CHAPTER IX.
THE STARS TAKE A NEW COURSE.
Monsieur Riel had been all this while pacing up and down his room. Atap came upon his door.
"Entrez. Ah, it is you, mon adjudant!"
"Oui, mon president."
"What tidings?"
"C'est accompli. The court-martial has found the prisoner guilty;and he is condemned to be shot at one o'clock this day."
"Monsieur is expeditious! Monsieur is zealous. C'est bon; c'est bon;merci, Monsieur." And the miscreant walked about delirious with hisgratification. Then he came over to where his adjutant stood, andshook his hand; then he thrust his fingers through his hair, and halfbellowed, his voice resembling that of some foul beast.
"La patrie has reason to be proud of her zealous son," and he againshook the hand of his infamous lieutenant. Then with a very low bowJean left the room, saying, as he departed.
"I shall endeavour to merit to the fullest the kindly eulogy whichMonsieur le President bestows upon me." The news of Stephens'sentence spread like fire. Some believed that the penalty would notbe carried out, but others thought it would.
"If this prisoner is pardoned, people will treat the sentences ofthe provisional authorities as jokes. Riel must be aware of this;therefore Stephens is likely to suffer the full penalty." Severalpersons called upon the tyrant and besought him to extend mercy tothe condemned man; but he merely shrugged his shoulders!
"This prisoner has been in chronic rebellion. He has set bad exampleamong the prisoners, assaulted his keeper, and loaded the Governmentwith opprobrium. I may say to you, Messieurs, however, that I havereally nothing to do with the man's case. In this time of tumult,when the operation of all laws is suspended, the court-martial is theonly tribunal to which serious offenders can be referred. This youngman Stephens has had fair trial, as fair as a British court-martialwould have given him, and he has been sentenced to death. I assumethat he would not have received such a sentence if he had notdeserved it. Therefore I shall not interfere. There is no use,Messieurs, in pressing me upon the matter. At heart, I shall grieveas much as you to see the young man cut off; but his death I believenecessary now as an example to the hundreds who are desirous ofoverthrowing the authority which we have established in thisdistrict." The petitioners left the monster with sorrowful faces.
"My God!" one of them exclaimed, "it is frightful to murder thisyoung man, whose only offence is resistance to insult from hisdebased half-breed keeper. Is there nothing to be done?"
No, there was nothing to be done. The greasy, vindictive tyrant waslord and master of the situation. When Riel was alone, he began oncemore to walk his room, and thus mused aloud:
"I shall go down to his cell. Perhaps he may tell me where she is tobe found."
"Yes," he was sure that he would succeed: "I shall get his secret bypromising pardon; then I will spit upon his face and say, 'Die, dog;I'll not spare you.'" So forth he sallied, and made his way to thecell where the young man sat in chains.
"Well, malignant tyrant, what do you here? Whatever your businessis, let it be dispatched quickly; for your presence stifles me. Whatdishonourable proposal have you now to make?"
"Monsieur Stephens, it seems to be a pleasure to you to revile me.Yet have I sought to serve you;--yea, I would have been, would nowbe, your friend."
"Peace; let me hear what it is that you now propose?"
"You are aware that it is ordered by court-martial, of which I wasnot a member, that you are to be shot at one o'clock this day? It isnow just forty-five minutes of one. I can spare your life, and I willdo it, upon one condition."
"Pray let me hear what dishonour it is that you propose? I ask thequestion out of a curiosity to learn, if possible, a little more ofyour infamy."
"And I reply to you that I shall take no notice of your revilings,but make my proposal. I simply ask you to state to me where thismaiden Annette has betaken herself?"
"Where you will never find her. That's my answer, villain andtyrant; and now begone."
"Perhaps you imagine that the sentence will not be carried out. Iask you to choose between life and liberty, and an almost immediateignominious death."
"I care not for your revenge, or your mercy. Once more I say, getyou gone." Then the ruffian turned round, rushed at the chainedprisoner, and dealt him a terrific kick in the side, after which hespat upon his face.
