University of Virginia Library

17. CHAPTER XVII.
THE REGULAR TRAIN.

It will be remembered that when Henry and
Isaline turned aside from the main route to visit the
Indian mound, the train was moving through an
open wood, at a snail-like pace. It kept the same
slow movement, till Rough Tom, glancing westward,
perceived the indications of a gathering tempest,
even though no thunder had yet been heard; and
then, with the rough energy characteristic of the
man, he soon effected a wonderful change in the
motions of both horse and foot.

“Hurry up and hurry on!” he shouted, so as to
be heard the whole length of the line; “for thar's a
storm a coming that'll raise the ford so's we can't
cross for two days, and maybe not for a week!
Whip up the hosses, boys, and put out like a streak
of greased lightning!”

The other scouts, drivers and riders, took the
alarm, and in less than a minute the whole train
was dashing away at as great a speed as the safety
of the goods and loaded animals would permit.

“Whar's your misses?” at length exclaimed Tom,
as he happened to find himself running along side
the horse on which the frightened Priscilla and

Rhoda were uncomfortably seated, and which, by
dint of a good deal of whipping and cursing by one
of the drivers, had been started into a hog canter.

“I-I-Ise doesn't know perzactly,” answered the
old nurse, with her teeth fairly chattering, as she
clung to Rhoda, who in turn clung to the pummel
of the saddle and the horse's mane; “bu-bu-but she's
done gone rid off wi-wi-with Marsa Co-Co-Colbrum,
and Ise got out my ske-ske-skeers on her, I has!”

Tom turned to the next, and put the question concerning
Miss Holcombe, and received an answer
that gave him some definite information. Then he
ripped out about half-a-dozen oaths in succession,
and said, “Whar's the use?” at least three times.

“Jest like him—al'ays arter some—finiky!” he
continued to mutter. “Now I'll bet my head
agin a skunk-cabbage, that he's eyther making love
to that ar gal, or drawing some fool of a pictur', and
won't know thar's a storm a brewing till he gits
knocked over with a chunk of chain lightning!
Woofh! whar's the use? He yar we is now, making
tracks for the ford, and leaving him and the colonel's
darter behind in a way that arn't safe. It won't do
—I've got to go back arter 'em! Ha! thar goes the
thunder; but I spect he won't hear nothing till the
sky falls in and the 'arth shakes him off his feet!
Lord save us!” he added, once more glancing at the
ominous sky; “thar's agwine to be a screecher that'll
make things howl!”

Hurriedly telling one of his companions to push

on with all speed, and cross the ford at once if possible,
Tom turned and started back on a run, intending
to find Henry and Isaline, inform them of what
had been done, and if, as he feared, they should be
too late for getting over the river that day, to remain
with them till they should be able to join their companions.
At this time the train had passed over a
low ridge and was rapidly making its way through
a small thicket of cane; and by the time that Tom, in
going back, had again reached the top of the ridge,
he beheld the tempest driving up from the west in
all its startling fury. He kept on, however, till the
tornado struck the wood before him; and then he
paused and gazed upon the crashing work of destruction,
with feelings of awe if not of terror.

It will be remembered we stated the track of the
tornado to be some half-a-mile wide, and its duration
about half-an-hour, though it continued to rain heavily
till near sunset. Tom had not got back far enough
to be caught in the whirl of the hurricane, though
it was plainly in sight; and when he saw the awful
work of destruction before him, he groaned in spirit
at the thought that perhaps both Henry and Isaline
were beyond earthly aid. Still he felt it his duty
to know; and as soon as he could go forward with
safety, he did.

He went in among the fallen timbers, and was
diligently working his way through them when he
was suddenly startled at hearing Indian voices.
His position at the moment happened to be in a spot

where he was completely concealed by tangled
branches, vines and leaves; and, by carefully creeping
forward some two or three paces, he was enabled
to get a view of three savages in their war-paint,
who were standing upon the fallen trunk of a tree,
conversing in low tones, and gesticulating in a way
to lead the experienced woodman to infer they were
speaking of the train that had passed. They soon
moved off in the direction Tom had been going,
and he pushed on to reconnoitre, but now of course
with all his senses on the alert and using the
greatest caution.

In something less than half an hour he came in
sight of the main body, and counted twenty-five
warriors, with the belief there were many others he
did not see. They had evidently been waiting for
the storm to pass over, but now seemed preparing
to resume their pursuit of the train, and Tom felt
that matters had reached a very critical condition.
Should the whites fail to cross the ford, and the savages
get up and attack them at that place, nothing
he thought could save them, and he now felt it his
duty to return with all possible dispatch.

