Edward Stratemeyer

“ Fearless of personal danger he rode around, having two horses shot from under him and receiving four bullet holes through his coat. Again and again did the French and Indians fire upon him, but he seemed to bear a charmed life, as if Providence was shielding him for greater deeds.
At last the truth forced itself home to all who remained alive. Braddock’s awful blunder in trying to fight the Indians and French according to the rules of European warfare had brought about complete defeat. Hundreds of the grenadiers had fallen and among the other troops the slaughter had been just as great. ”

“ Joseph Morris had gained the stump and was on his knees behind it, with his rifle barrel leveled across the top.
“I don’t see the deer anymore,” came in a husky tone from Uriah Risley. “He must have got frightened and run away.”
“No, he is there, behind the brush,” answered Dave. “Hist! here he comes!”
All became silent, and Mrs. Risley breathed hard in anticipation of hearing the rifle go off. Step by step the deer came out of the shadow of the forest until the brookside was gained. For a moment it disappeared, behind some brush, then came into view at the other end. ”

“ Not long after this came a yelping of hounds and a great pack burst into view and behind them half a dozen hunters, including several city dignitaries whom Joseph Morris knew by sight. With the gentlemen were several colored servants, and all seemed to be in the highest spirits. As they swept by, the Morrises learned that they were bound for the woods beyond South River, on a grand fox hunt.
“They’ll have sport,” said Dave, gazing after the crowd. “But it won’t be anything as thrilling as that deer and painter tussle in the dark.” ”

“ Putty had scarcely spoken when a savage war-whoop rang out just beyond the clearing, answered by another whoop from up the river. Then as if by magic Indians appeared to spring up all around the trading-post. All rushed forward, some with guns and others with bows and arrows, and all with tomahawks at their girdles. The yells were deafening and for the moment Dave was dazed by the sight and the noise.
“Oh, what a crowd—at least forty or fifty of them!” he gasped. “We can’t stand against so many. ”

“ By the time the boys had said their prayers and [22] retired, a deep silence had fallen on the cabin and its surroundings, broken only by the faint gurgling of the brook as it tumbled along over the rocks and the soft fall breeze as it swept through the forest beyond the clearing, sending the golden leaves down in showers. Presently the moon shone over the top of the distant mountains, tipping the brook here and there with silver. The shining of the orb of night seemed to displease the wolves, and soon one and another let up a lonely howl, ending in a chorus which was truly dismal. ”

“ It was four o’clock when Dave gave a sudden wild whoop. He had caught sight of a stockade through the branches of the low-hanging trees. “There is the post, Sam!” he cried, and made off at the top of his horse’s speed.
Dave’s cry was answered by a hunter standing close to the stockade. This was the fellow called Putty, a tall, lean specimen of the backwoodsman. As soon as he caught sight of the young rider, he, too, set up a shout. The shout was answered by somebody within the post, and a man hurried forth, bareheaded and coatless.
“Father!” shouted Dave, and rode up to his parent. ”

“ Here the smell of tar and salt air was heavy, and here large gangs of black and white laborers were toiling at their tasks of loading and unloading tobacco, hemp, lumber, rum, molasses, hardware, and a hundred and one other things.
“Looking for a chance to ship, lad?” asked one of the sailors at hand. “If ye are there’s nary better craft nor the Queen Mary lying yonder, nor better master than Cap’n Ringdale who commands her.”
“Thank you, but I don’t care to be a sailor,” answered Dave. “I have come in to do some trading, that’s all.” ”

“ For a few seconds after the deer breathed its last, the panther held on. Then slowly its grip relaxed and it fell back, but with its stony gaze still fixed upon its victim.
“The deer is dead,” cried Dave. “And see, the painter is sneaking away! Shan’t I give him a shot now?”
[77] “Wait! I don’t think he’ll go far,” answered Joseph Morris. “The deer cut him up pretty well.”
The sounds of human voices now for the first time attracted the attention of the panther, and taking its gaze from its lifeless prize it looked in the direction of Dave and his uncle. ”

“ Much alarmed, George Washington prepared to start for Mount Vernon that afternoon. With Dave and the negroes he journeyed to Denton’s and here took leave of the youth, after paying him the wages promised.
“I trust we meet again,” he said. “You have done very well, and if you ever wish to continue surveying come to me and I will do what I can for you.”
“Thank you, Mr. Washington, I will remember that,” answered Dave. “And let me say that I think you have been more than kind to me.” With this they parted, after a hearty handshake. ”

