The Border Watch: A Story of the Great Chief's Last Stand

by Joseph A. Altsheler

  CHAPTER XII

  THE CANOE ON THE RIVER

  Two more weeks passed and de Peyster's conduct in regard to Henry wasregulated again by fits and starts. Sometimes he was allowed to walk inthe great court within the palisade. On the fourth night he heard thesignal cry once more from the Canadian woods. Now, as on the firstnight, it was the voice of the owl, and he answered it from the window.

  On the sixth day he was allowed to go outside, and, as before,Holderness was his escort. He noticed at once an unusual bustle and allthe signs of extensive preparations. Many Indians of the various tribeswere passing, and from the large brick building, used as a storehouse ofarms and ammunition, they were receiving supplies. Despite their usualreserve all of them showed expectancy and delight and Henry knew at oncethat the great expedition under Timmendiquas, Caldwell and Girty wasabout to depart. If he had not known, there was one at hand who took apleasure in enlightening him. Braxton Wyatt, in a royal uniform, stoodat his elbow and said:

  "Sorry to bid you good-by, Henry, because the stay at Detroit has beenpleasant, but we go to-morrow, and I don't think much will be left ofKentucky when we get through. Pity that you should have to spend thetime here while it is all going on. Timmendiquas himself leads us andyou know what a man he is."

  Lieutenant Holderness, who was with Henry, eyed Wyatt with strongdisfavor.

  "I do not think it fitting, Captain Wyatt, that you should speak in sucha manner to a prisoner," he said.

  But Wyatt, at home in the woods and sure of his place, had all theadvantage. He rejoined insolently:

  "You must realize, Lieutenant Holderness, that war in the American woodsis somewhat different from war in the open fields of Europe. Moreover,as a lieutenant it is hardly your place to rebuke a captain."

  Holderness flushed deeply and was about to speak, but Henry put his handon his arm.

  "Don't pay any attention to him, Lieutenant," he said. "He's a sort ofmad dog, ready to bite anything that gets in his way. Come on, let'stake another look at the river."

  Holderness hesitated a moment, and then went with Henry. Wyatt's facewas black with anger, but he did not dare to follow them and create ascene. While they were in the court the tumult was increased by anunexpected arrival at the western gate. Private Doran, unarmed, hishands bound behind him, his eyes bandaged, but otherwise undamaged, hadsuddenly appeared in the village, and was at once taken to the fort.Now, surrounded by a curious crowd, he seemed to be dazed, and to befrightened also. Henry saw at once that his fear was of his officers,and that it had not been caused by any suffering in captivity. In truth,Private Doran looked very well, having suffered no diminution of eithergirth or ruddiness. His fears in regard to his officers were justified,as he was taken at once before Colonel de Peyster, who examined him withthe greatest severity.

  But Private Doran's apprehensions gave him ready and clear answers. Hehad been taken, it was true, but it was by men of superhuman skill andintelligence. Then, blindfolded and arms bound, he had been driven awayin the woods. How far he traveled he did not know, but when a camp wasmade it was in a dense forest. Nor did he have any idea in whatdirection it lay from Detroit. He was joined there by Private Myers whohad been abducted in the same way. Their four captors had told them thatthey were held as hostages, and had many terrible threats, but they hadnot really suffered anything. One man called Shif'less Sol by the othershad been menacing them with strange punishments of which they had neverheard before, but with the juice of some herb he cured Private Myers ofa bruise that he had received in the struggle when he was captured.

  This examination was held in public in the court and Henry heard it all.He smiled at the mention of Shif'less Sol, knowing his flow of language,and his genuine aversion to all forms of cruelty. Finally, according tothe continuation of Doran's tale, they had decided that the hostageswere no longer necessary. Evidently they believed their friend hadsuffered no ill treatment, or some important movement was pending.Accordingly he was blindfolded, his arms bound, and he was led away inthe night by the two men called Long Jim and Silent Tom. They left himtoward morning, saying that the other captive would be delivered on theday following. When curs began to snap at his ankles he knew that he wasnear the village outside Detroit, and he shouted for help. The rest tolditself.

