CHAPTER XII
IN WHICH A MYSTERIOUS ISLAND PLAYS A PART
Barnabas was right in guessing the river to be near, and the fugitivescould not have approached it at a better time or place, though they hadlittle idea of the good fortune in store for them. If they thought aboutthe chances at all, as they ran desperately before the screechingIndians, it was to realize what little likelihood there was of finding aboat, or of safely gaining the farther bank by swimming.
But when they had plunged through a slope of water-birches, andstraggled breathlessly down to the pebbly shore of the Susquehanna, awelcome sight at once met their eyes. Almost directly opposite, andtwenty yards out in the stream, a big flat-boat was drifting leisurelywith the current.
Over the high gunwales rose two or three heads, and a voice demandedsharply: "Who's yonder?"
"Friends!" cried Barnabas. "Fugitives from the enemy! The redskins arehot upon us. Cover the bank with your guns while we come aboard."
Splash! went Barnabas into the water, and his companions after him. Withsturdy strokes they swam diagonally down-stream, caught the stern of theflat, and hauled themselves on board. As they dropped low on the bottom,yells and musket-shots split the air, and bullets rained like hailagainst the thick timbers.
From the shelter of the elevated bulwark the occupants of the flatreturned a cool and effective fire, and when Nathan ventured to peepthrough a loop-hole he saw two Indians prostrate on the beach and athird struggling in agony in shallow water.
During the lull that followed the first volley from both sides, the boatdrifted over a course of rapids, and the swifter current swung it welltoward mid-stream. With a few parting shots the baffled foesdisappeared, and a peaceful calm fell on river and wood.
The escaped prisoners were surprised to find Morgan Proud and AbelCutbush on board the flat. The latter's wife and child were with him,and another member of the party was a negro named Cato. Mrs. Cutbush wasa hardy type of the colonial women of the time, and her six-year-olddaughter, Molly, had not even whimpered during the brief fight.
"It's a good thing we happened to be here," said Proud, when he hadgleaned their thrilling story from the fugitives, "and it's all owin' tochance, too. I waited a bit after you left, and as no one came along Ipushed down to Wilkesbarre. The people had all fled except Cato here,and Cutbush and his family, and they were tryin' to tinker up this oldflat--the only boat left. I helped 'em to stop the leaks and rigbulwarks on both sides, and about an hour ago we got started. There's acouple of other parties ahead of us, but we aren't likely to ketch upwith 'em. This old craft is heavy, and it draws a heap of water. I'mthinking we'll stick now and then."
"We'll pull through all right," cheerfully replied Barnabas. "Now thatthem redskins have turned back the danger is about over, for the enemywill have enough plunderin' and burnin' to do right here in the valleyto keep 'em busy. How are you off for weapons? We brought just one withus."
"We have two extra muskets," said Cutbush, "and as Cato ain't much onshootin', his'll make up the number your party will want in case of apossible attack. There's food aboard, and as for ammunition--" Hepointed to a keg of powder and a quantity of bullets in one corner ofthe flat.
By this time the boat had drifted between the abrupt mountains thatclosed the lower end of the Wyoming Valley, and there was a certainty ofgood current and depth for some miles ahead. All through the night themen of the party took turns at sleeping and at guiding the flat by meansof long poles and a rudder. No hostile shot or yell broke the quiet,and at last the morning sun kissed the blue water into ripples andstained the hoary mountain peaks with gold. Danger was behind, and hopeand safety in front.
While Mrs. Cutbush prepared the frugal breakfast, aided by Molly andCato, Barnabas and Nathan found time to sit in the bow of the flat,where they were presently joined by Godfrey. The lad looked haggard andworried.
"I'm ruined," he said, as he sat down beside his companions. "I feelthat I've nothing left to live for. Not that I regret what I did lastnight. Don't think it. But I shall be branded as a deserter--and worse.I can never go back to Major Langdon, and if I am caught I will be shotor hanged as a traitor. I wish I had never been sent on this wretchedbusiness."
"Your mission was not legitimate war," replied Nathan. "Explanationswill surely right you. But why worry about the matter at all? You aresafe, and can share our fortunes. And after the fiendish acts you sawdone at Wyoming by a British force--"
"Stop!" Godfrey said, sadly. "I am still true to my cause, Nathan--asmuch as you are to yours. Let us not discuss that matter. We can atleast be friends while we are together."
"How could we be otherwise, after your noble deed?" replied Nathan.
"Then you have no ill-feeling?" asked Godfrey. "I was afraid you blamedme for that night in Philadelphia. It was Major Langdon who found thenote, and he made me go along. I have always wished I could explain."
"Well, it's all right now," said Nathan. "And it was all right then," headded to himself, remembering his reckless flight through the town.
"There is something else I want to speak about," continued Godfrey."Have you got those--those papers safe?"
"Yes, I have them," Nathan exclaimed, eagerly. "Can you explain themystery about them?"
