 | CHAPTER XIV. The oak openings, or, The bee-hunter |  |
14. CHAPTER XIV.
With constant mind both night and day:
She seems to hold her home in view;
And sails as if the path she knew,
So calm and stately in her motion
Across the unfathomed, trackless ocean.
Wilson.
It has been said that Peter was in advance. When his
canoe was nearly abreast of the usual landing at the hut,
he saw two canoes coming out from among the rice, and
distant from him not more than a hundred yards. At a
distinguish such an object on the water at all. Instead of
attempting to avoid these two canoes, the chief instantly
called to them, drawing the attention of those in them to
himself, speaking so loud as to be easily overheard by those
who followed.
“My young men are too late,” he said. “The pale-faces
have been seen in the openings above by our warriors,
and must soon be here. Let us land, and be ready
to meet them at the wigwam.”
Peter's voice was immediately recognised. The confident,
quiet, natural manner in which he spoke served to
mislead those in the canoes; and when he joined them,
and entered the passage among the rice that led to the
landing, preceding the others, the last followed him as regularly
as the colt follows its dam. Le Bourdon heard the
conversation, and understood the movement, though he
could not see the canoes. Peter continued talking aloud,
as he went up the passage, receiving answers to all he said
from his new companions, his voice serving to let the fugitives
know precisely where they were. All this was understood
and improved by the last, who lost no time in turning
the adventure to account.
The first impulse of le Bourdon had been to turn and fly
up stream. But, ascertaining that these dangerous enemies
were so fully occupied by Peter as not to see the
canoes behind, he merely inclined a little towards the other
side of the channel, and slackened his rate of movement,
in order not to come too near. The instant he was satisfied
that all three of the canoes in advance had entered the
passage mentioned, and were moving towards the landing,
he let out, and glided down stream like an arrow. It
required but half a minute to cross the opening of the passage,
but Peter's conversation kept his followers looking
ahead, which greatly lessened the risk. Le Bourdon's
heart was in his mouth several times, while thus running
the gauntlet, as it might be; but fortune favoured them;
or, as Margery more piously understood the circumstances,
a Divine Providence led them in safety past the danger.
At the mouth of the river both le Bourdon and Gershom
thought it highly probable that they should fall in with
But no canoe was there, and the fugitives were soon in the
lake. Michigan is a large body of water, and a bark canoe
is but a frail craft to put to sea in, when there is any wind,
or commotion. On the present occasion, there was a good
deal of both; so much as greatly to terrify the females.
Of all the craft known, however, one of these egg-shells is
really the safest, if properly managed, among breakers, or
amid the combing of seas. We have ourselves ridden in
them safely through a surf that would have swamped the
best man-of-war cutter that ever floated; and done it, too,
without taking on board as much water as would serve to
wash one's hands. The light vessel floats on so little
of the element, indeed, that the foam of a large sea has
scarce a chance of getting above it, or aboard it, the great
point in the handling being to prevent the canoe from falling
broad-side to. By keeping it end-on to the sea, in our
opinion, a smart gale might be weathered in one of these
craft, provided the endurance of a man could bear up
against the unceasing watchfulness, and incessant labour
of sweeping with the paddle, in order to prevent broaching
to.
Le Bourdon, it has been said, was very skilful in the
management of his craft; and Gershom, now perforce a
sober and useful man, was not much behind him in this
particular. The former had foreseen this very difficulty,
and made all his arrangements to counteract it. No
sooner, therefore, did he find the canoes in rough water
than he brought them together, side by side, and lashed
them there. This greatly lessened the danger of capsizing,
though it increased the labour of managing the craft
when disposed to turn broadside to. It only remained to
get sail on the catamaran, for some such thing was it now,
in order to keep ahead of the sea, as much as possible.
Light cotton lugs were soon spread, one in each canoe,
and away they went, as sailors term it, wing and wing.
