CHAPTER EIGHT.
UNCLE MARK'S CANOE--OUR START FOR HOME--THE RATTLESNAKES--MIKE LONGS FORHIS FIDDLE--OUR NIGHT ENCAMPMENT--JACQUES LEROCQUE'S FISHING JOKE--MIKE'S TERROR AT THE SUPPOSED INDIAN AMBUSCADE--THE PHANTOM BEAR--OURARRIVAL AT HOME--KAKAIK AND THE FIDDLE--MIKE'S DELIGHT--KEPENAU'S SECONDVISIT--REUBEN'S CHAGRIN--MR. SIMON SPARK'S ADVENT--HIS GLOWINGDESCRIPTION OF THE FAR NORTH-WEST--THE FOREST ON FIRE--OUR HUTDESTROYED--OUR ESCAPE.
The canoe in which Uncle Mark had come up had been built by some Indianson the lake, who intended to dispose of it to the fur-traders; but, inconsequence of some dispute, they had refused to let them have it, andhad thereafter sold it to my uncles at a reduced price.
It was of far superior construction to those we had hitherto seen used,though of the same materials.
Formed of large sheets of birch-bark, kept in shape by delicate ribs oflance-wood or willow, it was nearly forty feet in length, and sharp atboth ends; and the seams where the bark was sewn together were coveredby a thick resinous gum, which became hard in the water. Like the smallcanoes, it required careful handling; for, having no keel, it was easilyturned over. It was impelled by six or eight paddles,--three or four onone side, and the same number on the other; one man steering with apaddle, as well as paddling.
Uncle Mark had come down one river, then across the lake, and up anotherriver, instead of the shorter route along the course of several narrowerstreams with rapids, which necessitated the same number of portages. Bythis means he was able to bring a cargo of cottons, cutlery, and otherheavy articles. He purposed returning by the same route, though itmight have been possible to carry the canoe across the portages, as thebales of peltries occupied less space than the cargo he had brought.There was sufficient room, too, for the four additional people the canoehad now to carry.
The day before we were to start, Ashatea appeared to be very unhappy.It was, I concluded, at the thought of parting from Lily; but Lilyafterwards told me that it was more on account of Manilick, who stillrefused to embrace Christianity.
"We must pray for him," said Lily. "Kepenau has taken every opportunityof speaking to him, and putting the truth plainly before him; but thoughhe would very gladly make Ashatea his wife, he still remains firm in hisheathen belief."
We could no longer delay our return home, as the autumn was advancing,and before long we might expect storms and frosts, which would make ourproposed voyage in the canoe both trying and dangerous.
The whole tribe came down to the bank of the river at early dawn to seeus off, as Uncle Mark wished to cross the lake before sunset. We shouldhave to encamp for the night, and continue our voyage up the river nextmorning.
We made good progress down the stream, having the current with us, andentered the lake just as the sun rose above what appeared like a seahorizon, though we knew that the shore was not far off on the oppositeside. The calm lake shone like a burnished mirror. The shore we wereleaving was tinted with various colours, the higher ground here crownedby groups of spruce-firs, and in other places rocky and barren, butstill picturesque in the extreme.
I took a paddle and sat by Lily. Reuben and Mike also made themselvesof use; while Uncle Mark sat with Dora at the bottom of the canoe. Itwas the first voyage I had ever taken on the lake, and Lily and I agreedthat it would be very pleasant to have a canoe or small vessel of ourown, and to cruise round the shores, exploring every inlet and creek.
As the sun rose the heat became intense; not a breath of air stirred thesurface of the lake, and Lily, who had taken off her hat, was very gladto put it on again. After paddling for some distance we landed tobreakfast, or rather to dine; for we did not intend to stop again tillwe went on shore to encamp for the night.
Wild rocks fringed the shore, and we had to exercise great caution inapproaching it, for the slightest touch would have knocked a hole in thebow of our canoe, and we should very soon have had the water rushing in.We had, therefore, to look out for some opening into which we couldslowly paddle till we found a landing-place. After making two or threeineffectual attempts, we succeeded in finding a bank with an almostperpendicular side, on to which we could at once step from the canoe.
