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Laa eartaa. pianehaa. tablaaux. ate. pauvant Atra fllmAa i daa taux da nMuetion diff«ronts. « LxMvqua la dooumant aat trop grand pour itrm raproduit it un saui cliche, il aat film* A partir da I'angia aupMaur gaucha. d* gaucha h droita. at da haut it baa. an pranant la nombra dlmagaa n^caasaira. Laa dfagrammas suivants illuatrant la mAthbda. ^ 1 i 6 V I -'■ ';■ i''Jil^«*'I^W"Wl!i!i(ifli|||||||| J V' \ \ II GLx»>tir rd^ /9lC> ? ^*"'C- <- ■ ,»* ■ — -^ — I ). ;-'. .._ 1 1 - • - i ..*... ' - . '■ -■> .:- '.'■ J/?. J;-. --■■' ;■- <,;-...■ ■ _ fc fT J; tt' I.. 'l, Jjii'-^itT-HJi ><''! '^i^* bAJ" t' ( V <.,4^«^i. Boys of Liberty Library A new Mriesof splendid tales of the wonderful and stining adventures of boys who fought in The Revolutipnaiy War, The French and Indian Wars, and Naval Battles of i8ia. The stories are written in an intensely interesting style, and no boy can read them without being aroused to iui highest pitch of patriotic enthusiasm. " • We give herewith a list of titles now ready. Read the first ahd you wiU want to read all the others. Uniform with this volume in size, style, and price. Each, postpaid, 50 cU. Paul 'Revere . . . '. «„ t^„ -. »* TWi„ts,.t for Libert, . . . ! ! i .1 ^2:^1::^^ ^^"Jf^l^Ticonderoga ByJbhnDeM^ On to Quebec ......... b- T«h» n w FightingH.1 * • 'S^it^S^JI^'^^ •tu^v a ». »7 Jonn De Morgan. ^ TJe Young ^mbMMdor . By John De M«i^ T^YoMngGuajxb^ . ; . . By John De M«i^ S:T::rPIo1.*^.^"^^: ; • • • -la^^^ InBuffandBlue • • • . . i ! .* .' .' :S;?;^I:;£:g: Wajhington'. Young Spy . . fijT.CaS^ Under Greene', firmer ByT.cS^b^ Captain of the Minute Men By HMnie^^Vnr..:^ Bfo^S r^T V ByLieutL^*^ A^^t^'^ By Lieut LoZb^. • ^g15.^V^ ....;.. .By Lieut LouMb^. The Kin^. Mewenger »y Ctptife^r^ From Midthipnun to Commodore . . . .By Frank Sheridan. TheC:rui.eofth,E«,ex ......;. .ByFrankSbSd^ ^■/' . ■ ■' ->•--._ .- . . \ f£% '"r ^. ^""^'^i. *■> ^ - •> -ti" i« ? " -*'i — - > if •^4' ''ift^-i 1^ , J ' ' .K*4 .'?;>'i> » \ r^. f ■N . . V . • ^ ' * '^-l ■ , •«> ' I ) . . 1 \ y • '4 ^, ' \ • % ~ r . \ V / 1 y ■ * _ ' .i€^^y^'*\ ut^f. .■ 'ji i;_ V » "i .V ''m* **fiSr . '^^f^^^ "-- "'"^ti^. PI F ; i / V- V . " How her heart^beat and body trembled, for she thought h, was dead.' (See page 30) ■■I •u ■K' FIGHTING .: / OR FROM FORT NECESSITY TO QUEBEC / BY r JOHN Db morgan ; ^, AUTHOR or " "Paul JRevere," "The Young Ambasaador," "The Cruise of ihe Lively Bee/^ , "On to Quebec." etc. ; . \, PHILADELPHIA DAVID McKAY, PUBLISHER 6io South Washington- Square ^ -. A ^ ^ ■'"■■■> Copyright^ Of* By KORMAN L. MUKRO Fighting Hal V I' i'i-*!u.«j'„-!%: :**■■ /» ../M--*^-' fmrn^y^^:':'!]':- PrCHTING HAL O • CHAPTER L TffE YOUNG AMBASSADOR. ''Help! Mercy r ' The voije rang through the stiM. frosty ^air one ^A in^ the middle of that dread winter of 1753. "Did you hear that cry. Gist?** "Yes, sir." "What does it mean?" "Some Indian " "Assaulting a white woman? Let us go to her as- sistance." "It is not wise, sir." '.'Wise? Man, is this a time to think of prudence? Blrk I I hear it again I" "Mercy I r I have nothing you want. Don't kiU me !" The two men who had listened to the cry for he^ were strong, sturdy fellows, both youn^ and well fa- J^^^^^t J^"Sh on^ saa af mr>re refiacd aopanmcg- than the other. J. ^fe^ri#*'-'/'jS 0 © 2> S v:rv ■%"'^ The Young Ambassador) They were not Indians, yet they were dad in Indian robes. The younger of the two swept aside the brush and forced a way through the thick undergrowth of the fewest With nothing but the voice appealing for mercy to . guide him. he, with unerring instinct, reached the place, and found, not a woman, but a boy tied to a tree, while facmg him was^a ferocious-looking savage, Wtoma- , nawk m his hand. The boy was afraid, and yet there was a courageous gleam m his eyes; but he was helpless. \ "Unloose me, and I wiU meetthee as man to ilian " cried the boy, defiantly, just as the two burst throurii the thicket and saw the position of affaira. The boy dropped his head on his breast and relin- quished all hope, for he thought two more Indians had come to aid his enemy. "What wouldst thou have with this boyr asked one of Uie men, speaking not, in the broken ^gUsh of the ^ Indians, or with the accent of the French. Instead of replying, the savage slunk away, for he saw he had two determined men to fate, and even the bravest would hesitate to face such odds when he knew, his cause was a bad one. The boy was released, and he tried to express hit ^flianks for his liberation. + Sil^tt-iLt'* « 'A'lJ t\ liif^'s*! iM^i^£|(«f Engird, either— ^<,.fil,.i,-i'n'Aif','£^'ii''lT 'i ivi!.''fe-' ■"!.(■'. J>jk Viti ,'v5i:'l^f-."^!j'-v.«. .