Prisoners of Chance

by Randall Parrish

  CHAPTER XX

  BACKS TO THE WALL

  "This is Indian treachery," I said decisively, my eyes searching thecliffs, "nor will they remain long inactive now they have fairly caughtus in their trap. Let us get back out of this narrow way; there may beother loosened rocks where this one came from."

  "Back where?"

  "To some spot where we can defend ourselves in case of attack. Thesewill prove different from any savages I have ever known if we fail tohear from them as soon as we are ready."

  "But," protested De Noyan, as we scrambled retreating up the slope, "ifthere is no way leading from this pit of death, how are those devilsgoing to get in? Will it not be more likely they will be content tostarve us?"

  "'Tis not Indian nature to hide in patience after having trapped theirvictims. Although there is no apparent way out to our eyes, nor timeto search for one, yet we may put confidence in this: they neverbottled us here without knowing some means whereby they might completetheir work."

  "It is likely to be a fight, then?"

  "Either that or a massacre; God knoweth."

  "If, friend Benteen," boomed Cairnes, now well in our front, andprodigal of voice as ever, "you expect a stand-up battle with thedevils, 'tis my judgment you will find few spots better adapted fordefence than yonder--there where the rock juts out so far; 'tis like asloping roof to protect us from above."

  It was as he described, a place fitted by nature for such a contest,the upper stratum of rock projecting so far forward as almost to form acave beneath, while, partially blocking the centre of this darkenedopening, uprose a great square slab of stone, forming of itself nosmall protection to a party crouching in its shadow. Moreover theground fell away sharply, the higher point being twenty feet above thewater level; and this at the widest part of the gorge, the entire slopethickly strewn with bowlders of varying size.

  "You have made soldierly choice," I acknowledged heartily, after ahasty survey. "It would be difficult to discover a more proper spotfor purposes of defence. St. Andrew! but three of us ought to holdthat mound against quite a party."

  De Noyan broke in, perfectly at his ease with actual fighting inprospect. "Somewhat open as yet, but that can be remedied by use ofthose scattered stones. Upbuild the circle here, leaving in front ofthe great bowlder room enough for the three of us to battle at ease,with ample space in which to swing our sword-arms, the solid rock atour backs. Saint Anne! but it is beautiful! Bring the stones here soI may place them to the best purpose for such defence." And he drew arapid half-circle about the mouth of the shallow cave, his eyesbrightening with interest.

  "Pah! your doughty Frenchman appears overly anxious to be killed,"began Cairnes, casting an eager glance toward the provisions droppedupon the ground. "To my mind we had better break our fast beforecommencing such labor. It may happen we shall have no other chance toeat, and it would go hard against my nature to waste that pickled meaton naked savages. Ecod! it would try Job himself to stand by helpless,watching a clouted heathen gorge himself on what should be lyingcomfortable in our own stomachs. What say ye, Master Benteen?"

  "That our first effort be with the stones," I returned with decision."After that, we can partake of food. The latter can be made readywhile we work, if Madame will spread it here at the mouth of thecave--a bit farther back would prove better, under the protection ofthat slab of rock."

  Rejoicing at thus inducing our fair companion to seek safety undershelter, the three of us fell to work with energy. Under the directionof De Noyan, the scattered bowlders were rolled up the steep and piledin a solid wall, reaching nearly waist high, completely circling theopen front of the cave, its centre somewhat advanced from the stoneslab, with either flank resting solidly against the face of the cliff.It did me good to listen while De Noyan issued energetic orders,swearing at us ardently in army French as if we were of his ownsquadron of chasseurs.

  It required the greater part of an hour to get our rude rock rampart insuch condition as to satisfy the military taste of the Chevalier evenmeasurably, and during that time we toiled as men must when their livesare soon to depend upon the result of their labor.