Immediately after landing, all hands set to work to collect wood for afire. An abundance lay on the ground, driven there by the wind. Lilyand Dora undertook to cook the breakfast, the materials for whichconsisted of eggs, fish, maize cakes, and dandelion coffee--the rootshaving been prepared by Aunt Hannah. We soon had a fire blazing up,when, as Uncle Mark declared, Lily and Dora performed their duties in amost efficient manner.
Just as we had finished, one of the men, who were seated at some littledistance from us, started up, exclaiming, "Take care! take care! thereare rattlesnakes near us."
Scarcely had he spoken when I saw one of the venomous creatures, thesound of whose tail the man had heard, rearing its head not five feetoff from Lily. In another moment it might spring on her. Fortunately along thin stick lay close to me, which I seized, and with all my mightstruck the snake a blow on the head which brought it to the ground,while I cried out to Lily to run to a distance. Almost in an instantthe snake recovered itself, and sounding its rattle as it moved forward,made an attempt to spring at me. Again I struck it; and Mike coming tomy assistance, it was quickly despatched.
Where one rattlesnake is found, there are generally many more. Scarcelytwo minutes had passed ere another made its appearance, crawling out ofa hole under a tree. While Mike and Reuben went to attack it, UncleMark advised that we should all get on board without delay. Ourbreakfast and cooking things were quickly packed up; and the secondrattlesnake being destroyed, Mike and Reuben followed us into the canoe.Scarcely had we shoved off when three or four more rattlesnakes wereseen, and we felt thankful that none of us had been bitten by them. Wehad literally encamped in the midst of a colony of the venomousreptiles.
We had to exercise the same caution in going out of the harbour as onentering it; after which we continued our course to the eastward at amoderate distance from the shore.
"The day was, Masther Roger, when you and I would have been very happyto have fallen in with as many of those same snakes as we could havecaught," observed Mike to me. "They're mighty good ateing, barring thehead and tail. At laste, the Ridskins hold to that notion."
I was, I confess, very thankful that we had not been compelled to eatthe creatures; though I did not know what hunger might have induced meto do.
As we paddled on, Uncle Mark asked Lily and Dora to sing. They were notgirls to offer excuses, and declare that they were out of voice.
"What shall it be?" said Lily.
"Anything you like," replied Dora; and immediately they commenced amelody which, although I had heard it before, sounded very sweet on thecalm water.
Reuben and I joined in chorus; and the men, as well they might,applauded heartily. Then one of them commenced a canoe-song, in whichthey all joined. As soon as they ceased, Lily and Dora gave us a third;and so we went on, singing and paddling over the calm water.
"Och! but it's a sad pity that them Ridskins have got me beautifulfiddle!" exclaimed Mike. "Would I not have been giving you all a tune!Sure, if I do not recover it I will be breaking me heart intirely."
He said this in so melancholy and yet comical a tone, that Reuben and Iburst out laughing. We reminded him that our Indian friend had promisedto try and recover his beloved instrument, and by degrees he regainedhis spirits.
The weather continued fine, and the water smooth as before. As I gazedover the vast expanse spread out on our left, I could scarcely fancymyself navigating an inland lake, small though it was compared to manyin that region. I thought, too, of how it would appear should a stormarise, and the now tranquil surface be turned into foaming billows bythe furious wind. Our canoe, with sides not much thicker than a fewsheets of brown paper, would have been a frail bark for navigating thelake under such circumstances.
Evening was approaching, and though we had paddled on all day we couldnot as yet se
e the mouth of the river, near which we intended to camp.We redoubled our efforts, therefore, to gain it during daylight.
The sun had almost reached the watery horizon to the west, when weespied a clump of tall trees which marked the spot towards which we weredirecting our course. Having rounded a point, we ran into a bay with agrass-covered shore; and here we were able to land without difficulty.
We unloaded the canoe, and carried our packages up to a grassy spotunderneath the trees. The men immediately set to work to collect barkwith which to form a wigwam for Lily and Dora; we contenting ourselveswith a lean-to, which would afford us protection from the night wind.The usual fire was lighted, and as we were all very hungry, no time waslost in cooking supper. As soon as it was over Lily and Dora retired totheir abode, as they had been up and ready to start some time beforedawn.
We sat round the fire spinning yarns, as the sailors say, and singingsongs. We were speaking of the necessity of trying to get some morefresh fish, as our stock was nearly exhausted, and Mike had told theparty how successful we had been till our hooks were bitten off.
