Heralds of Empire

by Agnes C. Laut

  CHAPTER XV

  THE BATTLE NOT TO THE STRONG

  M. Radisson turned the sand-glass up to time our preparations. Beforethe last grain fell we seven were out, led by M. Radisson, speedingover the snow-drifted marsh through the thick frosty darkness that lieslike a blanket over that northland at dawn. The air hung heavy, gray,gritty to the touch with ice-frost. The hard-packed drifts crisped toour tread with little noises which I can call by no other name thanfrost-shots. Frost pricked the taste to each breath. Endless reachesof frost were all that met the sight. Frost-crackling the only sound.Frost in one's throat like a drink of water, and the tingle of thefrost in the blood with a leap that was fulness of life.

  Up drifts with the help of our muskets! Down hills with a rush ofsnow-shoes that set the powdery snow flying! Skimming the levels withthe silent speed of wings! Past the snow mushrooms topping underbrushand the snow cones of the evergreens and the snow billows of underrocks and the snow-wreathed antlers of the naked forest in a world ofsnow!

  The morning stars paled to steel pin-pricks through a gray sky.Shadows took form in the frost. The slant rays of a southern sunstruck through the frost clouds in spears. Then the frost smoke roselike mist, and the white glare shone as a sea. In another hour itwould be high noon of the short shadow. Every coat--beaver and bearand otter and raccoon--hung open, every capote flung back, every runnerhot as in midsummer, though frost-rime edged the hair like snow. Whenthe sun lay like a fiery shield half-way across the southern horizon,M. Radisson called a halt for nooning.

  "Now, remember, my brave lads," said he, after he had outlined hisplans, drawing figures of fort and ship and army of seven on the snow,"now, remember, if you do what I've told you, not a shot will be fired,not a drop of blood spilled, not a grain of powder used, and to everyman free tobacco for the winter--"

  "If we succeed," interjects Godefroy sullenly.

  "_If_," repeats M. Radisson; "an I hear that word again there will be acarving!"

  Long before we came to the north river near the Hudson's Bay Company'sfort, the sun had wheeled across the horizon and sunk in a sea of snow,but now that the Prince Rupert had foundered, the capture of thesehelpless Englishmen was no object to us. Unless a ship from the southend of the bay came to rescue them they were at our mercy. Hasteningup the river course we met Governor Brigdar sledding the ice with adog-team of huskies.

  "The compliments of the season to Your Excellency!" shouted Radissonacross the snow.

  "The same to the representative of France," returned Governor Brigdar,trying to get away before questions could be asked.

  "I don't see your ship," called Radisson.

  "Four leagues down the river," explained the governor.

  "_Under_ the river," retorted Radisson, affecting not to hear.

  "No--down the river," and the governor whisked round a bluff out ofcall.

  The gray night shadows gathered against the woods. Stars seeded thesky overhead till the whole heavens were aglow. And the northernlights shot their arrowy jets of fire above the pole, rippled inbillows of flame, scintillated with the faint rustling of a flag in agale, or swung midway between heaven and earth like censers to theinvisible God of that cold, far, northern world.

  Then the bastions of Ben Gillam's fort loomed above the wastes like thepeak of a ship at sea, and M. Radisson issued his last commands.Godefroy and I were to approach the main gate. M. Radisson and hisfive men would make a detour to attack from the rear.

  A black flag waved above the ship to signal those inland pirates whomBen Gillam was ever cursing, and the main gates stood wide ajar. Halfa mile away Godefroy hallooed aloud. A dozen New Englanders, led bythe lieutenant, ran to meet us.

  "Where is Master Ben?" demanded the leader.

  "Le capitaine," answered Godefroy, affecting broken English, "lecapitaine, he is fatigue. He is back--voila--how you for speakit?--avec, monsieur! Le capitaine, he has need, he has want for you togo with food."

  At that, with a deal of unguarded gabbling, they must hail us insidefor refreshments, while half a dozen men ran in the direction Godefroypointed with the food for their master. No sooner were their backsturned than Godefroy whispers instructions to the marquis and his man,who had been left as hostages. Foret strolled casually across to theguard-room, where the powder was stored. Here he posted himself in thedoorway with his sword jammed above the hinge. His man made aprecipitate rush to heap fires for our refreshment, dropping three logsacross the fort gates and two more athwart the door of the house.Godefroy and I, on pretext of scanning out the returning travellers,ran one to the nigh bastion, the other to the fore-deck of the ship,where was a swivel cannon that might have done damage.

  Then Godefroy whistled.

  Like wolves out of the earth rose M. Radisson and his five men from theshore near the gates. They were in possession before the lieutenantand his men had returned. On the instant when the surprised NewEnglanders ran up, Radisson bolted the gates.

  "Where is my master?" thundered the lieutenant, beating for admission.

