, was in front, and it struck Graham that he absolutely slid over the ground without any exertion on his part.
In a moment, they were down to the river's brink. They now slowly raised their heads and peered over and through the grass out into the river. The log was a short distance above, and they had a perfect view of the side which was opposite to Haverland. Not a sign of an Indian was visible. The tree seemed as if anchored in the middle of the stream.
"There is something there!" whispered Graham.
"—sh! keep quiet and watch and you'll see!" admonished Seth.
A moment more, and the log apparently, without any human agency, slightly changed its position. As it did so, Graham saw something glisten on the top of it. He was at a loss to understand what it meant, and turned inquiringly toward Haldidge. The latter had his keen eye fixed upon it, and there was a grim, exulting smile upon his face. He motioned for Graham to preserve silence.
As our hero turned his gaze once more toward the river, he saw that the log was still further into the stream. Something like polished metal was seen glistening even brighter than before. He looked carefully, and in a moment saw that there were several rifles resting upon the surface of it.
While gazing and wondering where the owners of these weapons could conceal themselves, the water seemed to part on the side of the log toward them, and the bronzed face of an Indian rose to view. Up, up, it went, until the shoulders were out of the water, when he remained stationary a moment, and peered over the log at Haverland. Seemingly satisfied, he quietly sank down into the water again; but Graham noticed that he did not disappear beneath the surface, where it appeared he had hitherto kept himself, nestled in so close to the log that almost any one would have supposed he was a part of it. His head resembled exactly a large black knot in the wood. Graham now noticed also that there were two other protuberances, precisely similar to the first. The conclusion was certain. There were three fully armed Mohawks concealed behind the log, who were doing their utmost to steal unawares upon the fugitives.
"Just exactly one apiece, as sure as you live," exclaimed Seth exultingly. "Get ready each of you for your man. Graham, take the one nearest this way; you the next one, Haldidge, and I'll pick off the last one in the genuine style. Get ready quick, for I've got to hurrah over the way things is coming round."
The three pointed their deathly instruments toward the unsuspicious savages. Each took a long, deliberate, and certain aim.
"Now, then, together—fire!"
Simultaneously the three rifles flashed, but that of Seth missed fire. The others sped true to their aim. Two yells of deathly agony broke upon the air, and one of the savages sprang half his entire length out of the water, and then sank like lead to the bottom. The other clung quivering to the log for a moment, and then loosening his hold, disappeared beneath the water.
"Thunder and blazes!" exclaimed Seth, springing to his feet, "hand me your rifle, Graham. Something is the matter with mine, and that other imp will get away. Quick! hand it here!"
He took the rifle and commenced loading it as rapidly as possible, keeping his eye upon the Indian who now was swimming desperately for the other bank.
"Is yer iron loaded, Haldidge?" he asked.
"No; I've been watching you and that chap's doubling, to see who'll get the best, so long, that I didn't think of it."
"Load again, for s'posen this gun should miss fire too, he'd get off then sure. Wal, my stars! if he isn't coming out now."
The Indian, as if scorning the danger, rose slowly from the water, and walked leisurely toward the shelter of the wood.
"Now, my fine feller, see if you can dodge this."
Seth once more aimed at the retreating Indian, and this time pulled the trigger; but to his unutterable chagrin, the rifle flashed in the pan! Before Haldidge could finish loading his gun, and before Seth could even reprime his, the Indian had disappeared in the wood.
"By the hokey-pokey! what's got into the guns!" exclaimed Seth in a perfect fury. "That's twice I've been fooled! Worse'n two slaps in the face by a purty woman, I'll swow. Hallo! what's that?"
The discharge of a rifle across the river had sent the bullet so close to him as to whisk off a tuft of his long sandy hair!
"By gracious! that was pretty well done," he exclaimed, scratching his head as though he was slightly wounded.
"Look out, for heaven's sake! Get down!" called Graham, seizing him by the skirt of his hunting dress, and jerking him downward.
"Don't know but what it is the best plan," replied the imperturbable Seth, going down on his knees in time to avoid another foul shot. "There are plenty of the imps about, ain't there?"
The firing so alarmed Haverland that he desisted from his work, and sought the shelter of the wood. By this time, too, the afternoon was so far advanced that darkness had already commenced settling over the stream and wood. Crossing on the raft was now out of the question, for it would have been nothing less than suicide to have attempted it, when their enemies had given them such convincing evidence of their skill in the use of the rifle, even at a greater distance than to the middle of the stream. But the river had to be crossed for all that, and the only course left, was to shift their position to some other place, build a new raft, and make another place.
There was no excuse for further delay, and the party immediately set forward. The sky again gave signs of a storm. Several rumbles of thunder were heard, but the lightning was so distant as to be of neither benefit or use to them. The sky was filled with heavy, tumultuous clouds, which rendered the darkness perfectly intense and impenetrable; and, as none of them understood a foot of the ground over which they were traveling, it may well be supposed that their progress was neither rapid nor particularly pleasant. The booming of the thunder continued, and shortly the rain commenced falling. The drops were of that big kind which are often formed in. summer, and which rattle through the leaves like a shower of bullets.
"Can you look ahead, Seth?" asked Graham.
"In course I can. The darkness don't make no difference not at all to me. I can see just as well on a dark night as I can in daylight, and, what is more, I do. I should like to see me make a misstep or stumble—"
Further utterance was checked by the speaker pitching, with a loud splash, head foremost over or into something.
"You hurt, Seth?" asked Graham in alarm, yet half tempted to give way to the mirth that was convulsing those behind him.
"Hurt!" exclaimed the unfortunate one, scrambling to his feet, "I believe every bone of my body is broken into, and by gracious! my head is cracked, and both legs put out of joint, the left arm broke above the elbow, and the right one severed completely!"
Notwithstanding these frightful injuries, the speaker was moving about with wonderful dexterity.
"My gracious! what do you suppose I've tumbled into?" he suddenly asked.
"Into a pitfall or a hole in the ground," replied Graham. "It's my opinion, too, that it will be very easy with this noise we are making to stumble into the Mohawks' hands."
"I should think you ought to know that I didn't fall," retorted Seth angrily. "I happened to see sumthin', and I stepped forward to see if it would hold my weight. What you are laughing at, I should like to know!"
"What is it that you have stepped into?" asked Haverland.
"Why, nothing less than a boat, dragged up here by the varmints, I 'spose."
Such indeed was the case. There was a very large-sized canoe directly before them, and not a sign of the presence of other beside themselves. Not a more fortunate thing could have happened. Upon examination, the boat was found to be of unusual length and breadth, and amply sufficient to carry twenty men. It was quickly pushed back into the stream.
"Come, tumble in and we'll set sail," said Seth.
The fugitives without any hesitation entered the boat, and Seth and Haldidge, bending their shoulders to it, shoved it into the river, and sprang in as it floated away.