The Frontier Fort

by William Henry Giles Kingston

  CHAPTER THREE.

  Fort Duncan, to which it is time the reader should be introduced, laybathed in the ruddy glow of the setting sun, whose rays tinged thebranches of the groves of aspen, birch, poplar, and spruce, which couldbe seen at some distance away, both to the east and west. It stood onthe top of some high ground, rising abruptly from the margin of a streamflowing by on the north side.

  The fort consisted of a square palisade, thirty feet or so in height,with rough wooden towers at each angle, connected by a narrow platform,which ran round inside the walls, a few feet below their summit. Theonly entrance was by a gate, flanked by two additional towers. Thiscould be secured by strong bars, but was destitute of ditch,draw-bridge, or portcullis. The interior of the quadrangle was occupiedby the residence of the chief factor and clerks, a hall used as anaudience room, and a store-house, besides the dwellings of the huntersand their wives and children, and other persons forming the garrison.The land immediately round the fort had been cleared of trees; but therewas a forest on one side, and scattered groups of timber on the other,affording abundance of wood for building purposes and fuel.

  There was much beauty in the surrounding scenery, especially when theroses were in full bloom, and other flowers of varied hue enamelled theprairie. In a room of the fort, furnished with far more elegance thanis generally seen in the north-west territory, sat two young ladies.Though both attractive, they differed greatly from each other. Theyoungest, of small figure, was fair, with light hair and blue, laughingeyes, her rosy mouth constantly wreathed in smiles. The elder wassomewhat taller, of a richer colour, with dark brown hair, and was evenmore attractive in appearance than her companion. They were busilyemployed with their needles, talking in the mean time on someinteresting subject, when their conversation was interrupted by theentrance of a fine lad, who, although a couple of years older, mighthave been known by his strong resemblance to be the brother of HectorMackintosh.

  "Come along, Sybil--come along, Effie--if you want to see a war-chief,thoroughly got up in his finest toggery," exclaimed Norman. "He isMysticoose, or the Roaring Bull, not a very romantic name--a greatleader among the Blackfeet. He has come to sell several packages ofpeltries and a whole lot of buffalo robes. He'll probably take hisdeparture before long; so if you want to inspect him, you must come atonce."

  "Do you, Sybil, wish to see this savage chief?" asked Effie.

  "By all means," answered Sybil. "I should like to make a sketch of himwhile he is bartering his peltries." And she took up a sketchbook andpencil from the table.

  "Let me bring your paint-box," said Effie, "for you will make a muchmore interesting drawing if you colour it."

  "I will try, if Norman will get a mug of water and hold it for me. Wemust not let the chief discover what we are about, or the poor savagemay fancy we are bewitching him," said Sybil, laughing.

  On going out of the house, they proceeded to the spot in front of thestore where the trading business was transacted. Captain Mackintosh, afine-looking man of middle age, and two of his clerks, stood on oneside, a quantity of goods piled up near them; while on the other wasseen an Indian chief, standing near several bales of peltries, andattended by a band of nearly twenty followers. His appearance waspicturesque in the extreme. His head was adorned with a circlet of tallplumes. His dress consisted of a coat of dressed deer-skin, tastefullyornamented with beads and quill-work, as were his leggings, with longtassels, while a white wolf-skin cloak hung over one shoulder, andnecklaces, composed of the teeth of bears and other animals, hung abouthis neck. He had been keenly bargaining with his host; but no soonerdid the young ladies appear than he glanced towards them, his eyeswandering from one to the other, until they settled on Sybil with a lookof evident admiration. She, however having begun her sketch, continueddrawing, regarding the Indian much as if he had been a lay figuredressed up to copy.

  Captain Mackintosh had at length to recall his attention to the matterthey were engaged on. The assistants on each side continued to weighthe peltries, and hand over the articles given in exchange; but theyoung chief seemed to have lost all the interest he had previouslyshown, and instead of haggling as before over the price, made noobjection to any of the goods offered him, which his attendants packedup as they received them, and carried out of the fort.