"But there is a place not far from here where we can catch fish withouthooks," was the answer.
"Sure, and I should like to see it!" exclaimed Mike. "But how is it tobe done?"
"Why, with nets, to be sure," said the canoeman. "And if you like tocome with me, I will show you how I do it."
Mike at once agreed to the proposal.
Hearing that some nets which would suit the purpose had been left _encache_ with other articles close at hand, Reuben and I and another managreed to accompany them.
Jacques Lerocque, Mike's friend, was an amusing fellow, and fond ofpractical joking. It struck me at the time that he was up to sometrick; but he put on so grave a face, and spoke so earnestly, that mysuspicions were banished.
On reaching the cache, which was close to the camp, I found that thenets were something in the form of hand-nets, only larger. We were alsoprovided with a lantern containing a thick tallow candle.
"You see how to use these nets!" said Jacques. "We put them into thewater, and then hold the candle at the further end. When the fish seethe light, they swim towards it and are caught."
The plan seemed very feasible, and Mike declared that he thought it wasa mighty convenient way of obtaining a supper.
We were to fish in twos; one man to hold the net, and the other thelight. Reuben agreed to accompany Mike, and I was to take the otherman; while Jacques said he would superintend operations, promising us anabundance of sport if we would follow his directions.
Going on for half a mile over hard ground, we reached a marsh which wasconnected with the lake.
"It is very full of fish, which come in to feed on the insects clingingto the reeds," observed Jacques, "But you must not mind wetting yourfeet."
However, having so recently recovered from a severe illness, I thoughtit wiser, when it came to the point, not to do this; so Jacques took myintended companion with him.
"Here, Master Reuben, you take one bit of candle and I the other," saidJacques, cutting the piece in the lantern in two.
Reuben and Mike at once plunged into the marsh, and made their waythrough the rushes. I heard their voices, although from where I stood Icould not see them. Presently Mike exclaimed--
"Here comes a big one! Howld the light furder back, Masther Reuben,and, bedad, we'll have him. Sure, though, he's gone off; come a littlefurder. There he is now; this time he'll be afther getting caught, sureenough."
Then the sound of splashing and the crackling of the reeds reached myears, when presently Mike cried out,--"Och! murther, but what are thesebastes about? They'll be biting off our noses, and bunging up our eyes!But we must have the fish, though. Och! murther, murther!"
Reuben's voice joined in chorus, though with varied exclamations.
I ran to a point near the spot which my friends had reached, and there Isaw Mike bending down, holding the net in one hand, while he endeavouredto beat off with his hat a swarm of mosquitoes which were buzzingthickly round him. Reuben stood near holding out the candle, and asecond net in his other hand, which prevented him from defending hisface from the venomous bites of his persevering assailants. Still,though his countenance exhibited the sufferings he was enduring, hemanfully kept his post.
Just then the most fearful shrieks and cries rent the air, sounding likethe war-whoop of a band of savage Indians.
"Och, but the Ridskins are upon us!" cried out Mike. "We must run forit, Masther Reuben dear. Niver mind the nets, or the fish, or themosquito bastes. It's too much for any mortal man to stand, with thesavages into the bargain. Come along as fast as your legs can carryyou; but we will find Masther Roger first. We must not lave him behindto be scalped; and as to Jacques and Tom Hodges, if they have not takencare of themselves, it's more than we can do for them."
Mike was rapidly uttering these expressions while, floundering along, hemade his way up to where I was standing. Whether or not Reuben wasaware of the true state of the case I could not tell, but he wascertainly following much more leisurely than might have been expected.I had that moment caught sight of the grinning countenances of Jacquesand Tom over the rushes, and guessed that the former was playing off oneof his tricks.
When Mike saw me, he exclaimed, "Run, Masther Roger, run! sure, don'tyou hear the shrieks of the Indians? They will have the scalps off ourheads, if we don't show them our heels, before many minutes are over."
I burst out laughing, and pointed to our two companions, who, however,at that moment bobbed down and hid themselves among the rushes.
Mike now began to suspect that a trick had been played him; but nothingever made him angry, so, laughing as I was doing, he exclaimed--
"Come out of that, ye spalpeens! It will be many a day before you getme to go fishing with you again."