  "Come in." M. Radisson cautiously opened the gate, admitting thelieutenant alone. "It is not a question of where your master is, butof mustering your men and calling the roll," said the Frenchman to theastounded lieutenant. "You see that my people are in control of yourpowder-house, your cannon, and your ship. Your master is a prisoner inmy fort. Now summon your men, and be glad Ben Gillam is not here tokill more of you as he killed your super-cargo!"

  Half an hour from the time we had entered the fort, keys, arms, andammunition were in M. de Radisson's hands without the firing of a shot,and the unarmed New Englanders assigned to the main building, where wecould lock them if they mutinied. To sound of trumpet and drum, withGodefroy bobbing his tipstaff, M. Radisson must needs run up the Frenchflag in place of the pirate ensign. Then, with the lieutenant and twoNew Englanders to witness capitulation, he marched from the gates to dothe same with the ship. Allemand and Godefroy kept sentinel duty atthe gates. La Chesnaye, Foret, and Jack Battle held the bastions, andthe rest stood guard in front of the main building.

  From my place I saw how it happened.

  The lieutenant stepped back to let M. de Radisson pass up the ship'sladder first. The New Englanders followed, the lieutenant stillwaiting at the bottom step; and when M. Radisson's back was turned thelieutenant darted down the river bank in the direction of GovernorBrigdar's fort.

  The flag went up and M. Radisson looked back to witness the salute.Then he discovered the lieutenant's flight. The New Englanders'purpose was easily guessed--to lock forces with Governor Brigdar, andwhile our strength was divided attack us here or at the Habitation.

  "One fight at a time," says Radisson, summoning to council in thepowder-house all hands but our guard at the gate. "You, Allemand andGodefroy, will cross the marsh to-night, bidding Chouart be ready forattack and send back re-enforcements here! You two lads"--pointing tothe stowaway and scullion--"will boil down bears' grease and porpoisefat for a half a hundred cressets! Cut up all the brooms in the fort!Use pine-boughs! Split the green wood and slip in oiled rags! Have ahundred lights ready by ten of the clock! Go--make haste, or I throwyou both into the pot!

  "You, Foret and La Chesnaye, transfer all the New Englanders to thehold of the ship and batten them under! If there's to be fighting, letthe enemies be outside the walls. And you, Ramsay, will keep guard atthe river bastion all night! And you, Jack Battle, will gather all thehats and helmets and caps in the fort, and divide them equally betweenthe two front bastions----"

  "Hats and helmets?" interrupts La Chesnaye.

  "La Chesnaye," says M. Radisson, whirling, "an any one would questionme this night he had best pull his tongue out with the tongs! Go, allof you!"

  But Godefroy, ever a dour-headed knave, must test the steel of M. deRadisson's mood.

  "D'ye mean me an' the pilot to risk crossing the marsh by night----"

  But he got no farther. M. de Radisson was upon hi
m with a cudgel likea flail on wheat.

  "An you think it risk to go, I'll make it greater risk to stay! An youfear to obey, I'll make you fear more to disobey! An you shirk thepain of toeing the scratch, I'll make it a deal more painful to lagbehind!"

  "But at night--at night," roared Godefroy between blows.

  "The night--knave," hissed out Radisson, "the night is lighter thanmorning with the north light. The night"--this with a last drive--"thenight is same as day to man of spirit! 'Tis the sort of encouragementhalf the world needs to succeed," said M. Radisson, throwing down thecudgel.

  And Godefroy, the skulker, was glad to run for the marsh. The rest ofus waited no urgings, but were to our posts on the run.

  I saw M. Radisson passing fife, piccolo, trumpet, and drum to the twotatterdemalion lads of our army.

  "Now blow like fiends when I give the word," said he.

  Across the courtyard, single file, marched the New Englanders frombarracks to boat. La Chesnaye leading with drawn sword, the marquisfollowing with pointed musket.

  Foret and La Chesnaye then mounted guard at the gate. The sailor ofour company was heaping cannon-balls ready for use. Jack Battlescoured the fort for odd headgear. M. de Radisson was everywhere,seizing papers, burying ammunition, making fast loose stockades,putting extra rivets in hinges, and issuing quick orders that sent JackBattle skipping to the word. Then Jack was set to planting double rowsof sticks inside on a level with the wall. The purpose of these Icould not guess till M. Radisson ordered hat, helmet, or cap clappedatop of each pole.

  Oh, we were a formidable army, I warrant you, seen by any one mountingthe drift to spy across our walls!

  But 'twas no burlesque that night, as you may know when I tell you thatGovernor Brigdar's forces played us such a trick they were undershelter of the ship before we had discovered them.