It was now much easier steering, though untiring vigilance
was still necessary. A boat may appear to fly, and yet the
“send of the sea” shall glance ahead of it with the velocity
of a bird. Nothing that goes through, or on, the water,
and the last is the phrase best suited to the floating of a
feathery foam, which under the several names of “white-caps”—an
in-shore and lubber's term—“combs,” “breaking
of the seas,” the “wash,” &c., &c., &c., glances
by a vessel in a blow, or comes on board her even when
she is running before it. We have often watched these
clouds of water, as they have shot ahead of us, when
ploughing our own ten or eleven knot through the brine,
and they have ever appeared to us as so many useful admonishers
of what the power of God is, as compared to the
power of man. The last shall construct his ship, fit her
with all the appliances of his utmost art, sail her with the
seaman's skill, and force her through her element with
something like rail-road speed; yet, will the seas “send”
their feathery crests past her, like so many dolphins, or
porpoises, sporting under her fore-foot. It is this following
sea, which becomes so very dangerous in heavy gales, and
which compels the largest ships frequently to heave-to, in
order that they may present their bows to its almost resistless
power.
But our adventurers had no such gales as those we mean,
or any such seas to withstand. The wind blew fresh from
the south, and Michigan can get up a very respectable
swell at need. Like the seas in all the Great Lakes, it was
short, and all the worse for that: The larger the expanse
of water over which the wind passes, the longer is the sea,
and the easier is it for the ship to ride on it. Those of Lake
Michigan, however, were quite long enough for a bark
canoe, and glad enough were both Margery and Dorothy
when they found their two little vessels lashed together,
and wearing an air of more stability than was common to
them. Le Bourdon's sail was first spread, and it produced
an immediate relief from the washing of the waves. The
drift of a bark canoe, in a smart blow, is considerable, it
having no hold on the water to resist it; but our adventurers
fairly flew as soon as the cotton cloth was opened.
The wind being exactly south, by steering due north, or
dead before it, it was found possible to carry the sail in
the other canoe, borne out on the opposite side; and from
the moment that was opened, all the difficulty was reduced
to steering so “small,” as seamen term it, as to prevent
however, no very serious consequences would have
followed, the precaution taken of lashing the craft together,
rendering capsizing next to impossible.
The Kalamazoo and its mouth were soon far behind, and
le Bourdon no longer felt the least apprehension of the
savages left in it. The Indians are not bold navigators,
and he felt certain that the lake was too rough for the
savages to venture out, while his own course gradually
carried him off the land, and out of the track of anything
that kept near the shore. A short time produced a sense
of security, and the wind appearing to fall, instead of increasing
in violence, it was soon arranged that one of the
men should sleep, while the other looked to the safety of
the canoes.
It was about nine o'clock when the fugitives made sail,
off the mouth of the Kalamazoo; and, at the return of light,
seven hours later, they were more than forty miles from
the place of starting. The wind still stood, with symptoms
of growing fresher again as the sun rose, and the land could
just be seen in the eastern board, the coast in that direction
having made a considerable curvature inland. This had
brought the canoes farther from the land than le Bourdon
wished to be, but he could not materially change his course
without taking in one of his sails. As much variation
was made, however, as was prudent, and by nine o'clock,
or twelve hours after entering the lake, the canoes again
drew near to the shore, which met them ahead. By the
bee-hunter's calculations, they were now about seventy
miles from the mouth of the Kalamazoo, having passed the
outlets of two or three of the largest streams of those
regions.
The fugitives selected a favourable spot, and landed
behind a head-land that gave them a sufficient lee for the
canoes. They had now reached a point where the coast
trends a little to the eastward, which brought the wind in
a slight degree off the land. This change produced no
very great effect on the seas, but it enabled the canoes to
keep close to the shore, making something of a lee for
them. This they did about noon, after having lighted a
fire, caught some fish in a small stream, killed a deer and
three days. The canoes were now separated again; it being
easier to manage them in that state than when lashed together,
besides enabling them to carry both sails. The
farther north they got the more of a lee was found, though
it was in no place sufficient to bring smooth water.
In this manner several more hours were passed, and six
times as many more miles were made in distance. When
le Bourdon again landed, which he did shortly before the
sun set, he calculated his distance from the mouth of the
Kalamazoo to be rather more than a hundred miles. His
principal object was to ascend a bluff and to take a look
at the coast, in order to examine it for canoes. This his
glass enabled him to do with some accuracy, and when he
rejoined the party, he was rejoiced to have it in his power
to report that the coast was clear. After refreshing themselves,
the canoes were again brought together, in order
to divide the watches, and a new start was made for the
night. In this manner did our adventurers make their
way to the northward for two nights and days, landing
often, to fish, hunt, rest, and cook, as well as to examine
the coast. At the end of the time mentioned, the celebrated
straits of the Michillimackinac, or Mackinaw, as
they are almost universally termed, came in sight. The
course had been gradually changing towards the eastward,
and luckily for the progress of the fugitives the wind with
it, leaving them always a favourable breeze. But it was
felt to be no longer safe to use a sail, and recourse was
had to the paddles, until the straits and island were passed.