~;,_>"j. ■■" >>;7i* 'f The First Shot. fi Go, tell Dinwiddie what I say. Tell him I am ready to meet his forces, and thy colonists, too. Ha ! ha I h?i 1" Such was the message George Washington was bear- ing back to the governor of his colony. ■ . ■ • Q • / CHAPTER II. / THE piTlST SHOT. / Gen: St. Pierre was a man of his word, and as soon as the river was open, by the breaking of the ice gorges in the Alleghany, he senfdown a large fleet-o| boats and cleared the valley of the English as far as what is now knowq as Pittsburg. Here he felled the trees and laid the foundations of Fort du Qqesne. ^ ^ j Washington had been commissioned as lieutenant- colonel, with brief but comprehensive orders. He was to construct a fort at the source of the Ohio; to destroy whoever opposed him in thie :girork; to cap- ture, kill or repel all who interrupted him and the progress of the English settlements in that country. The young Virginian called his men together and read his commission, "Men, we are about to face death. I have no hope that any oFus will return alive, but w^^aU die doing tkW'. r- •j*J'SgR/.V. / t. i^iX,\K':,. ■- '(^?^,''^ 'f?s®-?*' ''''-?:;r>i* "'■ la The First Shofc 1,^ our duty, and our consciences will be clear ; are you aU willing to follow me r There was ^ magnetism about the Virginian which was irresistible. Unanimously the answer was in the affirmative. Washington was ready for the march when Tan- adiarissou, the chief of the confederacy of the Dela- iwares, Shawnees, Miamis and Mingoes, entered his room. "Our lives are 'in danger," said the chief, who was called the Half Kmg; "our trust is in you. The French inll slay u»and take our hmds ; we I^ave sworn to fight them to the death." ^'We ^U save you or die with you," answered Wash- ington. . / "Do not dday./ / The Half Kit^ was irritated at the slowness of the soldiers, and left them to return to his own people. The Virginians, having no horses, had to drag their cannon by hand. ^ The roads were miserable. ^ No bridgelijiiknned the rivers and no boats^ could be obtained. Before the march from Will's Creek was half fin- ished, the men were reduced, to half rations, and to make their fate more wretched the rain feU in unceas- ing torrents. _^ For ten • -.T.,;^.,:-, The First Shot. »3 f- Washington and his little army were without shelter or diange of clothes. The scouts of the Half King announced that a party of the French was within a few miles. A stockade was speedily erected, to which Washing- ton gave, the name of Fort Necessity. 'To-morrow we will attack them/«i'Said"the young leader, "and there must be no hesitation.^ Cautiously the English and the Virginians moved forward. The French saw them and flew to arms. Washington was at the head of his army, musket m hand. "Firer The dear command rang through the forest, and the first vbpy of a great war went flying on its mission of death. ^^ _ - . . , The engagement was a fierce one. The French were veterans who had seen service in Europe. Washington's men were mostly raw recruits. But both sides fought with almost savage despera- tion. . - "Fire, ^st and sure!" shouted Washington^ who loaded and fired as frequently as his men. Jtononvtlle, the French captain, was seen to throw up his hands and fait forward m his face. < His ^a^gended the engagement, and^Washington won the fi^Kkirmish in tMl^ereat war. .^'^^^^^^^^^^^^'^^ I.'. j;,- tf^^te ^^ 1- t -*■— --^ ' •'i^^-:^^— ^' M TKc First Shot. \ ■'s Dc Villiers, the French general, saw well wfaat the ■' *^5«^^ would be, and hastened his army forward to drive Washujgton from his position. . Several tribes of Indians united with the Frepch and proved most valuable allies. I * Fort Necessity was attacked by six hundred French soldiers, and nea'rly as many Indians, while Washing- ton s entire forces were less than four hundred.^ For nine hours the French pqnred an ^in«9»sant shower of balls into,the fort. thirty of the defenders were killed, but the fire was returned with unabated vigor. De Vniiers found his ammunition nearly exhausted, and proposed a pariey. Washington, seeing he could hold out but a few miiK irtes longer, accepted the honorable terms of capitula- tiai, and with all accouten?,ents the EngUsh garrison left the fort and withdrew from the country. De Villiers, in reporting his success to St Rerr«. paid a high tr^but^ to Washington. "Iliis young crfficer, who cannot be more than twen- ty-two years of age, led his men with all the cour^ and tact pf a veteran, and, had he but Known it, the victory would have been his, for we had but fliree more rounds of ammunition left, and were even then pUpar- ' ing to consider temft for surrender." \ ^ In the ranks of the Indian allies «en 50 happy.r '»«^rier--our hves hav« ^JThe old lady mounted Six muskets, two old sabar^d.n A \ onergency^ ' H««aonii, ready for any ;:R«^Wo1£ leads/' the oW ,,^we are doomed," responded the old lady myouf guns ready, but do not Breunmi^' .u iWord. Aim well anH *i« ^ "«*" I give the '^«« well, and do not waste powder." *-i,*f-.^-*.^. ' ' r Ai 1 <-^ ^u^ ^ tt^j. &' .. - --<^'^ The Attack^ on the Log House. 