CHAPTER XII
THE FRENCH CAMP
They returned to the camp without further event. Colden and Strongwere gratified to learn that the retreat of St. Luc was real, and thathe was certainly going toward Champlain, with the obvious intention ofjoining Montcalm.
"We owe you a great debt of gratitude, Colonel," said the youngofficer, frankly, to Elihu Strong. "If you had not come I don't thinkwe could have held out against St. Luc."
"We did the best we could," replied Elihu Strong. "If the Governor andLegislature of Massachusetts had done their full duty we'd have beenhere earlier, with twice as many men and guns, but as it is we did ourbest, and man can do no more."
They decided that they would hold the point and await the coming ofthe great army under Abercrombie which was to crush Montcalm. Theoutworks were built higher and stronger and the brass cannon weremounted upon them at points, where they could sweep the forest. Thesefine twelve-pounders were sources of much moral courage and addedgreatly to the spirits of the troops. They had shown their power atthe forcing of the ford and at the taking of the ridge, and theirbrazen mouths, menacing the forest, looked well.
Willet and his comrades considered it their duty to stay there also,and wait for Abercrombie, and, the third day after the retreat of St.Luc, Robert and Tayoga went into the woods to see whether Tandakorahad turned back again with his warriors. They reckoned that theOjibway chief's anger was so strong that he would make another attemptat revenge upon those who had defeated him. There was a rumor thatthe Indians with the French were becoming much dissatisfied, thatthey were awed by the reports of the mighty British and American forceadvancing under Abercrombie, and might leave the French to meet italone.
"Do you think there is much in these rumors?" asked Robert, as he andthe Onondaga went into the forest.
"I do," replied Tayoga. "The warriors with the French do not like thecannon, and they say the force that is coming against Montcalm is veryvast. A great battle may be fought, but Tandakora and his men are notlikely to be there. They will go away and await a better day."
"Then I'm glad they'll desert for a while. They're the eyes and earsof the French. That will leave our own scouts and forest runners thelords of the wild, though it seems to me, Tayoga, that you're the trueand veritable lord of the wild."
"Then if that were so, though you praise my skill too much, Dagaeoga,you and the Great Bear and Black Rifle also are lords of the wild."
"Lords of the wild! I like the term. It is something to be thatat this time and in this region. We're mainly a wilderness people,Tayoga, and our wars are waged in the woods. We're not more than twomiles from the camp now, and yet we're completely lost in the forest.There's not a trace of man. I don't even see any smoke soiling thesky."
"It is so, Dagaeoga, and we are again in the shadow of peril. Dangersin the forest are as thick as leaves on the trees. Here is an oldtrail of our enemies."
"I'm not interested in old trails. What we're looking for is newones."
"If we keep going toward the north it may be that we will find them,Dagaeoga."
Several miles farther on they came to other trails which the Onondagaexamined with great interest and care. Two or three he pronouncedquite recent, but he did not read any particular purpose in them.
"It is likely that they were made by hunters," he said. "While thearmies are gathering, the warriors are sure to seek game. Here two ofthem passed, and here they stood behind a tree. It is sure now thatthose two were hunting. I think they stood behind a tree to ambush adeer. The deer was to the west of them. The traces they left inthe soft earth under the tree show that the toes of their moccasinspointed toward the west and so they were looking that way, at thedeer, which probably stood in the thicket over there nibbling at itsfood. They must have had an easy shot. Now, we'll enter the thicket.Lo, Dagaeoga, here is where the deer fell! Look at the little bushesbroken and at the dark stain on the ground where its life flowed out.They dragged the body to the other side of the thicket, and cut it upthere. Nothing could be plainer, the traces are so numerous. They werecasual hunters, and it is not worth our while to follow them."
Northward they still pursued their course, and struck another andlarger trail which made Tayoga look grave.
"This is the path of seven or eight warriors," he said, "and it islikely that they are a scouting party. They have come back, as weexpected, to spy upon us and to cut off stragglers from our camp. Wewill follow it a little while."
It led south by west and seemed to go on with a definite purpose, but,after a mile or so, it divided, four warriors, as Tayoga said, goingin one direction and three in the other.
