CHAPTER XXV.
A RAY OF HOPE.
In all five of us assembled--five low-spirited, grave-faced men: theothers were Menzies and Captain Rudstone, Dr. Knapp and an old andexperienced voyageur named Carteret, whose judgment was to be reliedupon. A discussion of a few minutes found us unanimously agreed that itwould be impossible to repulse the Indians should they make anotherattack in force; nor did we doubt that such a crisis would come sooneror later.
"There is no chance of the siege being lifted," said Captain Rudstone."One or more disguised Northwest men are directing operations, and theymust know----"
"I'll swear Cuthbert Mackenzie is the leader," I broke in. "He won'tneglect such an opportunity as offers now."
"Right you are!" exclaimed Carteret, with a shrug of the shoulders."It's temptation thrown in the way of the redskins. Talk about easy! Afirm crust on the snow, and the drifts nearly up to the top of thestockade I Why, they could pour a hundred braves into the fort beforewe could shoot down ten of them!"
"And they will do just that," declared Captain Rudstone. "They know thatwe have lost heavily, and can't offer much resistance to a rush. I'llventure to predict that the attack is made late this afternoon, when thetwilight begins to gather."
"It will mean the loss of the fort," said I. "We can't shut our eyes tothat fact. We have a few hours of grace left; let us make the most ofthem."
"But what are we to do?" said Dr. Knapp.
"Ay, what?" Menzies echoed dismally. "There's no chance of help, you'lladmit, and even if a messenger had got through in time, Fort Yorkcouldn't have spared us any men. As it is, they probably have no idea ofwhat is happening here. Do you suggest that we lower our flag andsurrender?"
"Never that!" said I.
"Then what other choice have we but to be slaughtered to a man?"continued the hard-headed old Scotchman. "Perhaps you will kindlyexplain, Mr. Carew, how we are to make the most of these few hours ofgrace."
Menzies spoke sneeringly, and with an aggravating touch of irony; but Ikept my temper, hoping that he would shortly alter his opinion of myadvice. In truth, I had been turning a matter over in my mind while thediscussion was going on, and I fancied I saw a way for some of us atleast, to save both life and honor.
"If we surrendered, we should likely be slaughtered just the same," Ireplied. "So that is out of the question. But I have a plan, Mr.Menzies--a sort of a middle course--to offer in the event of the fortfalling."
"Go on," said he, with a contemptuous sniff.
"I must ask you a question or two first," I replied.
"Dr. Knapp, how many wounded are in your care?"
"They are in Father Cleary's care at present," he answered. "But I haveseven, Carew."
"And how many are fit to travel, on foot or on sledges?"
He reflected for a moment, looking at me with surprise.
"Two will die before night," he said, "and a third is in a bad way. Theother four might make a shift on snowshoes."
"It is better than I expected," said I. "And now for my plan. Thishouse, with its loopholes and heavy shutters, was constructed for suchan emergency as the present. I suggest that we at once move in thewounded, three or four sledges, all the powder and ball and a quantityof provisions. If the attack comes, and we see that we can't repulse it,we will all take shelter here, and in time to withdraw the men fromother points. The house is practically fireproof, and I am sure we canhold it for a week or more, if need be."
"It would catch fire from the outbuildings," suggested the doctor.
"The Indians won't burn those," said I. "They will save them for theirown protection."
"And how is the siege of the house to end?" asked Menzies. "Do youexpect the Indians to withdraw, or do you count on aid arriving?"
"I admit there is no chance of either." I replied. "My idea is this. Theinside of the inclosure is already deep under a frozen drift, and fromthe look of the weather there will be more snow in plenty within a fewhours. We will excavate a tunnel beneath it, starting from one of thelittle windows that give air to the cellar, and leading to some part ofthe south stockade. Then in a day or two, when the night is dark andother conditions favorable, what is to prevent us from making our escapeunseen to the forest, and by quick traveling gain Fort York?"