17 ^ — — ■ — Three muskets were primed, and their muzzles pushed an inch or so trough the crevice. The old grandmother showed no signs of fear. She had lived in the wilderness so many years that her feminine nature had become hardened, and'^she" was able to face Indians or wolves without a tremor. - Red^^Wolf marshaled his men, and anticipated an easy victory over the white occupants of the log house. There was no need of secrecy, for what could three persons, one of whom was a feeble old woman, and another a boy, dp against twenty-five hraves? The Indians were within a few 'yards of the log house when old mim Granger whispered to his wife and gf^dson to be ready. ' Aloud he called to Red Wolf : ; "Red Wolf, braVeo^^eB^rkfeiBt, what means this hostile appearance/?" he asked. ^\ ^ -.• "The white man must leave th^ valley and go back to the East, from whence he came," answered the Indian, spcaking^ery fair English. "Red Wolf, brave of the Blackfeet, when thou wast hungry did we not give thee food? When the teetii of , the wild wolf iore the flesh of Red Wolf , dj^ we not rescue thee nihd bind up thy wounds ?" : ' \ ' W *m "Enough, old man. Thy life slialt be spared iJhhoiT and thine quit Jhe house and cross the fore^ to the N T^^ v *1 '^5 -f« It The Attack on the Log House. "Never, Red Wolfl The house is mine; it was bmlt by my hands, and the land is mine, also." "Then, if that be thy answer. Red Wolf will take that which thou refused to give." The Indian, who was the only (Sne of the band able to hold conversation in English,) addressed his men and It was plainly evident that he Was resolved on cap-' taring the log house. ' "Fire r whispered Granger. I Three musket shots left the barrels concealed in the Tooi of the log house, and three I^idians drc^ped to the ground. / Qmckly laying down the muskets they raised the others, and again fired, with the same result. ' It took longer to load a musket in those days than we can possibly imagine. The charge had to be rammed home to the barrel-^ " Ae powder first, and then the shot The flint had to be wiped oflF, and powder placed in the pan, so that a spark might drop on it and fire the charge. " The Indians, maddened by the death of six of their number, rushed forward and threw themselvia against the door. The heavy timber of which it was made withstood Ae onslaught? though the barricading bars creaked and cracked. ^Again Ihose sai^ges threw their boditt against it fcr The Attack on the Log House. i6 with 5uch force that many shoulders were bruised, and great splotches of blood were on the timbers. The savages withdrew a few yards, but only to ex- pose themselves to another volley from the log house. Two of the Indians were killed, and a third wounded in the shoulder. The others again rushed to the house, and m&de another assault on its strong timbers. All their efforts* were in vain. Red Wolf took his men to the rear, and after iii in- spection of the house from that quarter, saw that some- thing mdre than the united strength of the Indians ^as necessary. A quantity of dried leaves were piled high at the rear of the house. These were brought by armf uls and placed against the house, and fired. ' The dry timbers, strong against human power, wer« but as twigs before the might of the fire king. They burned and crackled, the smoke filling the house and rendering the defenders almost poweriess. . "We shall be roasted," said the old man. "What can we do, gran'ther?" "Fight our way through and seek shelter with the wolves in the forest" ''Are we ready ?"aikedHarry^ «i "Are you ready, mother i>" Granger inquired. S5f e-r-V--? *• ■■■■" ■ 1,.' ¥<^' t \ f f J%kii£A&i^k ao The.Attadc on the Log House. "father, I am ready, only don't let me fall into the hands of the savages; kill me first. Will you?" "Ay, motheji we will die together," bravely spoke the old man. i • The muskets were too heavy to use as clubs, so Granger and his wife took swords, leaving Hai^to do . the best he could with a musket. ^ ^v^ The boy filled his pocket with ammuniW,'in addi- tion to his powd^i' horn and shot pouch. They descendted the ladder and quietly unfastened the door. . The savages were still at the rear. "Run," whispered Granger. A score of yards space had been covered before they , were seen by Red Wolf. 1 A savage cry burst from his throat, and his men \ fired a volley of arrows after the fugitives. 1 Fortunately they fell wide of the mark. "" I The savages ran, and were close upon the whites. * "We cannot escape ; we must fight," said Granger. He turned as he spoke, his white hair flowing oVer his neck and shoulders like a fleecy >doud of snow. He r^ed his saber, and stood defiantly waiting. "^ The Indians hesitated. There was a majesty about that aged, white-haired couple which struck them with awe. For a moment it looked as though honor and age r iW5uld tiiiimpK ~ fefukfi .,!.. .^.-±>- : ,f,(..'ij t •* ym liis men ^ ■ lites. inger. ng over w. ing. i shaired ] nd age • The Attack on the Log House. ai But only for a moment ; the Indians gave a saVage yell and rushed fipon the settlers. The fight was of short duration. Although Granger and his wife were strong in spirit, their arms were weakened by age, and they were smit- ten to the eai^.