CHAPTER SEVEN.
A NARROW ESCAPE.
HUGH'S CANOE ARRESTED BY RED SQUIRREL JUST IN TIME--THE CANOE SAVED--ALLGOT UP THE RAPIDS AT LAST--CAMP AT THE TOP--THE BLACKFEET REACH THE CAMPTO FIND THE PARTY GONE--THE INDIANS PURSUE, AND UNCLE DONALD LIES BY FORTWO DAYS ON AN ISLAND--END OF THE WATER PASSAGE--THE HORSES DO NOTAPPEAR.
As Corney and Pierre approached I waved to them to go on, pointing tothe canoe to which Hugh was clinging. They saw the necessity of at oncegoing to his rescue, and so left me on the rock, where I was perfectlysafe for the present. There was need, in truth, for them to make haste,for already Hugh was drifting within range of the Indians' arrows, andthey might shoot him in revenge for the long run we had given them.
The overturned canoe seemed to be gliding more and more rapidly towardsthem, when I saw its progress arrested.
The brave Indian had seized it, and was attempting to tow it away fromthe spot where the savages were collected. But all his efforts couldscarcely do more than stop its way, and he apparently made but littleprogress towards the west shore. Corney and Pierre were, however,quickly getting up to it. I shouted with joy when I saw Hugh liftedinto Corney's canoe, and the Indian with some assistance clambering intothat of Pierre. Not satisfied with this success they got hold of thecanoe itself, determined to prevent it from falling into the hands ofthe enemy. This done, they quickly paddled over to the west shore,where a level spot enabled them to land. They had not forgotten me; andpresently I saw Corney's canoe, with three people in her, poling uptowards the rock on which I stood, while Pierre's was engaged in pickingup such of the articles of baggage as had floated. It was not withoutsome difficulty that I got on board. My first inquiry was to ascertainwhich of the Indians had assisted to save Hugh, and I was thankful tohear, as I had expected, that it was Bed Squirrel who had behaved sogallantly.
We then had to decide what to do--whether to continue our courseupwards, to let Uncle Donald know what had happened, or to rejoinPierre. Though I had managed to cling on to the rock I found mystrength so much exhausted that I could afford but little help in polingup the canoe. While we were discussing the matter, what was my dismayto see an Indian on the top of the western cliff.
"Our enemies must have crossed, and we shall be attacked," I exclaimed.
"Sure no, it's one of Mr Donald's men who has been sent to see what hasbecome of us," answered Corney.
Such I saw was the case. We could not hear his voice, but gettingcloser to us he made signs which his own people understood, that hewould go back to Uncle Donald and learn what we were to do. In replyour two Indians pointed down to where Pierre's party were now on shore,letting him understand exactly what had happened.
He quickly disappeared, and we had to wait some time, hanging on to arock by a rope, until he returned with two other men. They then pointedup the stream as a sign to us that we were to proceed. We accordinglydid so, poling up as before. By the time we got to the head of therapids we saw that Pierre was coming after us, apparently towing theshattered canoe.
Above the rapids we discovered a small bay, towards which Uncle Donald'svoice summoned us. As we landed he grasped my hand, showing his joy atmy escape. It was some time before Pierre arrived. Hugh came in hiscanoe, while the rest of the men had arrived over land with the luggagewhich had been saved, as also with our rifles, which, having been slungunder the thwarts, had fortunately not slipped out.
We immediately began our preparations for camping, but had, besidesdoing what was usual, to collect materials for a stockade, which mightenable us to resist a sudden onslaught of the Blackfeet should theycross the river. One of the men was also placed on watch all the timeto prevent surprise.
While most of the party were thus engaged, Red Squirrel and Jock, whowere the best canoe builders, were employed in repairing the shatteredcanoe, and making some fresh paddles and poles; indeed there was so muchwork to be done, that none of us got more than a few hours' rest. Wehad also to keep a vigilant watch, and two of the men were constantlyscouting outside the camp, to guard in more effectually from being takenby surprise.
