Chapter XVII
Down the Mighty St. Lawrence
"We ain't out er the wood by no means," said Jim, when the canoe hadshot past the city and had lost the lights behind a promontory of theIsle of Orleans, "cos there's the journey back. Judge thinks as we'dbest make down stream for the sea, and cut out to Halifax or someother place, wherever our chaps may be. There's talk of an expeditionto Louisbourg, and, of course, that's somewheres at the mouth of theriver. Now, ef it was me alone----"
"You'd make up stream, or even enter the Richelieu," burst in Mr.Mainwaring, "and for the simple reason that you have never even seenthe ocean, nor even a big ship. You are at home in the forest, andfeel that you could more surely reach friends in that way."
"Thet's the case, Judge, in a nutshell."
"But I happen to know that the forests south of this are swarming withIndians. We had the utmost difficulty in making to the north, and wehave to remember that the escape of the prisoner will within a coupleof days be associated with the disappearance of the band of Hurons.That will rouse the French, and they will send urgent messages down tothe neighbourhood of Ticonderoga. No, my friends, I have good reasonto know that Frontenac is almost deserted at this moment, so that wemight escape that way. Even then there would be a very long strip offorest to traverse, and many enemies in it. The mouth of the riveris our easiest way, for once clear of the neighbourhood and safe ona suitable vessel, no one can catch us. And French vessels down thestream will be deceived by our hoisting a French flag, while the mouthitself is patrolled by our fleet."
Mr. Mainwaring had, in fact, supplied himself with all the availableinformation before venturing on this hazardous journey to Quebec,for an intelligent man, such as he was, knew very well that such anexpedition was fraught with much danger, and that if not carefullyplanned in every detail, it would very likely end in disaster. Thereader will remember that Pitt had come into power, and that one ofthe chief items of his programme against the French was to be anattack on the formidable fort of Louisbourg. Our ships were on the waythere from Halifax already, and it was clear that safety lay in thatdirection for Steve and his friends if only they could descend theriver.
"I can see that it will be easier to make down by the water than tomarch miles and miles through the forest, scouting every foot of theway," Steve said. "What about a suitable boat, father? We shall wantsomething bigger than this canoe, for this would never live down atthe mouth. I understand that it is like an open sea there, and that itis often very rough."
"It is swept by sudden gales, even in the summer," was the answer."As for a boat to take us to our friends, there is one lying down atthe tail of this island, and just within sight of Quebec. She lies, Ishould say, eight or ten miles from the city, so that any commotionaboard will not be seen or heard. That is the vessel we are going tocapture, Steve. How we are going to do it is another matter. We mustdiscuss that. Meanwhile we shall paddle down beside the island tillabout a mile from the end, and there we shall tie up."
Accordingly the paddles were kept moving gently, for the stream wasstrong here, and it was hardly necessary to urge the canoe along. Halfan hour later the signal was given, and they turned the nose of thebark canoe into the bank, and Silver Fox made her fast there to someoverhanging branches.
"Guess we can put in a sleep," said Jim, yawning widely. "The nightsare getting very short now, so it won't be long before we are up anddoin'. Who'll take the watch?"
"I will," answered Steve promptly. "Turn in all of you and sleep. Iwill rouse you an hour before it is light. By the way, shall we settlethis question of the capture of the boat to-morrow?"
"Onless you've got somethin' fixed already, Cap'n. Blest ef you ain'tnow. I knows that by yer voice. Spout it out, boy, and let's knowwhat it is. He was always like this when cap'n of the band, Judge.Kind er suggestin' a discussion when he'd got the hul thing settled inhis own mind. Spin it out, Steve."
"There is nothing in it, only I thought we had better settle thematter now. We shall be dull and sleepy in the early morning. I fancyour best plan is to be that Huron party out fishing. There are plentyof Indian canoes about on the river every day, and often enough themen are fishing. We can do the same, and gradually drift down to theboat. But have we lines aboard?"
"You bet. There's half a dozen in Flyin' Bird's pouch."
"Then I will bait a couple now and fish. We must have a few fish withus, and when we get opposite the boat we will offer some to the menaboard. Thus we shall have an excuse for hanging on to the boat, and acouple can clamber aboard. If the rest of us cannot do the same---"
"You've said enough, Steve, so you have," cried Mac, opening hiscapacious mouth for the first time for many an hour. "If others cannotfollow, why, me name's not Mac. Sure, we'll be rhunnin' over the decksafore you can count yer fingers."
"Then pass the lines and get to sleep."