"Suppose I follow those on the north a short distance while you takethose on the south," suggested Robert.
"We will do so," said Tayoga, "and in an hour come back to thispoint."
The three warriors were on the north, and, as the earth was soft,Robert saw their trail quite clearly leading steadily west by north.His own ambition to excel as a trailer was aroused and he followed itwith great energy. Two or three times when the ground became hard androcky he lost it, but a little search always disclosed it again, andhe renewed the pursuit with increased zeal. He went on over a hilland then into a wide valley, well grown with thickets. Pushing his waythrough the bushes he sought the traces and was startled by a soundalmost at his shoulder. Keyed to the dangers of the forest he whirledinstantly, but it was too late. A powerful warrior threw himself uponhim, and though Robert, by a great effort, threw him off he sprangback and another on the other side also seized him. He was borne tothe earth and a third Indian coming up, he was quickly secured.
Robert at first was so sick with chagrin that he did not think abouthis life. In nine cases out of ten the warriors would have tomahawkedhim, and this he soon realized, thankful at the same time that he hadbeen spared, for the present, at least. Yet his mortification endured.What would Tayoga say when he saw by the trail that he had beencaught so easily? He had fairly walked into the trap, and he was nowa prisoner the second time. Yet he showed the stoicism that he hadlearned in a forest life. While the Indians bound his wrists tightlywith rawhide thongs he stood up and looked them squarely in the face.
One of the warriors took his rifle and examined it with a pleasedeye. Another appropriated his pistol and a third helped himself to hisknife and hatchet.
"I've four shillings in an inside pocket," said Robert. "If you want'em, take 'em."
But the warriors did not understand English and shook their heads.Evidently they were satisfied with the spoil they had taken already.
"Which way?" asked Robert.
They replied by leading him to the northwest. He was hopeful at firstthat Tayoga might rescue him as he had done once before, but thewarriors were wary and powerful, and three, too, were too many for theOnondaga alone to attack. The thought passed and by an effort of thewill he resigned himself to his immediate captivity. They did not meanto take his life, and while there was no hope for the present therewas plenty of it for the future. He could be in a far worse case. Hisunfailing optimism broke through the shell of mortification, and hebecame resolutely cheerful.
"Which way, my friends?" he said to the warriors.
But again they understood no English and shook their heads.
"Don't plume yourself too much on that rifle," he said, speaking tothe warrior who had taken his favorite weapon. "You have it for thepresent, but when I escape for the second time I mean to take it withme. I give you fair warning."
The warrior, who seemed to be good natured, shook his head once more,and grinned, not abating at all his air of proprietorship so far asthe rifle was concerned.
"And you with the pistol," continued the prisoner, "I beg to tellyou it's mine, not yours, and I shall claim it again. What, you don'tunderstand? Well, I'll have to find some way to make you comprehendlater on."
The three warriors walked briskly and Robert, of course, had no choicebut to keep pace with them. They indicated very conclusively that the
yknew where they meant to go, and so he assumed that a hostile camp wasnot very far away. Resolved to show no sign of discouragement, he heldhis head erect and stepped springily.
About three miles, and he saw a gleam of uniforms through the trees,a few steps more and his heart gave a leap. He beheld a groupof Indians, and several Frenchmen, and one of them, tall, young,distinguished, was St. Luc.
The Chevalier was in a white uniform, trimmed with silver, a silverhilted small sword by his side, and his smile was not unpleasant whenhe said to Robert:
"I sent out these three warriors to find me a prisoner and bring himin, but I little suspected that it would be you."
"I suspected as little that it was you to whom I was being taken,"said Robert. "But since I had to be a prisoner I'm glad I'm yoursinstead of De Courcelles' or Jumonville's, as those two soldiers ofFrance have as little cause to love me as I have to love them."
"Monsieur De Courcelles is suffering from a bullet wound."
"It was my bullet."
"You say that rather proudly, but perhaps I'd better not tell it tohim. It seems, Mr. Lennox, that you have a certain facility in gettingyourself captured, as this is the second time within a year."