"She shall be mine!" he hissed, "when your corpse lies mouldering ina dishonoured, traitor's grave." The young man was chained to a heavytable, but with a sudden wrench, he freed himself, raised both arms,and was about bringing down his manacled hands upon the tyrantmiscreant--and that blow would have ended the rebellion at PrinceAlbert,--when Luc burst into the room, seized the prisoner, and threwhim. While his brute knee was on Stephens' breast, and his greasyhand held the victim's throat, Riel made his escape, and turned backto his own quarters.
As for poor Stephens, when the tyrant and the brutal guard had leftthe cell, he began to pace up and down, sorely disturbed. He hadsomehow cherished the hope that the miscreant would be induced tocommute the sentence to lengthy imprisonment. But the diabolicalvengeance which he had seen in the tyrant's eye undermined all hope.Some friends were admitted to his cell, and they informed him thatthey had pleaded for him, but in vain.
And now we go back to Annette and Julie. Their horses soon took themto the post, wherein Inspector Dicken had taken up his abode for thenonce. They soon learnt that Captain Stephens and his friend hadbeen captured, and that both had been hurried off to the strongholdof the rebel chief.
"Have any steps been taken for his rescue, monsieur?" Annette asked.
"None, I regret, have so far been practicable. I am detained on dutyhere with twenty men; and expect an attack hourly. I would surrenderthe fort and hasten to the rescue of my friend, but that the lives ofmore than a hundred women and children here depend upon my remaining."
"And where, monsieur, are the nearest troops? Holy Mother of God!"she exclaimed, "surely they will not permit le chef to put him todeath without making an effort to save him."
"Anything possible will be done, my brave lad. The nearest troopsare those of Colonel Denison. Here I will write you a note to theColonel. He is an officer whom I much admire. He is quick atconceiving, and prompt and firmhanded in achievement. His force ismounted and a few of his troopers thundering into the rebels' nestwould scatter them like rats."
"Speed, speed, monsieur," she cried, as she perceived the Inspectorpause to consider the terms in which he should address the Colonel."Let it be simply an introduction; and a mere statement that I haverendered service to you and to your forces."
"So be it," he replied; and then rapidly pencilled the note, whichhe put into her hand. A quick "Merci, merci," and the two were gone,and speedily upon their horses' backs. They had not ridden far beforethey espied a mounted party, evidently reconnoitering. Instead ofpursuing its course, the party, upon perceiving the two Indian boys,turned their horses and rode towards the pair.
"Oh, Julie, I hope that they will not detain us. They judge, Isuppose, that we are enemies."
"But you can tell them that we are not, mademoiselle."
"Ah, Julie, the world is not as truthful and as free from guile asyou. They might not believe us. But I can at any rate show them theInspector's note."
"Who goes there?" shouted the officer of the approaching party.
"Friends, who want to see Colonel Denison immediately.
"Consider yourselves in my charge now," the officer said, fittingvery high and straight upon his horse.
"But will monsieur l'officier take us straightway to Colonel Denison?"
"In good time we shall see that officer," the starchy commanderreplied.
"But, monsieur, I pray you to make haste. It is a matter of thegravest importance that I should see him as speedily as possible. Wewere riding at a mad pace before you joined us, as witness ourhorses' flanks. This note I bear from Inspector Dicken to ColonelDenison."
The offic
er took it, opened it slowly, and cast his eye over thewriting.
"I do not know whether this has been written by Dicken or not," hesaid, "as I have never seen his writing." Then folding the note heput it into his pocket.
"But that is my note, monsieur, my passport to Colonel Denison'sattention. Wherefore do you keep it?"
The officious military gentleman did not feel called upon to explainwhy he had retained it. Now, all the while the party was at a halt,and the agony that poor Annette was suffering may be imagined.
"Monsieur, I repeat," the girl said in a tone of agony, "it is ofthe utmost importance that I should reach Colonel Denison withoutdelay. The life of one of your most valuable allies may depend uponyour haste."
"Would you favour me with the name of this valuable ally?"
"Captain Stephens: he who has been made prisoner by the personalfollowers of the rebel chief."
"I have not heard anything about this capture," said LieutenantUnworthy; "and it seems to me, if the thing occurred word must havereached us." This conceited block-head had not yet made a start.