  The trading being over, instead of following his people, the young chiefadvanced to Captain Mackintosh, and addressed him in a long speech, themeaning of which neither Sybil nor Effie could understand. Had theydone so, they would have been very much surprised to find thatMysticoose was offering to make Sybil his wife, and to give in exchangefor her, peltries and robes sufficient to fill the store-house of thefort. Captain Mackintosh answered, with due caution, that it was notthe custom of English ladies to marry unless they could give theirhearts to the persons who desired to possess them, nor that of fathersto receive payment; but that he would tell his daughter of the honourthe chief intended her, although he would hold out no prospect that shewould consent to quit her home, and become the bride of one whose peoplediffered so much in their habits and customs, as well as in theirreligion, from his.

  On this, Mysticoose declared that he would be ready to learn thereligion of the pale-faces and adopt their customs, and entreated thathe might be allowed the opportunity of declaring his sentiments to themaiden.

  Captain Mackintosh, though very much annoyed, kept his countenance aswell as his temper, and endeavoured to persuade the chief that he couldfind a far more suitable wife among his own people, with whose beauty hewould be satisfied, and who would labour for him like her sisters ingeneral. All he could say, however, did not appear to have any effectin turning the young chief from his purpose; but, on the contrary, hegrew more and more eager, as if determined to succeed.

  All the time Sybil, unconscious that she was the subject ofconversation, went on with her sketch; and as she drew rapidly, shesucceeded in producing a very exact portrait of the savage warrior.

  Norman, who had been attending to his duties in the store, now returned,and looking over Sybil's shoulder exclaimed--

  "Capital! It's Mysticoose himself." Snatching it from her hand, heheld it up to the chief, saying, "What do you think of that, my friend?It's wonderfully like you, isn't it?"

  Mysticoose started as he saw it, without making any reply; and rapidlyadvancing towards the young lady, endeavoured to take her hand. Sheinstinctively drew back, and stepped behind Effie.

  On meeting with this rebuff, the chief stopped short, and addressedSybil, expressing in glowing language his admiration of her charms.Though she could not understand his words, she could not fail to suspecttheir meaning. Norman, however, who was sufficiently acquainted withthe language of the Blackfeet to make out the meaning of the speech--though the expressions were too elaborate for him to follow--notpossessing the discretion of his father, burst out laughing.

  "What's all that you're saying?" he exclaimed. "Just face-about, andmarch out of this fort in double-quick time, or we may be obliged tosend you off in a way you may not be pleased with."

  Scarcely had Norman uttered these words, than the chief, placing hishand on the hilt of his scalping-knife, cast a glance full of anger atthe speaker, but had so far command of himself as not to draw it.

  Captain Mackintosh now saw that it was time to interfere, and, speakingin Indian, rebuked Norman for uncourteously treating their guest: andthen, placing his hand in a friendly way on the shoulder of the chief,told him that he would consider the matter, advising him to retire, asit would be soon time for closing the gates of the fort, and expressinghis regret that he could not, under the circumstances, afford him thehospitality he would have desired.

  The chief appeared to be pacified, his countenance assuming its usualcalm expression; and after he had cast another look of admiration atSybil, he walked with a dignified step towards the gate.

  Captain Mackintosh, who accompanied him, shook hands in a cordial way,and expressed a hope that nothing which had been s
aid would cause afeeling of irritation to remain on his mind, and that he would continueto trade at the fort on the same friendly terms as hitherto. The chiefmade no reply, but stalked on towards his tents, which were pitched atsome little distance from the fort. As soon as he had reached them, thegate was shut, and the usual guard placed to watch the proceedings ofthe Indians outside. The young ladies, who had agreed to take a ridewith Norman, were somewhat disappointed on finding that CaptainMackintosh considered it would be imprudent for them to go outside thefort while Sybil's admirer remained in the neighbourhood.

  "He is really a handsome fellow," said Norman, laughing, as he looked onthe portrait. "You've done him justice too. Perhaps some day you maychange your mind; though I cannot say that I should approve of hiscarrying you off to become Queen of the Roaring Bulls."

  "Don't talk such nonsense, Norman," said Sybil. "I am vexed with myselffor having gone out to take his portrait. I had no idea that the savagewould even have looked at me. I have a great mind to tear up thepicture."