"I was treated so well by the French that I thought I could risk itagain," said Robert jauntily.
The Chevalier smiled. Robert felt again that current of understandingand sympathy, that, so it seemed to him, had passed so often betweenthem.
"I see," said St. Luc, "that you are willing to give credit to France,the evergreen nation, the nation of light and eternal life. We maylose at times, we may be defeated at times, but we always rise anew.You British and Americans will realize that some day."
"I do not hate France."
"I don't think you do. But this is scarcely a time for me to give youa lecture on French qualities. Sit down on this log. I trust that mywarriors did not treat you with undue harshness."
"I've nothing to complain of. They took my weapons, but that isthe law of war. I'd have done the same in their place. As I see it,they're not particularly bad Indians. But if you don't mind, I'd likeyou to cut these rawhide thongs that bind my wrists. They're beginningto sting."
The Chevalier drew a knife and with one sweep of its keen edge severedthe rawhide. Robert's wrists flew apart and the blood once more flowedfreely through his veins. Though the stinging did not cease he feltgreat relief.
"I thank you," he said politely, "but, as I told you before, I do nothold it against your warriors, because they bound me. I'd have escapedhad they given me any chance at all, and I warn you now, as I warnedthem, that I intend to escape later on."
St. Luc smiled.
"I'll accept the challenge," he said, "and I'll see that you don'tmake good your boast. I can assure you, too, if by any possibility youshould escape, it certainly will not be before the great battle."
"Great battle! What great battle? You don't mean that Montcalm willdare to meet Abercrombie?"
"Such an idea was in my mind."
"Why, we'll come with four or five to one! The Marquis de Montcalmcannot stand against such a powerful force as ours. We've definiteinformation that he won't be able to muster more than three or fourthousand men. We hear, too, that the Indians, frightened by our power,are leaving him, for the time, at least."
"Some of your surmises may be correct, but your facts don't followfrom them. The Marquis de Montcalm, our great leader, will await yourAbercrombie, no matter what your force may be. I violate no militarysecret when I tell you that, and I tell you also that you are very farfrom being assured of any victory."
The Chevalier suddenly dropped his light manner, and became intenselyearnest. His eyes gleamed for an instant with blue fire, but it wasonly a passing moment of emotion. He was in an instant his old, easyself again.
"We talk like the debaters of the schools," he said, "when we areat war. I am to march in a few minutes. I suggest that in return forcertain liberties you give me your pledge to attempt no escape untilwe arrive at the camp of the Marquis de Montcalm."
"I can't do it. Since I've promised you that I will escape I mustneglect no chance."
"So be it. Then I must guard you well, but I will not have your wristsbound again. Here comes an expert rover of the forest who will be yourimmediate jailer."
A white man at the head of several warriors was approaching throughthe woods. He was young, lean, with a fierce, hooked Roman nose, anda bold, aggressive face, tanned to the color of mahogany. Robertrecognized him at once, and since he had to be a prisoner a secondtime, he took a certain pleasure in the meeting.
"How do you do, Monsieur Langlade?" he said. "You see, I've come back.I forgot to tell you good-by, and I'm here to make amends for my lackof politeness. And how is the patient and watchful spouse, the Dove?"
Robert spoke in good French and the partisan stared in astonishment.Then a pleased look of recognition came into his eyes.
"Ah, it's young Mr. Lennox," he exclaimed. "Young Mr. Lennox come backto us. It's not mere politeness that makes me tell you I'm glad tosee you. You did make a very clever escape with the aid of that Indianfriend of yours. I hope to capture Tayoga some day, and, if I do, itwill be an achievement of which I shall boast all the rest of my life.But we'll take good care that you don't leave us again."
"He has just warned me that he intends to escape a second time," saidSt. Luc.
"Then it will be a pretty test of mettle," said the Owl, appreciationshowing in his tone, "and we welcome it. Have you any commands for me,sir?"
He spoke with great respect when he addressed the query to St. Luc,and the Chevalier replied that they would march in a half hour. ThenLanglade gave Robert food, and took a little himself, sitting with theprisoner and informing him that the Dove had worried greatly over hisescape. Although she was not to blame, she considered that in someindirect manner it was a reflection upon her vigilance, and it wasmany months before she was fully consoled.