Steve sat in the centre of the canoe while the hours of darknesspassed. On either side of him sprawled his companions, lying packed asclosely as possible, for a bark canoe is never of great dimensions,and though this was a large one, it gave little room for men whowished to sleep. In addition, a craft of this sort was very liableto capsize, particularly when manned by novices. But Steve and hisfriends had learned to manage these canoes when they were very young,and could move about in them, spear fish over the side, and even sleepin them with the utmost security.
Almost before he was prepared for it, Steve saw a streak of whitebreak across the black sky towards the east, and knew that dawn wouldnot be long in coming. In half an hour it was beginning to get light,and he at once roused his companions.
"Time's up," he called out softly. "Rouse yourselves and rub the sleepout of your eyes. Now, I vote for a meal before we start. Then, ifthere is trouble, we shall be able to struggle on for a long whilewithout wanting food."
They followed his advice with eagerness, for the night's adventure hadsharpened their appetites. But very soon the meal was ended, and therebeing nothing further to wait for, they cast off from the branches,paddled well out into the river, and then, taking in their paddles,drifted down the stream, each one of the party, with the exception ofJim, who steered with the tip of his paddle, having a line overboard.
"There yer air," he said some minutes later. "Best not look alltogether, lest they should get suspicious. Thar's the boat, boys, anda bonny one she seems. I reckon she's ten times bigger'n this."
"Forty times," answered Mr. Mainwaring. "She is quite a large craft,and not far short of eighty tons. If so, there are few of largersize that ever venture up the river. That is a peculiarity about theFrench. I believe they have seldom brought a boat of more than ahundred tons up to Quebec. And yet there must be sufficient water,though there are shoals here and there, and the passage is considereddangerous. She will suit us well, boys. In a little while we shall beexchanging our role of Huron Indians for that of a sailor. Lucky it isfor us all that one of our numbers has sailed a boat before."
"We ain't aboard yet, Judge," said Jim, rather suddenly. "Steve,you've lived a year in these parts. What do yer make of them crittersaway over thar under the island? You others keep on fishin'. 'Twon'tdo to seem curious."
Steve raised his head slowly, drew in his line, and threw it out fromthe other side of the canoe. The movement gave him the opportunityof looking in the direction Jim had indicated, where he saw a largeship's boat pulling out from the tail end of the island. She wasmanned by six sailors, and swept through the water at a rapid pace. Inaddition, the white coats of four passengers proclaimed that they wereregulars from the French garrison, while an equal number of Indianscrouched by the thwarts. In the stern sat a man who was huddled in acloak, for the early morning was chilly.
"I should say that she is a patrol, probably ordered to search allvessels and boats which come south of the island. Perhaps her crewhave directions to turn all back who come so far. I don't like thelook of those fellows, but we must not appear to be alarmed. Go onfishing, all of you, and just see tha
t your muskets are handy. FlyingBird, be ready to answer them."
He addressed the Indian in Mohawk, and then tossed his line again,pulling up a fish a moment or two later quite coolly and leisurely.Meanwhile his comrades went on with their fishing, without eventurning their heads, for they were one and all trained men, whoknew by experience that the simple turning of a head was sometimessufficient to cause suspicion. They betrayed not the slightestcuriosity, but pulled in their fish or rebaited their hooks withwonderful unconcern. Jim still steered the canoe languidly, glancingnow and again at the strangers, while Steve was able to keep his eyeson them without appearing to do so.
"They are making direct for us," he said suddenly. "I will turn roundfor fear that they might recognise me. I was a prisoner so long, andquite free to move about that the majority of the troops in Quebecknow me."
Suiting the action to the word, he swung round and dropped his linein on the far side. Presently a hail came over the water, while thesplash of paddles could be heard.
"Ef they order us back, why, we've got to obey," said Jim. "Better toplease 'em and put the critters off the scent than to run our headsagainst a wall. Let the beggars sing out again before you answer them."
Flying Bird nodded curtly, for he had picked up a deal of English, andcould understand the drift of the conversation. He went on fishingcalmly, without even turning his head, till they were hailed again,this time in the Indian language.
"Hi! Put about there and wait till we come up with you. Who are you,and where are you from?"
In a little while the boat came seething alongside, where she lay,held by an occasional stroke of the oars, while the man in the sternrepeated his questions. Steve did not dare to steal so much as a lookat him, while Jim suddenly ducked his head and turned, so that theFrenchman could not see his face. For once again Jules Lapon's voicewas heard. Once again had this odious Frenchman come upon the scenewhen least desired, and at the most inopportune moment. It was hewithout a doubt, more sallow than of yore, his overbearing mannersalmost as openly displayed as on the last occasion when Steve hadfaced him.