  "Pray don't do that," said Effie; "it is too well drawn to be destroyed,and I want to show it to mamma, who will, I am sure, admire it."

  Mrs Mackintosh, who had been somewhat unwell, had not left her chamber;but in the evening she came into the sitting-room, when the portrait wasshown her; and Norman related in his own way what had happened.

  "I am sorry for it," she remarked. "I do not trust the Indians, and Iam afraid that this savage chief may cause us some annoyance. I wishthat you had not vexed him, Norman. You must in future be morecautious, and pray do not, on any account, go to a distance from thefort for some time to come. Sybil and Effie must give up their ridesfor the present, unless they go out with a strong party."

  "My father doesn't think the fellow will trouble us, as we parted ongood terms with him," answered Norman. "The chances are that he takeshimself off to-morrow, and will speedily forget all about Sybil."

  When Captain Mackintosh afterwards came in, though he tried to makelight of the matter, his wife fancied that he looked much more anxiousthan usual.

  Still Norman insisted that Mysticoose and his people would take theirdeparture the next morning, and that they should then no longer betroubled by them.

  Strict watch was kept at night, and all remained quiet in the Indiancamp. Next morning the tents were still there, and no sign wasperceived that the occupants had any intention of moving.

  The day went by; but though the tents remained, the young chief did notmake his appearance.

  Norman was considerably put out. "I have no notion that the girlsshould be kept prisoners on account of an impudent Redskin," heexclaimed. "I will go out to the tents, and advise the chief and hisparty, now that they have transacted their business, to take themselvesoff."

  "No, no, Norman, stay quiet, my lad," answered his father; "they'll notgo faster for being ordered off; and it is just possible that the youngchief may take it into his head to do you some harm. It will be a poorsatisfaction to punish him afterwards."

  "I am not afraid of him, or of any other savage like him," said Norman.

  "Well, well, stay within the fort until I give you leave to go out,"said his father. "Young blood quickly gets up, and a quarrel may ensue,which it is better to avoid."

  Norman promised to obey; and, to vent his feelings by himself, went upto the platform, which was dignified by being called the ramparts, thathe might take a look cut, and ascertain if there were any signs ofmoving in the camp of the Blackfeet. He watched in vain, though he madeout in the far distance two figures on the prairie going in asouth-westerly direction. The sun was nearly setting when he returnedto the house. He found his mother and Sybil engaged in their usualwork.

  "It is too provoking to have that fellow stopping out there, as if hewere laying siege to the fort. My father won't allow me to go out, butI must get some one to inquire the chief's intentions. It is absurd inhim to suppose that Sybil would ever be induced to marry him. He canhave no object in remaining, as his admiration cannot be very deep, forhe has only seen her once for a few minutes."

  "I am not quite certain about that," remarked Sybil; "I think that hehas seen me more than once. Don't you remember, when we were outriding, meeting with an Indian, whom you said was one of the Blackfeet,and who made Effie and me a long speech, though as we did not understanda word he said, we could not reply, but you talked to him, and laughedin his face. I thought that I recognised his features, though he wasdressed and painted in so different a way that I may have beenmistaken."

  "I remember perfectly, but it never struck me that he was Mysticoose,though I cannot positively say that he was not," answered Norman. "Idon't exactly remember what he said, but I fancy that he was praisingthe pale-faces generally, and expressing his desire to be their friend."

  "Well, we cannot account for the wayward fancies of the Red men,"observed Mrs Mackintosh; "but your father is anxious to retain theirfriendship, and would be unwilling to do anything to offend them. Youmust have patience; and I dare say in a day or two we shall be rid ofour visitors."

  "I am very sorry to have been the cause of the annoyance; and had Idreamed of the result, I would have kept out of the way of the chief,"said Sybil, half laughing.

  "Well, if the Blackfeet don't go to-morrow, something must be done tomake them move off," exclaimed Hector.

  Captain Mackintosh, though he did not say so, was really as much annoyedas his son.

  No buffalo were to be seen in the neighbourhood, and it was evident,therefore, that the Indians did not remain for the sake of hunting.Among the men in the fort was an experienced _voyageur_ and trapper, LeBrun by name, well versed in all Indian ways.