"I implore you once again, monsieur, either to accompany us to thepresence of the Colonel or to let us go alone. I do not see that youhave any right to detain us. If harm comes to Captain Stephens youwill remember that his blood must be upon your head. You are eitherstupid beyond words to describe, or bent upon showing your authority.Will you come, or let me go, to the Colonel?"
"I want neither lectures nor impertinent speeches," replied thenumb-skull, putting on an air of severe dignity; nevertheless it wasplain that Annette had frightened him.
"Forward, march--tro-o-o-t!" and the troop set out for Camp Denison.Whenever the word "W a-a-a-lk" came, the heart of the girl sank; butdespite the anxiety and annoyance, the camps of Colonel Denison atlast were in sight.
"Well, Unworthy," the Colonel said, "who are these boys you havebrought in?" The Colonel was intently reading the faces of the littlescouts, with his penetrating dark-grey eyes, as he asked the question.
"The largest of the two has a story about the capture of CaptainStephens, and declares a profuse interest in the affairs of thatofficer. I have taken the story with a pinch of salt; as I regard thetwo a pair of spies."
"May I speak, Colonel Denison?" the girl said, touching the brim ofher broad hat respectfully.
"Most certainly, my lad. I shall be glad to hear anything that youhave to say." Then turning to Unworthy,--"He looks no more like a spythan you do, man. Are you any judge of faces?"
"Well, monsieur," the girl began, her voice quivering, "l'officier,"pointing to Unworthy, "says he believes that I am a spy. He has noground for such a belief, but he _has_ proof which must have taught himotherwise. Inspector Dicken gave me a note of introduction to you. Thisnote l'officier has in his pocket, having rudely taken it away from me."
"Please, Mr. Unworthy, hand me this note." And as the officer didso, Colonel Denison, knitting his brows, said, "Pray, sir, why wasthis not handed to me at once?"
"Because I believe it is a forgery."
"Allow me, if you please, sir, to settle that point for myself."Then hastily reading the note, he said, "Yes, my spirited lad, I havealready heard of your brave and noble deeds, and of yours, too,"turning to Julie. "I am extremely sorry that any officer of themilitia force should so lack discrimination as to have acted towardsyou as Mr. Unworthy has done."
Then the sweet girl, with a bounding heart, told him that she hadcome to him for a force of twenty men; that if he gave these, shecould take them in a line as the bird flies to the stronghold of therebel chief.
"Your suggestion is good," Colonel Denison replied; "and I will giveyou thirty men. Browninge," he shouted, calling to a clerical lookingofficer who was standing among a group of brother officers, "getthirty men in the saddle at once, and follow these scouts."
Browninge saluted, and went speedily to make preparations.
"Will you not dismount and take refreshments," the Colonel asked ina kindly tone, advancing a step nearer the two boys.
Annette could not eat anything. She felt excited till the troop gotin motion. But Julie would not mind if she ate something. She washungry now because she had not taken much breakfast; and the sweetgourmand was soon at work upon the choicest food in the Colonel'slarder.
"If my experience of character during the years that I have spentupon the bench be of any value," the Colonel remarked in a low toneto some of his officers, "I could give you some interestinginformation about that scout," looking towards Annette, "and thisother one as well," meaning Julie. "These boys, trust my word, are nomore Crees than I am. Note the fineness of their features, and thewell-bred air and the grace of the one on horseback." The remarks ofthe Colonel were brought to an end by the appearance of Browninge,who saluted, and announced that he was ready to go.
Julie jumped up, like a kitten, from her feasting, vaulting into thesaddle; and while her mouth was yet half full of meat, thanked theColonel for his hospitality. Annette simply said;
"Colonel Denison, my words fail me now to thank you. But I wish youknew my heart." He simply waved his hand, and wished the party _bonvoyage_. Then striking spurs into her horse, Annette led away across thelevel prairie towards the stronghold of the hateful Metis chief.
"I shall now give you my opinion, gentleman," Colonel Denison said,as the horses disappeared over a knoll; "these two lads were not whatthey seemed. They were girls."