"I must send word to her by one of our runners that you have beenretaken," said the Owl, "and I wish to tell you, Mr. Lennox, that theDove's younger sister, who is so much like her in looks and character,is still unmarried and perhaps it may come into the mind of theChevalier de St. Luc or the Marquis de Montcalm to send you back toour village."
"You're once more most polite," laughed Robert, "but I'm far tooyoung, yet, to think of marriage."
"It's not an offer that I'd make to many young men," said Langladeregretfully. "In truth, I know of none other to whom I'd havementioned it."
When they took up the march the force numbered about fifty men, andRobert walked between Langlade and a stalwart Indian. St. Lucwas further on. They did not seem to fear any ambush and Langladechattered after his fashion. He made the most of the French resources.He spoke as if the Marquis de Montcalm had ten or fifteen thousandveteran French regulars, and half as many Indian warriors.
"Don't consider me contentious, Monsieur Langlade," said Robert, atlast, "but I know full well that your general has not half that manytroops, no, not a third, and that nearly all his Indians are about toleave him."
"And how do you know that?" exclaimed the Owl. "Well, one Frenchmanequals two of the English or the Bostonnais, and that doubles ournumbers. You don't see any chance to escape, do you?"
"Not at present," laughed Robert.
"Not now, nor at any other time. No man ever escapes twice from theFrench."
The talk of Langlade, his frank egotism and boastfulness for himselfpersonally and for the French collectively, beguiled the journey whichsoon became strenuous, the force advancing at a great pace throughthe forest. At night a fire was built in the deep woods, the knapsacksfurnished plenty of food, and Robert slept soundly on a blanket untildawn. He had seen before closing his eyes that a strict guard was set,and he knew that it was not worth while to keep awake in the hope ofescape. Like a wise man he dismissed the hope of the impossible atonce, and waited calmly for another time. He knew too that St. Luc hadoriginally sent out his warriors to capture a pri
soner from whomthey might drag information, but that the Chevalier would not try tocross-examine him, knowing its futility.
They traveled northward by east all the next day, through very roughcountry, slept another night in the forest, and on the third dayapproached a great camp, which held the main French force. Robert'sheart thrilled. Here was the center of the French power in NorthAmerica. Vaudreuil and Bigot at Quebec might plan and plot and weavetheir webs, but in the end the mighty struggle between French andEnglish and their colonies must be decided by the armies.
He knew that this was the outlet of Lake George and he knew also thatthe army of Abercrombie was gathering at the head of the same lake.His interest grew keener as they drew nearer. He saw clusters oftents, cannon parked, and many fires. There were no earthworks orother fortifications, and he inferred from their absence that Montcalmwas undecided whether to go or stay. But Robert thought proudly thathe would surely go, when the invincible Anglo-American army advancedfrom its base at the head of the lake. The whole camp lay under hiseye, and he had enough military experience now to judge the Frenchnumbers by its size. He did not think they were much in excess ofthree thousand, and as Abercrombie would come four or five to one,Montcalm must surely retreat.
"I take it that this is Ticonderoga," he said to St. Luc.
"Aye," replied the Chevalier.
"And in effect you have Champlain on one side of you and George on theother. But you can't hold the place against our great force. I'm herein time to join you in your retreat."
"We don't seem to be retreating, as you'll notice, Mr. Lennox, and Idon't know that we will. Still, that rests on the knees of the gods.I think you'll find here some old friends and enemies of yours, andthough your people have made a great outcry against the Marquis deMontcalm because of the affair at Fort William Henry, I am sure youwill find that the French know how to treat a prisoner. I shall putyou for the present in the care of Monsieur Langlade, with whom youappear to have no quarrel. He has his instructions."