  Doran, after a severe rating, was sent about his business. Henry wasvery thoughtful. Private Doran had not told of crossing any river andhence the camp of his comrades must be on this side of the Detroit. Butall the signals had come from the far shore. Doubtless Shif'less Sol hadcrossed over there to utter the cries and they must possess a boat, asupposition that chimed in well with the warning to him to watch theriver. Reflection only deepened his conviction, and he resolved ifpossible to avoid the anger of de Peyster, as to be shut up again mightruin everything. He felt that the time to act, although he did not knowjust how and where, was coming soon.

  A strong watch was set about both fort and village in order to trap thefour the following night, when they came to deliver Private Myers. BothGirty and Blackstaffe told Colonel de Peyster that the forest runnerswould keep their promise, and the commander was exceedingly anxious totake the impudent rovers who had annoyed him so much. Henry heardsomething of it from Holderness and, for a moment, he felt apprehension,but he recalled all the skill and craft of his comrades. They wouldnever walk into a trap.

  The night turned quite dark with fleeting showers of rain. There was nomoon and the stars were hidden. But about two hours before daylightthere was a great outcry, and the sentinels, running to the spot, founda white man blindfolded and hands bound, tied in a thicket of briers. Itwas Private Myers, and his tale was practically the same as that ofPrivate Doran. He had been led in the night, he knew not whither. Then,one of his captors, which one he could not say, as he was blindfolded,gave him a little push and he neither saw nor heard them any more. Hehad tried to come in the direction in which he thought Detroit lay, buthe had become tangled among the briers, and then he had shouted at thetop of his voice.

  Colonel de Peyster was deeply disgusted. He addressed stern reproofs tothe wretched private, who was not to blame, and bade him join hiscomrade in disgrace. The best Indian trackers were sent to seek thetrail of the forest runners, which they found and followed only to endagainst the wide and deep river. The Indian trailers concurred inHenry's belief that the four had secured a boat, and they felt that itwas useless to search on the other side.

  Henry heard of it all very early, and that day during his hours ofliberty in the court he kept a close watch on the river, but nothingoccurred. Evidently the hour had not come for his friends to makewhatever attempt they had in mind. He was convinced of it when from thepalisade he saw that de Peyster had instituted a patrol on the river.Several Indian canoes, containing warriors, were constantly moving upand down. Henry's heart sank at the sight. He had felt sure all the timethat his line of escape lay that way. Meanwhile Timmendiquas, therenegades and their powerful force were marching southward to destroywhat Bird had left. He was seized with a terrible impatience that becamea real torture. He learned that the patrol on the river had beenestablished as a guard against the dreaded George Rogers Clark, who hadmade the threats against Detroit. Clark was so crafty that he mightcircle above the town and come down by the river, but in a week or sothe alarm passed.

  Henry spent the period of alarm in his prison, but when de Peyster'sfears relaxed he was allowed the liberty of the court again. NeitherHolderness nor Desmond was visible and he walked back and forth for along time. He had grown thinner during his imprisonment, and much of thetan was gone from his face, but he did not feel any decrease ofstrength. As he walked he tested his muscles, and rejoiced that theywere still flexible and powerful like woven wire. That morning he heardthe call of the wolf from the Canadian shore, but he did not dare reply.A half hour later Colonel de Peyster himself accosted him.

  "Well," said the commander in a tone of irony, "I see, young Mr. Ware,that you have not yet escaped."

  "Not ye
t," replied Henry, "but I shall certainly do so."

  Colonel de Peyster laughed. He was in great good humor with himself. Whyshould he not be? He had smoothed away the doubts of Timmendiquas andnow that formidable chieftain was gone with a great force againstKentucky. The settlements would be destroyed, men, women and children,and de Peyster would have the credit of it.

  "You are surely a confident youth," he said. "This boast of yours wasmade some time ago, and I do not see that you have made any progress.I'm afraid that you're a great talker and a small performer."

  Henry was stung by his words, but he did not show any chagrin.

  "I'm going to escape," he said, "and it will not be long, now, until Ido so."

  Colonel de Peyster laughed again and more loudly than before.

  "Well, that's a proper spirit," he said, "and when you've gone you shalltell your friends that on the whole I have not treated you badly."