  "_Saprista_!" he commented at last, wiping his streaming brow, andgazing about him critically. "It will answer fairly well, I think,although another row might strengthen the curves. Still, 'tis notlikely we shall be called upon to battle against gun or pike, and iftoo high the stones might interfere with proper thrust of the sword.So let us lunch. Egad! the sight of that hungry preacher haunts meevery time I turn around; besides, whatever resting-spell we get erethe ball opens will serve to steady our nerves for the onset. Have youspread forth a rare feast for our comrades, Eloise?"

  She stood within the shadow, leaning lightly against the great stone,smiling at us.

  "All I have awaits your pleasure, gentlemen," she returned bravely,"and I trust you may consider it a pleasant duty to do full justice tomy skill."

  It has lingered a unique memory of those days, the outward carelessnesswith which we chattered away during that strange meal. Surely nocompany of wanderers was ever in more desperate stress than we at thatmoment. It was the merest chance of fate if one among us all lived tosee the peaceful setting of the sun, now blazing high overhead. Yetthat simple noonday repast, partaken of beneath the shadow of theoverhanging rock, remains in memory as more redundant with merriment oftongue and face than any since we made departure from New Orleans.Were I not writing truthful narrative, I might hesitate at setting thisdown, yet there are doubtless others living to bear witness with methat there is often experienced an odd relief in discovering thepresence of actual danger; that uncertainty and mystery try mostseverely the temper of men.

  It certainly proved so with us that day, and De Noyan's high spiritsfound echo even in the grim Puritan, who, being at last convinced thathe was not called upon to wrestle with demons from the pit, was as fullof manly fight as the best of us. Eloise added her gentle speech,while even I relaxed my anxiety, though I was careful enough to selecta seat from which I could keep watch both up and down the ravine,convinced that our time of trial was not far away. In consequence ofthis chosen vantage of position I was the first to note those stealthynude figures silently stealing from rock to rock, like so many flittingshadows, making their way down toward our position from the north. Howthey attained entrance to the gorge I could not conjecture; my eyesfirst detected their movement when their leaders stole noiselessly asphantoms about the great shelf of rock higher up the gorge. More thanthis fleeting glimpse I was unable to perceive from where I sat, ourrude rampart somewhat obstructing the view, nor did I call theattention of the others to their approach. Nothing could be gained byexposing ourselves before need arose. Indeed, De Noyan chanced toobserve their presence before I ventured upon speech at all.

  "Ha, my masters!" he exclaimed suddenly, rising to peer above the lowbreastworks. "What have we here? By my soul, the ball is about toopen, gentlemen; the enemy creeps forward as though uncertain of ourwhereabouts, yet hardly as if greatly fearing our numbers. What do youmake of the fellows, Master Benteen?"

  "Beyond doubt savages, but not of any tribe within my knowledge."

  "Saint Denis! nor mine," he acknowledged gravely, staring at them. "Atthis distance they seem to be of strangely whitish skin, and I am notover pleased with their mode of advance; it has the steadiness of adrilled column, such as I never before witnessed in Indian campaign._Sacre_! note yonder how that tall fellow on the right guides them withhis gestures. They take intervals as firmly as French grenadiers.Eloise," he turned hastily toward his wife, more tenderness in hismanner than I had ever before remarked, "it is going to be a hardbattle, or I mistake greatly the temper of yonder warriors. Take thispistol; it is all I have of the kind. I will trust my fortune on theblade. You know how best to use it should things go wrong with us atthe front."

  "I know," she answered calmly, "I have lived all my life within hearingof Indian tales; yet could I not prove some aid beside y
ou?"

  "Nay, little woman; there is scarcely room for three of us to stand atthe wall; we shall fight with freer hand knowing you are safe fromsavage blow behind the rock. Come, my lady, it is full time you werethere now."

