How Canada Was Won: A Tale of Wolfe and Quebec

  Chapter XIII

  A Traitor in the Camp

  "To Captain Steve Mainwaring, His Majesty's Regiment of Scouts."

  An Indian climbed up the steep rise of the hillock on the dayfollowing the French attack and presented a note to our hero. Steveturned it over in his gloved hand, looked at the writing, and thenopened the missive.

  "You have done well, and I congratulate you," ran the letter from theCommander of Fort William Henry. "Your messenger reached us late lastnight and explained the heavy firing which we had heard. For yourinformation I now beg to tell you that I have suspicions that news isleaking out of this fort. The French have become acquainted with ourdispositions within a few hours of our making them. There is treacherysomewhere, and I look to you to discover who is the rascal. You willtake steps to clear up this mystery, and will report in due course.I am sending you this day a further store of provisions, powder, andshot to suit the captured cannon."

  There was the usual official ending to the letter and the signatureof the Commander of Fort William Henry. Steve read it through again,folded it, and dismissed the Indian. Then he called Pete and Jim anddiscussed the matter with them.

  "Ef there was fifty traitors and bearers of news it wouldn't surpriseme," said Pete. "I ain't got no opinion of them colonists and reg'larsat Fort William Henry. No opinion at all. They ain't fer the most partfit to watch for Frenchmen, and much less for Injuns. What air theuse of expecting 'em to be any good, when them critters the Frenchiescould slip through trappers sich as we air? How do yer mean to getabout the business, Cap'n? It seems no easy matter. You've got amighty wide strip of country to watch, and ef it's one man bearin' thenews, as seems probable, why, he can go any way, and slip in betweenus."

  The question was a more than usually difficult one, and for a longwhile Steve sat and smoked, staring out through the exit of the fort,for the damage done by the exploding powder had now been more orless repaired. News was leaking out of the British fort, news whichmight be of importance. It was feared that the French, who were ingreat strength at Ticonderoga, might select some clear, fine night tostart out from their fort, and time their march so as to arrive nearFort William Henry early in the morning. The commander who had sentSteve the message knew very well that he was sadly lacking in manyrespects, particularly in scouts, and the fear of this descent of theFrench weighed upon him. And now, in some way or other, he had learnedthat news was leaking, that plans he made to resist a French attackwere promptly conveyed to the enemy.

  "We have got to stop the leakage whatever happens," said Stevesuddenly, "for if the French are always to know what our people aredoing, they might easily take them unawares and slaughter the wholegarrison. My idea is to take advantage of snowy and overcast weather."

  "Snowy weather! Steve--beg pardon--Cap'n, that ain't like you,"exclaimed Jim, somewhat sadly. "How on airth air a man to see sech askunk when it's thick? It ain't possible. Ef there's one thing sartinit is that thick weather ain't the time to turn out and hunt."

  "Not if we have to hunt a wide strip of land, Jim," answered Stevedrily. "But we shall not have to do that. This fellow makes use ofLake St. George. Steady, Jim. I know you have your own ideas. So haveI. Listen to them and then laugh as much as you like."

  The tall trapper subsided at Steve's words, while Pete grinned.

  "Fill up yer pipe, Huntin' Jim," he said with a laugh. "Reckon you'vegot to sit tight while the Cap'n says his say. This here's a palaver.When he's done, you can get to it with yer tongue. An old hoss likeyou air worth paying some attention to. So's Steve. He air a good 'un."

  Jim was mollified. A smile wreathed his thin lips and wrinkled hismahogany features. He sat down on a lump of frozen snow, kicked offhis snowshoes, and rammed a plug of tobacco into his pipe.

  "Right there, Pete," he said. "Reckon when all's said and done thatan old trapper air worth consultin' when it comes to a fix andthere's time to think. But he ain't as good always when there's amuss and something's got to be done right away at once. Then it's theyoungsters who air worth attendin' to. They air quicker like withtheir brains, and chaps like Steve here gets ideas like a flash. He'sdone it before."

  "I was speaking of the lake, then," said Steve, with a smile, for heknew Jim well by now, and was aware of his impetuous nature. "I saidthat in my opinion this man, for we will take it for granted thatone only is employed in the work, comes and goes over the ice, andmost likely has a rendezvous somewhere near Fort William Henry, wherehe meets the rascal who gives away the information which the Frenchrequire."

  "Gives, Cap'n!" exclaimed Pete, with an oath. "Gives air a politeword, I guess. Chaps what act as traitors don't give much. They sell.I can't make out how a man, who's worth calling sich, can 'low hisselfto do a dirty trick like that. It's selling country and friends, andp'raps wife and children, and all for a little gold."