Jacques, having had his joke, recovered the nets, and being wellexperienced in the style of sport, in a short time caught half a dozenfine fish, with which we returned to the camp. I was glad to rollmyself up in my blanket, and go to sleep under the shelter of ourlean-to; but the rest of the party sat up cooking and eating one of ourprizes.
I was awoke before long by the sound of loud growlings, which made UncleMark and several of the party start to their feet, with guns ready toreceive the bear from whom they expected an attack. RecollectingJacques' propensity to practical joking, I lay quiet; and I heard myuncle come back soon afterwards, growling almost as much as the supposedbear, and observing that the brute had got off, though it must have beenclose to the camp. I said nothing, though I suspected who had performedthe part of the bear. The next morning I looked about, but coulddiscover no traces of such an animal. Jacques, if he had representedit, kept his own counsel; and after we had started I heard himcomplaining that his night's rest should have been so disagreeablydisturbed.
Lily and Dora had been awakened, but they, trusting to the vigilance oftheir protectors, had wisely gone to sleep again, being very sure that,did any savage animal approach the camp, we should soon give a goodaccount of it.
We had a long paddle up the river, and had again to encamp, but no eventworthy of mention occurred; and the next day, late in the evening, wereached the settlement. Lily and Dora and Reuben went to theirrespective homes; and after we had paid a visit to Uncle Stephen andAunt Hannah, to convince them that we were still alive notwithstandingour perilous adventures, we returned to the hut, where we were welcomedby our three canine friends, which had been left to guard it undercharge of one of Uncle Stephen's men.
The autumn soon passed by, and once more the winter was upon us. We hadplenty of work in felling trees, and either burning them or draggingthem over the snow to places where we intended to cut them up.Occasionally we paid a visit to the settlement; indeed, I was alwaysglad of an excuse for passing a few hours with Lily when I could sparethe time. I looked in, also, on my friends the Claxtons. Both they andmy uncles, as Lily had told me, were, I observed, becoming more a
nd morediscontented with the settlement, as were likewise a number of otherpeople, and the attractions of the new regions of the far west were theconstant subject of conversation. We at the hut troubled ourselves muchless about such matters than did our friends. We had plenty of hardwork, and were pretty well tired when the day's labours were over. Mikedeclared that the only drawback to his happiness was the loss of hisfiddle, which he never expected to see again.
"Dat am de cause ob my grief," observed Quambo, putting his hand to hisheart. "If you did get it, would not we hab a dance! We would kick upde heels all night long, to make up for lost time."
It was some days after this that we one evening saw an Indian comingthrough the opening which had now been made down to the river, walkingon snow-shoes, and with a package of some size on his back.
"Here comes Kakaik! I wonder what him bring!" exclaimed Quambo, runningforward to meet our visitor.
Kakaik having made signs that he had got something valuable, Mikeadvanced with open mouth and outstretched hands. An idea had occurredto him.
"What is it, me friend?" he asked eagerly.
The Indian began a long speech.
"Och, man alive! just tell us what it's all about," cried Mike, whocould no longer restrain his curiosity.
By this time Uncle Mark had come out of the hut. The Indian, however,would go on with his address, of which we did not understand a word.Mike kept all the time pointing to the package, and entreating him toundo it.
At length the Indian stopped and commenced untying the thongs whichsecured the mysterious parcel, and exposed to the delighted eyes ofMike--his fiddle and bow.
"Sure, I thought so!" exclaimed the Irishman, eagerly grasping histreasure. "Erin go bragh!--long life to yese, me jewil!" and clappingthe instrument to his chin, he made an attempt to play on it; but itrequired, as may be supposed, no small amount of tuning. Mike at onceset to work, however, turning the keys and drawing the bow over thestrings, all the time uttering expressions of gratitude to the Indian,and to all concerned in the recovery of the fiddle. The moment he hadtuned it to his satisfaction, he began playing one of the merriest ofjigs, in unison with his own joyous spirits.
Quambo on hearing the sounds started up, snapping his fingers, kickingup his legs, and whirling round and round in time to the tune. TheIndian, grave as was his exterior, forthwith joined him, out-vying himin his leaps, and adding the wildest shrieks and shouts. I could notlong resist their example, and in a few minutes even Uncle Mark wasdancing away as vigorously as any of us; Mike all the time kicking hisheels, and bobbing his head with a rapidity which seemed to threaten thedislocation of his neck. It was the wildest scene imaginable, and anyone observing us would have supposed that we had all gone mad.