"The Indians would break into the tunnel while prowling about," said Dr.Knapp.
"We won't make it high enough for that." I replied stoutly, "and,besides, the crust will be too hard."
"It's a sound plan!" exclaimed Captain Rudstone.
"Ay, I'm of the same mind," added Carteret. "It's well worth the trying.And it's that or a bloody massacre--there are no two ways about it."
"It seems a cowardly thing," grumbled Menzies, "to yield the redskinsall but this house, and then slink away from that under cover ofdarkness and by a trick. A rich lot of the company's property will fallinto their hands!"
"True enough," said I bitterly, "and the old flag-will be hauled downfor the first time in the records! But consider, sir; there is nothingelse to be done! Carteret has given you the gist at the matter. Andthink of the women!"
The blunt old Scotchman was touched in a tender spot; his face softened.
"Ay, my poor wife!" he said, with a sigh. "And Miss Hatherton! They mustnot fall into the power of these red devils--or of Cuthbert Mackenzie.It's a level head you have on your shoulders, Denzil. I fear I spokehastily--"
"As was your right," I interrupted. "It was presumptuous of me to offeradvice. But I am pleased to think that you favor my suggestion."
"It is a last chance," he replied, "and we must cling to it for the sakeof the women. Were it not for them I would hold out to the end. Ah, thepity of it! To think that Fort Royal will be lost!"
"It will rise again stronger than ever," Captain Rudstone said grimly,"when the Northwest Company has been crushed out of existence."
"May I live to see the day!" said Menzies fervently.
We held some further discussion, during which a number of minor detailswere arranged. Then Dr. Knapp returned to the hospital, and CaptainRudstone and Carteret set off to acquaint the men with the proposedplan, and to see to the removal of the wounded and the various suppliesto the factor's house. Meanwhile, Baptiste having come in, he reportedthat there was no sign of any threatening movement on the part of thesavages, and we fully expected none until evening.
I had promised my companions to take some sleep--which I stood badly inneed of--but first I insisted on going over the lower floor of the housewith Menzies. We examined all the rooms, the doors and walls, theshutters and loopholes, and I was satisfied with the inspection. When wereturned to the hall Mrs. Menzies hailed her husband from above. He wentupstairs and as I passed the open door of the room in which we had heldour gathering, on my way out, I caught the flutter of a woman's gown andheard my name pronounced in a whisper.
Stepping inside, I saw Flora. She was standing by the table, with a lookon her sweet face that set my heart throbbing wildly. How it happened Iscarcely knew, but the next instant she was in my arms, held close to mybreast, and I was showering kisses on her unresisting lips and eyes.
"Denzil!" she whispered. "My hero--my own love!"
"At last, my darling!" I muttered. "You are mine! None can take you awayfrom me. Say that you love me, Flora!"
"I do with all my heart!"
"And when will you marry me?"
"Some day, dear Denzil," she replied.
She gently released herself and gazed at me timidly.
"Oh, it must be wrong to feel so happy," she added with a little sob inher voice, "while he is lying cold and dead. How generous and noble hewas! And think of it, Denzil, he intended to give me up! I am glad I wastrue to him."
"I wish I had been truer," I said bitterly. "But it is too late forregrets. A better man than Griffith Hawks never lived. He was worthy ofyou, Flora. Can I say more?"
"I will never forget him," she answered softly. "Oh, this
cruel, cruelwar! And they say the fort is in danger, Denzil. That is what I wantedto ask you."
"Don't believe it," said I. "There will be more fighting--perhaps aprotracted siege--but our brave men will prove more than a match for thecowardly redskins. Trust to me, dearest. I will save you from, all harmand peril."
At that moment Menzies was heard returning. I caught the girl in myarms, kissed her twice, and hurried from the house. All was quiet as Icrossed the yard, and I observed that fine flakes of snow werecommencing to drop. Flora was mine! I could think of nothing else when Ientered my quarters, but, for all that I was so worn out that I fellasleep the moment I threw myself on the bed.