  "I make no complaint," said Henry.

  "And now, to show my generous feeling toward you," continued de Peyster,in whom the spirit of humor was growing, "you shall have luncheon withme in honor of your coming escape."

  "I'm willing," said Henry, adapting himself to his mood. A life such ashis and wonderful natural perception had endowed him with a sort ofsixth sense. He began to have a premonition that what de Peysterintended as a joke would be the truth, and it made him all the morewilling to join in what the commander intended should be a mockery.

  De Peyster led the way to the room in which the first banquet with theIndian chiefs had been held, but now only Henry and he were present,except a soldier who brought food from the kitchen and who waited uponthem.

  "Sit down, Mr. Ware," said de Peyster with a flourish of both hand andvoice. Henry quietly took the seat indicated on the opposite side of thetable, and then the commander took his own also, while the attendantbrought the food and drink. Henry saw that de Peyster was in an uncommonmood, and he resolved to humor it to the full.

  "I regret more than ever that you're not one of us, my young friend,"said the commander, surveying his prisoner's splendid proportions."Expert as you are in the woods, you could soon rise to high command."

  "Having started in on one side," said Henry lightly, "I cannot change tothe other."

  "Wyatt, who I understand was a youthful comrade of yours, has done it."

  "Pray do not ask me to imitate any example furnished by Braxton Wyatt."

  Colonel de Peyster laughed again.

  "He is not an attractive youth, I confess," he said, "but you wouldcount for much more than Braxton Wyatt with us."

  "I shall never count at all," replied Henry. "I am for my own peoplealways."

  Colonel de Peyster, the Tory, flushed, but he continued:

  "Think of the rewards under the King. This is a vast and fertilecontinent, and those who hold it for him will surely receive vastestates. Any one of us may be as great a feudal lord as Sir WilliamJohnson has been."

  "If you triumph," said Henry, although he spoke purposely in a lighttone.

  "There is no 'if'; we are bound to succeed, and now, sir, as we haveeaten we shall drink to your escape."

  The attendant poured two glasses of wine and Colonel de Peyster raisedhis, looking for a minute or two at the little bubbles as they broke.

  "Here's to your escape," he said, casting an ironical glance over theedge.

  "Here's to my escape," said Henry, meeting his gaze firmly andearnestly.

  Then they drank.

  "Upon my word, I believe that you mean what you say."

  "Certainly."

  De Peyster looked curiously at Henry.

  "Come," he said, "we'll go outside. I think I'll keep my own eye on youfor a little while."

  When they emerged from the house a long plaintive howl came from theCanadian forest. A sort of shiver, as if he were looking into thefuture, ran through Henry's veins. All his premonitions were comingtrue.

  "Did you hear that wolf?" asked de Peyster. "It is but a wildernessafter all, and this is merely a point in it like a lighthouse in thesea. Come, we'll walk that way; it's about the only view we have."

  Again that strange quiver ran through Henry's veins. Colonel de Peysterhimself was leading exactly where the captive wished to go.

  "I have often noticed you walking on the palisade with LieutenantHolderness," said Colonel de Peyster; "now you can go there with me."

  "I thank you for the invitation," said Henry, as the two climbed up oneof the little ladders and stood side by side on the palisade. "Does notthis view of the great river and the limitless forest beyond appeal toyou, Colonel?"

  "At times," replied Colonel de Peyster in a somewhat discontented tone."It is the edge of a magnificent empire that we see before us, and Ilike the active service that I have been able to do for the King, butthere are times when I wish that I could be back in New York, where Iwas born, and which the royal troops occupy. It is a trim city, withwealth and fashion, and one can enjoy life there. Now I wonder if thatis one of the Indians whom I have had on watch on the river."

  A light canoe containing a single warrior put out from the farthershore, where evidently it had been lying among the dense foliage on thebank. No particular purpose seemed to animate the warrior who sat in it.Both Colonel de Peyster and Henry could see that he was a powerfulfellow, evidently a Wyandot. With easy, apparently careless strokes ofthe paddle, he brought his canoe in a diagonal course to a point nearthe middle of the stream. Then he began to play with the canoe, sendingit hither and thither in long, gliding reaches, or bringing it up with asharp jerk that would have caused it to overturn in hands less skillful.But so keen was the judgment and so delicate the touch of the warriorthat it never once shipped water.