"Where from, and who are you, Indians?" he demanded curtly, in theHuron tongue. "We have orders to search all who come this way, and tosend them back if they have no good reason for coming."
"The chief can see what our business is," answered Flying Birdsteadily. "Does the Frenchman wish to be assured that these arefish?"--and he held up one of their catch--"or does he suspect us ofother business? As to who we are, this is a party of Hurons from thesouth country. We are awaiting a palaver with your big chief. That isall."
He baited his hook and tossed it into the river, turning away at onceand ignoring the Frenchman. But Jules was a man of keen perception,and possessed of a suspicious mind. Unknown to Steve, he had recentlycome to Quebec to take up some duty there, and had almost instantlyheard of the escape of the prisoner whom he had cruelly ordered to beexecuted down at Ticonderoga. A backwoodsman, such as he was, knew thedifficulties with which a fugitive would have to contend, and he hadat once assured himself that Steve must have friends who were helpinghim, and that in place of making away from the neighbourhood of thecity at once, he was probably in hiding close at hand, awaiting afavourable opportunity to escape.
"And this is just the party to help him," he said to himself as hestared at the occupants of the canoe. "I will not let him slip throughmy fingers if he is here. We will go a little closer, and then havea look at the far side. It is distinctly suspicious that they shouldhave their faces turned away."
Very slowly the big boat was rowed past the canoe till she was aboveher. Then she dropped down again, and drifted past while Jules Lapon,standing at the tiller, and still wrapped in his cloak, carefullyscrutinized the painted faces before him. Jim's angular features hepassed without a second look, while Mac stared back at the Frenchmanwith a boldness and an impudence which had the desired effect. Hewent on to Steve, found nothing suspicious in his open face, andpassing Pete, Silver Fox, and Flying Bird in turn, came at length toMr. Mainwaring. Something in the strong face and in the huge build ofthis brave seemed to strike him. He gave an exclamation, and, bendingforward, looked closer. Then his sallow cheeks were suddenly suffused,he bent forward to take a closer view, swept his eyes along theoccupants of the canoe again, and stopped when he came to Steve.
"The prisoner," he shouted at the top of his voice. "Hurrah! I havefound him as I had hoped to do. Cover them with your muskets. Dropthose paddles and sit upright or we will fire."
Jules had indeed made a discovery of the utmost importance. Buthe was a man who always found it hard to curb his passions or hisimpetuosity. Had he done so now, he would first have warned his menthat he had made some discovery, and so have had them in readiness.As it was, the four soldiers who sat in the boat did not understanda word of Huron, and had no knowledge of what had passed. They hadbeen on this duty for the past six days, and were heartily tired ofit, particularly as this leader of theirs had already treated them tomore than one false alarm. They sat half asleep, lolling against thethwarts, by no means pleased to be turned out at such an early hourwithout their breakfasts. The sudden order took them absolutely bysurprise. They had not even powdered the pans of their muskets.
"Peste! Up with your muskets and cover them, fools!" shouted Jules,seeing them hesitate. "I tell you that that is the prisoner. Shoot himdown if he moves a muscle."
"You will be good enough to seat yourself, Monsieur Jules. Jim, youare our best shot, and will cover him."
It was Steve's voice which spoke, and at the order the heavy deckardwhich the trapper carried went to his shoulder, and his eye squintedalong the sights.
"Covered," he growled, "and jest you watch it over thar. This heregun's got a way of its own of goin' off sudden. Jest watch it oryou'll know why. It's shot many a varmint before, and it won't takelong to treat a skunk like you to a bullet."
"Mac, and you, father, and Silver Fox cover the soldiers and theIndians. Now, messieurs, you know me perhaps. I am the prisoner, asthis Jules Lapon tells you, I am about to escape, and I advise you tobe satisfied with that statement. You,"--and he pointed to one of themen,--"will oblige by throwing your musket overboard. Good! Now yourpouch and horn and your bayonet. That is excellent. Your comrades willfollow suit."