"Impossible!"
"Well, we shall some day know. What is more, I am satisfied that thelarger one has more than an ordinary interest in Stephens. She hastwice already saved his life; and I should not be surprised if shewere now to lay him once more under the obligation. Ha, truant," hesaid, turning to one of his staff who had come from a nigh tree-clump,where he had been writing, "you should have been here to see thebeautiful Metis maiden. She was in disguise, but her beauty wasnot less divine than that of your own Iena. Fancy the feelings ofStephens, when his own fortunes are bright, to have that beautifulgirl straying about this wilderness. I can imagine him asking, inthat passage which you gave me yesterday from your poem--
'My little flower amongst a weedy world, Where art thou now? In deepest forest shade? Or onward where the Sumach stands arrayed In autumn splendour, its alluring form Fruited, yet odious with the hidden worm? Or, farther, by some still sequestered lake, Loon-haunted, where the sinewy panthers slake Their noon-day thirst, and never voice is heard Joyous of singing waters, breeze or bird, Save their wild waitings.'"
[Footnote: This passage is from the pages of the recently-publishedCanadian drama, "Tecumseh."--E. C. ]
Further conference was cut short by the hasty approach of a coureurdu bois. The colonel approached as the man dismounted.
"Captain Stephens has been tried by le chef's court martial, and iscondemned to be shot. Le chef has only a few braves and bois-brulesabout him; and I could fetch you to the nest in an hour and a half byhard riding."
When the coureur learnt that the force had been dispatched he rodeaway again. And we shall likewise bid good-bye to the poet and thecolonel, and join Browninge.
"Now, then, my good lad," the lieutenant said, "we have turned out alarge force at your bidding to-day. Are you certain (_a_) that CaptainStephens is at Chapeau Rouge; (_b_), that Riel is there; (_c_), thatthere is such a stronghold at all?"
"Certainement, monsieur."
"It is well. Now, my men, keep in shelter of yonder bluff; for undercover of it only can we approach the den unperceived. We are nowwithin three miles of the place." The men received the intelligencewith enthusiasm, and put their horses at best speed.
When only fifteen minutes more remained to poor Stephens, theclergyman signed to the others to leave the room; and then, with hishands folded before him, asked the condemned man if he had anymessage to leave, or any peace to make with God.
No; he was not afraid to meet his God. He had wronged no man, andkept within the bounds of the laws set for his kind. But he had amessage to leave--it w
as enclosed in a letter which he put into thehand of the minister.
"It is for Annette Marton. Oh, my God. We have been only two daysbetrothed. It is very hard to die."
"This doom was ordained for you, and you must try to meet it like aman."
"Oh, it is not death I fear. That is nothing. But, ah, to leave mylove." After he had passed his hands across his temples, as if toclear his understanding, he said, in a voice grown low and calm--
"There is also upon the table a note to my sister, Aster. That isall I have to say."
"Will you not pray with me awhile?"
"No; my heart is right; the rest matters not."
There was now a rude bustling at the door; the rusty key was plied,and with a harsh scream the bolt flew back. Then the evil-looking Lucentered, followed by three others, all of whom seemed partiallyintoxicated.
"Your hour has come, young man," Lestang said, in a brutal voice."Let us be jogging."
Stephens then bade good-bye to the visitors who had re-entered; tothe clergyman, and to one or two prisoners detained for minoroffences. His face was deathly pale, but his eye was steadfast andhis step firm.
Beyond the entrance to the building, about an arrow's flight, wasdrawn up a firing party; and midway between these and one of thebastions of the fort was an open coffin. Thither Luc and his guardled the condemned man.
"Stop a moment till I bind you," Luc said, taking a hempen cord fromabout his waist. Then he fastened Stephens' hands behind his back,and with the most devilish cruelty tied the cord far tighter thanmight be needed for the most refractory culprit. Indeed, his armswere almost dislocated at the shoulders, and when the brutal jailersaw the corners of his mouth twitch under the torture, he said, witha bestial sneer--
"It'll not hurt long. Should be patient."
These words had barely escaped the fellow's lips when a terrifiedcry went up from a score of throats gathered about; and immediately ascene of the wildest confusion prevailed.