It was the second time that Robert had entered the camp of Montcalmand his keen interest drove away for the present all thought ofhimself. He noted anew the uniforms, mostly white faced with blue orviolet or red or yellow, and with black, three-cornered hats. Therewere the battalions of Guienne, La Reine, Bearn, La Sarre, Languedoc,Berry and Royal Roussillon. The Canadians, swarthy, thick and strong,wore white with black facings. Some Indians were about, but fewer thanRobert had expected. It was true then that they had become alarmed atAbercrombie's advancing might, and were leaving the French to theirfate.
"You are to stay in a tent with me," said Langlade, "and you will beso thoroughly surrounded by the army, that you will have no earthlychance of escape. So I think it better that you pledge your word notto attempt it for a while, and I can make things easier for you."
"No, I decline again to give such a pledge," said Robert firmly. "Iwarn you, as I've warned the Chevalier de St. Luc, that I'm going toescape."
Langlade looked at him searchingly, and then the face of the partisankindled.
"I believe you mean it!" he exclaimed. "You rely on yourself and youthink, too, that clever Onondaga, Tayoga, will come again to youraid. I acknowledge that he's a great trailer, that he's master of somethings that even I, Charles Langlade, the Owl, do not know, but hecannot steal you away a second time."
"I admit that I've been thinking of Tayoga. He may be here now closeto us."
The Owl gave a startled look at the empty air, as if he expectedTayoga to be hovering there, formidable but invisible.
"I see you do fear him," laughed Robert.
"I do, but we shall be a match for him this time, though I neverunderrate his powers."
A young officer in a captain's uniform stopped suddenly and looked atRobert. Then he advanced and extended his hand.
"It is evident that you like the French," he said, "since you arecontinually coming back to them."
"De Galissonniere!" exclaimed Robert, as he warmly shook the extendedhand. "Yes, here I am, and I do like many of the French. I'm sorrywe're official enemies."
"I know that our people will treat you well," jested De Galissonniere,"and then, when we take New York, you can tell the inhabitants of thatcity what good masters we are and teach them to be reconciled."
Young Lennox made a reply in like spirit, and De Galissonniere passedon. But a man walking near with his shoulder well bound greeted him inno such friendly manner. Instead a heavy frown came over his faceand his eyes flashed cruelly. It was De Courcelles, nursing the woundRobert had given him, and at the same time increasing his anger. Theyouth returned his gaze defiantly.
"Colonel De Courcelles does not like you," said Langlade, who hadnoticed the brief exchange.
"He does not," replied Robert. "It was my bullet that hurt hisshoulder, but I gave him the wound in fair combat."
"And he hates you because of it?"
"That and other things."
"What a strange man! A wound received in fair and honorable battleshould be a tie that binds. If you had given it to me in a combat onequal terms I'd have considered it an honor conferred upon me by you.It would have wiped away all grievance and have made us friends."
"Then, Monsieur Langlade, I'm afraid I missed my opportunity to makeour friendship warmer than it is."
"How is that?"
"I held you also under the muzzle of my rifle in that battle in theforest, but when I recognized you I could not send the bullet. Iturned the weapon aside."
"Ah, that was in truth a most worthy and chivalrous act! Embrace me,my friend!"
"No! No! We American men never embrace or kiss one another!"
"I should have remembered. A cold people! But never mind! You are mybrother, and I esteem you so highly that I shall let nothing on earthtake you away from us. Can you not reconsider your decision aboutthe sister of the Dove? She would make you a most admirable wife, andafter the war we could become the greatest rangers, you and I, thatthe forest has ever known. And the life in the woods is marvelous inits freedom and variety!"
But Robert plead extreme youth once more, and the Owl was forced to beresigned. The small tent in which guard and prisoner were to sleep wasalmost in the center of the camp and Robert truly would have neededwings and the power of invisibility to escape then. Instead of it helet the thought pass for a while and went to sleep on a blanket.
* * * * *
While young Lennox slept St. Luc was in the tent of Montcalm talkingwith his leader. The Marquis was in much perplexity. His spies hadbrought him word of the great force that was mustering in the south,and he did not know whether to await the attack at Ticonderoga orto retreat to the powerful fortifications at Crown Point on LakeChamplain. His own ardent soul, flushed by the successes he hadalready won, told him to stay, but prudence bade him go. Now he wantedto hear what St. Luc had to say and wanting it he knew also that theChevalier was the most valiant and daring of his captains. He wishedto hear from the dauntless leader just what he wished to hear andnothing else.
