University of Virginia Library

8. CHAPTER VIII.
The Camp.

We now change the scene of our story from the forest solitudes in which
we have so long lingered with the hunter and the warrior, to the camp of
the American army, whose sudden appearance on the waters of the Kennebis
had produced such a sensation among the warlike tribes upon its banks.

The brilliant successes of Montgomery in Canada, his capture of Montreal,
and the subsequent capitulation of the most part of Upper Canada,
had drawn from Quebec most of the British strength to act against him,
and oppose his triumphant march towards that citadel. General Washington
with that circumspective eye with which he regarded all the military
movements of the enemy, foreseeing that the whole of the disposable force
of the British army in Canada, would thus be concentrated upon Montreal,
projected an expedition against Quebec. He was at the time in his camp
before Boston. No sooner had he conceived this bold idea than he privately
detached a large body of troops from his army, and giving the command
of them to Benedict Arnold, he directed him to reach Quebec by the way
of the Kennebec river, passing through the immense wilderness of forests
lying between the sea board of Maine and the St. Lawrence.

The main object held in view by Washington in proposing this hardy expedition,
was for the purpose of taking possession of Quebec; although he
hoped also to effect by it a diversion in favor of General Montgomery, who
was in the upper country with his army held in check by Carleton. Washington
had obtained such information in reference to the condition of Quebec
as to feel confident that it would be wholly unable to hold out against
such a force as he might send to appear before it. He felt assured, not
without good grounds, that it would surrender at once if attacked by an
American army before the return of Governor Carleton and his forces.

The detachment which Washington sent on this hazardous enterprise
consisted of about one thousand men, mostly New England militia, with a
company of artillery, and three companies of riflemen. This force set sail
from Newburyport in the middle of September in eleven transports, and entered
the Kennebec on the third day afterwards. They ascended the river
slowly in their vessels until they reached a point where it was deemed advisible
by General Arnold to debark and construct batteaux for ascending
the river higher; the first rapids, called by the Indians the Cushnoc
Falls, being six miles above them,[1] where a block house, called Fort Weston,
had already been erected for the protection of the traders, and overawing
the surrounding Indians.[2] While the batteaux, two hundred in number,
were being constructed, Arnold proceeded up the river to Cushnoc rapids,
and there established his head quarters in a house still standing on the
east bank of the river, a mile above Augusta.

The batteaux were at length completed and being brought up the river to
Fort Weston, Arnold prepared to re-embark his army. It was on the evening

previous to the morning set by him for this purpose that a single canoe
might have been seen descending the river close in with the shore. It contained
two persons who skillfully guided the trail bark through the leaping
waters of the Cushnoc rapids. The moon had already risen and guided
them by her light in their dangerous voyage past many a frowning rock,
and through many a narrow shute, obstructed by the trunks of fallen trees.

As the voyagers came in sight of the block-house, on the level point of
land below the rapids, and discerned the hundred camp fires of the army of
the Americans, the one in the stern who directed the course of the boat
spake and said quickly, yet with courage,

`We are quite far enough down, Neonah. Let us turn the canoe in shore
and secrete it under the overhanging branches.'

The speaker was Willewa. She was dressed almost precisely like Neonah,
only her dark tresses were concealed beneath a close hunting cap of
otter skins adorned with a scarlet feather, a gift from Natanis. Neonah turned
the prow of the light bark shore-ward, and in a few moments afterwards
both landed under the dark canopy of the trees that thickly grew upon
the banks. Neonah having concealed the boat turned to his mistress
and said,

`Now whither shall we go to find the great Bostonee Sachem?'

`We must follow the river side until we find a path-way between two
oaks. This will lead us to the lodge in which dwells the chief I seek.—
Such were the directions I got from the Kennebis whom we met this afternoon.'

`Wherever Willewa goes, Neonah attends her!' answered the young Indian
with devotion.

They continued along the shore but a short distance before they descried
two vast oaks overhanging the water, between which they discovered a path
ascending from the river.

`It is here, Neonah. The Kennebis brave did not deceive us. He would
not have told me so truly had he known that we were the friends of the
white-warrior. Now let us move swiftly and cautiously; for we may
be surprised ere we can get into the presence of the chief!'