  The captain having consulted him, he volunteered to go out at night, andtry to ascertain what the Indians were about.

  "We must never trust those Redskins," he observed; "they don't remainhere without an object."

  His offer was accepted. Soon after dark he lowered himself down at therear of the fort, and crept round, making a wide circuit, so that,should any of the Blackfeet be on the watch, he might escapeobservation. Captain Mackintosh directed a man to wait with a rope, tohelp him in again on the same side.

  A careful look-out was kept during his absence round the fort. Sometime having passed, and Le Brun not making his appearance, CaptainMackintosh began to fear that he had been discovered by the Indians, andcaptured. They would scarcely, however, he thought, venture to put himto death. Two hours or more went by; still he did not return. TheCaptain, therefore, began to consider whether it would be expedient tosend out another man to try and ascertain what had happened. He wasturning over in his mind who he should employ in this somewhat dangerousservice, when Norman came up to him.

  "Let me go," he said; "I am sure that I can get up to the camp withoutbeing discovered, and I will be exceedingly cautious. It is not,indeed, likely that the Indians will be on the watch; for, should theyhave caught Le Brun, they will not suppose that we shall send anotherperson to look for him. I will only get near enough to hear what theyare saying, and creep away again as noiselessly as a lynx."

  "No, no, Norman; I am convinced of your courage and discretion, but Icannot allow you to risk your life for such an object," said his father.

  "But I run no risk of losing my life," answered Norman; "they would notventure to kill me."

  "They would not if they knew who you were; but finding a spy in theirneighbourhood, they might shoot you down without inquiry," observedCaptain Mackintosh.

  "I don't want to be shot," said Norman; "depend upon it, I'll take goodcare to avoid that."

  At length, Captain Mackintosh, reflecting that he could not send any oneelse on an expedition to the dangers of which he was unwilling to exposehis own son, gave permission, charging Norman to approach the camp withthe greatest possible caution, and only to do so provided he could hearthe voices of the Indians, and had reason to believe that they weresitting in council.

  Norman, well pleased at the confi
dence placed in him, hurried off toprepare for his expedition, by putting on a dark suit, which wouldassist in concealing him from view. Taking his gun, and sticking abrace of pistols in his belt, he descended, as Le Brun had done; but, toreach the camp, he took a route on the side opposite that which thescout had chosen. At first he walked upright, that he might the betterascertain the course to take. There were lights in each of the towersof the fort, which assisted him. No other objects were visible, even atthe distance of a hundred yards. As he got nearer the tents, he hopedto be able to make them out against the sky. After he had gone somedistance, he stooped down and began to creep along in the Indianfashion, trailing his gun. Every now and then he stopped to listen forsounds. He was, he calculated, approaching the camp, when he fancied heheard a rustling near him. It approached. He lay perfectly quiet. Itmight be a snake or some animal. His eyes were of but littleassistance. "Should it be an Indian, I must try to take the fellowprisoner; but it may be a hard matter to do that, unless he is unarmed,and then I must hold a pistol to his head, and threaten to shoot him ifhe cries out."

  He had scarcely thought this, when he saw the head of a man lifted up asif going to gaze around. Strong and active, with good nerves, he wasabout to spring on the person, and seize him by the throat, when theother must have made him out, and he heard a voice whisper--

  "C'est moi, Le Brun!"

  Norman, greatly relieved, made himself known.

  "Venez avec moi, vite!" and the Canadian led the way, crawling along theground towards the lights glimmering from the fort. It was not untilthey had been hauled up, and were safe inside, that Le Brun spoke. Hehad, he told Captain Mackintosh, got close up to the camp, where heheard the sounds of many voices, and the tramp of feet, as if a largenumber of persons were collected, although only one fire burned in themidst of the tents. He was afraid of approaching nearer, lest he shouldbe discovered. He waited in the expectation that the leaders wouldgather round the fire, as is their wont, to discuss their plans. He wasrewarded for his patience, although they were too far off to enable himto see them distinctly. He, however, counted at least six warriors, whotook their places at the fire, and one after the other got up andaddressed their companions. A few words only reached him; but he heardenough to be convinced that they were discussing a plan to takepossession of the fort, but its details he was unable to make out. Hehad gone round the camp, and while returning on the side opposite tothat from which he had set off, had fallen in with Norman.