This, however, was not an easy thing to do; for it
was not unlikely that the Indian scouts were out in
different directions, and he would have to use the
greatest caution to work himself back through the
fallen timbers without being discovered, while the
savages could push right on without fear of molestation.
Fortunately for all concerned, the latter were

slow in their movements, doubtless supposing the
whites would not attempt to cross the ford that day
in the swollen condition of the river, and, by stealing
upon and surprising them after dark, they would
have them at their mercy.

This delay of the savages was the only thing in
fact that saved the whites; for when Tom did finally
get back to them, a little before sunset, he found
them at the ford, but still on the right bank of the
Licking, passively awaiting his return. The news
he brought of course threw them into the greatest
consternation, and some of the women and children
became so frantic with terror that much time
was lost in restoring anything like order and getting
them mounted. It was indeed a wild, exciting
scene; for the water had already risen so much
that the stream could only be crossed by swimming;
and when the mounted travellers were urged into it
on their horses, it seemed to them as if they were
only substituting one death for another. Every
moment it was expected the appalling yells of the
savages would ring in their ears, accompanied by a
shower of bullets; and believing it would be certain
death, or a hopeless captivity for them to remain,
they braved the perils before them as the only alternative.

It was a terrific struggle through the water, accompanied
by many thrilling incidents, hair-breadth
escapes, some screaming, and a good deal of rough
shouting and cursing; but providentially the whole

party reached the other shore, with the horses, goods,
and nearly everything belonging to them.

They had little time, however, to congratulate
themselves on their deliverance from the perils of
the flood, before the savages made their appearance
on the other bank, uttering yells of disappointment
and rage, and firing a volley across, one bullet of
which did fatal execution, by piercing the brain of a
little girl who was seated before her mother on a
horse which was in the act of dashing away. As
nearly every rifle of the scouts had been wet in
crossing the river, they made no attempt to return
the fire of their enemies, but adopted the more prudent
course of leaving the vicinity with all possible
haste.

It was expected the Indians would cross the river
and pursue them, either that night or early in the
morning; and therefore it was all important that
they should push on for some strong-hold without
stopping by the way.

“We'll put for Higgins' Block-house, on the
South Branch of Licking!” decided Tom, who, by
general assent, was the principal head or director
of the party. “It's a bit out of our way; but then
we haint no time jest now to foller a bee line; and I
wants to see these yere women and children inside of
so thing thicker'n a cloth tent afore we sleep. I tell
you now, boys, we've had a heap of tight dodging
for to-day, and I feel like a used up possum. I
knowed it! it all comes of that — Phantom! I

told you how it 'ud be—it's al'ays so. Agh! wagh!
woofh! Whar's the use? Poor Harry and the
colonel's darter—it's all over with them—and I'd
rayther missed ten red-nigger sculps nor had the
thing happed—yes, sir! If they war only with us
now, my sperets would be up a heap; for as to these
yere infarnal Injuns, I don't want no better sport
nor for them to foller us and run thar heads into a
mashing-trap. Ef they comes arter us—and it's jest
as like as not they'll be fools enough to do it, seeing
we've got so many women and children with us, and
sich a heap of plunder—ef they comes arter us, I
say, all them as gits out of old Kaintuck alive may
brag on't!”

“Spose thar'll be force enough at Higginses to
lick 'em?” asked one of the others.

“I don't know what Higgins has got now, but I
know I kin fotch men enough in two days to chaw
up all the painted devils this side of blue blazes!”

“But matters mought git too hot for us in two
days, Tom?”

“I'll say ten hours then for these yere rip-scullion
thieves! How'll that do, hey?”

“Wall, I reckon we kin stand 'em ten hours, ef
the fort's in any kind of trim at all.”

“You know the road all right, don't ye, boys?”

“Yes.”

“Then I'll purty soon guv you the dodge and go
for help.”

At the point where the travellers turned off to

the right of the Lexington route, Rough Tom left
them, himself keeping straight on.

It will be remembered that when Henry and Isaline
passed over the same ground as the main party
the next day, they saw three or four cabins in
smoking ruins; but all the people belonging to these
had escaped—the scouts having given them warning,
as they hurried past, that a large body of
savages were close upon them.