  She shook hands with us in turn, giving to each man a lightsome,hopeful word ere she drew back out of sight, and never before did Ihave such incentive to battle as I read within the depths of her darkeyes as she came to me the last of all. For a moment after sheregretfully withdrew her hands from my clasp I remained motionless,absolutely forgetful of all else, until De Noyan's voice, harsh nowwith excitement of approaching combat, recalled me to myself and mypost of duty.

  "It is time we took our positions, Messieurs," he said, bowing with therare French courtesy of battle. "Let Monsieur Cairnes find place uponmy right, while Master Benteen, do you keep the left. It will bebetter to crouch low until I speak the word, and then God give you bothstrong arms and hearts."

  From behind the roughly piled bowlders in my front I had a fair view upthe valley, and was enabled to mark clearly the attacking party as itadvanced cautiously toward our position. It was composed of somethirty members, well-appearing fellows for savages, naked from thewaist up, their exposed bodies quite light in color, and unpainted asis the usual Indian custom for war. Their leader was a tall fellow,having a head of matted coarse hair, which stood almost erect, thusyielding him a peculiarly ferocious aspect. The entire band movedforward, as if in response to prearranged signals, which must have beenconveyed by motion, as I could distinguish not the slightest sound ofspeech. However, it was a relief to note they bore no weapons in theirhands excepting the spear and the war-club, clear evidence that theyhad limited, if any, trade intercourse with Europeans. Yet they cameon with such steadiness of purpose, amid such impressive silence, Iinstinctively felt we stood opposed to no tribe of cowards, whatevertheir name.

  As they crept, rather than walked, forward into the open space in ourfront, their restless, searching eyes were not long in perceiving theirregular outlines of our rude barricade, nor were they dilatory indeciding that behind that pile of rock were to be discovered those theysought. No attacking party operating upon the eastern continent,guided by all the strategy of civilized war, could have acted morepromptly, or to better purpose. The old chief made a quick, peculiargesture from left to right, and in instant response his clustered bunchof warriors spread out in regulated intervals, assuming positions notunlike the sticks of a fan such as the Creoles use, until they formed acomplete semicircle, their flanks close in against the cliff, and theircentre well back upon the bank of the stream. It was a prettymovement, executed with the precision of long discipline, and De Noyanbrought his hand down applauding upon his knee.

  "_Parbleu_!" he exclaimed with enthusiasm. "'Twas as well done as bytroops of the line. I look for a warm time presently, when we crossarms with those fellows."

  Even as he spoke, I observed the old chief passing rapidly from man toman, speaking briefly to each in turn and pointing toward us, as thoughgiving special directions for the coming assault.

  "Chevalier," I whispered, "would it not be well to try a shot at thattall-haired fellow?"

  "It appears too great a distance to my eye."

  "I have dropped a buck through forest limbs fifty feet farther."

  "Then try your fortune," he said eagerly. "It may be those fellowshave never heard the crack of a gun. The sound and sudden death mightterrorize them."

  I took careful aim above the wall, resting my long rifle-barrel in agroove between the stones, and fired. Ever since, it has seemed to methat God, for some mysterious purpose of His own, deflected thespeeding ball, for never before or since did I miss such aim. Yet missI did, for while the old chief leaped wildly backward, his cheek fannedby the bullet, it was the savage he conversed with who sprang high intoair, coming down dead. Nor did a single warrior make a movement toflee. Instead of frightening, it enraged, driving them into savagefury as they stared at the stiffening body of their comrade. Scarcelyhad the smoke of the discharge drifted upward when, all their formerimpressive silence broken, and yelling like fiends incarnate, they madean impetuous rush for the hill.

  "_Francais_! _Francais_!"

  I was certain they used the word, fairly hissing it forth as if inbitter hatred, yet I had short enough time in which to listen as Ihastily rammed home a second charge with which to greet them as theycame.

  "It will be best to draw, Messieurs," spoke De Noyan in a cool,drawling voice. "Ah, that was better, Master Benteen!" as two of theadvancing mob went stumbling to the bullet. "It leaves buttwenty-seven to the three of us; not such bad odds! Now, friends,yield no step backward, and strike as you never struck before."