In front of a large square house rudely built, yet imposing in height and
size for a frontier habitation, two officers were walking together up and
down in the pleasant moonlight. One of them was a tall strongly framed,
bold tooking man, with an eagle eye, a prominent Roman nose, and a countenance
expressing altogether great firmness and military courage. It was
Colonel or General Arnold. He was habited in a long grey surtout, with
an upright collar, a plain chapeau with a cockade, and Hessian boots. His
body was loosely girded by a black, glazed belt, which held a sword and a
single pistol. In his hand he held a small willow switch with which, as he
perambalated up and down, he continually whipped the polished leg of his
military boot. The person by his side was a stout frank looking gentlemen
in a green hunting coat, lined and collared with fur, buff leathern breeches,
and military boots. He wore a foraging cap, and a red sash with a sword,
and a brace of pistols. His address was that of an accomplished gentleman,
his air that of a daring and brave soldier. It was Captain Morgan of the
Rifle Corps, who subsequently in the course of the war, so distinguished
himself at the head of his riflemen. He was smoking a cigar with an easy
careless air, and occasionally stopping to pat upon the head a fine Newfoundland
dog, which walked with a slow and stately step, up and down by
his side.

`There can be no difficulty in taking the citadel of Quebec if we can surprise
it,' said Arnold pursuing the conversation which engaged them. `To
take the garrison suddenly by surprise is my aim. This, however, will be

prevented if by any means the chiefs of the hostile Indians in our course
should send forward information. This is what I fear.'

`There is no doubt that the Nerijewecs are in the favor of the British.—
They are a powerful tribe and lay directly before us.'

`I should like to know the feelings of the equally powerful Abanaquies,'
said Arnold thoughtfully.

`We have been told they are friendly.'

`It is doubtful. These Indian warriors act by impulses. If, by chance,
one tribe should dispute our way, and with any success, the other tribes
would rush in to assist in destroying us. But if we were conquerors, they
would all stand aloof.'

`Is there no prospect of being able to conciliate Canassa as you have
done the chiefs of the Damaresc and Kennebis tribes?'

`I fear not. I shall, however, soon learn from the party I despatched to
him this morning offering peace.'

`Have you also sent to know the feelings of Natanis, the chief of the Abanaquies?'

`No. I was told by General Washington that we should probably find in
him an ally. But, as I said, this was only a conjecture, based upon the fact
that when the English proposed to him terms of alliance, he proudly refused
to listen to them!'

`There is no probability that the Indians will offer to molest us; though,
if they did but know it, we should be completely in their power as we advanced
deeper into the wilderness. They could attack us when we were
divided in passing the rapids, and do us infinite mischief!'

`The only thing I fear from them is that they may send messengers forward
to Quebec, and so prepare them for our coming!'

`If we do ever get there!' said Captain Morgan. `The truth is I question
very much if we ever see the citadel of Quebec by this route.'

`Let such doubts be whispered only, sir,' said Arnold. `I know well the
difficulties of the way, but I am as confident I shall see the waters of the
St. Lawrence within three weeks, as that I now behold those of the Kennebis
flowing past!'

`Do you know I mistrust that Tarratine Chief and his long-sided friend
Sharp-knife, that came into our camp three nights ago and made such professions
of friendship. You know that the next morning they were not to
be found!'

`Because they left on a mission of my own!'

`Where did you send them?'

`To watch Canassa, and see that he did not send forward any messenger
through the wilderness to give note of our march.'

`Will you believe it? Their sudden disappearance led me to believe they
had only visited us as spies!'

`Sabatis gave me full evidence of his friendship to General Washington.'

`Well, it may be so. I heard an old Woodman say this afternoon that he
well knew that Sabatis, the Tarratine chief, was a friend of the English.'

`I may have been deceived. But if it is so he can do us no mischief in
what I have entrusted to him.'

`Not unless he improves your hint, and pushes forward himself to Quebec
to report us.'

Arnold started with surprise and vexation. `If they have done so, half
the fruit of our expedition will be lost!'

`It is a great inducement for an Indian chief to be bearer of such intelligence
as he could carry. The reward would be great besides the favor it
would give him in the eyes of the English. Sabatis, too, can tell our foes
the exact amount of our force, and our condition.'