  "We must take care to be doubly vigilant, then," said CaptainMackintosh.

  He at once cautioned the men to be on the watch; but before the ladieshe made light of the matter, not wishing to cause them unnecessaryanxiety. He felt pretty certain, indeed, that the Blackfeet would notopenly attempt to take the fort, even though their numbers had, as LeBrun supposed, been much increased.

  Night passed away without the slightest alarm. The next day mattersremained to all appearance as on the preceding one. The tents werethere, and a few Indians only--some on horseback, others on foot--wereseen moving about in the neighbourhood, but none came near the fort. LeBrun suggested that if they had any treacherous design in view, theywere probably waiting until the hunters, who made excursions to bring ingame two or three times a week, had been seen to leave the fort, andthat they would then, when fewer people were within, try and carry outtheir plan, whatever that might be. He suggested that a party shouldleave the fort after mid-day with several pack horses, as if theyintended to make a long excursion. That they should go away to thesouth-east, and, as soon as they were out of sight, cross the river andcome back again after dark, on the north side. If the Indians reallyintended treachery, they would certainly take the opportunity ofattempting to carry it out.

  Captain Mackintosh approved of the plan, and Norman thought it anexcellent one. "I should so like to disappoint those rascals, and catchthem in their own trap," he said.

  The horses (or the guard, as the stud belonging to a fort is called)were kept in a meadow on the opposite side of the river, where they weretolerably safe from any attempts which the marauding bands on the southmight make to carry them off. Some time passed before those requiredcould be brought across. As soon as they arrived, Le Brun, with eightwell-armed men, with as many spare horses, set off on their pretendedhunting expedition. They took care to pass sufficiently near the Indiancamp to be easily seen.

  "Le Brun was right in his suspicions!" exclaimed Norman from theramparts, addressing his father, who was walking below. "Here comesMysticoose with a dozen followers, dressed in their gayest attire, for Ican see their ornaments glistening in the rays of the sun. Perhaps hehas come to ask for Sybil's answer to his offer; if so, we can give hima very short one."

  "We will say nothing to offend him," answered Captain Mackintosh, whohad joined his son; "but it will be prudent, knowing what we do, not toadmit these gentlemen inside the gate. I will go out and meet them, andyou and the other men cover me with your rifles. Let the Indians have aglimpse of your arms, and I am sure that they will attempt no violence."The arrangements were quickly made. As soon as the chief and his partydrew near, Captain Mackintosh went out of the fort, directing the men atthe gate to close it should the Indians show any intention of making arush to get in.

  Advancing a short distance, he called to Mysticoose to dismount, andexplain the object of his visit. The chief looked up at the ramparts,and, seeing the gleaming rifle-barrels, did as he was directed. Givingthe bridle of his horse to one of his followers, he then advanced, and,putting out his hand in a cordial manner, said--

  "Why does my white brother look upon me as an enemy? I have tradedfairly, and wish to trade again. I have now brought some more peltries,not to trade, but to present to him as an earnest of my goodwill. Lethim, then, admit me and my followers within the gates, that I may offermy present as presents should be offered, and have the happiness ofgazing once more on the fair lily of the prairie, after whom my heartpants, as does the weary stag for the refreshing stream." Mysticooseuttered much more in the same strain before he stopped.

  Captain Mackintosh replied that he was always glad to see his friend,but as it was late in the day he regretted that he could not admit thechief and his followers, but that the next morning, if they wished tocome, he should be happy to receive them; and although he would notrefuse the present they had brought, he must insist on returning one ofequal value in goods, as he could not promise that the fair lily, as hedescribed his daughter, would be willing to show herself, and begged thechief to understand clearly that she had sufficiently considered thematter, and could not become his bride.

  Whatever were the Indian's feelings, he concealed them, and made anequally courteous reply, intimating that, notwithstanding what his whitebrother had said, he should come as proposed with a larger present, anda greater number of followers to convey it. He then, shaking hands asbefore, returned to his horse, and remounting, rode off with hiscompanions.