It was well into the night when our travellers,
with loud shouts and cries and an urgent demand
for admittance, dashed up to the gate of Higgins'
Block-house. They were instantly admitted, horses
and all; and then some of the poor, frightened, over-fatigued
women fainted—the strain on their nervous
systems having been too great and too suddenly relaxed.

It is not our purpose to dwell on the scene of wild
confusion and excitement which followed the introduction
of this large number of strangers into so
small a fort, under circumstances so calculated to
alarm the bravest. The garrison was small, and the
fort somewhat out of repair; and so the men immediately
set to work, overhauling their arms, casting
bullets, strengthening the defences, and otherwise
preparing themselves and putting the place in a
proper condition for repelling an assault.

The savages did not reach the fort that night—
for of course they could not follow the trail after
dark—but they came on the next morning, plundering

and burning the deserted cabins on the way.
No extra reinforcement of the garrison had yet
arrived; but the men within were in good spirits
and ready to receive their foes, not doubting they
could hold out till their friends should appear and
turn the siege into a rout.

In fact, though small, Higgins' Block-house, as it
was called, and is still known in history, was a fortification
which, with even a moderate defence, was
not easily to be carried by assault. It consisted of
some six or eight log huts, of two stories in height,
loop-holed for musketry, with the second stories of
each flank projecting over the lower, so that a foe
could not make a lodgment under the walls. These
buildings, joined together in a solid front, were built
on a high, projecting cliff, on the right bank of the
South Licking, which rolled its waters along some
thirty or forty feet below. On only one side could
the place be approached—for the three other sides,
protected by stockades, overlooked the rocky precipice
we have mentioned. A large gate in the centre
of the front wall opened into a hollow square, and was
the only point of entrance and egress for either man
or beast. In front of the fort was a level cornfield,
and surrounding this a heavy wood, with here and
there a small clearing on the different routes leading
to other stations.

It was somewhere about nine o'clock in the morning
that the Indians made their appearance in the
edge of the wood, apparently reconnoitring the

ground, and holding a consultation, to decide
whether to attack so formidable a place, or to turn
off and seek an easy victory in some quarter where
much might be hoped from surprise. That they
came here at all, after the whites having had hours
for preparation, with time enough to send off and
rouse the country in every direction, can only be
reasonably accounted for on the supposition of a
blind infatuation on the part of their leaders. The
probability is, that having set out with great elation,
in anticipation of an easy conquest and immense
reward, they were now determined to dare the worst
and risk all, rather than go back empty handed.

The moment the savages came in sight, they were
discovered by a lookout in the fort, who at once
exclaimed, in a jubilant tone:

“Thar the red niggers is at last! and now look
sharp for fun! I's afeard they wouldn't come.”

“What's Injun sculps wo'th now, Jim?” called out
another: “'cause I spect to hev some to sell.”

“Don't holler so loud,” cried another, “or you'll
skeer the varmints afore we gits a shot! Stand back
thar, Joe, and let me hev a show! I've a long barrelled
chap yere, that I spect kin throw lead amongst
'em, and I wants to try it on that thar tall cuss that
stands in front and looks as ef he mought be a chief.
Jest you watch him, boys, through tother loop-holes,
and tell me what he does arter I fire, for the smoke
yere won't let me see quick enough.”

As he spoke, he thrust a long-barrelled rifle

through-a loop-hole, took a long, steady aim, and
fired.

“Whoop! hurrah!” cried half-a-dozen voices;
“he staggers; and now they've all put back into the
wood out of sight.”

A moment or two after, the savages were heard
yelling like demons.

“Ay ay! that's right—yell away, and be—to
you!” exclaimed the man who had fired. “Only
come on a leetle nearer, and we'll guv you so'thing
more to yell at, you cantankerous thieves!”

A minute or two after, one of the men called out:

“Hello! what's they doing now?”

“It looks like a white rag stuck up on a pole!”
said another.

“Thar! yes! see! they're waving it!”

“A flag of truce!” put in a third; “they're after a
confab. Whar's our cap'en?”

“Here!” said a stout, good-looking man, who had
just come up from below. “What is it, Ike?”

“The Injuns want to say so'thing to us, I reckon,
for they've got a white cloth stuck up on a pole, a
waving this way and t'other.”

“Perhaps they want to surrender!” said the captain,
with a laugh: “we'll give them quarter, eh?”

“Rayther say we'd quarter'em ef we had a chance!”
returned the man.

“Spotswood,” said the captain of the garrison, addressing
one of the men, “take our white flag up to

the roof, and wave it a few times. It's well enough
to know what they've got to say.”