Godfrey shook his head. "It is a mystery," he replied, "and a deep one.I only know this. The day after the battle of Monmouth, while our armywas at Middletown, Major Langdon sent Simon Glass and a squad ofdragoons to Wyoming to get those papers. I don't know why I was sentalong, and I never knew until last night that the papers were theproperty of your father. And Glass--who is the worst ruffian I everknew--has tried his best to get all of your party killed ever since helearned you were bound for the same place. That's why he was so savagewith me last night, when I appealed to Colonel Butler to spare yourlives."
"I've had an idea of what was going on for some time past," saidBarnabas. "I seen a mighty ugly look in Major Langdon's eyes when hestood over Captain Stanbury on the battle-field. That's when heoverheard about the papers, but what in the name of creation did he wantwith them? Could your father have known him before, lad--over inEngland?"
"I don't know," replied Nathan. "I never heard him speak of MajorLangdon. In fact, I don't know anything about my father's past. But Ibelieve the secret to this mystery lies over the sea, and I'll tell youwhy."
He went on to relate the visit of Mr. Noah Waxpenny to the Indian Queen,and how he had asked information concerning both Richard Stanbury andMajor Langdon. This was new to Godfrey and Barnabas, and all threediscussed the matter earnestly, but without coming any nearer asolution.
"We've got to have patience, an' wait," said Barnabas. "That's the onlything to do. The papers are safe, anyway, an' this fellow from Londonmay clear up the mystery if we run across him. Or your father may turnup, lad--"
"Perhaps Godfrey knows something about him," exclaimed Nathan. "Did theBritish carry off any prisoners after the battle of Monmouth?"
"Not that I know of," replied Godfrey. "I saw or heard of none; but thenI was in front during the retreat."
"My father is alive," declared Nathan. "I am sure of it."
"I hope so," said Godfrey. "Speaking about those papers," he added, "Ifeel a good bit worried. If Glass gets it into his head that you havethem--as he probably will, when he has dug over the ruins of thecabin--he is sure to follow you up."
"It's hardly likely," replied Barnabas. "An' then he can't ketch usanyway, pervidin' the currents and depth of water hold good. No, lad, Ithink we're done with Simon Glass, as far as this expedition isconcerned. There, Mrs. Cutbush has got breakfast ready. She's callingus."
Barnabas and the two lads found no further opportunity that day todiscuss the mystery of Major Langdon and the papers. It was a day ofhard and unremitting toil. There had been a long spell of dry weather,and, as the river gradually widened, its channel became more and moreobstructed by grass-bars, shallows, and outcropping ledges. Doubtlessthe preceding boats had found a ready passage, but the
abandoned flatthat Proud and Cutbush had tinkered up under the spur of necessity wasbroad, heavy, and leaky. Cato was constantly kept busy bailing water,and rudder and poles were of little aid to navigation. Every few minutesall of the party except Mrs. Cutbush and Molly were compelled to getout, and by their united strength drag the craft over the shallows.
By ten o'clock that night less than twelve miles had been covered, andthe exhausted men could proceed no further. They encamped on a patch ofsand and scrub in mid-channel, and took turns at guard mounting untilmorning. Mrs. Cutbush and her daughter slept in the flat, on acomfortable bed of dried grass, that was protected from the damp planksby an underlayer of pine boughs.
"We're about thirty miles below Wilkesbarre, now," said Barnabas, as thejourney was resumed after breakfast, "an' it's a good twenty miles yetto the main river, where we'll strike deep water an' the shelter of thelower forts. If I thought the wadin' and haulin' was to last anotherday I'd suggest we take to footin' it on shore."
"It would be a wise plan," agreed Godfrey. "At the speed we've beenmaking, a force of Tories and Indians could have overhauled us twiceover, and they may do it yet. You don't know Simon Glass."
"Don't I?" Barnabas interrupted grimly. "I reckon I do. But honestly,lad, I believe he's given up the chase. It's best to take precautionsthough, an' that's why I spoke of walkin'."
"It won't be easy for me," declared Proud, shaking his head. "I've got asprained ankle."
"And my little gal, who ain't no light weight, would have to becarried," added Cutbush.
"I've been down the river twice before," said Nathan, "and I'm prettysure that the lower part of the North Branch is deeper than up here."
Several others suddenly remembered the same fact, from past experience,and so it was decided to stick to the flat. Godfrey alone favored a landjourney, and he could not hide his apprehension at the choice. "If theyknew Simon Glass as I do," he said to himself, "they wouldn't lose anytime in getting below the forts."
However, after three hours' repetition of the previous day's labors, thechannel actually did become deeper and less obstructed. In consequencethe current was more sluggish, but the flat drifted steadily on for mileafter mile, and there was a fair prospect of reaching the main riverthat evening.
Early in the afternoon a magnificent buck with large antlers burst outof the woods on the south bank, about a quarter of a mile below, plungedprecipitately into the water, and swam for the opposite shore.
"Something scared it," said Nathan.
"A bear or a wolf," replied Barnabas.
"Or a man," Godfrey suggested uneasily.