This caused some delay, and added a good deal to the
labour; but it was deemed so dangerous to display their
white cotton sails, objects that might be seen for a considerable
distance, that it was thought preferable to adopt this
caution. Nor was it useless. In consequence of this fore-sight
a fleet of canoes was passed in safety, which were
crossing from the post at Mackinaw towards the main land
of Michigan. The number of the canoes in this fleet
could not have been less than fifty, but getting a timely
view of them, le Bourdon hid his own craft in a cove, and
remained there until the danger was over.
The course now changed still more, while the wind got
first, and gave the canoes a good lee as they advanced.
Lake Huron, which was the water the fugitives were now
on, lies nearly parallel to Michigan, and the course was
south, easterly. As le Bourdon had often passed both ways
on these waters, he had his favourite harbours, and knew
those signs which teach navigators how to make their
prognostics of the weather. On the whole, the fugitives
did very well, though they lost two days between Mackinaw
and Saginaw Bay; one on account of the strength of
the wind, and one on account of rain. During the last,
they remained in a hut that le Bourdon had himself constructed
in one of his many voyages, and which he had left
standing. These empty cabins, or chientés, are of frequent
occurrence in new countries, being used, like the
Refuges in the Alps, by every traveller as he has need of
them.
The sight of the fleet of canoes, in the straits of Michillimackinac,
caused the fugitives the only real trouble they
had felt, between the time when they left the mouth of the
Kalamazoo, and the ten days that succeeded. By the end
of that period the party had crossed Saginaw, and was fast
coming up with Pointe au Barques, a land-mark for all
who navigate the waters of Huron, when a canoe was seen
coming out from under the land, steering as if to intercept
them. This sight gave both concern and pleasure; concern,
as it might lead to a hostile encounter, and pleasure,
because the bee-hunter hoped for information that might
be useful in governing his future course. Here his glass
came in play, with good effect. By means of that instrument,
it was soon ascertained that the strange canoe contained
but two men, both Indians, and as that was just
their own force, no great danger was apprehended from
the meeting. The craft, therefore, continued to approach
each other, le Bourdon keeping his glass levelled on the strangers, much of the time.
“As I live, yonder are Peter and Pigeonswing,” suddenly
exclaimed our hero. “They have crossed the Peninsula,
and have come out from the point, in that canoe, to meet
us.”
“With important news, then, depend on it, Benjamin,”
Dolly may not feel more alarm than is necessary.”
The bee-hunter called out to his friends in the other
canoe, and communicated the discovery just made. The
two craft keeping always within hailing distance of each
other.
“Them Injins are not here for nothing,” answered
Dorothy. “You will find they have something serious to
say.”
“We shall soon know,” called out le Bourdon. “Ten
minutes will bring us alongside of them.”
The ten minutes did that much, and before the expiration
of the short space, the three canoes were fastened together,
that of Peter being in the centre. The bee-hunter
saw, at a glance, that the expedition of the Indians had
been hurried; for their canoe, besides being of very indifferent
qualities, was not provided with the implements and
conveniences usual to a voyage of any length. Still, he
would not ask a question, but lighting his pipe, after a
few puffs, he passed it courteously over to Peter. The
great chief smoked awhile, and gave it to Pigeonswing, in
his turn, who appeared to enjoy it quite as much as any
of the party.
“My father does not believe he is a Jew?” said le Bourdon,
smiling; willing to commence a discourse, though
still determined not to betray a womanish curiosity.
“We are poor Injins, Bourdon; juss as the Great Spirit
made us. Dat bess. Can't help what Manitou do. If
he don't make us Jew, can't be Jew. If he make us Injin,
muss be Injin. For my part, b'lieve I'm Injin, and don't
want to be pale-face. Can love pale-face, now, juss as well
as love Injin.”
“Oh, I hope this is true, Peter,” exclaimed Margery,
her handsome face flushing with delight, at hearing these
words. “So long as your heart tells you this, be certain
that the spirit of God is in you.”