\ Harry seized we saber as it fell from his grand- mother's hsmd. . He strudt out furious blows, and many a time the blade was red with thel)lood of a naked savage. The Indians closed in upon him and rendered him helpless. ' ^ He was bound hand and foot. A gag was placed in his mouth, for Red Wolf could not endure the upbraidings which came from his lips. As the lad lay there, speechless and helpless. Red Wolf kicked him in the ribs. '•You shall live. I want you to see how we treat those we capture, and, as they die, you shall know your own fate will be more terrible." The fiend in human f^rm gave orders to his men to carry the aged settlers to the puming house. "We are going to die, ihy boy, but we are not afraid,** Granger said, as he passed where Harry was lying. The boy struggled to release himself, but failed; the tigatures only cut into his fleahi / ^ He saw, for there was no help for it, his grand- --r%- ,,»4te^'i4v.':-v'.,.,,.j',, ¥ .M .22 Eseape. parents scalped, and their bodies thrown into the blaz- ing log house. One cry from his grandmother for Heaven's mercy, and a silence gathered over all, broken only by the crackling of the burning timbers and the roar of the flames. The savages danced in fiendish glee round the pyre, and as the sun went down a pillar of smoke showed only wh^re the \f>g house had stood— that log house which had been open to Indiati and French and Eng- lish alike for so many years. CHAPTER IV. ESCAPE. The night was dark and cold, but Harry Leonard's blood was at fever heat, and his mouth was parched with the inward burning. Red Wolf had kicked him several times, and told him of the fate whiclrawaited him on the morrow. The savages threw themselves on the ground to sleep, and their leader, well satisfied with the work of the day, followed their example, after assuring himself that Harry was well secured. -The boy couki not sleep.^ The horrible scenes he had witnessed, the dea^ of 'h£ .a J k^ K.* c ^.f- 1 "' t '"# Escape. 43 the grandparenlts who had reared him from infancy, all passed before his mind with terrible realism. Accustomed to all the arts of the scout, his ears were quick to detect the slightest sound. At times he hoped to hear* the prowl of a hungry wolf, preferring the animal to the huihan savage ; then, as the sound passed, his love of life predominated, and he prayed to live that he might revenge himself on Red Wolf. /* The hours passed, and the clouds seemed blacker than ever, while the cold wind whistled through the » trees, and the breath froze as it left the lips. A shiver passed over Harry's body, and ^e thought entered his mind : "It was just such a night as this a year ago that I was saved from Red Wolf. What a brave man that Virginian was I I wonder if I shall ever see him agam? George Washington I'll never forget his name. Gran'ther said he was fighting the French. I hope he is, for none could conquer him." The boy's thoughts were with the Virginian, and he forgot his own troubles and threatened torture. His sharp ears detected a new movement. Only an Indian could glide along so softly and quietly. Harry felt his last hour hzd come. He was sune one o^Jggj Wolf s gang was tempted to steal his sdalp. ^ ^ •■J i^*f:'im»^^^^0Mi. ^i-^-w - 24 Escape. Harry nerved himself to his fate. The hot breath of a man was on his face. ^ Every moment he expected to feel the sharp steel of the tomahawk. ^ . . He scarcely dared to breathe. * A delightful sensation was experience. ^ The Indian was bathing his fac0 with cool, clear , water. "White man good to red man, red man help white man, whispered the unknown. ■ Harry turned ov6r, andto his joy found the cords cut, and he was free. "White rtan ruh— run-rrun— " The hint was enough. The tove of Mfe was strong; and the boy felt it was worth trying t(6 preserve. He glided along thrbugh the brushwood as noise- lessly as possible, and not until he had passed out of possible sight of the Indians did he An overhanging tree was within reach, and seizing its drooping branches he swung himself to land. But nature will have its way, even over the strength of mind. Harry Leonard fell almost lifeless on the grouft^T He was as unconscious as one that was dead. Not a sign of life, save the most feeble respiration, was apparent, and no one but the keenest observer would have thought him living. ■.4«ill CHAPTER V. IN THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY. The hours passed, and still young Leonard lay on Jthc banka ol the liver^ withoi^^^^s^^ of returning file. •i.~ i.