At last we had to stop from sheer want of breath, and on entering thehut Kakaik informed us that it was through the exertions of Manilickthat the fiddle had been recovered. He had paid half-a-dozen yards ofcotton, the same number of strings of beads, a looking-glass, and afrying-pan, for the treasure. It had been regarded with reverential aweby the possessors. He sent it, however, as a gift to the rightfulowner, and declined to receive anything in return.
"Faix, thin, I will be grateful to him till the end of me days,"answered Mike; "and I hope that you will receive, for your throuble incoming, Masther Kakaik, my 'baccy-box, and half-a-dozen red cottonhandkerchiefs for your wife and childer, all of them bran-new, exceptone which I wore as a night-cap when I last had a cowld, and anotherwhich has been in use for a matther of a week or so."
Kakaik accepted the proffered gifts with due gratitude, and furtherinformed us that the Indians from whom Mike and I escaped had succeededin regaining their encampment, though the fire had been close to theirheels; and until Manilick's ambassador visited them they had supposedthat we were destroyed. By the manner in which we had got away fromthem, we were very much raised in their opinion; though they threatened,should they ever catch hold of us, to have our scalps off our heads.
"Much obliged to the gintlemen," remarked Mike; "but we will not letthem do that same if we can help it, and we'll show them that thePalefaces have as much brains in their skulls as the Ridskins, cunningas they think themselves."
Kakaik consented to stop with us for the night, and we had several moretunes from Mike's fiddle, and another dance, almost as boisterous as thefirst. Kakaik, after remaining a day with us, took his departure,loaded with as many articles as he could well carry; some forced on himby Mike and Quambo, others being given by my uncle and myself aspresents to our friends. I should have said that Kakaik also told usthat Manilick was frequently at Kepenau's camp, and appeared to befavourably received by Ashatea.
Mike's fiddle was a constant source of amusement to us during theremainder of the winter.
Spring returned, whereupon Kepenau paid us another visit. He said thathe and his people had determined to move further westward, into anunoccupied territory, and he feared that some time would pass before hecould again see our faces, but that he hoped occasionally to come withthe peltries he and his people might obtain.
I accompanied him to the settlement. Lily was much grieved to find thatshe and Ashatea were not likely to meet again for a long time.
"I thought that she would have become like one of us," she said, "andlive in a comfortable house, and adopt our habits."
"A flower of the forest cannot bloom on the mountain top; nor can oneborn in the wilderness live happily in a city," answered Kepenau."Though she may not adopt the habits of the Palefaces, she loves them,and the true faith they have taught her, and will ever pray to the sameGod they worship to protect them from danger."
Reuben scarcely attempted to conceal his disappointment, and evenoffered to accompany Kepenau back to his lodges; but the chief shook hishead.
"If it is not well for my daughter to dwell among your people, stillworse would it be for you to live with us, natives of the land," heanswered. "Stay with your parents, and support and protect them, andyou will be blessed, and made far happier than were you to follow thedesires of your heart."
After spending some days with us, Kepenau took his departure.
We were, as usual, very busy getting in the crops on our newly clearedground, and carrying on other agricultural pursuits. The summer wasintensely hot,--far hotter than I ever recollected it. The crops hadcome up early, but the locusts appeared and destroyed every growingthing which had risen above the surface. This greatly disappointedthose who had looked forward to an early harvest.
About this time a stranger arrived at the settlement. He quickly madehimself known as Mr Simon Sparks; and said, moreover, that he was thechief land agent of a new territory far to the west, which wonderfullysurpassed our settlement in richness of soil, and fertility, andabundance of game. His accounts were eagerly listened to, and my uncleswere completely carried away, as were a large portion of the community.Still, some of the older people were of the opinion that well should belet alone; and that if we took as much pains in cultivating the groundas we should have to do were we to make a long journey, we should prove,notwithstanding the difficulties which might beset us, as successful inthe end.
Mr Sparks, however, was not a man to be defeated in his object; hecontinued arguing the point till he had won over a good many adherents.Still, he had not gained a sufficient number to suit his purpose.