  "Wonderful fellows, those Indians," said Colonel de Peyster. "How theydo handle a canoe! It is almost like magic! I verily believe the fellowis showing off for our benefit."

  "Maybe," said Henry.

  "And it is a good show, too. Ah, I thought he would go that time; butlook how quickly and delicately he righted himself. Such skill is trulymarvelous!"

  "It is," said Henry, who was watching the canoe and its occupant with aninterest even greater than that of de Peyster. Up at the far corner ofthe palisade a sentinel was walking back and forth, his rifle on hisshoulder, and at the other end another was doing likewise. Three or fourofficers off duty had also mounted the palisade and were watching theIndian's exhibition of skill.

  Suddenly the warrior turned the canoe in toward the palisade at thepoint where the unfinished pier ran out toward the river. Raisinghimself on the canoe he uttered the long weird cry of the wolf, the samethat had come more than once from the depths of the Canadian woods.

  Then an extraordinary thing occurred. De Peyster was standing on theplatform nearest the unfinished pier. Henry suddenly seized him by theshoulders, thrust him down as if he were shot, ran along the platformand down the unfinished pier at his utmost speed. De Peyster was on hisfeet in an instant, and both sentinels on the alert, raised their riflesto take aim.

  Henry did not check his speed for a second. A marvelous power, born ofgreat strength and a great spirit, infused his whole frame. He rushed tothe end of the pier, and concentrating his whole strength in one mightyeffort, he leaped.

  Never before had Detroit seen such a leap. The long body shot outward,the arms thrown parallel with the head, pointing toward the water. Itwas many feet from the head of the unfinished pier to the river, a leapthat seemed superhuman, but Henry had the advantage of the run down theincline and the bracing of every nerve for the supreme effort. After hesprang, and for the few brief moments that he was cutting the air, hewas scarcely conscious of what was passing, but he heard the crack of arifle, and a bullet whizzing by him zip-zipped upon the surface of thewater. One of the sentinels, exceeding alert, had fired instantly, butthe other, finger on trigger, waited. Colonel de Peyster also drew apistol and waited. Low cries, half of admiration, came from most ofthose on the battlements. The warrior in the canoe sh
ot his little craftnearer in shore and then dropped gently over the far side. The canoemoved slowly down stream but its recent occupant was invisible.

  Henry, flying like an arrow taking its downward slope, fell into thedeep water. The tremendous leap was accomplished. He was dazed for a fewmoments and he was conscious of nothing except that his body was cuttingthrough the current of the river. Then strength and memory came back,and he knew that the marksmen were watching. Turning slightly on hisside he swam down stream but bearing toward the farther shore as fast ashe could. The crack of that rifle shot, by some sort of mentalreproduction roared in his ears, and the waters sang there also, but hewas swimming for his life, and he still swam, while head and chestseemed ready to burst. Suddenly he saw a dark shape above him and atfirst he thought it was some huge fish. Then he saw that it was the bodyof a man hanging from another dark shape that seemed to rest upon thesurface of the river.

  Light came to him in an instant. It was the warrior in the canoe who hadgiven him the signal. It could be none other than the incomparableShif'less Sol. He shot upward, panting for air, and rose directly by theman and the canoe.

  "Keep your head low, Henry," exclaimed the undoubted voice of theshiftless one. "So long as they can't see us behind the canoe they can'ttake certain aim, and we've more than a chance."

  Henry held lightly to the side of the canoe and panted.

  "That wuz shorely a mighty jump o' yourn," continued Shif'less Sol. "Idon't think anybody else could hev done it, an' you come true ez abullet when I give the signal. We've won, Henry! We've won ag'in' allthe odds. Look out! Duck! that second fellow's goin' to shoot!"

  The second sentinel had fired with good aim, so far as the canoe wasconcerned, as his bullet went through the upper part of it, but he couldcatch only glimpses of the figures behind it, and they were untouched.Colonel de Peyster also fired his pistol, but the bullet fell short. Twoor three others on the battlements had rifles and they also took shots,without avail. The canoe was going very fast now, and always it boresteadily toward the further shore.