% A ■ Sji /S^t^^^ftn^t&y'f ,-v '% :^ rK H. 48 In the Hands of the Enemy. Nature was having ^ts revenge. > His mind had subdued his physfcal powers for many hours, but now the tables were turned. How easy it would have been for Red^elf to have recaptured him ! » . ^ How little would have been the dartg^mo any wan- dering savage wljo wished to add to thejscalps at his belt! But Red Wolf thought him dead, and no prowler passed that way, though during those houi^ many a one was within a stone's %9W, and more than one would have danced with jay^l he could hav^ secured that youthful scalp. "There is a divinity which shapes our ends, rough hew them as we will." Harry Leonard was reserved for other "work ; his life was destined to be prolonged, that it might be of^ benefit to his native land. It was close upon eventide when the Angelus Domini was said by the devout, that a maiden, fair and young, passed along the river side. She had walked all day as' became the daughter of a new country, and was rewarded by a rest at sunset. She loved nature, and to her everything that nature made was good. Though perhaps we ought to make an exception to that statement, for ahe war^i-enehr and had becn. taught from het earliest infancy that Indians were chil- ,,'^\|jt;:; .U&ei:s'> *^"'T*'?!*Vv "'■ ' u ^i"^'^1iW"fT,^ :-\'^,^X''g" ':■">'' T vt- •«cj| In the Hands of the Enemy. «9 ■' — .— » '- ' ' ; dren of the evil one, and the English were really past all hope in this world or the next, y^^. By English she meant every nationality sav(r ^^ own. All who lived East and recognized King George, ' whether they were bom in England or America, Hol- land or Saxony, were alike English in her belief and, therefore, hateful. ^ She looked up at the sky and saw the, sun ginking below the horizon ; then, with bowed head, she repeiatcd the Angelus. . ' "• n ' Her heart was soft, her whole nature full of love, and as she walked along she forgot the fatigues of the day, and gloried in the beauties of the scene around her. She thought nothing of the cold. Why should she?, Her life had b^n spent in that district, anid the sum- mer's heat, as well as the winter's cold, were but natu- ral to her. ; As she walked she lookfed at the darkeiiiil mists over the river, and wondered at the ^Jroken ice. A little gasp, a half-startled cry escaped her asrshe saw a human body lying on the bank. She ptSlled her head shawl over her face and started to run back home, afraid of the sight of death. "Perhaps he is not dead," she thought ; and all the kindliness of her heart emboldened her. She turned bravely back. "A boy! and so pretty!" she murmured. "Poor fel- )■.: "->^ 1, '■••H ^rwT Is he dead? He has been in ^le water. rv^ ^^mjifk'-' * rti ^> -<#?r /^t 30 in the Hands of the Enemy* She knelt down iy iiis side and looked into hU face* How her heatif beat and body treifnbledi for she thought he was dead. ^ ' - She felt his cfothes; they were frozen stifif and ad- herjed to the ground. ■ \ . Then she laid her hand on his face. That, too, was like marble, or, more properly, ^cc. "DjH .''uiia.'ifl V r •'•'j! ^"'."/^' t"! ,« 1 I' " * ', ^r*' *\ III the Htndt of the ^nemy. 31 pretty innocence of manner, •'because—I-^think— he^ b— EngUsh." ^MWi^ placed her hand over her father's mouth and ^ whispered: "He cannot helpr it ; for my sake, save him V* 'Tor your sake — ^yes, but '* And jigain the Frenchman broke out with a long stAig of expletives, all qualifying what he would hke to do with every Englishman. -" With his daughter's assistance he raised Harry from the ground ; but his clothing was torn, much of it being left frozen to the earth. He sighed gently, but gave no other sign of life. Jean le Fabre lifted the boy in his arms and carried him as easily as he would a child. ^ ^ "Run, first, Marie, and prepare thy mother; thott knofwest she likes not the English." ^ / Marie heeded no urging, and by the time her father 'rcachied.the house her mother was waiting to help re- store the boy to life. **What are you going to do with him V* asked Madam le Fabre, when two hburs later she left the side of the English boy. ' *T)o? Why, what do ypu think? I hate the Eng- lish, they are enemies of ours, and as soon as he la well vcnough I will send the boy to Gen. de Villiers." „T !. '•What wH they do wt&hun?^ ^ feiavt, :rti'fi2*^tt j.U,.-K.t^%f -.'..^if 3* In the Hands of the Enemy. "Hang him, most likely." "He is young, and cannot be an enemy," pleaded madam, her heart softened by her motherly attentions to the boy. "How will you get him to the camp?" "Red Wolf will pass here in three days, and he shall take him." "I do not like tftat Red Wolf," said madam. "I can't say that I do, either; I wouldn't trust a boy of mine with him, but yonder lad is English." "I wish there wer^ some other way." "There isn't, and that settles it. The boy must go with Red' Wolf, and I shall be well quit of him." Poor Harry I Escaped from the murderous hand of the savage one day, to be handed over to his tender m^cies another. The times were indeed troublous. ' Marie overheard her parents talking, and her quick "brain was busy. -• "Give him to Red Wolf? No, not if Marie can^pre- vent it" •Hi / V ■^ ' ,\' f 94 . tJri^ti,^,! - •.■'Vl . vA*v,> 'X4,i«#n\ where he was lyhig, and saw her mother gently raise his head while he drank some warm milk. ^ \ Marie pushed open tiie door, and a smile passed over Harry's face. Her presence was as gladsome as the sunshine, and no harm could Her mother had told him how he came to be th«iiii ^^'■o.--'.. -i^-y. . ■ .'. f',. "■-•■• ,T T 36 ■■7 -~!l ,V J ■.