"Well, friends," he said, mounting his horse one evening, as a largenumber of the inhabitants were assembled in the chief open place in thevillage, which was designated the Square, "do I look like a man whowould mislead you, or fail to carry out my promises? I have slain manya bear, hunted the buffalo across the prairies, and, single-handed,fought and defeated scores of Redskins. With such fellows as you at myback, even if ten thousand were to attempt to stop us we would force ourway onward, and send them to the right-about. What are you afraid of?If rivers are to be crossed, we can form rafts and swim our cattle over.There is grass on the plains, and game in the forests to supply all ourwants; and a
glorious country at the end of the journey, where happyhomes can be established, and wealth obtained for ourselves and ourchildren. I ask you again--Do you take me for a man who would bamboozleyou; or do I look like one who will prove true as steel, and fulfil allhis engagements, as an honest man should do? Those who believe that Ispeak the truth, hold up their hands; and those who don't, keep themdown, and we part friends notwithstanding."
Few of us could help confessing that, as Mr Simon Sparks, with his tallsinewy figure, firm-set lips, and keen eyes, sat there on hisstrongly-built mustang, his rifle held across his saddle, he did looklike a man very capable of doing what he said he had done, and what hesaid he would do. Nearly all hands were raised up.
"Thank you, friends," he said; "I will stay another day with you, and wewill talk the matter over again. If a fair number are determined tomove, we will go together; if not, I shall soon find others who knowtheir interests better than you seem to do."
Saying this, he dismounted, and went to spend the evening with MrClaxton, who was one of his chief adherents.
I returned home to report to Uncle Mark what Mr Sparks had said; but hewas doubtful about moving till he had secured a purchaser for the landwe had cleared with so much labour.
We were about to turn in for the night, when Quambo, who had been tolook after the cattle and pigs, reported that he observed a peculiarglare through the opening towards the west, though no camp-fire waslikely to be burning in that direction. We all hurried out to look atwhat the black had described, and saw the brilliancy of the glarerapidly increasing.
"It is such a fire as it will take many bucketfuls of water to put out!"exclaimed Uncle Mark. "As I live, boys, the forest is in flames! Andthey are likely to extend pretty rapidly, too, with the wood dry as itnow is."
"What had we better do?" I asked.
"Collect our cattle, pigs, and poultry, take our guns and ammunition,and a supply of food, and get out of the wood as fast as possible," heanswered, quite calmly. "In a few minutes, if I mistake not, we shallhave the forest blazing away all round us; and nothing that I know ofcan save the hut from destruction. It will be fortunate if the villageitself escapes, for the forest comes close up to it on two sides; andthere will be no time to clear away the trees, and put an open beltbetween the houses and the fire."
Influenced by Uncle Mark's spirit, we immediately set to work to drivein the cattle, set the pigs free, and collect the poultry. We loadedthe waggon with as many articles as it could carry; and harnessing theoxen, commenced our retreat.
We were not a moment too soon, for already the forest to the westwardwas in a blaze, extending from the river far away to the north. Anarrow belt of trees alone remained between us and the conflagration,the dense smoke, curling in thick wreaths, being sent by the windtowards us, and making respiration difficult. While Uncle Mark tookcharge of the waggon, the rest of us drove on the other animals,directing our course to the settlement by the only open road. We knew,indeed, that in a short time we might have the fire on both sides of us.
The flames rose up high above the tops of the trees in the rear. Thecrackling of the burning branches, and the loud reports as the thicktrunks were split in two by the heat, sounded alarmingly near--the wholelandscape before us being lighted up by the glare shed from the burningforest. We might, we believed, escape with our lives, were we to leavethe waggon and the cattle, but that was very far from Uncle Mark'sthoughts. By voice and whip we urged on the oxen, and shouting,shrieking, and using our thick sticks, we endeavoured to drive forwardour refractory charges.
The inhabitants of the village must have seen the conflagration longbefore this, and would, we hoped, be preparing for their escape.
I remembered the fire on the prairie. Then only the grass was burning,but now we should soon have the tall trees in flames on both sides ofus. In a few minutes the flaming masses might be tumbling down on ourheads, and overwhelming us. The thought of this prevented us fromrelaxing our efforts. We ran here and there flourishing our sticks,shouting and bawling till we were hoarse; still, we kept ahead of thefire, although it was advancing rapidly in our track. The hut,outbuildings, and enclosures must already, we knew, be reduced to a massof cinders; but there was no use thinking about that. We should befortunate, did we preserve the more valuable part of our property.