All was ready for a start some time before daylight, when Uncle Donald,awakening the sleepers, ordered every one to get on board as noiselesslyas possible. He, as usual, led the way, the other canoes followingclose astern. The last man was told to make up the fire, which was leftburning to deceive the enemy, who would suppose that we were stillencamped.
We had got some distance, the wind being up stream, when just at dawn Ifancied that I heard a faint though prolonged yell. We stopped paddlingfor a moment, I asked Red Squirrel if he thought that the Blackfeet hadgot across to our camp. He nodded, and uttered a low laugh, significantof his satisfaction that we had deceived them. Daylight increasing, weput up our masts and hoisted the light cotton sails, which sent ourcanoes skimming over the water at a far greater speed than we hadhitherto been able to move.
Another lake appeared before us. By crossing it we should be far aheadof the Blackfeet. We had brought some cooked provisions, so that wewere able to breakfast in the canoes. It was long past noon before, theriver having again narrowed, we ventured on shore for a brief time onlyto dine.
The next portage we came to was on the east bank. It was fortunately ashort one, and Uncle Donald kept some of the men under arms, a portiononly being engaged in carrying the canoes and their cargoes. NoIndians, however, appeared.
"I hope that we have given them the go-by," said Hugh, "and shall notagain see their ugly faces."
"We must not be too certain; I'll ask Red Squirrel what he thinks," Ireplied.
"Never trust a Blackfoot," was the answer. "They are as cunning asserpents, and, like serpents, they strike their enemies from among thegrass."
We expected in the course of two or three days more to come to an end ofthe river navigation at a spot where Uncle Donald had directed that thehorses should meet us. We were not without fear, however, that some, ifnot the whole of the animals, might have been stolen by the Blackfeetshould they by any means have discovered them.
Occasionally sailing, sometimes paddling and poling, and now and thentowing the canoes along the banks, we continued our progress. As wewent along we kept a look-out for the Blackfeet, as it was more thanpossible that they might pursue us. We accordingly, in preference tolanding on either bank, selected an island in the centre of the streamfor our camping-ground.
We had just drawn up the canoes among the bushes and formed our camp inan open spot near the middle of the island, when one of the men who wason the lookout brought word that he saw a large number of savagespassing on the east bank. We were, however, perfectly concealed fromtheir keen eyes. Watching them attentively, we guessed by theirgestures that they were looking for us, and not seeing our canoes,fancied that we had passed on. Night was now approaching. We wereafraid of lighting a fire, lest its glare might betray our position toour pursuers. They would, however, on not discovering us, turn back, sothat we should thus meet them, and Uncle Donald resolved, therefore, toremain where we were, until they had retreated to the southward. Evenshould they discover us we might defend the island more easily than anyother spot we could select. We had plenty of provisions, so that wecould remain there without inconvenience for several days, except thatwe should thus delay our passage over the mountains. Hugh and I were,much to our satisfaction, appointed by Uncle Donald to keep watch, Hughon one side of the island and I on the other, for fear lest, should thered-skins find out where we were, they might attempt, by swimmingacross, to take us by surprise.
None appeared, however, and two more days went by. At last Uncle Donaldbegan to hope that they, supposing we had taken another route, were ontheir way back. We accordingly, seeing no one the next morning,embarked, and the river here expanding into a lake, we were able topaddle on without impediment across it, and a short distance up anotherstream, when we came to a fall of several feet, beyond which our canoescould not proceed. This was the spot where we had expected to
find thehorses, but they had not arrived. We were greatly disappointed, for,having been much longer than we had calculated on coming up, wenaturally expected that they would have been ready for us. Winter wasrapidly approaching, and in the autumn before the streams are thoroughlyfrozen the dangers of crossing the mountains are greater than at anyother period.
As the canoes could go no higher we took them up the stream and placedthem "en cache," where there was little chance of their beingdiscovered. They were to remain there until the return of our men, whowould accompany us to the foot of the mountains and go back again thatautumn.
On not finding the horses Uncle Donald went to the highest hill in theneighbourhood, overlooking the country through which they had to pass,in the hopes of seeing them approach. He came back saying that he couldperceive no signs of them, and he ordered us forthwith to camp in such aposition that we might defend ourselves against any sudden attack ofhostile Indians.