■„■■- ■^Enemies, Yet Friends. that in less than an hour they knew each other's his- tories? Only one thing had Harry omitted. He had not mentioned Red Wolf's name. "My father says he will send you to the Frenc^ gen- eral, De Villiers." ! "Why should he?" "He thinks it his duty." "He will send me, how?" "RedWolf—- r" '•What know you of him?** \ "Do you know him?" "It was Red Wolf who would have killed me had not the Virginian, George Washington, interposed. It was Red Wolf Vho murdered my grandfather and grandmother. It was Red Wolf who wanted to kill me, but a kind Indian uhkx)sed my fetters and helped me to escape. If I am given to Red Wolf I shall be killed." V .:■ "The Indian shall not have you," answered Marie, . with determination, tapping the floor with her foot. "I shall have to trust in you, Marie." ^ "I will not fail you. Leave everything to me and you shall be saved." / ' "I will never forget your kindness." Marie sought her father and coaxed. him, as she yHl im^w how, but for once she could not move him. He was a rigid disciplinarian, and believed it to ^. t i ifi "►'Hf I. \ Enemies, Yet Friends. 37 / his duty to give Harry over to the officer commanding in his district. I * . ^ "But what wrong' has he done?" asked Marie. "None that I kiiow of, but he may be a spy." "No, no ; I am sure he is not." "How can you be sure?" . **He told me he was not." /- > The Frenchman laughed at his daughter's simplidty, and bade her attend to her duties. Obe(p[iently she proceeded to her work ;'but could not sing as was her custom ; all her thoughts were with the youth she had saved. She told her father later in the day how Red Wolf had murdered the aged grandparents of their patient, and Madam le Fabre muttered: "Poor boy!" But Le Fabre only softened enough to say : "If there was^ any other way, I would not let Red Wolf escort him." / "^ "Take him ydurself, father," suggested Marie. "Perhaps I will." ' But, as the French say, "L'homme propose, el Dieu dispose," 80 Marie was to find out. The very next day a messenger arrived from CdL d'Arville, who had been on a scouting expedition with Red Wolf. t)'Arville*9~1tnowledgr"thar^tisnyT "f had been rescued and was with Le Fabre, so an imr < * ^^fS^w^T^wTj^ < .l^-'^'^v^i")^^ 3« Marie'ft Sacrifice. perative order Was sent that the prisbnfer, who was described as a most dangerous spy, must l>e delivered on the morrow to Red Wolf. "It must be fo ; I have no alterative now." M^^ '^^ disconsolate. , Everything/looked black tor Harry. "I have sa^d I would save him, and I will." She thougiit of many ways, but none of them ap> peared feasible. -^ It was neitr the hour for retiring to rest when a new idea flashed aoross her mind, and she determined to put it to;the test ' ^ i CHAPTER YII. ;arie's sacrifice. \ every means to gain access to Harry'i TOopaijhvA her mother was, for some reason, never absent a minute. 1 night Marie thought over her scheme, but as the moriiing dawned it seemed more difficult than ever pf accomplishment. . The day Was far advanced before she could gain the opportunity of speaking witi the young Ameri9an. But evcn^hm she saw bttt ilight j ^ . \1« tier scheme into execution. s^;>' itsi^^i^'M'^^ji Sviun^ ■Li:k 1 ^ «:■' Maric*8 Sacrifice. 39 R^d Wolf and his savages might arrive at zny mo- ment, and it would then be too late. The, hours of sunshine passed and the dreaded In- dian did not appear. The messenger from Col. d'Arville had been very open in his remarks to Le Fabre, and Marie had heard every word, "There is to be war"— she said to Harry, in a low voice— "war between your people and mine* Not such as we have had, but Col. d'Arville says a regular war." "Are you sure you heard aright r* "Quite; he said that King Louis had already sent three thousand French soldiers, and your King Georg« had ordered several regiments to come to this country. It Will be awful, for you will get killed." "I hope not, Marie." "So do I."; "It seems to me my danger is right here." / That was the opening Mari^ needed. ''"She told him of her plan for his escape. "I cannot do it." "You must, if you value your life." * "I do value my life, but I would rather lose it than endanger you." "1 shall be all right. For my sake, Harry, you must" 'S.,;* "# It was hard to resist such an appc^^ I .■ j^ /. 1 ' 4&1», ' K ». '*tt **Jj jJi .-.J "l 40 Marie's Sacrifice. tar-'-V What would he not do for the sake of the little French maiden? "Do you wish it, Marie?" » "How can you ask that? If anything happened to you I should die." "Yet three days ago you did not know of my exist- ence." "No, but I never lived till then." • This young couple, full of the innocence of youth, talked as freely as though they had known each other for years. Red Wolf was rightly name?I. In all the land there was not a more savage anim:^ than he. His was not the warfare men indulge in to avenge some wrong or to serve tiieir country, but one having for its motive an insatiate love of blood. He was allied to the French, not because he thought they had any right to the beautiful valley, but simply because he was given more liberty. Had the other side, that of England and the colony, aflforded more scope for bloodshed, he would have espoused it with the same ardor. After tttfe escape of Harry, Red WcJf was like a He showed no mercy to young or old; he took na, pHsoaers, but slaughtered babes and old people with- out a qualm of conscience. ~^ ■'■%'- i# * 1 r1 ,^ •j *. ' », ^a^ir^lK, ,^.'jJi%fiK;^ii ,.,T:,,.p^ little id to odst- ■ - ■ Hi 1 auth. • " jther t ; r • (' ■ ' ''5 there i f enge [ytng lught mply ■ 1 lony, ■i have . f ii'^rrij^jj. ^ ■.vi. Marie's Sacrifice. 