"Les soldats! Les soldats!" shouted one and all: and immediately thelittle Cree scout was seen upon the earthworks, the eyes of her horsegleaming, spray drifting from his open jaws. Close following Annettecame Lieutenant Browninge waving his sword above his head, andshouting,
"Down with the rebels!" at the same time slashing the scurryingenemy in such a fashion with his sword as would gladden one's heart.
As for Annette, her quick eye at once showed her how the situationstood: her lover, his hands bound, a black cap over his eyes, acoffin beside him. Luc, the jailer, and chief of the executioners,remained at his post as long as possible; and at the first outburstof the din had called upon his party to fire. But thesemahogany-complexioned executioners scurried like rats at the first cry.Most of them carried their arms with them, but Luc perceived a musketlying in a corner of the drill square. This he seized and levelled atStephens, pulling the trigger, after careful aim. The rusty weaponmissed fire, and the intrepid half-breed began hastily to chip theflint with the back of his sheath-knife; but while he was engaged inthis laudable preparation, Annette came over the earthworks like abird, smote him with the handle of her whip upon the crown, and senthim sprawling in the dust. With another bound she was at her lover'sside; and slipping from her horse, she pulled off the hideous cap,cut his thongs,--and then the hero-darling waited to be taken to hisheart.
The change in his fortunes was so sudden, and so amazing,--passingat one bound from the grave's edge back to freedom and love, that hewas for some seconds unable to realize it, and his eyes and brainswam with a sense of happiness that reached delirium. But graduallyit all began to grow clear: the scurrying figures of his captors andjailers; the shouting of mounted soldiers; the wistful eyes of hisbeloved looking at him.
"Ah, Annette; you again; my guardian angel!"
It took but a few minutes to restore order. It was ascertained thatRiel and Jean had made their escape while Browninge's horse was yethalf a mile away from the post; but they made their exit in secrecy.
"If we give the alarm," Kiel muttered, as he prepared to get intothe saddle, "there will be an instant stampede, and the executionwill be stayed."
"I agree with the decision of mon chef. Let Luc remain; he hascourage enough to have the thing done with the soldiers at the verystockades." And the two rode away helter-skelter, till a dozen mileslay between them and their treason nest.
"The rebel chief is gone; he skurried away half an hour ago," wasthe tidings that one of the men brought to Browninge. That officerwas not surprised; and ordered that the prisoners, which numberedabout a dozen in all, be put in carts, and escorted by a guard ofcavalry back to Camp Denison.
They were all tired, and it was resolved that the horses bepermitted to rest for a couple of hours before returning.
"I can find the way back to your colonel's camp, monsieur Browninge,as easily by night as in the daylight." Riel and his greasy followerslived like so many swine in a sty; but several brace of quail andchicken, and quarters of elk were found, which the two Cree boys atonce began to prepare. A few loaves of bread were found, and atolerable side of bacon, from all of which, with the pure, cold waterthat gurgled out of the side of a nigh ridge, a sumptuous meal waspromised.
Stephens objected to the Cree boys doing the drudgery, but Annettebesought ham so sweetly with her eyes to let "the little scouts" doit, that he desisted. His glance, as he followed every movement ofthe maiden, had as much of mute adoration, reverent and tender, asever has been seen in the eyes of a man. How little he had known theworth of this girl, when he toyed with her hair and put a straw intoher dimples at her father's house! I suppose he regarded her asthoughtful men regard most girls before they become enslaved eitherto their fascination or their gifts. I do not care to write anungallant speech, but I do say that I have so far in life looked uponmen much as I do upon women; and I assume every man to be a fool tillhe has proven himself otherwise to _me_.
The sun was setting when the order to saddle was given; and with thetwo scouts leading, the party set out along nearly the same route bywhich they had come in the morning. A darkness that, without a flightof imagination, might be called "dense," pressed upon the prairie,and only a few small and feeble points of star-light were to be seen.But on a sudden a mellow, green-tinted light burst out of thenorthern sky with a brightness that showed the startled expressionupon every face. The horses pricked up their ears, and looked for amoment at the radiant, quivering, northern sky.