  "I hope, after all, that the Indian intends no treachery," observedCaptain Mackintosh, as he re-entered the fort; and the gates were closedfor the night. "Still we must be on our guard."

  "I should think so, sir," said Norman; "and we shall soon hear what LeBrun has to say on the subject."

  About a couple of hours after dark, Le Brun and his party arrived, and,having left their horses on the other side of the stream, noiselesslyentered the fort.

  At an early hour the next day the young chief, with nearly twentyfollowers, was seen approaching. Captain Mackintosh at once placed hismen in positions commanding the entrance, so that, should the Indiansshow any treacherous intentions, the gate might forthwith be shut. Hisgreat object was to prevent bloodshed; at the same time, while showingthat he was not unprepared for treachery, he did not wish to offend hisguest.

  As a precautionary measure, he resolved not to admit more than halftheir number, and he placed men ready to close the gates directly theparty had entered. Mysticoose rode up with the air of
a gallant in daysof yore, and throwing the rein to one of his attendants, he, with thelarger number of his followers, dismounted and advanced towards CaptainMackintosh, who stood ready to receive him.

  "I can only allow ten to enter," said the captain; "the rest must remainoutside with the horses."

  The chief, appearing not to think this unreasonable, directed the restof his followers to keep back. His countenance fell, however, when,having entered the gate, he looked round and saw the hunters whom hesupposed to be at a distance, standing on either side with arms in theirhands. He hesitated and stopped short.

  "Does my white brother think I come intending treachery?" he asked. "Hehas been deceived by some one. My object is to present these peltriesto him, hoping that he will give me, not the goods he spoke of, but thefair lily, his daughter, and I will promise to bring him ten times theamount before another summer has begun."

  Captain Mackintosh replied that he had already said all that he couldsay on that subject.

  But the chief was not satisfied with his refusal, and began another longspeech, which, as Norman remarked, "Though it might have a head, thereseemed but little chance of seeing its tail." He advised his father totry and cut it short.

  Meantime, Le Brun, having slipped away, unseen by the Indians, had goneup on the ramparts, crept round to a part whence he could observe theirtents. He had not been long there when he saw a large body of menissuing forth, and rapidly approaching the fort. Hurrying down, he gavethe information to Captain Mackintosh.

  "There is no time to lose, monsieur," he said. "If we don't turn thesefellows out, they'll try to obtain possession of the fort, as I suspectthey all along intended to do."

  On hearing this, Captain Mackintosh ordered his men, who had been drawnup on either side, to close round their visitors, and some, who had beenconcealed, to show themselves.

  The chief, on seeing this, stopped short in his speech, knowing that histreacherous design, it such he had intended, must have been discovered.

  "What does this mean?" he asked, in a tone which showed that hisself-confident air was more assumed than real.

  "It means, my friend, that you must quit the fort if you do not wish tobe shut up within it, and come another day to finish your address,"answered Captain Mackintosh. "I wish to be your friend, but I must beobeyed."

  The appearance of the garrison showed the chief that the captain was inearnest; and though he and his followers looked as if they were about tomake a rush, thinking better of it, they beat a hasty retreat, when thegate was closed behind them. This was not done too soon, for they hadgot but a short distance off when a number of warriors from the camp,uttering loud shouts, galloped up, evidently expecting to indulge in theplunder of the fort. The young chief, no longer able to constrain therage he felt at his disappointment, turning round, made gesturessignificant of his intended vengeance; then, putting spurs to his horse,he galloped off beyond range of any rifle-shot which he might well haveexpected would be sent after him. He was seen at a distance haranguinghis people; but if he was urging them at once to attack the fort, theydid not appear willing to risk their lives in an attempt which waslikely to prove a failure.

  The following day, having struck camp, they moved away to the southward,and Le Brun, who followed them to a considerable distance, reported thatthey appeared to have no intention of stopping in the neighbourhood, butwere probably returning to the lodges of their tribe.

  Greatly relieved by this information, the inmates of Fort Duncan pursuedtheir usual avocations without any apprehension of further annoyancefrom Mysticoose and his people.