41 Let ft pot be thought that the French indorsed his actions, er approved his conduct. No ; neither the commander of the • French forces, nor his subordinate officers, would have directly ap- proved of the barJbiarities of Red Wolf, but they closed their eyeS. Having accepted the savages as allies,**they asked no questions and made no inquiries into the methods of the Indian warfare. Red Wolf's trail .was easily followed, for it was marked by burning dwellings and murdered innocents. About three miles from the residence of Le' Fabre a number of Americans met Red Wolf, and engaged with him in a short, sharp conflict. The Americans, who believed there was a certain awe to be inspired by the preseflce of the English flag, car- ried it before them when they went out to meet the savages. * ' ^ For an hour the fight continued; the old Hint-lock muskets of the Americans did terrible work, but Red Wolf would not surrender. The Americans succeeded in driving the Indians to the banks of the river, and poured such a volley intO/ their ranks that Red Wolf sought the pifetection of tl^ water. . . / TTie "Indians had left seven of their number dead. while th^ Americans had only lost four. 4» Marie's Sacrifice. The Indian was more exasperated xnd bloodthirsty than ever, and scarcely respected the residences of his allies. It was late in the day when, with a wild whoop, he came in sight of Le Fabre's residence. A message had reached him that a prisoner awaited him,^and it was impressed on his mind that the prisoner must suffer no Hurt, but be conveyed to fcol. d'Arville. Red Wolf had already made up his mind that the prisoner's scalp skould hang from his belt. It would be so easy to goad him into some act which would form nan excuse for summary punishment. Le Fabre met the Indian and offered him hospitality. "Firewater." The two words were dccompattfed by a grunt and an expressive gesture showing how good some brandy would be. Le Fabre dare not refuse, and soon Red Wolf and his men were makmg the little st^ of brandy disap- pear quite rapidly. / "The prisoner !" demanded Red Wolf. "He is safe, and shall be handed over to you when you are ready to march." '•Wegonow." ' "Stay till to-morrow." "No." ^d Wolf bade his men be ready for. the march, and m— • Xe Fabre dare hot refuse to produce the prisoner. f '^.i^i;Kj,^''./r-. i,-.« ' /i ' ' Marie's Sacrifice. 43 "It is a shame !" ejaculated Madam le Fabre. "Mari€f — ^Marie !" shouted La Fabre ; but no Marie responded. "It is better so; she would have v/ept had s\^ seal the boy taken away." ' i , One of the farm hands, a snealdng, miseral^le, small- souled fellow, the same who had conveyed jthe new!« to Col. d'ArvU^e that a young English spy was at Le Fabre's house, accosted his employer, and in French tdd him that Marie had gone into the woods and was walking faster than he ever saw a girl do before. Le Fabre opened the door of the room in which Harry had been placed. "Come, my boy ; although we are enemies, I am sorr/p for you ; but duty is duty, you know.*' A scream from Madam le Fabre startled everyone; even Red Wolf was agitated. Another and another burst from the wcunan's lips. "What is it, mother?" "Come away; can't you see?" ^ "See what?" asked her husband. ^ "That is not the boy," she whispered. . "Not the boy I Who is it j then?" "Marie I" . From the side of the. old trundle bed the priscmer rose, atid a strange figtire it was. xloth« were these of Hai were to^large, and altogether unfit for the wearer. y< m i0i'4^B^'iA'ib ' H. """•- '^T'"' '^i-f- ^pf'i^f^^'^ .^7^ ^' -^ .^W"'*'^^ ■**-.-^.Tw',t" ' ;<-Y'^; iri'"^:«|^%':> *'Jt/'^f 'i"' ^^' Marie's Sacrifice. ' '^^^ The face was that of Marie. She saw she was discovered. v^ "Yes, father, I am Marie." "But how comes it " "You said Harry was to be given up to Red Wolf. His life was mine, for I saved it. I said he should never fall into the hands of the savage, and so I— -I— helped him to escape.* Neithei*' her father nor mother could blame her, though they foreiaw t^t the consequences might be unpleasant. — Le Fabre tried to explain to Red Wolf, but the sav- age insisted that he had to take a prisoner to D*Arvi|le, and that he didn't know anything about Marie or Harry. He insisted on taking lifarie as the prisoner. More fire water was produced, and the savages drank until they were excited and merry. But, instead of softening Red Wolfs heart, it only hardened it. **Fear ^ot for me, papa. Red Wolf dare not do me an inju^," said Marie, who appeared t6 be resigned to her jbte. In h^er mind she was thinking that, ere the next mom- ing** dawn, she would be dead ; but there was no grief at Ae thought, for she had given her life for "her boy." _LAjgain thf order was givgi^iior the Tndiani to prapat'C to march, and Marie was seized and Ibound. •••"ti. .i^i.v Marie's Sacrifice. 