"Your observations, then, confirm what the spies have reported?" hesaid. "The enemy can easily control Lake George!"
"He has only to make an effort to do so, my general," replied St.Luc. "I could have captured the boat builders on the point or havecompelled their retirement, but large forces came to their relief. Thenumbers of the foe are even greater than we had feared."
"How many men do you think General Abercrombie will have when headvances against us?"
"Not less than fifteen thousand, sir, perhaps more."
The face of Montcalm fell.
"As many as that!" he exclaimed. "It is more than four to one!"
"He cannot have less, sir," repeated St. Luc positively.
Montcalm's brow clouded and he paced back and forth.
"And the Indians who have been so powerful an ally," he said at last."They are frightened by the reports concerning the Anglo-Americanarmy. After their fashion they wish to run away before superior forc
e,and fight when the odds are not so great. It is most embarrassing tolose their help, at such a critical time. Can you do nothing with thissullen giant, Tandakora, who has such influence over them?"
"I fear not, sir. He was with me on the expedition from which I havejust returned, and he fared ill. He is in a most savage humor. He islike a bear that will hide in the woods and lick its hurts until thesting has passed. I think we may consider it certain, sir, that theywill desert us, for the time."
"And we shall have but little more than three thousand French andCanadians to defend the honor of France and His Majesty's great colonyin North America. We might retreat to the fortifications at CrownPoint, and make an advantageous stand there, but it goes ill with meto withdraw. Still, prudence cries upon me to do so. I have talkedwith Bourlamaque, Trepezec, Lotbiniere, the engineer, Langy, thepartisan, and other of my lieutenants whom you know. They expressvarying opinions. Now, Colonel de St. Luc, I want yours, an opinionthat is absolutely your own."
St. Luc drew himself up and his warrior soul flashed through his blueeyes.
"Sir," he said, "it goes as ill with me as it does with you toretreat. My heart is here at Ticonderoga. Nor does prudence suggest tome that we retreat to Crown Point. My head agreeing with my heart saysthat we should stand here."
"And that is your conviction?"
"It is, sir. Ticonderoga is ours and we can keep it."
"Upon what do you base this opinion? In such a crisis as this we mustbe influenced by sound military reasons and not by sentiment."
"My reasons, sir, are military. That is why my heart goes withmy head. It is true that the Anglo-American army will come inoverwhelming numbers, but they may be overwhelming numbers that willnot overwhelm. As we know, the British commanders have not adaptedthemselves as well as the French to wilderness, campaigning. Theirtactics and strategy are the same as those they practice in the openfields of Europe, and it puts them at a great disadvantage. We havebeen willing to learn from the Indians, who have practiced forestwarfare for centuries. And the British Colonials, the Bostonnais,fall into the faults of the parent country. In spite of all experiencethey, continue to despise wilderness wile and stratagem, and in amanner that is amazing. They walk continually into ambush, and are cutup before they can get out of it. I am not one to cheapen the valorof British and British Colonials. It has been proved too often ondesperate fields, but in the kind of war we must wage here deep in thewilds of North America, valor is often unavailing, and I think, sir,that we can rely upon one fact. The enemy will take us too lightly. Heis sure to do something that will keep him from using his whole forceat the right moment against us. Our forest knowledge will work allthe time in our behalf. I entreat you, sir, to keep the army here atTiconderoga and await the attack."
St. Luc spoke with intense earnestness, and his words had all the ringof conviction. Montcalm's dark face was illumined. Again he walkedback and forth, in deep thought.