As soon as this was done, some two or three Indians
were seen to leave the wood and approach the
fort through the cornfield. They advanced with
apparent confidence, as if they had perfect faith in
the honor of their foes.

The captain and two or three others went up on
the roof to hold a parley with them.

As soon as they came near enough to be heard,
one of the savages stepped out in front of his two
companions, and, drawing himself up to his full
height, throwing back his head proudly, and tapping
his breast in a dignified and graceful manner, he exclaimed:

“Me big Injun chief!”

“All right,” answered the captain, who, by the
way, was something of a wag; “nobody disputes
you.”

“Me big chief!” repeated the other; “got thousand
brave in wood there!”

“That's a lie, you painted nigger, and you know
it, or you wouldn't be standing there to ask our
permission to come inside!” said the captain, indignantly.

“Wood full Injun brave!” persisted the other.

“That's a lie, I tell you! and if you don't stop
repeating it, we'll lessen your number by three!”

“No lie!” said the Indian, shaking his head.

“Well, what do you want?”

“Injun want come in—shake hand—say how de
do, white brudder?”

“How many want to come in? all the wood full?”

“No—hundred.”

“We hav'n't room for so many; and besides, we
hav'n't time to shake hands with so many.”

“White brudder let red brudder come—shake
hand—Injun smile—laugh—go away—no touch
scalp—no touch hoss—no touch not'ing.”

“You're very kind—we're very much obleeged
to you—but fortunately we're not in need of visitors.”

“White brudder chief let Injun brudder chief
come, hey?”

“We'll let you three come in, if you're very anxious
to put your feet into a smash-trap!” answered
the captain, with a light laugh.

“Spose let hundred Injun come?”

“We'll let them come and try to get in against a
thousand rifles, for we can count as many hundreds
as you can.”

“Injun want shake hand—say how de do?”

“Purty well, thank'e! how's yourself, old scalp-lock?”
called out one of the scouts; and this was
followed by loud, boisterous laughter. “What's
the price of paint, you old devil? and why didn't
you trade off your clothes and buy some?”

The Indian drew himself up with haughty
dignity, and, striking his breast rather angrily, exclaimed:

“Me big chief!”

“Well, go home and wash yourself, you greasy
old skunk! and fix yourself up decent to come
amongst white gintlemen!”

“Injun go fetch hundred—thousand warrior-burn
fort—get heap scalp!” cried the chief, with
angry gestures.

“Travel then, old feathered bluffer, or you'll leave
yourn to start with!” rejoined the scout.

“Go! we're done with you!” said the captain,
waving his hand.

The chief turned away with an air of offended
dignity; and at that moment some one discharged
a rifle—not at the party, in truth, but merely to
alarm them.

It had the desired effect, and instantly all show of
dignity was lost in a ludicrous effort to escape with
life. The three savages, with yells of rage and
alarm, at once bounded, squatted, jumped, dodged,
and ran forward, in a zigzag manner, through the
cornfield, never feeling themselves safe till they had
disappeared in the wood; while the men at the fort
shouted and laughed till the tears ran down their
rough, weather-beaten faces.

For some time after this, nothing more was seen
of the savages, and the scouts began to fear they
had made a hasty retreat, to attack some other place
less prepared for defence.

Along the edge of the bluff, on either side of the
fort, were a few trees and bushes; and from among
these a volley was suddenly poured upon the block-house,

the fire being directed at the loop-holes, and
with such precision of aim that several bullets
entered the buildings, and one man was killed and
two wounded. This changed the laugh of the
inmates to howls of rage, and convinced them that
the savages were in earnest about making an attack.
The latter, evidently satisfied from the noise within
that their volley had done some execution, gave
some fierce halloos, which were answered from every
quarter, showing that the fort was completely surrounded,
some of the Indians even being on the
other side of the river. The garrison now began
to return the fire of their foes, directing their aim
to every place where they thought a single savage
might possibly be concealed. Occasionally the
Indians showed themselves, here and there, in the
cornfield, and along the edge of the wood; and
wherever one was seen from the station, a rifle bullet
was sent in his direction.

Thus the attack and defence was continued, with
no marked success on either side, till late in the
afternoon, when our little party appeared upon the
scene. The garrison heard their yells, and the responses
of the Indians surrounding the fort, and
were somewhat dismayed at the thought that perhaps
their number was already increased by a large
reinforcement.

Having thus shown how matters stood with the
scouts, and the travellers under their charge, we
will now return to those in whom we are most
deeply interested.