`If he has deceived me I cannot blame myself. Whether I trusted him

or not, if he was an enemy instead of a friend, it would have been the same
in the end. He came voluntarily into my tent, and offered his services. If
I had mistrusted him and sent him away he would still have had the same
information he has now, and made the same use of it; that is, if he has
proved treacherous. This I question! Though I must confess you have
aroused my suspicious. Ha, who approaches from the river?' be exclaimed
as the dog with a loud bark darted across the open space in front of the
house towards the entrance of the wood, through which a path-way led to
the shore. `Tell is a watchful sentinel, captain.' The house having a front
towards the road leading to the block-house, as well as a front facing the
river, a sentry was placed only on the East, on the road front of the quarters;
so that the side of the house on which the two officers were walking
was left unguarded, the two gentlemen having retired here after tea to walk
for its greater privacy, as well as for the beauty of the moonlit scene. Opposite
rose dark and imposing a wooded height, at the base of which the
black transparent waters of the romantic Kennebis flowed past with arrowy
swiftness. The murmer of its passage among the rocks reaching their ears,
while the silvery sparkle of its broken waves gleamed through the trees.—
Farther down, nearly a mile distant, was a plain, elevated a hundred feet
from the river, back of which towered a lofty hill, clad to its summit with
forest trees. On this plain, then just begining to yield its gigantic oaks to
the woodman's axe, now stands the beautiful city of Augusta, its dome and
towers and spires presenting to the eye a far different scene than that which
now met the gaze of the two officers. It was opposite this plain or table of
land that the block-house of Fort Weston stood, and the gleam of the fires
of the army in camp there, were reflected upon the opposite bank with a red
glare.

`It is two persons—they are Indians!' said Captain Morgan, taking a second
glance at two figures issuing from the wood-land path. They stopped
near a small ledge of rock as the dog flew bounding and barking towards
them, and Neonah stepping before Willewa, presented his spear at the fierce
animal.

`Come away, Tell, come away!' cried his master. `They are but two,
and must be friendly,' he added addressing General Arnold. `Approach,
you have nothing to fear.'

Tell retired slowly before them, and the next moment Neonah and Willewa
stood in the presence of the leader they had come to seek. Both officers
were struck with the youth and appearance of the strangers, and instantly
an interest was awakened in their breasts towards them.

`Whence came you?' demanded Arnold in English.

`From the forests of our people to seek the Great Sachem chief of the
Bostonees,' answered Willewa to his surprise, in the same language, though
brokenly.

`I am the Sachem you seek?'

`Then Great Father of the pale-faces, I am rewarded for all I have undergone,
in beholding your eyes and opening my lips that my words may fall
upon your ears! I have come to you, because I am the friend of the Bostonees!'

`The friends of the Bostonees are welcome. Who has sent you, my
brave youth, that you come to me!'

`No one has sent me but a grateful memory of thy people. Love for her
has sent me. For her sake I have come to warn thee of danger in thy path.
Know, great warrior-chief, that I have discovered that Canassa the Nerijewec
has gathered his warriors together, and has in ambush a days journey
up the river waiting to cut off thy march. Whither thou wouldst proceed
I know, and for what end, for spies from thee have told it in the council
lodge of Canassa, and my ears heard. I have, therefore, come to tell thee

that the war-hatchet of the Nerijewec is unburied and that the bear prowls
in thy path!'

`This is news, Morgan, indeed! Noble youth you have our thanks, and
shall be rewarded. Of what tribe are you?'

`Of the tribe of Canassa,' answered Willewa hesitating.

`You have risked much then in coming to tell me this!'

`I have. All I ask is that, if Canassa should ever fall into thy power,
thou wilt release him for my sake!'

`It shall be done!'

`I have more to tell thee, chief. Natanis the brave chief of the Abanaquies
is thy friend, even as Canassa is thy foe. He knows of the intentions
of Canassa, and is now assembling his warriors to throw himself at their
head between thee and Canassa, so that the former may be prevented from
doing that which he contemplates. Therefore, as thou goest on thy way up
the river, know that the warrior thou mayest find hovering around thy path
are friends who would protect and guard thee from danger. Thou wilt
know the chief of the Abanaquis by a scarlet plume in his coronet of black
feathers, and his warriors by their red bows and quivers, and scarlet belt of
wampum!'