  Foret and La Chesnaye were watching from loopholes at the gates, and Iwas all alert from my place in the bastion. The northern lights wavedoverhead in a restless ocean of rose-tinted fire. Against the blue,stars were aglint with the twinkle of a million harbour lights. Below,lay the frost mist, white as foam, diaphanous as a veil, every floatingicy particle aglimmer with star rays like spray in sunlight. Throughthe night air came the far howlings of the running wolf-pack. Thelittle ermine, darting across the level with its black tail-tip markingthe snow in dots and dashes, would sit up quickly, listen and diveunder, to wriggle forward like a snake; or the black-eyed hare wouldscurry off to cover of brushwood.

  Of a sudden sounded such a yelling from the New Englanders imprisonedin the ship, with a beating of guns on the keel, that I gave quickalarm. Foret and La Chesnaye sallied from the gate. Pistol-shots rangout as they rounded the ship's prow into shadow. At the same instant,a man flung forward out of the frost cloud beating for admittance. M.de Radisson opened.

  "The Indians! The Indians! Where are the New Englanders?" cried theman, pitching headlong in.

  And when he regained his feet, Governor Brigdar, of the Hudson's BayCompany, stood face to face with M. de Radisson.

  "A right warm welcome, Your Excellency," bowed M. de Radisson, boltingthe gate. "The New Englanders are in safe keeping, sir, and so areyou!"

  The bewildered governor gasped at M. Radisson's words. Then he lostall command of himself.

  "Radisson, man," he stormed, "this is no feint--this is no time foracting! Six o' my men shot on the way--four hiding by the ship and theIndians not a hundred yards behind! Take my sword and pistol," heproffered, M. de Radisson still hesitating, "but as you hope foreternal mercy, call in my four men!"

  After that, all was confusion.

  Foret and the marquis rushed pell-mell for the fort with four terrifiedEnglishmen disarmed. The gates were clapped to. Myriad figures dartedfrom the frost mist--figures with war-paint on their faces and bodiesclothed in white to disguise approach. English and French, enemiesall, crouched to the palisades against the common foe, withsword-thrust for the hands catching at pickets to scale the wall andvolleying shots that scattered assailants back. The redskins were nowplainly visible through the frost. When they swerved away from shelterof the ship, every bastion let go the roar of a cannon discharge.There was the sudden silence of a drawing off, then the shrill"Ah-o-o-o-oh! Ah-o-o-o-oh! Ah-o-o-o-oh!" of Indian war-cry!

  And M. Radisson gave the signal.

  Instantaneously half a hundred lights were aflare. Red tongues of firedarted from the loop-holes. Two lads were obeying our leader's call torun--run--run, blowing fife, beating drum like an army's band, whilestreams of boiling grease poured down from bastions and lookout.Helmets, hats, and caps sticking round on the poles were lighted uplike the heads of a battalion; and oft as any of us showed himself hedisplayed fresh cap. One Indian, I mind, got a stockade off and an arminside the wall. That arm was never withdrawn, for M. Radisson'sbroadsword came down, and the Indian reeled back with a yelping scream.Then the smoke cleared, and I saw what will stay with me as long asmemory lasts--M. Radisson, target for arrows or shot, long hair flyingand red doublet alight in the flare of the torches, was standing on topof the pickets with his right arm waving a sword.

  "Whom do you make them out to be, Ramsay?" he called. "Is not yon LeBorgne?"

  I looked to the Indians. Le Borgne it was, thin and straight, like amast-pole through mist, in conference with another man--a man with abeard, a man who was no Indian.

  "Sir!" I shouted back. "Those are the inland pirates. They areleading the Indians against Ben Gillam, and not against us at all."

  At that M. Radisson extends a handkerchief on the end of his sword asflag of truce, and the bearded man waves back. Down from the walljumps M. Radisson, running forward fearlessly where Indians laywounded, and waving for the enemy to come. But the two only waved backin friendly fashion, wheeled their forces off, and disappeared throughthe frost.

  "Those were Ben Gillam's cut-throats trying to do for him! When theysaw us on the walls, they knew their mistake," says M. de Radisson ashe re-entered the gate. "There's only one way to find those piratesout, Ramsay. Nurse these wounded Indians back to life, visit thetribe, and watch! After Chouart's re-enforcements come, I'll send youand Jack Battle, with Godefroy for interpreter!"

  To Governor Brigdar and his four refugees M. de Radisson was allcourtesy.

  "And how comes Your Excellency to be out so late with ten men?" heasked, as we supped that night.

  "We heard that you were here. We were coming to visit you," stammeredGovernor Brigdar, growing red.

  "Then let us make you so welcome that you will not hasten away! Here,Jack Battle, here, fellow, stack these gentlemen's swords and pistolswhere they'll come to no harm! Ah! No? But I must relieve you,gentlemen! Your coming was a miracle. I thank you for it. It hassaved us much trouble. A pledge to the pleasure--and the length--ofyour stay, gentlemen," and they stand to the toast, M. de Radissonsmiling at the lights in his wine.

  But we all knew very well what such welcome meant. 'Twas Radisson'shumour to play the host that night, but the runaway lieutenant was aprisoner in our guard-house.