  "Mean men are employed in mean trades, Pete," answered Steve. "Itmay even be that this rascal who sells news from Fort William Henryis a Frenchman in disguise, an English-speaking ruffian with Frenchsympathies. Any way, I fancy that is how the news leaks out. Thereis someone in the fort who sneaks into the forest and meets a Frenchmessenger. That messenger makes his way over the ice, of that I amsure, for the simple reason that when we came through the forest onour way here there was only one track, a fresh one, you will remember,which had been used by several men. This sort of business is done bya single messenger as a rule, and even supposing that I am wrong insaying that the man does not make use of the forest, he will not doso in future for fear of running into our scouting parties. He willalso choose snowy weather, for our look-out station here gives us theopportunity of seeing anyone who leaves the fort at Ticonderoga."

  "Blest ef he ain't a judge like his father," burst in Jim, smokingfuriously. "Get on with it, Steve."

  "There is really nothing more. We shall send out scouts every day,and night, too, when the weather is fine. When it comes on snowy,we'll send men down close to Fort William Henry, while a few of uswill station ourselves across the lake and watch. The man who comesfrom Ticonderoga will cut over the ice in a direct line, for he has along journey, and will take the shortest route. Look out there foryourselves. That line I speak of will pass the point which pushes outfrom this side of the lake. A line of watchers stretched for a quarterof a mile across that line ought to see something."

  For a little while the trio stared out at the frozen and snow-coveredsurface of the lake, that lake at the head of which stood the Frenchfort of Ticonderoga, while at its foot was Fort William Henry. And asthey looked, Jim and Pete agreed to the full with what Steve had said.

  "Reckon you're right, Cap'n," said the former. "This chap'll becaught somewheres within hail of that point ef he's caught at all.Waal, we've given them Frenchies and their varmint a knock already,and we'll let 'em have another. Give us a fill of yer 'bacca, Steve.Mine's done. Now, let's have some orders. It's time we shook down toreg'lar business."

  It took only a little while to arrange the duties for the whole band.They were divided into two sections, each of which was to act as arule independently of the other. They were to take night duty week byweek, and when away from the fort, as it had now come to be called,were to scour as much of the country as possible, so as to preventFrench parties from pouncing upon the woodcutters who were sent everyday from Fort William Henry. This arrangement would always allow halfthe band to garrison the place, while the boom of one of the capturedcannon would quickly bring the other in, if that were necessary.As to the weapons which had been captured, they had been mountedon the front face of the hillock, and a little thought and skilfulhandling by one of the band possessing some mechanical knowledge soonremoved the spikes which Steve had driven into the vents. Men weretold off from the two parties to act as gunners, and no sooner hadthe arrangements been completed than Mac took these men in hand, andcommenced to drill them in their new duties. One other arrangement wasmade.

  "If snow begins to fall, those who are out scouting will make at once
for Fort William Henry," said Steve. "They will endeavour to hit uponthe meeting-place where this rascal sells his news, while those whoare resting here will file off to that point on the lake, and willdraw a line out from it. It will be cold work, boys, but it may bringsuccess, and thanks from our commander. I think, too, that it mighthelp if the men engaged in this last duty were dressed as Indians,for then a Frenchman who happened to catch sight of one of our numberwould not take fright so easily. You see, we have very few bravesworking with us, and they seldom come even as far from the fort asthis. The French have, on the other hand, some hundreds of Hurons,Micmacs, and other braves, and they make long excursions."

  "It air a good thing that," agreed Pete. "What's more, there ain'ta one of us that can't dress as an Injun in quick time, and act thepart too. As for dress, there's plenty of the braves lyin' out in theforest."

  For a week the scouting work of the band of trappers went on withoutincident. The two parties fell into their duties as if they were bornto them, and all agreed that their lot was infinitely more pleasantthan it would have been had they remained at Fort William Henry.Thanks to the care which Steve had taken, the men had ample time forrest and sleep, and either half of the band on their return fromscouting always found a good meal ready, that being one of the dutiesof those resting in the fort.

  "Reckon that 'ere attack and the way we beat 'em off has shook themFrenchies and their Injuns up a bit," said Jim, one night as he satsmoking in front of the cosy fire which blazed in the fort. "They'vehad their own way for a precious long time, and it's kind'er takentheir breath away to have someone suddenly stop 'em. There ain't nonews from Fort William Henry, Cap'n?"

  "Only that the commandant thinks that whoever has been sending news tothe enemy has been quiet this last week. It has been fine, Jim."

  "Ay, and it'll snow afore many hours have gone. Jacob thar?"

  "Waal, what air wrong? What's wanted?"

  A bearded head, topped by a coon-skin cap of huge dimensions whichcovered the ears, was thrust into the opening of the fort, while theowner held the blanket aside with one of his thickly gloved hands.The firelight shone upon his tanned face, and upon the hundreds oftiny icicles which clung to his beard, his moustache, and eyebrows.