"The engineer, Lotbiniere, a man whose opinion I respect, is ofyour mind," he said at last. "He says that whether Crown Point orTiconderoga, it's merely either horn of the dilemma, and naturally, ifthe dangers of the two places are even, we prefer Ticonderoga and noretreat. The Marquis de Vaudreuil had a plan to save Ticonderoga bymeans of a diversion with a heavy force under Bourlamaque, De Levisand Longueuil into the Mohawk Valley. But some American rangers takennear Lake George by Langy told him that Abercrombie already had thirtythousand men at the head of George and the Marquis at once abandonedthe scheme. It was lucky for us the rangers exaggerated so much thatthe plan was destined to failure, as we needed here the men who weresent on it. We save or lose Ticonderoga by fighting at Ticonderogaitself and by nothing else. I thank you, Colonel de St. Luc, for yourgallant and timely words, I have been wavering and they have decidedme. We stay here and await the Anglo-American army."
"And the star of France will not fail us," said St Luc, with intenseconviction.
"I trust not. I feel more confidence since I have decided, and Ido know this: the young men who are my lieutenants are as brave andskillful leaders as any chief could desire. And the troops will fighteven ten to one, if I ask it of them. It is a pleasure and a glory tocommand troops of such incomparable bravery as the French. But we musttry to keep the Indians with us. I confess that I know little aboutdealing with them. Has this savage chief, Tandakora, come back toTiconderoga?"
"I think he is here, sir. Do you wish me to talk with him?"
"I do. I wish it very much."
"He is very sullen, sir. He holds that the Indians have received norewards for their services."
"We have given them blankets and food and muskets and ammunition."
"He takes those as a matter of course. But he means something else.To tell you the truth, sir, the savages want us to give prisoners tothem."
Montcalm's face clouded again.
"To burn at the stake, or to torture to death otherwise!" heexclaimed. "My reputation and what is more, the reputation of France,suffers already from the massacre at William Henry, though God knowsI would have prevented it if I could. It happened so suddenly and sounexpectedly that I could not stop it, until the harm was done. Butnever, St. Luc, never will I give up a prisoner to them for theirtortures, though every savage in our armies desert us!"
"I hold with you, sir, that we cannot surrender prisoners to them,even though the cause of France should suffer."
"Then talk to this savage chief. Make him see reason. Promise him andhis people what you wish in muskets, ammunition, blankets and suchthings, but no prisoners, not one."
St. Luc, with a respectful salute, left the tent. He was torn byconflicting emotions. He was depressed over the smallness of theFrench numbers, and yet he was elated by Montcalm's decision to stayat Ticonderoga and await Abercrombie. He was confident, as he hadsaid, that some lucky chance would happen, and that the overwhelmingsuperiority of the Anglo-American army would be nullified.
The Chevalier cast a discriminating eye over the French position. Thestaunch battalion of Berry lay near the foot of Lake George, but thegreater part of the army under the direct command of Montcalm was incamp near a saw mill. The valiant Bourlamaque was at the head ofthe portage, and another force held the point of embarkation on LakeGeorge. But he knew that Montcalm would change these dispositions whenthe day of battle came.
On the westward side of the camp several fires burned and darkfigures lay near them. St. Luc marked one of these, a gigantic savage,stretched at his ease, and he walked toward him. He pretended, atfirst, that his errand had nothing to do with Tandakora, but stoodthoughtfully by the fire, for a minute or two. Nor did the Ojibwaychief take any notice. He lay at ease, and it was impossible to tellwhat thoughts were hidden behind his sullen face.
"Does Tandakora know what the commander of the French army has decidedto do?" said St. Luc, at last.
"Tandakora is not thinking much about it," replied the chief.
"Montcalm is a brave general. He shows that he is not afraid of thegreat army the English and the Bostonnais have gathered. He will notretreat to Crown Point or anywhere else, but will stay at Ticonderogaand defeat his foes."
The black eyes of the Ojibway flickered.
"Tandakora does not undertake to tell Montcalm what he must do," hesaid, "nor must Montcalm undertake to tell Tandakora what he shoulddo. What Montcalm may do will not now keep Tandakora awake."
St. Luc's heart filled with hot anger, but he was used to dealingwith Indians. He understood their minds from the inside, and he had asuperb self-control of his own.