Peter made no answer, but he looked profoundly impressed
with the novel feeling that had taken possession of
his soul. As for the bee-hunter, he did not meddle with
Margery's convictions or emotions on such subjects, resembling
in this particular most men, who, however indifferent
to find that their wives profoundly submit to its influence.
After a short pause, a species of homage involuntarily
paid to the subject, he thought he might now inquire into
the circumstances that brought the Indians on their route,
without incurring the imputation of a weak and impatient
curiosity. In reply, Peter's story was soon told. He had
rejoined the chiefs without exciting distrust, and all had
waited for the young men to come in with the captives.
As soon as it was ascertained that the intended victims had
escaped and by water, parties proceeded to different points,
in order to intercept them. Some followed in canoes, but
being less bold in their navigation than the bee-hunter,
they did not make the straits until some time after the fugitives
had passed. Peter, himself, had joined Bear's Meat,
and some twenty warriors who had crossed the Peninsula,
procured canoes at the head of Saginaw Bay, and had
come out at Pointe au Barques, the very spot our party
was now approaching, three days before its arrival.
Tired with waiting, and uncertain whether his enemies
had not got the start of him, Bear's Meat had gone into
the river below, intending to keep his watch there, leaving
Peter at the Pointe, with three young men, and one canoe,
to have a look out. These young men the great chief had
found an excuse for sending to the head of the Bay, in
quest of another canoe, which left him, of course, quite
alone on the Pointe. Scarce had the young men got out of
sight, ere Pigeonswing joined his confederate, for it seems
that this faithful friend had kept on the skirts of the enemy
the whole time, travelling hundreds of miles, and enduring
hunger and fatigue, besides risking his life at nearly every
step, in order to be of use to those whom he considered
himself pledged to serve.
Of course, Peter and Pigeonswing understood each
other. One hour after they joined company, the canoes of
the fugitives came in sight, and were immediately recognised
by their sails. They were met, as has been mentioned,
and the explanations that we have given were made before
the party landed at the Pointe.
It was something to know where the risk was to be apprehended;
but le Bourdon foresaw great danger. He had
a hazardous coast, though a little craft, like one of those
he navigated ran less risk, perhaps, than a larger vessel,
since a shelter might, at any time, be found within a reasonable
distance for it. From Pointe au Barque to the
outlet of the lake was less than a hundred miles more.
This outlet was a river, as it is called, a strait, in fact,
which communicates with the small shallow lake of St.
Clair, by a passage of some thirty miles in length. Then
the lake St. Clair was to be crossed, about an equal distance,
when the canoes would come out in what is called
the Detroit river, a strait again, as its name indicates.
Some six or eight miles down this passage, and on its
western side, stands the city of Detroit, then a village of
no great extent, with a fort better situated to repel an attack
of the savages, than to withstand a siege of white
men. This place was now in the possession of the British,
and, according to le Bourdon's notions, it was scarcely less
dangerous to him, than the hostility of Bear's Meat and
his companions.
Delay, however, was quite as dangerous as anything
else. After cooking and eating, therefore, the canoes continued
their course, Peter and Pigeonswing accompanying
them, though they abandoned their own craft. Peter went
with the bee-hunter and Margery, while the Chippewa took
a seat and a paddle in the canoe of Gershom. This change
was made, in order to put a double power in each canoe,
since it was possible that downright speed might become
the only means of safety.
The wind still stood at the westward, and the rate of
sailing was rapid. About the close of the day the party
drew near to the outlet, when Peter directed the sails to be
taken in. This was done to prevent their being seen, a
precaution that was now aided by keeping as near to the
shore as possible, where objects so small and low would be
very apt to be confounded with others on the land.
It was quite dark when the canoes entered the St. Clair
river. Favoured by the current and the wind their progress
was rapid, and ere the day returned, changing his
direction from the course ordinarily taken, Peter entered
the lake by a circuitous passage; one of the many that lead
a perfect shelter. This detour saved the fugitives from
falling into the hands of one party of their enemies, as was
afterwards ascertained by the Indians. Bear's Meat had
left two canoes, each manned by five warriors, to watch
the principal passages into Lake St. Clair, not anticipating
that any particular caution would be used by the bee-hunter
and his friends, at this great distance from the place where
they had escaped from their foes. But the arrival of Peter,
his sagacity, and knowledge of Indian habits, prevented the
result that was expected. The canoes got into the lake
unseen, and crossed it a little diagonally, so as to reach the
Canada shore in the middle of the afternoon of the succeeding
day, using their sails only when far from the land,
and not exposed to watchful eyes.