  Henry felt the great tension relax. Glancing over the canoe he sawfigures running up and down the palisade, but he knew that they were outof range. Blessed freedom! Once more before him lay the wilderness thathe loved, and in which he was free to roam as he pleased. He had toldde Peyster that he would escape and he had kept his word. He looked nowat Shif'less Sol, his faithful comrade, and, despite himself, helaughed. The water had washed most of the paint off the face of theshiftless one, leaving only stripes and bars.

  "Sol," he said, "you're the best and smartest friend a man ever had, butjust now you don't look like either an Indian or a white man."

  "O' course not," replied Shif'less Sol readily, "an' fur the minute Iain't either. I'm a water dog, trampin' 'roun' in the Detroit River, an'enjoyin' myself. Ain't you happy, too, Henry?"

  "I was never more so in my life," replied Henry emphatically, "and I cansay, too, that this is about the finest swim I ever took. Are the othersall right, Sol?"

  "They shorely are. They're settin' over thar in the bushes waitin' forour boy Henry, who hez been out late, to come back home. I reckon, too,that they've seen everything that hez happened, includin' thateverlastin' mighty big jump o' yourn."

  "When a fellow jumps for his life he is apt to jump well," said Henry.

  "I know I would," said Shif'less Sol. "Look, Henry, we're goin' to bepursued."

  Henry glanced back toward the palisade, and saw troops and Indians atthe water's edge, jumping into two boats. The Indians were especiallyquick, and, in a few moments, a boat under the influence of manypaddles, shot far out into the stream. The Detroit is a wide river, andHenry glanced anxiously at the farther shore. Shif'less Sol noticed thelook and he said:

  "Tom an' Jim an' Paul haven't forgot how to shoot. Besides, my rifle islyin' in the canoe, an' ez them fellers are comin' within range I thinkI'll give 'em a hint."

  Henry held the boat steady with one hand and maintained their diagonalcourse toward the farther shore. Sol lifted his rifle from the canoe,and holding it across the gunwale with a single arm took aim and fired.One of the paddlers in the pursuing boat sprang up convulsively, thenfell over the side and disappeared. But the boat came steadily on, thepaddlers probably knowing that it would be a matter of great difficultyfor the marksman to reload while in the water. The second boatcontaining the soldiers was also now coming fast.

  But the shiftless one made no attempt to reload. He took another look atthe Canadian shore and said to Henry:

  "Both o' them boats will soon be in the range o' three fellers who aresettin' on somethin' that don't move, an' who won't miss when theyshoot."

  He put his unloaded rifle back in the canoe, and the two, still keepingthe little boat between them and their pursuers, swam with all theirmight. But the big boats filled with rowers or paddlers were gainingfast, when a crack came from the Canadian shore, and a warrior fell inthe boat. A second shot wounded another in the shoulder. The boathesitated, and when a third bullet found a mark, it stopped. The secondboat stopped also. Henry and Sol made another great spurt, and in tenseconds their feet touched the earth.

  "Quick, in here among the bushes!" cried the voice of Tom Ross.

  Shif'less Sol, first taking his rifle from it, gave the canoe a pushthat sent it floating with the current, then he and Henry ran throughthe shallow water and up among the bushes and trees, just as bulletsfired from both boats fell in the water behind them. Strong handsgrasped Henry's and again the same strong hands pounded him on the back.Paul, Long Jim and Silent Tom welcomed him jubilantly.

  "We thought it a risky scheme, but it's gone through," said Paul.

  "So it has," said Shif'less Sol, "an' now we won't waste any timewaitin' here for Injuns, Tories an' British to come an' take us."

  He led the way into the deep forest, which closed completely about themafter the first three or four steps, and Henry followed. Little streamsof water ran from them as if they were young water gods, but Henrythought only of that most precious of all gifts, his recovered freedom,and, drawing deep breaths of delight, ran at Shif'less Sol's heels. Paulwas just behind him, Long Jim followed Paul, and Tom Ross covered therear.