I have not bothered my readers with much description so far, and Itrust that they will forgive me if I pause for a moment to do so now.After this great, aerial conflagration had continued for the space offive minutes, the light went out from the whole sky as suddenly andas entirely as though it were a lamp which some one had extinguished.After a few seconds of darkness, here and there a long rib of yellowlight appeared; then these disappeared, and once more the party wasin the pitchy dusk. Suddenly, however, fully half the heavens burstinto flame again.
In the south the light was soft, and seemed unconnected with that ofthe east and north. The whole would remain for a few secondsquiescent, save for some slight, erratic pulsations, but all would atonce madly undulate and quiver from end to end. It seemed at suchtimes like a mighty cloth woven of the finest and softest floss,being violently shaken at both ends by invisible hands. But the mostcurious part of the phenomena was the noise, like the cracking ofinnumerable whips, which accompanied the pulsations in the auroralflame. [Footnote: Captain Huysbe mentions having heard this peculiarnoise during auroral displays in the North-West; and Mr. Charles Mairand other authorities add their testimony to the same fact.--E. C.]The corruscations were produced in the valleys, among the bluffs, andfar out over the face of the prairie. To lend terror to thestupendous and awful beauty of the scene, a ball of fire came out ofthe southern sky, passed slowly across the belt of agitated flame,and disappeared over the crest of a distant hill.
Above, the heavy masses of auroral cloud now began to assume theshape of a mighty umbrella, the enormous ribs
of weird light formingin an apex above the heads of the party, and radiating towards allpoints of the compass. Sometimes these ribs would all shake, and thenblend; but they would speedily rearray themselves in perfect andmajestic symmetry. It was a most weirdly-beautiful sight, ridingalong the still and boundless prairie, when the merry dancing ceasedfor a moment, to see this stupendous dome of fluffy, ghost-like lightsuspended over their heads. For an hour they continued looking uponit; upon the yellow of the level prairie, and the yellow and gloom ofthe knolls and hollows. Then there was a universal flash so sudden asto be terrible; then a darkness equally as sudden. Not the faintestglow was there anywhere in all the wide heavens. It seemed as if Godhad blown out the mysterious light.
Stephens rode beside his love; and when the light went out of thesky, if Lieutenant Browninge had been concerned with the doings ofthe leaders, he would have been amazed to see the rescued captainlean over and deliberately kiss the Cree scout upon the lips. Whenthe white sides of the tents of Capt. Denison appeared in view,Annette halted, and said that she and her brother must now ride inanother direction.
"My brave boy, if by that term I rightly address you," Browningesaid, "I wish that you would accept the hospitalities of our camp;"but the scout refused, and after a few moments in conversation withCaptain Stephens, rode away.
Meanwhile affairs had fallen out much as Little Poplar predicted.Captain Beaver, after thorough consideration of the matter, decidedthat it would never do to allow his men to return to Ontario withouthaving a "brush with the Indians." He therefore opened correspondencewith Major Tonweight, pointing out the expediency of making an attackupon Little Poplar. "He is upon his reserve, it is true," Beaverwrote, "but he has gathered his men together for the purpose ofmarching on Hatchet Creek, and there effecting a junction with therebel Metis. If you permit me to run down and give them a goodtrouncing, it will make an end of the contemplated league."
"Our policy," replied Tonweight, "is not to antagonize but toconciliate; to treat all as friends till they prove themselves to beenemies."
"But you will pay dear for your generous theory if this man, LittlePoplar, succeeds in joining the rebels. And I assure you that thesavage is now making ready to march.".
"The matter is in your own hands, then," Tonweight replied. "If allbe as you say, you must consult your own judgment, and shoulder theresponsibilities."
"Hurrah!" Beaver shouted. "Hurrah! Now then, boys, you'll have abrush. Get ready for a march. You know I am only supposing a caseagainst these Indians," he said turning to a brother officer.
"Good God! is this outrage to occur!" Col. Denison exclaimed, when aCoureur-des-bois brought him the tidings.
And so, the sanguinary Beaver made ready to start.