The bee-hunter and his friends landed that afternoon at
the cabin of a Canadian Frenchman, on the shore of the
lake, and at a safe distance from the outlet which led still
further south. Here the females were hospitably received,
and treated with that kindness which marks the character
of the Canadian French. It mattered little to these simple
people, whether the travellers were of the hostile nation or
not. It is true, they did not like the “Yankees,” as all
Americans are termed by them, but they were not particularly
in love with their English masters. It was well
enough to be re-possessed of both banks of the Detroit, for
both banks were then peopled principally by their own race,
the descendants of Frenchmen of the time of Louis XIV.,
and who still preserved much of the language, and many
of the usages, of the French of that period. They spoke
then, as now, only the language of their fathers.
The bee-hunter left the cottage of these simple and hospitable
people, as soon as the night was fairly set in; or,
rather, as soon as a young moon had gone down. Peter
now took the command, steering the canoe of le Bourdon,
while Gershom followed so close as to keep the bow
of his little craft within reach of the Indian's arm. In less
than an hour the fugitives reached the opening of the river,
which is here divided into two channels by a large island.
On that very island, and at that precise moment, was Bear's
Meat lying in wait for their appearance, provided with
have been easy for this chief to go to Detroit, and
give the alarm to the savages who were then collected
there in a large force, and to have made such a disposition
of the canoes as would have rendered escape by water impossible;
but this would have been robbing himself and
his friends of all the credit of taking the scalps, and throwing
away what is termed “honour,” among others as well
as among savages. He chose, therefore, to trust to his own
ability to succeed; and supposing the fugitives would not
be particularly on their guard at this point, had little doubt
of intercepting them here, should they succeed in eluding
those he had left above.
The bee-hunter distrusted that island, and used extra
caution in passing it. In the first place, the two canoes
were brought together, so as to give them, in the dark, the
appearance of only one; while the four men added so much
to the crew as to aid the deception. In the end it proved
that one of Bear's Meat's canoes, that was paddling about
in the middle of the river, had actually seen them, but
mistook the party for a canoe of their own, which ought
to have been near that spot, with precisely six persons in
it, just at that time. These six warriors had landed, and
gone up among the cottages of the French to obtain some
fruit, of which they were very fond, and of which they got
but little in their own villages. Owing to this lucky coincidence,
which the pretty Margery ever regarded as another
special interposition of Providence in their favour, the fugitives
passed the island without molestation, and actually got
below the last look-outs of Bear's Meat, though without
their knowledge.
It was by no means a difficult thing to go down the
river, now that so many canoes were in motion on it, at
all hours. The bee-hunter knew what points were to be
avoided, and took good care not to approach a sentinel.
The river, or strait, is less than a mile wide, and
by keeping in the centre of the passage, the canoes,
favoured by both wind and current, drove by the town,
then an inconsiderable village, without detection. As
soon as far enough below, the canoes were again cast loose
from each other, and sail was made on each. The water
fugitives were abreast of Malden, but in the American
channel. Had it been otherwise, the danger could not
have been great. So completely were the Americans subdued
by Hull's capitulation, and so numerous were the
Indian allies of the British, that the passage of a bark
canoe, more or less, would hardly have attracted attention.
At that time, Michigan was a province of but little more
than a name. The territory was wide to be sure, but the
entire population was not larger than that of a moderately-sized
English market town, and Detroit was then regarded
as a distant and isolated post. It is true that Mackinac
and Chicago were both more remote, and both more isolated,
but an English force, in possession of Detroit, could
be approached by the Americans on the side of the land
only by overcoming the obstacles of a broad belt of difficult
wilderness. This was done the succeeding year, it is true,
but time is always necessary to bring out Jonathan's latent
military energies. When aroused, they are not trifling,
as all his enemies have been made to feel; but a good deal
of miscalculation, pretending ignorance, and useless talking
must be expended, before the really efficient are allowed
to set about serving the country in their own way.