  "Waal?" he repeated. "What's amiss?"

  "Nothing, lad. But you air the boy on sentry go, as Mac calls it, andit's reasonable to think that you've looked to the weather. What's itdoin'?"

  "Nothing. Jest cold as ever it was. But it's cloudy. There ain't somany stars. Suppose it'll snow afore midnight."

  "Then sing out when the first flake falls," called Jim. "Now, shutthat 'ere door, Jacob, and quick with it. The wind comes in like aknife, and we're warm and smokin'."

  The bearded face at the opening grinned, a grin denoting disgustrather than merriment.

  "You was always like that, Huntin' Jim," Jacob growled. "Just waittill it's your turn for sentry go. I'll be the boy then to sit snug inthar and smoke, and I won't let you know it, oh no, of course I won't."

  He was gone, and they heard his feet scrunching the frozen snowoutside. The blanket fell into its place, and the men inside loungedagain, spreading their hands to the flare, smoking and gossiping, foryour trapper was not always the silent person he is sometimes painted,but a garrulous individual, fond of company, and making the most of itwhen he had the opportunity. A little later blankets were produced,and the whole party lay down with their feet to the fire, over whicha huge iron pot of stew was left simmering.

  "It air snowin'. Jest rouse yerselves and come out. It'll liven someof yer outside, for the wind air like a knife."

  Jacob's bearded face appeared again, and he roused the trappers withno gentle hand. They sprang to their feet, rubbed the sleep fromtheir eyes, and prepared to depart. Ten minutes later saw them allfiling from the fort, all save two who were to act as guard. They weredressed in their usual hunting costumes, under which all wore thethickest and warmest garments that they could procure for otherwisethey could never have endured such exposure. And now, in addition,each had an Indian blanket wrapped round him, while an eagle's crestwas secured to the warm fur caps which all wore.

  "We shall pass," said Steve, as he inspected his comrades in thefirelight. "Now, one word more before we go. This must be the work ofone man to-night. We shall be spread out over the ice, and should theFrenchman come, he will probably be seen by one only of our number.That one must pounce upon him promptly. Come along."

  He turned to the doorway and went out, the band following close uponhis heels. It was snowing outside, but not so hard as it did on theday when the Indians and French attacked them. It was, in fact, justthe night that a man would choose for an expedition such as that ofmeeting a rascal from the British force, and buying information fromhim, for the snow would act as an excellent cloak, while it was notso thick as to prevent a man from making progress in it. Then again,though the wind was cold, it was not blowing strongly, and what therewas came from the south.

  Steve stepped over the snow wall which had been left in front of thefort, and gaining the steep slope beyond it, promptly slid down, hissnowshoes scattering the white particles in a fine spray on eitherside. One by one the band followed, floundering down to the bottom.Then they moved off in single file, and very soon had plunged intothe depths of the silent forest. Three miles took them to the bank ofLake St. George, when they struck out on to the ice, here clear ofsnow, for the wind had been in the opposite direction, and had sweptit away. Their faces were now turned to the north, and they kept on inthat direction for half an hour. Then Steve halted. It was still verydark, and snowing a little. But all were glad to find that the forest,which clad the point below them, sheltered them from the keen wind,and that it was considerably warmer.

  "We will spread now," said Steve. "If you find that you are gettingcold, swing your arms round your head. Don't beat them against yoursides, for the sound would carry."

  "It air likely, too, that some of the boys will fall asleep withthis cold and standin' still," whispered Jim. "Steve, supposin' yerorder the men to beat up and down past one another. That'll keep 'emlively, and it'll make it more sartin that no one can get through."

  There were twelve in all, and their young leader at once adopted thesuggestion.

  "We'll divide again into two parties," he said. "Jim, you will havecommand of the five out farthest, making with yourself six. I'llcommand the other half. We will spread out for a quarter of a milefrom this bank, you posting yourself at the farthest point. The menwill be at intervals of about forty yards, and as soon as they are inposition they will commence to beat to and fro, each couple exchangingplaces. In that way the ground will be thoroughly patrolled.Understand?"

  "Right, Cap'n."

  "Then take your men. This fellow may be along at any moment."

  Within ten minutes the twelve watchers were in position, and for fourlong and weary hours the men continued to patrol the snow-coveredice. But trappers were used to such work, and made light of theexposure, though the wind was so cold, even here in the shelter, thatuntrained men would quickly have succumbed. However, Jim's idea helpednot a little, for the men patrolled backwards and forwards withoutcessation, walking at a brisk pace, which kept their blood circulatingand their extremities warm. And as they watched, the snow still fellsilently and gently, sometimes almost ceasing altogether. The skyoverhead was still overcast, but not so much as before, and that addedto the reflection from this vast expanse of white made it possible forall the men to see a few yards in all directions, and to retain theirrelative positions. A deathly silence hung over the lake, broken onlyby an occasional crash, as the wind sent a mass of snow tumbling fromthe trees in the forest. Then the sound would reverberate down thelong expanse of ice, and go rolling away to the mountains far beyond.