At length the road became wider, and we got among clearings, which wouldsomewhat stop the progress of the flames, did they not impede themaltogether. We dared not halt, however, but pushed on, directing ourcourse to the south side of the village, where the country wascompletely open, and no trees left standing. The river, too, ran inthat direction, and some flat marshes on the banks would afford securityto all fugitives.
I was thinking all the time of Lily, and my uncle and aunt; and had notmy duty compelled me to remain with the cattle, I would certainly havehurried on to warn them, in case they should not have discovered theirdanger. However, I felt sure that Uncle Mark would not have forgottenthem, and that he was satisfied they would take the necessary steps toescape. Uncle Stephen had also a waggon in which to convey hishousehold goods out of the way of danger.
As we got near the village, we were satisfied that the inhabitants werearoused; for already several waggons were moving forward in thedirection we were going, while we heard the shouts of the men drivingothers in the rear. Fortunate, indeed, were those who had waggons, asthe rest of the people would have to carry on their shoulders everythingthey wished to save.
The wind, which had increased, hurried forward the fire with terrificrapidity, and drove the smoke in dense masses round us, so that, brightas were the flames, we could often see but a short distance ahead. Theshouts and cries of the terrified settlers increased in loudness. Allhope that the village would be preserved must by this time have beenabandoned. The fire was coming up from the west and north-west, leapingat a bound, as it seemed, over the clearings; the burning branches,driven by the wind, quickly igniting all combustible matters amid whichthey fell.
We at last reached the ground I have spoken of; but not without the lossof some of our hogs, which had got away from us, in spite of our effortsto drive them forward. Having early taken the alarm, we were the firstto arrive, but others from the village quickly followed; when weimmediately set to work to cut down every bush and blade of grass whichmight catch fire.
In a short time I heard Uncle Stephen's voice, and thankful indeed was Ito see Lily and Aunt Hannah safe. They had found time to load theirwaggon with the most valuable part of their property and a store ofprovisions. The Claxtons directly afterwards arrived, and reported thatthere were still several persons remaining in the village, who believedthat the conflagration would not reach it, and that they would beperfectly safe. We were, however, too busily engaged in clearing theground to think of anything else.
It was fortunate that these precautions had been taken. In a shorttime, as we looked towards the village, we saw the flames rising up inall directions. The fire came working its way along; in some places inthin lines, in others like a wave rolling over the sandy beach, andconsuming everything in its course.
Before the night was half over a semicircle of flame was blazing upround the spot we occupied; the river, which was here very broad,preventing the progress of the fire in that direction. Still, a burningbrand, driven across a narrow part by the wind, might set some dry grassor bushes on fire; and it was impossible to say how far it might thenextend. Frequently the stifling smoke almost prevented our breathing,and we had to throw ourselves on the ground to escape it.
All night long did the fire rage round us. The heat was intense, andthe smoke and fine black dust blown over us was most oppressive.Happily, we had water near to quench our thirst, blackened though it waswith ashes; and we had reason to be thankful that we had reached a placeof safety--the only one near the settlement where we could have escapeddestruction.
The women and children were placed in the waggons, where theyendeavoured to obtain some rest. T
he ground was too wet for the men tolie down; and we therefore either leaned against the wheels of thewaggons or walked about. Indeed, we had ample occupation in beating outthe fire, which ran along the most dry portions of the ground weoccupied, wherever there was herbage of any description.
Morning came: but the fire raged on; and there was but little chance ofour being able to move for some days to come. We had, however, no lackof meat; for, besides the pigs and poultry, several deer and numeroussmall animals rushed for safety towards our camp--only to meet the fatethey were attempting to avoid. Two or three bears, also endeavouring toescape from the flames, were shot. No wolves or foxes came near us:they had probably, exercising their cunning, made their escape from theburning forest against the wind.
Daylight showed us such a scene of desolation as I hope never again tolook on. Not a vestige of the village remained; while blackenedtrunks--some with a few of their stouter limbs still branching fromthem, others reduced to mere black poles, and many burned down tostumps--appeared in every direction. The crops had disappeared; and noteven a fence was standing.
Thus the settlers, with sorrowful countenances, beheld the labour ofyears destroyed.