Long before those in the boat had recovered from their astonishmentevery musket aboard the canoe was levelled at their heads. And oneby one the muskets and bayonets aboard the French boat were tossedoverboard, the Indians being compelled to follow the example setthem. So far not a shot had been fired, for the band of supposedHurons had been too quick for their enemies. But if eyes could havefired bullets, then every one of the occupants of the canoe, and inparticular Steve and his father, would have been slain by Jules, forthis curiously bitter Frenchman glared at them furiously, and finallyturned his eyes on Jim. Up till then he had been too excited and tooangry to take note of the tall Indian who covered him with his weapon.But now an uncomfortable feeling crept down Jules Lapon's spine. Heswore under his breath, tried to stare back at the squinting eyeof the man who levelled the sights, and then was suddenly overcomeby that strange sensation. His knees shook and his legs doubled upbeneath him. He crouched in the stern, his face hidden in his hands,tears, induced partly by sheer terror and partly by mortification,streaming down his cheeks and welling out between his fingers.
"Others has felt like that and weakened," growled Jim, lowering hispiece. "There's better men nor you has looked into a gun and felt illand sick. I've done it myself, and I knows that queer feelin' thatyou've got. But fer all that I ain't never played the coward like you.A leader's a man as should stand up to the worst, and face everything,so as to show his men he's worth his salt. You ain't. Reckon you'rethe biggest coward as I ever set eyes on."
The trapper spat derisively into the water, laid down his musket, andcommenced to fill his pipe.
"What next, Cap'n?" he asked, a grin on his hard features. "Thar'swork to be done. Beg pardon, Judge, but it seems natura
l like to turnto Steve after being away thar at the hollow with him."
"And you could not do better. Let the lad lead us. I have perfectconfidence in him. Steve, what is the next move?"
For a little while there was no answer, for our hero was engaged inlooking closely at the boat which they had decided to capture, andthen over his shoulder at the river. There was not another boat insight, while, though he looked very carefully, no one seemed to bestirring aboard the ship.
"We shall want men aboard that boat to manage the sails, for I knownothing of seamanship, and Pete and Mac and Jim are the same. But weare lucky. Here are the very hands we want."
He pointed to the sailors aboard the boat, at the stern of which thediscomfited officer sat, and at once a smile broke over the faces ofhis friends. They saw his meaning in a flash, and the coolness oftheir old captain amused them.
"Shucks! Ef he ain't the most----"
"Jest the slimmest, 'cutest, cussedest chap as ever you or me set eyeson, Pete," burst in Jim. "No wonder that 'ere Frenchie thar has dughis head into his hands. Reckon it makes him kind er faint to look athim."
"I said that we should need sailors. There they are. Monsieur Jules,you will be good enough to come aboard this canoe and bring yoursoldiers with you. My men, you have nothing to fear. We are merelyabout to change places with you."
At a nod from Steve, Jim and Mac dug their paddles into the water, andpresently they were alongside the boat. Jim leaped aboard at once,took Jules Lapon by the shoulder with no very gentle hand, and liftedhim to his feet as if he were a babe.
"Ef you ain't able to hold yerself up, why, I'll sling yer acrossto the canoe. Bah! Man, show some spirit. From all accounts yer canbe bold and hard enough when things air right and you've got a poorprisoner to deal with. There's the cap'n thar as can tell a yarn aboutyer."
The exchange of boats took only a few minutes, and very soon the partyof Hurons were seated in the one which had belonged to Jules, whilethat worthy, with his soldiers and his Indians, was crouching in thecanoe. They were given a couple of paddles, and were ordered to row upstream.
"If we see you turn, or if you shout, we shall follow," said Steve."It would be better for you to go quietly back to Quebec."
They watched as the Frenchman and his disconsolate crew paddled away,and soon they were round the bend of the island, prepared to attackthe vessel which they hoped would take them to the sea.
"You have nothing to fear," said Steve to the sailors who still mannedthe oars, "and I promise to set you free as soon as we can get alongwithout your services. How many are aboard the ship?"
"As well make the best of a bad job," came the answer. "There are twoonly, monsieur, and you can climb aboard as soon as you like. You saythat we shall be set free, monsieur?"
"I give you my promise. We shall make this boat fast astern, andtow her down. When you can be spared you shall take the boat andsufficient arms and provisions and go. Is that a bargain?"
"You can count on us, monsieur, and our comrades aboard would prefersuch terms to the hard knocks which you are able to give."
A few words passed between the Frenchmen, they smiled at Steve andhis friends, and seemed to enter into the spirit of this adventure oftheirs as though it was as pleasant to them as service with their owncomrades.
"'Tis a poor heart which cannot make light of troubles, monsieur,"laughed their spokesman. "A minute ago it seemed that we should beshot. Now we are promised safety, and are commanded by one who speakskindly to us, and even says 'monsieur' when he gives us an order. Thatis good. We welcome a change after that ruffian."