  "It looks as if we were going to be disappointed, Jim," said Steve,as he walked along the line to speak to the hunter. We have been inposition four solid hours, and have seen nothing."

  "Which don't say as there
ain't nothin' to be seen, Cap'n," was theanswer. "I reckon it's somewhere's about three in the mornin', and agood hour for this feller to be returnin'. P'raps he slipped past herebefore we turned out of the fort. He may have made so far through theforest, and then dropped on to the ice when the snow commenced. Givehim another two hours, and then we may as well get back to the fortand curl up in front of the fire. It's cold here. Them chaps down atFort William Henry would ha' been asleep or frozen long ago."

  They separated again, and another half hour passed withoutinterruption. Then, suddenly, from the lower end of the lake therecame a shout, then a second, and almost immediately afterwards thereport of a rifle, heard very clearly at that distance, for the iceacted as a sounding-board. At once all was excitement amongst thewaiting trappers. They lifted their coon-skin caps so as to make surethat they would hear even the slightest sound, and ranged up and downat an even faster pace. They were on the qui vive, and determined tocatch anyone who attempted to pass them.

  "Chances air that Pete and the other boys have come upon the meetingof these varmint," said Jim, as he drew close to Steve. "They'velikely as not shot one of 'em, and will be followin' the other.Supposin' we extend a little."

  The movement was carried out promptly, Steve stationing himself on thefar extremity of the line. An hour later, when the excitement had dieddown and the trappers were beginning to murmur that there was littleuse in staying, for the man, if he actually existed, must have alreadypassed, or have been shot lower down the lake, Steve thought he caughtsight of a figure flitting across the snow quite a distance out on thelake. He could not be certain, but as it would not do to miss evena chance, he hurriedly set off in the direction, trusting that thetrapper stationed next to him would be careful to notice that he hadgone, and would follow on his traces. Dashing ahead at his fastestpace, it was not long before he came upon the marks of snowshoes, and,thanks to the increased light out there on the lake, made sure thattwo men had passed. Then he set off after them, sweeping over the snowat a rate which would have taxed the endurance of an Indian, forSteve was an old hand with snowshoes. A quarter of an hour later heagain caught sight of a figure, and within a few minutes made out asecond, in advance of the first. The time for action had arrived. Hetook one swift glance behind him, and thought he saw the dull outlineof one of the trappers following in his wake. Then he started forwardagain, and soon was within easy distance of the last of the figures.

  "Halt, there!" he shouted, as he lifted his musket to his shoulder."Throw your hands up, both of you, and return at once."

  There was an exclamation, a shout of alarm, and almost instantly thetwo men threw themselves on their faces in the snow. Then there was ashort interval, followed by the loud report of a musket. A splash offlame illumined the darkness, while a leaden ball raced past Steve'shead, and went humming into the distance. He was down in an instant,and having waited to make sure of the position of the enemy, he tookcareful aim and fired. Instantly there was a loud scream, one of thedark figures started up, staggered, and fell again, to roll over andover in the snow. Then something else happened. A dozen shots werefired from a spot some little distance to the right, while Indianwar-whoops broke on the air.

  "They must have had friends waiting for them," thought Steve, as hebusily reloaded. "Where is Jim? He and the men should be here by now.Ah! That must be their fire."

  "WHEN HE CAME TO HIMSELF AGAIN HE WAS BEING CARRIED ONTHE SHOULDERS OF FOUR INDIANS"]

  He swung round suddenly, for more shots had rung out behind him,shots which he made sure came from the muskets of his friends. Butin a moment he found that he was mistaken. A series of loud reportsanswered the last discharge, and the flashes told him that the musketswere aimed in his direction.

  "Surrounded! The Indians have got between me and my friends," thoughtSteve. "I must creep away, and make the best of a bad position."

  He knelt up stealthily, saw no one in his immediate neighbourhood, andcommenced to creep on hands and knees. But he was not allowed to govery far, for one of the two dusky figures which he had been followingrose at once, and strode back a few paces. There was the loud ring ofa ramrod as the man drove in a bullet, and then came the report, thecrash of which rang in Steve's ears. Stars flashed in front of hiseyes, and the snow over which he was creeping turned to a blood-redhue. He fell all of a heap, and lay there for some few seconds, whilethe shouts of the combatants rang in his ears. Then he revived alittle, staggered to his feet and fell again, this time with a crashwhich left him senseless. When he came to himself again he was beingcarried on the shoulders of four Indians, the snow had ceased, and thelights which twinkled in the distance were those of Ticonderoga. Stevewas a prisoner.