“ As the Indian concluded he pulled from under his blanket a large bottle still half full of rum. Holding tight to Dave with one hand, he held the bottle in the other and pulled the cork with his teeth. Then he shoved the liquor to the lad.
“Take drink—heap good fire-water,” he grunted. “Turtle Foot treat—Indian big heart.”
“Thank you, but I don’t wish to drink,” said Dave, as calmly as he could. He was alone with the red man, his uncle having gone inside the post, leaving him in care of the horses. Near at hand were half a dozen other Indians all whooping as if trying to split somebody’s ears. ”

“ He could plow a field or cut down a tree almost as well as a man, and he was far from being ignorant of the use of firearms. Indeed, the winter before, he had gone out hunting with old Sam Barringford, one of the best of the hunters and trappers in the Virginia valley, and had acquitted himself in a manner to earn the ardent praise of that individual. As a matter of fact, Dave would rather have gone hunting and fishing any time than stick to the work on the farm, but he knew his duty to his uncle and his aunt and did not seek to evade it. ”

“ He must get back to where he had left Barringford and that, too, without loss of time.
But then he thought of the Indians and how two of the red men had pointed their arrows at him. They must be enemies to the whites, and if that was so it would not do to run the risk of falling into their hands. Yet he knew of no way to reach the old hunter except to trail back along the bank of the stream which had played him such a sad trick. Young as he was he knew the folly of trying to strike a direct course through the dense forest which confronted him. ”

“ In the meantime the other Indians had caught one of Red Bird’s followers near the stables and had tomahawked and scalped him.
In the midst of the tumult, and when it was impossible to tell how the encounter was going, another war-whoop rang out, coming from the forest to the eastward. This was a new cry, different from that heard before, and both the whites and the Indians around the stockade listened in amazement.
“It’s the war cry of the Delawares!” ejaculated one of the men. “It must be White Buffalo and his braves!”
“White Buffalo!” exclaimed Dave. “Pray God it is! He will surely aid us.” ”

“ By this time the panther was almost gone, yet it was allowed to lay undisturbed for nearly half an hour before Joseph Morris came up behind it and cut its throat with his hunting knife, thus putting it out of its misery.
“I am glad the painter attacked the deer instead of us,” said Dave, as he took a close look at the great cat-like creature and shivered. “What a powerful beast, and what awful claws and teeth!”
“He’s an old one. If he had been younger the deer would never have been able to turn on him. I think this is the first painter you’ve seen, isn’t it?” ”

“ They were now coming into “civilization,” as Joseph Morris expressed it. Plantations were to be seen on every hand, and they frequently encountered the overseers and their slaves, for in those days half the population of Virginia were colored people who were in bondage. Yet the darkeys were a happy set and often they could hear them singing at a distance as they worked in the corn and tobacco fields, or around the immense barns and warehouses.
A storm had been brewing and the next day Joseph Morris and Dave lost no time in riding straight on to Georgetown, on the beautiful Potomac. ”

“ When Dave returned to his uncle’s home he was glad to find Rodney much better from the surgical operations which had been performed upon him. The young man could now walk around fairly well and hoped inside of another year to be as well as anybody. The doctoring had been very expensive but Joseph Morris had paid the bills cheerfully.
“So you have gone and joined the militia!” exclaimed Mrs. Morris, after embracing Dave. “And Henry is going, too! I never heard tell of such doings! You’ll all be shot!”
“I hope not, Aunt Lucy. Somebody has got to play soldier, you know.” ”

“ One of the pack horses balked and in plunging around bumped up against the steed Dave was riding. This knocked the youth’s horse from the rocks, and in a twinkling Dave found himself and his steed floating down the current of the stream.
“Come back here!” roared Barringford. “Turn to the shore!” And then he said no more, having his hands full with the pack horses and his own animal. One of the pack horses began to kick and did not stop until the old hunter struck him a heavy blow with his gun stock. ”

“ White Buffalo was the best of guides and through his leadership the advance of the little party was rapid. He knew the best fording spots in all the rivers and what trail was good and what bad. He thought a great deal of Dave and the youth felt perfectly safe with him.
On the second day out from the trading-post White Buffalo, who was slightly in advance, came to a sudden halt.
“White men are ahead,” he announced. “Men with guns, shovels and axes.” ”