"We know that Tandakora is a great chief," he said evenly. "We knowtoo that he and his men are as free as the winds. As they blow wherethey please so the warriors of Tandakora go where they wish. ButOnontio [The Governor-General of Canada.] and Tandakora have long beenfriends. They have been allies, they have fought side by side in manya battle. If Onontio falls, Tandakora falls with him. If the Britishand Bostonnais are victorious, there will be room for none of thetribes save the League of the H
odenosaunee, and them Tandakora hates.Onontio will not be able to protect them any more, and they will bedriven from all their hunting grounds."
He paused to watch his words take effect and they obviously stirredthe soul of the savage chief who moved uneasily.
"It is true," he said. "Sharp Sword never tells a falsehood. IfOnontio is struck down then the British, the Bostonnais and theHodenosaunee triumph, but my warriors bring me word that our enemieshave gathered the greatest force the world has ever seen at the headof Andiatarocte. They come thicker than the leaves of the forest. Theyhave more guns than we can count. They will trample Montcalm and hissoldiers under their feet. So, according to our custom, Tandakora andhis warriors would go away into the forest, until the British andthe Bostonnais scatter, unable to find us. Then, when they are notlooking, we will strike them and take many scalps."
Tandakora spoke in his most impressive manner, and, when he ceased,his eyes met St. Luc's defiantly. Again the blood of the Chevalierburned with wrath, but as before he restrained himself, and his smoothvoice gave no hint of anger as he replied:
"Odds are of no avail against Montcalm. The children of Onontio areused to dealing with them. Remember, Tandakora, the great victoriesMontcalm won at Oswego and William Henry. He has the soul of a mightychief. He has decided to stay here at Ticonderoga and await the enemy,confident that he will win the victory. Tandakora is a great warrior,is he willing to have no share in such a triumph?"
The cruel eyes of the Ojibway glistened.
"The heart of Tandakora is heavy within him," he said. "He and hiswarriors are not afraid of the British and the Bostonnais. Theyhave fought by the side of Montcalm, but they do not receive all therewards that Onontio owes them."
"Onontio has given to them freely of his muskets and powder andbullets, and of his blankets and food."
"But he takes from them the prisoners. We have no scalps to carryhome."
"It is against the custom of the French to put prisoners to death ortorture. Moreover, we have no prisoners here. The rangers taken byLangy have already been sent to Canada."
"There is one in the camp now. He was captured by three of mywarriors, those you sent out, and by the law of war he belongs to me.Yet Sharp Sword and Montcalm hold him. I speak of the youth Lennox,the comrade of the Onondaga, Tayoga, who is my bitterest enemy. I hateLennox too because he has stood so often in my way and I demand him,to do with as I please, because it is my right."
The Ojibway moved close to St. Luc and the fierce black eyes glaredinto those of stern blue. The Chevalier did not change his smooth,placatory tone as he replied:
"I cannot give up Lennox. It is true that he was taken by yourwarriors, but they were then in my service, so he is my prisoner. Buthe is only a single captive, a lad. Ask for some other and greaterreward, Tandakora, and it shall be yours."
"Give me the prisoner, Lennox, and I and my warriors stay and fightwith you at Ticonderoga. Refuse him and we go."
The chief's words were sharp and decisive and St. Luc understood him.He knew that the savage Ojibway hated young Lennox intensely, andwould put him to the torture. He never hesitated an instant.
"I cannot yield the prisoner to you," he said. "The custom of theFrench will not permit it."
"The warriors are a great help in battle, and the reward I ask is butsmall. St. Luc knows that Montcalm needs men here. What is this boy toSt. Luc that he refuses so great a price for him?"
"It cannot be done, Tandakora. I keep the prisoner, Lennox, and laterI will send him to Canada to be held there until the war is over."
"Then the forest to-morrow will swallow up Tandakora and hiswarriors."
The chief returned to the fire and lay at ease in his blanket. St. Lucwalked thoughtfully back toward the tent of Montcalm. He knew that itwas his duty to report the offer of Tandakora to his chief, but he didso reluctantly.
"You have refused it already?" said the Marquis.
"I have, sir," replied St. Luc.
"Then you have done well. I confirm you in the refusal."
St. Luc saluted with great respect, and again retired from the tent.
The Lords of the Wild: A Story of the Old New York Border Page 14