In this respect, thanks to West Point, a well-organized
staff, and well-educated officers, matters are a little improving.
Congress has not been able to destroy the army,
in the present war, though it did its best to attain that end;
and all because the nucleus was too powerful to be totally
eclipsed by the gas of the usual legislative tail of the Great
National Comet, of which neither the materials nor the
orbit can any man say he knows. One day, it declares
war with a hurrah; the next, it denies the legislation necessary
to carry it on, as if it distrusted its own acts, and
already repented of its patriotism. And this is the body,
soulless, the very school of faction, as a whole of very questionable
quality in the outset, that, according to certain
expounders of the constitution, is to perform all the functions
of a government; which is not only to pass laws, but
is to interpret them; which is to command the army, ay,
even to wheeling its platoons; which reads the constitution
as an abbe mumbles his aves and paters, or looking at
acts vetoed, unless in cases where the Supreme Court
would spare the Executive that trouble! We never yet
could see either the elements or the fruits of this great
sanctity in the National Council. In our eyes it is scarcely
ever in its proper place on the railway of the Union, has
degenerated into a mere electioneering machine, performing
the little it really does, convulsively, by sudden impulses,
equally without deliberation or a sense of responsibility.
In a word, we deem it the power of all others in
the state that needs the closest watching, and were we
what is termed in this country “politicians,” we should
go for the executive who is the most ready to apply the
curb to these vagaries of factions and interested partisans.
Vetoes! Would to Heaven we could see the days of
Good Queen Bess revived for one session of Congress at
least, and find that more laws were sent back for the second
thoughts of their framers than were approved! Then, indeed,
might the country be brought back to a knowledge
of the very material constitutional facts that the legislature
is not commander-in-chief, does not negotiate or make
treaties, and has no right to do, that which it has done so
often, appoint to office by act of Congress!
As a consequence of the little apprehension entertained
by the English of being soon disturbed in their new conquests,
le Bourdon and his friends got out of the Detroit
river, and into Lake Erie, without discovery, or molestation.
There still remained a long journey before them.
In that day the American side of the shores of all the
Great Lakes was little more than a wilderness. There
were exceptions, at particular points, but these were few
and far asunder. The whole coast of Ohio, for Ohio has
its coast as well as Bohemia,[1]
was mostly in a state of nature,
as was much of those of Pennsylvania and New York,
on the side of the fresh water. The port which the bee-hunter
had in view was Presque Isle, now known as Erie, a
harbour in Pennsylvania that has since become somewhat
celebrated in consequence of its being the port out of which
the American vessels sailed about a year later than the period
them the mastery of the lake. This was a little voyage of
itself, of near two hundred miles, following the islands and
the coast, but it was safely made in the course of the succeeding
week. Once in Lake Erie, and on the American
side, our adventurers felt reasonably safe against all dangers
but those of the elements. It is true that a renowned
annalist, whose information is sustained by the collected
wisdom of a State Historical Society, does tell us that the
enemy possessed both shores of Lake Erie in 1814; but
this was so small a mistake, compared with some others
that this Nestor in history had made, that we shall not stop
to explain it. Le Bourdon and his party found all the
south shore of Lake Erie in possession of the Americans,
so far as it was in the possession of any one, and consequently
ran no risks from this blunder of the historian and
his highly intelligent associates!
Peter and Pigeonswing left their friends before they
reached Presque Isle. The bee-hunter gave them his own
canoe, and the parting was not only friendly, but touching.
In the course of their journey, and during their many stops;
Margery had frequently prayed with the great chief. His
constant and burning desire, now, was to learn to read,
that he might peruse the word of the Great Spirit, and regulate
his future life by its wisdom and tenets. Margery
promised, should they ever meet again, and under circumstances
favourable to such a design, to help him attain
his wishes.
Pigeonswing parted from his friend with the same light-hearted
vivacity, as he had manifested in all their intercourse.
Le Bourdon gave him his own rifle, plenty of ammunition,
and various other small articles that were of
value to an Indian, accepting the Chippewa's arms in return.
The exchange, however, was greatly to the advantage of
the savage. As for Peter he declined all presents. He
carried weapons now, indeed, merely for the purpose of
hunting; but the dignity of his character and station
would have placed him above such compensations had the
fact been otherwise.
| CHAPTER XIV. The oak openings, or, The bee-hunter | |