By now the boat was very close to the anchored ship, and presently shestruck against the counter, and one of the French sailors hung on witha boathook.
"We shall trust you to go aboard and let your comrades know what ishappening," said Steve to the spokesman of the sailors. "Otherwiseshots might be fired and useless opposition shown. Get aboard, my lad."
"You can come up," shouted the man a little later, appearing at therail above with two strange faces beside him. "My comrades see thewisdom of behaving quietly, particularly since I took the liberty ofpromising them what you offered us. Is that correct, monsieur?"
"Perfectly. You will be rewarded also if you behave properly. Now makethe boat fast and place yourselves under the orders of monsieur here,who is my father."
It was wonderful to see with what eagerness the French sailors sprangto obey Mr. Mainwaring. For though the huge Englishman was dressedas a Huron, and plentifully daubed with paint, yet he spoke perfectFrench, and held himself as only a white man could do. But surelynever was there a stranger sight than this, a ship commanded byIndians, and worked by pale faces.
"We shall have to make a change, Steve," said his father. "Just huntout some old clothes from the lockers down below. They will serve adouble purpose. We shall be more comfortable, and then, in case of ourmeeting another ship sailing under French colours, we shall pass allthe easier."
That night, as the darkness began to get deeper, the ship was anchoredclose in to the southern bank, and remained swinging to her cablethere till the dawn came again. Then she went on her course again.And so, without incident, the sea was reached, the island now knownas Prince Edward Island sighted, and finally the bleak slopes of CapeBreton Island.
"If monsieur would allow us to escape in the boat within the next fewhours we could reach our friends in Louisbourg," said the sailor whohad spoken for his comrades before. "The wind is fair for us, and weshould not have a long pull."
Steve and his friends at once agreed, the boat was pulled alongside,and food and water lowered. Then Mr. Mainwaring presented each of thesix sailors with a small sum of money and sent them down to the boat.They pushed off, waved their adieux, and put out their oars. Then thetiller of the big ship was put up again, the sails filled, and shebore away to the far end of the island. Rounding that, and giving theland a wide berth, the party aboard saw a ship stealing along close tothe island. At her fore flew the fleur de lis of France, and sightingthe boat out in the offing, her head was turned and she came surgingout towards Steve and his friends.
"She is a big boat. It would be hard if we were to see the insideof a French prison after all our trouble," smiled Mr. Mainwaring."But I doubt that she will have the courage to come far, for if myinformation has been correct, the British fleet must be hereabouts.They have been blockading the mouth of the river since the winterbroke up. Ha! Steve, what do I see?"
There was a white dot away in the far distance, a dot which mighthave been a bird. But it held the same position steadily, exceptfor the fact that it grew gradually bigger, proving that it was aship approaching. And presently a huge eighty-gun frigate, with theBritish ensign at her mast-head, came into clear sight and ranged upalongside the captured Frenchman. A gun was fired, and hardly had theboom been heard when a boat dropped from the side of the frigate, asmart naval officer tumbled into it with his crew, and, being joinedby another individual, raced across the water. They were alongside infive minutes, and a ladder being lowered the naval officer and hiscompanion came aboard.
"A party of seven. So far so good," exclaimed the officer, running hiseye over Steve and his friends. "Is this the ship we were to expect?"
"It is," answered Mr. Mainwaring promptly. "Allow me to introduce theparty, general. I am Mr. Mainwaring, though somewhat altered, I fear.And here are my son, Hunting Jim, Mac, Pete, Silver Fox, and FlyingBird, all old friends and staunch companions. I have to thank you forpicking us up. My friends, this is General Wolfe."
"Indeed, I fancy the term picking you up hardly meets the case. Youseem very well able to look to yourselves, and, if my observation iscorrect, have been fairly comfortable."
The officer who spoke turned to Mr. Mainwaring, and then shook handswith every one of the party, giving Steve an opportunity of inspectinghim closely without seeming to be rude. General Wolfe, whose namewas then prominently before the world, was a tall, gaunt man withno other particular feature about hi
m to attract unusual attention,unless it was his hair, which, like Mac's, was decidedly red. He wasquiet, reserved, a typical officer and gentleman, and evidently oneaccustomed to discipline and to be obeyed. Little did Steve thinkas he watched this brigadier that Wolfe was to be the hero of thisconflict with France in Canada, and that he himself was to be closelyassociated with him in the conquest of that fair city from which hehad so recently escaped.