"How much provisions do we need, Sir?" the purveyor asked.
"You do not need any. Let each man eat a hearty meal, and put somebread into his pocket. It is only going to be a short job. I'll killa hundred or so," he said aside to a subordinate officer, "and thencome straight back." Then he put himself at the head of his column,and swooped towards his prey.
So when Little Poplar, on the morning after the rescue of CaptainStephens, met the two maidens, there was great sorrow in his face.
"I have to fight your friends," he said, "but there is nothing elseleft me for choice. Beaver and his men are at this moment marchingtowards my reserve, though all my braves went back to peacefuloccupation upon the assurance from English officers that no harmwould come to them; but, as I have already stated, Beaver and hisyoung men want to kill a lot of Indians, and return home greatheroes. But they will make a grievous mistake. I shall lead them intoa defile of swamp and bush tangle, where every one of the number willbe at my mercy. I believe that this foolhardy man regards myfollowers as a band of dogs, whom he can kill as they run. But my menknow not what fear is." Then kissing Julie, and bowing sorrowfully toAnnette, this chief went away.
That very day, when midway upon his march, Captain Beaver was joinedby two Cree scouts, one of whom besought him for a moment's interview.
He had no time to waste; but if the scout had anything veryimportant to communicate he would listen.
"Then, Monsieur," Annette began, "my advice is that you call a haltof your troops. Little Poplar is in strong position upon his reserve;the swamps approaching his ground are quagmires; the bush is a tanglethrough which the rabbit may scarcely pass. The chief's men arenumerous, and war is their occupation. They will destroy Monsieur'sforce."
"Indeed, I am at a loss to know why I should be an object of suchsolicitude to an Indian scout, whose sympathy and interest must bewith those savages, against whom I now march." And without furtherparley he dismissed the lad.
That afternoon mirrors flashed signals from bluff to bluff; our menwere surrounded by the enemy; and at the set of sun their lives layat the-mercy of the men whom they had come to trounce. Julie was atthe side of her lover, and tears were in her eyes.
"I beseech my chief for the sake of his love for me to desist, andallow these rash soldiers to depart." Her chief stood with armsfolded upon his breast. There was sorrow on his face; but there wasscorn there, too, as he turned affectionally to the sweet pleader.
"These men came down to massacre my people, that they mighthenceforth be clad with glory. They have not destroyed any of my men;but their dead strew the plain. They are at my mercy; so utterly,too, that if I desire it, not a man of all the host shall return togive tidings to his friends. You ask me to stay my hand. Ah! It ishard. But you ask it; you, my little lover-playmate of the sunnySaskatchewan. I consent!" Then he strode down among his men, andordered them to cease. Naught-but the ascendancy which the splendidchief had gained over his followers, through his wisdom and hisprowess, could have prevailed upon them to stay their hand, now thatthe men who had broken solemn faith were at their mercy. But theyunstrung their bows, shouldered their muskets, and permitted theinvaders to depart. Then Julie knelt at her lover's feet, and kissedhis hand with reverent gratitude; and he laid his hand upon her head,and bade her arise.
Before I leave this feature of my narrative I may state that CaptainBeaver subsequently sought to justify this wanton breach of faithwith the Indians, upon the ground of military policy; affirming thatthe "punishment" which he inflicted upon the chief prevented thelatter joining forces with the rebel Metis. As to the punishmentthere was very little inflicted upon the Indians;--it wasemphatically conferred in another direction. As to the statement thatthe attack prevented Poplar from joining the rebel forces at HatchetCreek, the same is absurdly untrue. Little Poplar did actually setout, after the attack, to join the bois-brules, and he deliberately--Iwas going to say contemptuously--exposed himself to the flank attackby Beaver's men, of which movement, we are told, he had been so muchin dread. In due time, as the chief was pursuing his march, tidingscame to him that the Metis had been overwhelmed. Then hesurrendered;--and thereafter for many a dreary month there was nohappiness for Julie. I may as well anticipate events, and say that thisdear girl brought it emphatically to the knowledge of the authoritiesthat her beloved chief early in the war had served the white people inthe hour of peril; and that the offence for which he stood committednow had been forced upon him by the bad faith of a Canadian militiaofficer. At last he was released; and holding his hand, apparelled inproper attire, she walked out by his side to a little cottage whereina priest stood waiting to wed the two. Her happiness was very great,as may be guessed when I state that in each of her beautiful eyes atear glimmered like you see a drop of rain glitter upon the thornbush, when the storm has ended, and the sun shines. Her lover tookher many miles up the Saskatchewan, where she said she would remaintill Annette got "settled." A friend has lately been at her cottage,and he tells me that she has a "cherub of a baby," absurdly likeherself in all save its skin, which is rather of a mahogany cast. Thechief and his petite wife are very happy; and many a time under theblossoms of their own orchard, or when the wind howls like a belatedwolf, they discuss the alternation of sorrow and joy which
fell totheir lot when the two maidens went disguised as scouts over theunbounded prairie. My great wish is that all the pretty andnoble-harted girls of my acquaintance may be as happy as my sweetJulie.