`We shall not forget these tokens by which we are to recognise our
friends. Now what shall be thy reward for this intelligence?'

`Nothing, only that you give your word that you harm not Canassa!'

`I give the pledge, noble Indian youth!'

`It is enough! Good night!'

`Whither do you go? you must remain till morning. You must enter
and refresh yourselves, both of you,' said Captain Morgan.

No. We must return as we came. The great chief has heard all our
words!'

Thus speaking Willewa with a dignified yet graceful inclination of her
head, turned from the officers and followed by Neonab, disappeared in the
wood-land path by which they had ascended the river.

`This is surprising! two Indian lads thus acting as our friends, when their
tribe are foes to us!' said Arnold as they departed.

`There is something deeper in this than meets your eye,' said Captain
Morgan. `If that one who spoke so well in English is not a woman. then
I have no skill in detecting disguises. The truth is it is some chrrming Indian
girl of Canassa's tribe who has a lover who is a friend to us, and so she
has done this in our behalf. From the manner in which she spoke of Natanis
I should'nt wonder if he was the lover, and that she came from him.'

`It may be as you say, Morgan. But let us now see to improving this
news which is brought so opportunely.'

`I should like to see this Natanis, who is making this diversion in our favor,'
said Captain Morgan, as they passed round to the East front of the
house. `He must be a noble, generous fellow.'

`We can lose no time in getting the army in a condition to fight their
way tomorrow, if need be,' said Arnold; `will you accompany me to Fort
Weston? I am going there at once. I see your thoughts are upon that
handsome Indian boy, you choose to call a female!' said Arnold laughing.

`In truth I can't well get her out of my mind. All the time she was talking
I was watching her perfectly formed features, and the lifting and falling
of her eye-lids, conscious that I was gazing upon a beautiful Indian maid,
who had chosen a male attire, doubtless to shield herself from rudeness if
she had met with any of the soldiers. I wish I knew all about this. There
is a romantic love affair at the bottom, I am convinced.'

`I see you are in love, my friend. If we fall in with Canassa, and he
takes you prisoner, perhaps we may have the little drama of Captain Smith
and Pocahontas acted over again!'

`I am afraid she has a lover already,' said the gallant rifleman smiling and
sighing; `if so I fear she would let my head go by the board. I would'nt
be willing to risk it. But here are our horses. As we can't take them in
the boats, this is likely the last time we shall be in the saddle until we get
into the Canadas.'

The two officers accompanied by three others who came out of the house
then mounted and galloping up the winding lane which led into the road,
turned to the right on reaching it, and rode rapidly at spur-speed in the direction
of Fort Weston. After riding about a mile they came in sight from
a hill down which the road wound, of the block-house, and the square, log
fort in its rear, situated on a level point of land from which the trees had
been removed, leaving an extensive meadow washed by the river. In the
centre of it rose the dark walls of the block-house, an octagonal lantern elevated
eight feet from the ground upon a square basis, looking not unlike, in
form, an ancient dove-cote, the resemblance to which its numerous little
windows for musket firing, contributed not a little to increase. On the
plain around it were encamped a thousand soldiers, some in shining tents;
others in wigwams constructed of green boughs, others in the open air
around a blazing fire. Upon a small green island just below the block-house
white tents were also seen glimmering through the trees, adding to
the picturesque beauty of the whole scene.

The party paused a moment to survey the scene. The block-house was
ruddy with the numerous camp-fires; soldiers were passing to and fro in
the red light; groups were preparing their arms, others cooking food;
some in a merry mood were singing songs, and others stretched in their
blankets with their feet to the live-coals lay wrapped in sleep. Sentinels
were seen walking guard at regular intervals in the outer circle, and between
them were filed stands of muskets gleaming in the moon-beams. Not
far from the walls of the fort were the lodges of several friendly Indians,
who were smoking their pipes in a circle around a fire. The shore was
lively with men arranging a long flotilla of batteaux, lading them and getting
them ready for the morrow's march. At intervals, from a group of
trees on the spot where the toll-house now stands, to the ears of the horsemen
rose bursts of martial music, the fife, drum and bugle mingling together
in rude and wild melody.

Altogether, it was a striking and imposing sceue. After surveying it a
few moments, Arnold put spurs to his horse and dashed down towards the
block-house closely followed by his party of officers.