  I enjoyed little space in which to glance behind where I knew Eloisecrouched beneath the protecting shadow of the great stone, yet I amcertain I felt the full magic of her eyes upon me. As I wheeled, newlyarmed for strife, my hands clutched hard about the rifle-barrel, ourfierce assailants came surging up against the stone wall. It was notime to note what others did; one realizes little at such a suprememoment except the flashing in his eyes where menacing weapons playacross his front; the swift blows continually threatening to crush hisguard; the fierce, cruel faces glaring at him eye to eye, and his owndesperate efforts to drive and kill. It all abides in fevered memorynot unlike those pictures of horror coming of a dark night whenlightning leaps from the black void. I mind the first man to reach me,a burly ruffian, whose shining spear-point missed my throat by sonarrow a margin it tasted blood ere my rifle-stock crushed the side ofhis head and sent him backward, a reeling corpse into the mass at hisheels. Then all was confusion, a riot of leaping figures, franticshouting, and clanging weapons, and I know not what was done, exceptthat I struck out like a crazed man, heedless of what might be aimed atme, but letting drive at every savage head within range, until, atlast, there seemed no others in my front. Then, as I paused,breathless and uncertain, passing my hand across my eyes to clear themfrom the blood and hair which half blinded me, I heard De Noyan'sdrawling tone.

  "Most beautifully done, Master Benteen, and as for our red-headedpreacher, by the memory of Jeanne d'Arc, the like of him as fightingman I have never seen."

  I leaned back heavily against the stones, now the strain of battle hadrelaxed, feeling strangely weakened by my exertions as well as the lossof blood, and glanced about me. The discomfited savages had fallensullenly back to the bank of the stream, where they bunched together asif in council, and I noted more than one wounded man among them. DeNoyan sat recklessly upon the stone wall, dangling his long legs, and,back turned contemptuously upon our foe, was carefully examining theedge of his sword.

  "I was fool enough to attempt a down cut," he explained, observing myeyes upon him. "I tried it on that savage who lies yonder, and it wasrather a neat stroke, yet has sorely nicked the blade."

  "Where is the Puritan?" I asked, not seeing him.

  "Stretched yonder at rest; he did needlessly exhaust himself, notknowing how best to wield his weapon. _Sacre_! he struck hard blows,and will have two savages for whom to make answer in the Day ofJudgment."

  "What loss did the fellows sustain?" I questioned, the cut at the edgeof my hair half blinding me with dripping blood.

  "We dropped seven between us, counting those who fell to your fire, andthere are others who hardly appear in condition for further fighting.As to the garrison, you seem to possess a flesh wound or two, the headof the Puritan rings merrily yet from the tap of a war-club, while Iboast a boot full of blood; 'tis none of it serious."

  "They will attack again?"

  "Ay! those lads are not of the breed to let up with one bite; and markyou, man, it is going to be the next turn that will test our mettle."

  He deliberately changed his posture, glancing carelessly across hisshoulder.

  "Do you know aught regarding those devils, Master Benteen?"

  "They are strange to me; no kin, I think, to any tribe east of thegreat
river."

  He sat in silent contemplation a long moment, his eyes fastened uponthe savage group.

  "Did you chance to notice," he asked at last, speaking morethoughtfully, "how they hissed that word 'Francais,' when they firstrushed up the hill upon us? It somehow recalled to memory an odd taletold me long ago by old Major Duponceau, who was out with the troops in1729, about a strange people they warred against down on theOcatahoola. These must be either the same savages--although he sworethey were put to the sword--or else of the same stock, and have feltthe taste of French steel."

  "What did he call them?"

  "Natchez; although I remember now he referred to them once as 'WhiteApples,' saying they were of fair skin. He told me, but I recalllittle of it, many a strange story of their habits and appearance, toillustrate how greatly they differed from other tribes of savages withwhom he had met. They worshipped the sun."