As for Annette, when the battle of Saw-Knife Creek ended, she waswaiting for Julie to join her. Her hand was upon her horse's neck,and she was leaning against the animal thinking of her lover.
"Ah, at last!" The terrible words and the voice were but too plain.Turning she saw the rebel chief, triumph, passion, and revenge in hiseyes. By his side were several Metis with muskets presented, ready tofire at the girl if she uttered a cry, or made resistance. Then theybound her arms, and set her upon her horse, which one of the chief'sfollowers led by the bridle. They rode as fast as the ponies couldtravel across the prairie; and Annette's heart sank, and all hopeseemed to die out of her life, as she realized, that the miscreantswere hurrying towards the valley of Dismal Swamp where abode Jubal,the hideous hag.
As the party hurried along the skirt of the ridge flanking the swampand the inky stream, lo! there came to her ears the notes of a bird'ssong. It was the guardian swan; and joy and hope crept into themaiden's bosom.
"Hear you yonder singing, my pretty bird?" the hideous chief asked,with a foul sneer. "Its song is always intended to console andreconcile maidens to their lovers."
But she turned her head away with loathing, and answered him not.Then came a sudden trampling; swords gleamed; eyes flashed in thedusk; and before the helpless girl could gather her routed senses,the beastly chief was sent sprawling from his horse with a sabre-blow;his followers were routed; and she was free.
"My own beloved," were the words whispered in her ear, and warm lipswere pressed upon her mouth. "We no more part, my darling--never,never more."
They rode along through the night, he telling of his love, andfashioning the future; she listening with bright eyes, and ahappiness too great for words.
"You have asked me, darling, why I love _you_ so? How it comes that ofall the girls whom I have known, I should give my heart to you entireand for ever? Well, darling, I shall say naught of your heroism, whichwould alone make you illustrious and beloved in our historic annals forall time to come; but I shall regard you as a maiden who has never seenthe brunt of battle, or done a deed of warlike valour. You have stillenough of sterling worth to win my heart ten thousand times. You arebeautiful, dear, and you are good as you are beautiful. You are true,because in you there is naught of affectation or of desire _to act apart;_ and there is on your lips no speech that is not the trueexpression of your thought. This I conceive to be the highesttribute-gift that man can offer a woman."
After all the turmoil and the besetting dangers this was very sweetto her;--and it was sweet to him.
In a little the rebellion ended, and Stephens came to the house ofAnnette's aunt, and wedded his beloved there. Then he took her towild, sweet places in the Territories; and after the lapse of a fewweeks, went with her to the east, where both pleaded for the life ofColonel Marton. All men worshipped her when she came to our cities;and when she had obtained the boon for which she had come amongst us,she went away to the west again. She is happy now as woman can be,and my latest information is that Julie has prevailed upon her chiefto change his place of abode and come with her to live, for theremainder of their days, close to the abode of her beloved mistress.
Annette is now the most popular woman in the North-West Territories.Her beauty seems to have attained a fuller development since we knewher as a maiden. Her mole is a deeper brown, I really believe, andher dimple deeper. But best of all her happiness is as well assuredas her beauty.
THE END.