Barnabas did not answer. He thoughtfully watched the animal until itmounted the bank and disappeared, and after that an extra wrinkle or tworemained on his furrowed brow. During the afternoon he scanned bothshores intently, and furtively examined the muskets to see that allwere loaded.
The sun faded in a haze of gold and purple, and the shroud of night fellon lonely mountain and river. There was no moon, and through theblackness the flat gurgled on its watery way. An hour after dark a mistyobject loomed out of mid-stream. It was an island, and as the upperpoint drew near, Cutbush gave the rudder a twist that sent the flat intothe channel on the left.
"It's the proper course," he explained, "and the one that we boatmentake. T'other side is full of rocks and shallows."
"But there's a bit of rapids below," said McNicol, "if my ears don'tdeceive me."
"They're no account," replied Cutbush. "There's a clean passage throughtoward the shore side."
He swung the boat further to the left, and it glided silently alongwithin fifty yards of the bank, and three times that distance from theisland.
"I've got my bearin's exactly now," said Barnabas. "That's what theycall Packer's Island acrost from us, an' a mile or so down yonder on theright is the settlement of Northumberland, where the North an' WestBranches meet. We'll be on the main river in half an hour."
"I want to stop at all the forts on the way down," said Nathan, "becausethe soldiers may have had late reports from the army, and can tell me ifmy father--"
"Look out, sir," Godfrey eagerly interrupted, turning to Cutbush. "We'rerunning straight into a little island. Don't you see it?"
The men were grouped in the stern at the time, and Godfrey's warningcry, coming so suddenly, startled and confused Cutbush. The result wasthat he sharply twisted the rudder the wrong way, sending the flatfarther toward the shore, and in a direction where the depth of thechannel was very doubtful.
Cutbush did not discover his mistake until the others called hisattention to it. Then he saw what they meant. Close ahead a triangularpromontory of rock and timber jutted in a gradual slope some forty yardsbeyond the normal line of the bank, and thirty feet straight out fromits apex lay the island to which Godfrey had reference. The location wasan odd one, and it was a decidedly queer-looking island--a long, narrowcluster of bushy pine trees, pointing up and down stream, and thicklyfringed at its base with bushes that seemed to grow straight out of thewater.
"It's risky to try that passage," said Barnabas, pointing to thethirty-foot channel between island and promontory, whither the flat wasnow steadily drifting. "We may find shoals there."
"I give the rudder a wrong turn without thinkin'," muttered Cutbush."But it's not shoals I'm afraid of. If we float down yonder I won't havetime to steer for the rift through the falls, and they're only fiftyyards below."
As he spoke he tried to rectify his mistake, and the first two sweeps ofthe rudder veered the nose of the flat away from the bank. The thirdswung it broadside across stream, and in this position it bore down onthe little island, with a slight diagonal trend toward the wider andsafer channel on the outer side. But there was hardly time for thismovement to take effect, and the danger of striking was so apparent thatCutbush let go of the rudder--which was as good as useless while theflat was turned broadside--and snatched up one of the poles. He drove itin off the stern, leaned after it till he almost stood on his head, andthen rose up with both arms wet to the elbow.
"The pole won't touch!" he exclaimed. "There's easy twelve foot of waterhere."
"Twelve foot of water!" cried Barnabas; "an' that island only ten yardsbelow! It ain't nateral, man!"
"We're going to strike the island," said Nathan. "Try again."
"No, it's all right," interposed Barnabas. "We're movin' slow, an' thereain't any gravel beach as I can see to stick on. The rear end willstrike easy, an' then the flat will swing out toward the far channel."
So Cutbush dropped the pole and the boat drifted on broadside with thecurrent, its occupants calmly waiting the moment of collision. As thedistance decreased from ten yards to five, Barnabas craned his neckforward, and shaded his eyes to peer over the lower bulwark. "It'squeer," he muttered. "I've been here before, an' I don't mind seein'that--"
Just then a startling thing happened. The whole island was seen to lurchvisibly to one side, and at the same instant something flashed andglittered amid the fringe of bushes.
"Look!" Godfrey whispered, hoarsely.
"Down for your lives, men!" yelled Barnabas. "It's a trap! Keep low, an'don't let 'em get aboard."
The entire party dropped like a flash, and grabbed their muskets. Aterrible instant of silence followed, broken by a howl from Cato and awhimper of fright from Molly, who was lying flat on the bottom in hermother's arms. Then a volley of shots rang out from the fiendishlycontrived ambuscade, and more than one ball tore through the thickbulwark.
But happily no one was hurt, and Barnabas, McNicol, and Nathan at oncefired through the three loopholes at which they were posted. A yell ofagony blended with another fusillade from the unseen foe, and now aquicker current drove the heavy flat broadside against the mysteriouslittle island.
There was a crash of timber meeting timber and a sound of branchessmiting the water. Then, with shrill and blood-curdling yells, fourpainted Indians scrambled over the bulwark and dropped into the boat. Atthe same instant a little one-eye
d man, holding a musket high overheadin one hand, pulled himself aboard at the bow.