“ When Dave came out in the morning and walked toward the trading-post and around it he felt somewhat astonished at the turn affairs had taken. One backwoodsman had aroused another, and all had stolen off as meekly and quietly as had the red men several hours before. The post was almost deserted in consequence and appeared more lonely than ever.
“It’s a way those fellows have,” said one of the traders to Dave. “They go out into the woods for weeks at a time and you never see hide nor hair of ’em. ”

“ The shouting and whooping was terrific, and the Indians not only killed but scalped their victims at every opportunity.
[280] It was now that Washington shone forth in his true character, able to calculate wisely even in such a moment of intense excitement. He had seen Braddock borne to the rear, slowly dying but still conscious and able to speak.
“Colonel, what is to be done?” asked the general.
“Retreat,” answered Washington, grimly. “Your men will not fight further, the assault has paralyzed them. The Rangers will cover the retreat.” ”

“ The signatures were compared by all three of the party.
“I should pronounce this notice a forgery,” said Washington, breaking a painful silence.
“That is also my opinion,” returned Joseph Morris. “The handwriting is quite different.”
“Then father need not move?” cried Dave, impulsively.
“I do not say that,” replied Washington. “The French commander may not take the trouble to notify him until he is at hand—as was the case with Ensign Ward.”
“But an honest man will not stand up for a forgery.” ”

“ White Buffalo had left the party when the fort had been sighted, saying he would come in when the snow came. The next day the Indian and his followers were off to avenge the fall of their brethren.
“It’s not a joyful home-coming,” remarked Joseph Morris, to his brother. “But I am glad that you and Dave are alive.”
“But the loss at the post—” began James Morris, anxiously.
“Let that drop, James. The loss is nothing compared to what it would have been had you lost your life out there. In the future you may be more successful.”
“Then you think we will eventually conquer the French and Indians?” ”

“ Dave followed the old hunter. From this point they could see a detachment of the French behind some brushwood to their right. Down in the glade was Washington, trying to place the troops in order for retreat.
“They are going to fire on Washington!” cried Dave. Scarcely had he spoken when Barringford’s weapon rang out and one of the French soldiers fell.
The others looked toward the split in the rocks and just then Dave fired, but missed his mark. The French soldiers gave a yell and turned their aim on our friends. ”

“ Several of the vanguard were cut down instantly and the others came to a halt in dismay.
“The French and the Indians!” was the cry. “They are on us a thousand strong!” The firing continued, and the vanguard was driven back. In the meantime General Braddock ordered the main body of troops forward and went with them himself. The troops advanced in a solid body until the remnant of the vanguard was met and then came to a halt. ”

“ Washington had sent a small body of men ahead, to clear a road through the wilderness for Colonel Fry with the artillery. On the 29th of April the young commander marched forth from Will’s Creek to join this advance guard and hasten the work of making some sort of a highway. His troops numbered a hundred and sixty, all strong, hardy fellows, used to a life in the open, and handy with axe as well as gun. ”

“ Remain with us over night and be at rest.”
They entered the Indian village and Eagle Plume ordered some of the boys to drive off the dogs. Dave and Barringford were led to the old chief’s wigwam, the largest in the village, made of poles twenty to twenty-five feet long and covered with the skins of wild animals, all curiously decorated with Indian symbols. Within some fancy mats lay upon the ground, and a small fire was burning to drive away the chill. Eagle Plume’s squaw was present and also his two daughters, Indian maidens who were by no means bad looking. ”

“ As Washington saw the movement he could not resist speaking to Braddock again of the folly of sending soldiers into the wilderness in that form. He begged to be allowed to send the Virginia Rangers in advance.
“It will not be necessary,” was Braddock’s haughty answer. “The royal troops are capable of taking care of themselves.” And the march forward was resumed. To awe the enemy the general had had all uniforms and equipments cleaned the day before, so that everything shone as bright as a new silver dollar—making the better marks for the Indians siding with the French! ”

“ Chafing to learn what has become of his parent, David remains at the home of his uncle until the next Spring, when General Braddock arrives with his troops from England. Another campaign against the French is now opened and once again the youth becomes a soldier boy, to witness Braddock’s bitter defeat and Washington’s masterly effort to save the remnant of the army from annihilation. ”