  "'T is true of the Creeks."

  "Ay! they play at it, but with the Natchez 't is a real religion; theyhad a priesthood and altars of sacrifice, on which the fires were neverquenched. Their victims died with all the ardor of fanaticism, and inpeace and war the sun was their god, ever demanding offering of blood.But see, the moment comes when we must front those fiends again."

  The afternoon sun had lowered so that its glaring rays no longerbrightened the depths of the canyon, all upon our side of the streamlying quiet in the shadow. The Indians began their advance toward usin much the same formation as before, but more cautiously, with lessnoisy demonstration, permitting me to note they had slung their weaponsto their backs, bearing in their hands ugly fragments of rock. The oldmatted-hair savage, who had received a severe slash upon his shoulderduring our last _melee_, hung well to the rear, contenting himself withgiving encouragement to the others.

  "Stand stoutly to the work, friend Cairnes," I called across to him,feeling the heartsome sound of English speech might prove welcome. "Ifwe drive them this time, they will hardly seek more at our hands."

  "It will be even according to the will of the Lord of Hosts," hereturned piously. "Yet I greatly fear lest my sword-blade be not soundwithin its hilt."

  "Stoop low for the volley of rocks," commanded De Noyan, hastily, "thenstand up to it with all the strength you have."

  Halfway up the little hill they let fly a vicious volley, the hardmissiles crashing against the face of the rock, and showering down onbacks and heads, some of them with painful force. As we sprang to ourposts of defence once more, the savages were already nearly withinspear-length of us, and, to our disastrous surprise, delivered a secondvolley of stones directly into our faces. One jagged rock glanced fromoff my rifle-barrel, striking me on the side of the head withsufficient force to send me staggering back against the stone slab.Before I could regain place the Indians swarmed over the low wall, twoof them, in spite of fierce struggles, bearing me backward to theground. Through a half-blinding mist of blood I beheld a carvenwar-club uplifted in the air, noted the face, distorted by passion, ofthe naked giant wielding it; yet, before I could close my eyes to theswift blow, there came a sudden flash of fire mingled with a sharpreport. As if stricken by a lightning-bolt the huge fellow plungedforward, his body across my feet. Involuntarily I gave vent to a groanof despair, realizing that Madame, in an effort to preserve my life,had thrown away her sole chance to escape torture, or an existenceworse than death.

  The knowledge nerved me to renewed struggle, but ere I could rid myselfof that body pinning me fast, others hurled themselves upon us,striking and snarling like a pack of hounds who had overtaken theirquarry. It would have been over in another minute; I already felt thegrind of a stone knife-point at my throat, able to gain only a poorgrip on the fellow's wrist, when suddenly, sounding clear as a bellabove that hellish uproar, a single voice uttered an imperative command.

  Instantly each Indian's face was upturned toward where such unexpectedsummons came, and, lying as I did flat upon my back, my eyes gazedacross the narrow valley, to the summit of the cliff on the fartherside. There, solitary, a carven statue full in the glow of thewestering sun, turning her garments golden, and lightening her richprofusion of hair into radiant beauty, stood a young woman of whiteface and slender, stately figure. It was no time to note dress, yet Icould not fail to observe the flowing white robe, draped from shouldersto feet, gracefully falling away from an extended arm, as she stoodthus in regal poise looking down upon us. There was a suggestion ofdespotic power in both face and posture, and the ring of sternauthority spoke in the sound of her voice.

  Twice she addressed our savage captors in brief sentences strange to myears, once pointing directly at us, once with sweeping gesture up thevalley. A moment longer she remained motionless, bending slightlyforward, permitting the rich, reddish gold of her hair to flash andshimmer in the sunshine; then she stepped swiftly back from the dizzysummit, vanishing instantly, as if dissolved in the haze.