  Thus they continued for a long time. They had little fear of pursuit bythe soldiers, but they knew the Indians might pick up the trail andfollow. Yet it would be a hard thing to do, as Shif'less Sol led acrossbrooks and through thickets and deep wood. He did not stop for a fullhour, when they all sat down on fallen logs, and drew deep breaths.Henry did not notice until then that Long Jim carried an extra rifle.Shif'less Sol observed Henry's glance and he laughed with quietsatisfaction.

  "It's fur you, Henry," he said. "We took it from one o' them soldiers wecaptured. He had no business with a good Kentucky rifle, which must hevbeen took from some o' our own people, an' so we saved it fur you. Paulhas a double-barreled pistol fur you which we got from a Frenchman, Tomhas an extra hatchet an' knife, an' among us we hev plenty o' ammunitionfur both rifle an' pistol."

  They passed over the complete equipment and again Henry rejoiced. He hadnot only escaped, but once more he was fully armed, ready to dareanything, and able to do anything.

  "What a good lot of fellows you are!" he said to his comrades.

  "But we couldn't hev done anything ef you hadn't been such a terriblelong jumper," said Shif'less Sol with a grin.

  "Do you hear any sounds of pursuit?" asked Paul.

  None could detect anything, and Tom went back a little space on theirtrail, returning in a few minutes with the news that there were noindications of a hostile presence. Hence they rested a while longer andthe clothing of Henry and Shif'less Sol dried in the sunshine. When theyrenewed their flight they proceeded at ease, all the while through adensely wooded country, and Paul gave Henry a brief account of thedoings of the four.

  "We could tell by the signs just how you were captured," he said, "andwe followed close. We came to the very walls of Detroit and we secretlymade friends with some of t
he French in the town."

  "There was one Pierre Louis Lajeunais, was there not?"

  "Yes, and he was the most valuable. We took the two sentinels, becausewe did not know what de Peyster would do with you, and, as we wrote, wewanted hostages against ill-treatment. When we found at last that youwere to be held only as a prisoner we sent them back, and, for the rest,we trusted to luck, skill and the chance that you might see the warriorin the canoe on the river and understand."

  "Fortune seemed to favor us through everything," said Henry, "and now Isuppose we had better keep on until we are absolutely sure the Indianswill not pick up our trail and give us a fight. As you boys probablyknow, we have no time to waste."

  "We know," said Paul. "Kentucky is calling to us and we are going thereas fast as we can."

  The night found them far from Detroit. When the twilight turned into thenight they were in woods so dense that it seemed as if man had neverbeen there before. There was no turf under the close, spreadingbranches, but the ground was densely covered with the fallen leaves oflast year. Everywhere they lay, a soft, dry carpet, and the five sankdown upon them luxuriously.

  "Here we rest," said Paul.

  "Yes, here we rest, all except one who will watch," said Shif'less Sol,who for the present was in command. "Now we'll eat a little, an' then Ithink sleep will be the most welcome thing in the world to us."

  Nobody said no, and the dried venison was brought from their packs. Theyalso gave further proofs of their foresight for Henry by producing apair of fine blankets from Tom's roll.

  "It was Lajeunais who got those for us," said Tom. "That wuz shorely afine Frenchman. I hope that some day I'll go huntin' an' trappin' withhim."

  It was arranged that Tom should keep the first watch and Jim the second,and the others disposed themselves in silence between their blankets. Itwas summer now, but the nights were cool and they were very snug withinthe blankets.

  Henry, as he relaxed mentally and physically, felt a deep sense ofgratitude. It seemed to him in this life of his in the wilderness,engaged in a cause surrounded by dangers, that a protecting hand wasconstantly stretched out in his behalf. He saw through a narrow openingin the leaves the blue sky and the great stars sailing high. The intensefeeling, half religious and half poetic, that often swayed woodsmen,both red and white, stirred him now. Surely there was a divinity in theskies, the God of the white man, the Aieroski of the Mohawk, the Manitouof the Wyandot, one and the same! Never would he despair when thatmighty hand could stretch itself forth from the infinite and save him.Thinking thus, he fell asleep and slept peacefully all through thenight.