45 Her arms Vrere tied tightly to her sides, and her anlded were tied with a rope so that she could only walk by taking short steps. This was to prevent her running away. \, Le Fabre resolved to accompany the party, and Red Wolf mentally resolved on having his scalp as well. But just as the procession was forming, amid the sobs and shrieks of Madam le Fftbre and the female members of the household, a figpiire was seen running from Ac direction of the%ood. "Stop ! I am the prisoner you want. Spare her, she is innocent." T|!« voice and form were those of Harry Leonard, §bt the clothes were those of Marie. ' "Harry, why did you come back?" asked Marie. "I could not let you suffer." "Brave boy, I will go with you to the colonel, and will plead for you," said Le Fabre. Red Wolf had been staring at Harry; the disguise had prevented rec(^;nition for a time. "You not dead ?" he exclaimed, when he realized that the youth in girl's clothes was rea^y the grandson ol I the ''did couple he had murdered. "No, Red Wolf, I did not die in the river, as you thou^^t, but I lived to accuse yQU of murder. 1 shall live to take your life, and as my grandmother died sa shall you." ^^ ^.1 ■X :j '. are my pnspner, Tir -X ■./1 \ '/^ 4* Marie's Sacrifice. "Yes, so I was before, but you cannot kill me. The blood you have shed is between us, and until that is wiped away I shall live to haunt your life." Red Wolf understood every word ; he talked English and French with great fluency. ' > His people openly comprehended a few words, and he was too much frightened to translate to them. The savage trembled. * The superstitions of his people were strong in their power, and there ^was one vhich was present to his mind. "The braves of ithe Blackfeet fear no enemy until the dead comes to lifi to confront them." That was ti|ie^perstition of his people, and he really believed tl^it^Harry had been dead, but came to life as his Nenlsis?*^ RedyWolf stared at Harry until he shook with nerv- ous lean "Away I Away!" cried the Indian. "Ill not touch J«0U." , Madam le Fabre whispered to the young folks, and they retired to once again exchange their clothes. Marie, when once more in her owil pretty cpstume, blushed at the remembrance of her masquerade, and could Scarcely look at Hkrry. "Go, young man, quickly," whispered Le Fabre, and Harry was glad enough of the chance to escape, for now he knew that Marie was safe. ^ti^Mi Sit ■ I '"'H -Sfhfk'^^ -ihs:i ■ ^r '*-"■' '■''\?f^'ffV/^^^y'^?^^' CHAPTER VIII. THE DEFEAT OF BRADDOCK. Marie's information was true. Both the English and French nations professed to be at peace, ^but^yet each prepared for war. Lo^ XV. sent three thousand soldiers to Canada, and the British govemmoit ordered Gen. Edward Braddock to proceed to America with two regiments of regulars. There were four pl[ans of campaign formulated by the governors of the colonies. Lawrence, the governor of Nova Scotia, was to com- plete the con(fuest of that province. Johnson, of New York, was to enroll a force of volunteers and Mohawks in British pay, ""and to capture the French post at Crown Point ' Shirley, of Massachusetts, was to equip a regiment and drive the enemy from their fortress at Niagara. Braddock, as commander-in-chief, was to lead the main body of regulars against I^ort du Quesne, retake that post, and expel the French from the Ohio Valley. Braddock had two thousand veterans with him. and expected to receive as many more recruits from the ■flploilies. '. 1 >''l George Washington had sent in his restgnattoo, and :^ ife;^ -/■ I 48 The Defeat of Braddock. most of the American officers had followed his ex- ample. It has often been said that a very trivial thing may decide the fate of a nation. * Cromwell was about to leave England and seek hts fortunes in the western worid, when Charles I. ordered him to appear before a judge to render an account of the value of his property. That .little order cost Charles his head and estab- lished a republic in England, with Cromwell ^ its president. Washington was loyal to England ; he was a beUever in the right of kings, and would have given his life to serve Ring George. He had served his king faithfully, and been pro- moted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel. When Braddock came over, Washington was one of the first to offer his sword and the service of his Vir- ginians. In Braddock*s commission it was expressly stated th^ the colonial officers should have no rank while serving in connection with the king's army. This order was an insult. Washington felt it keenly, and at once sent in his resignation. Gov. Dinwiddle sent for him. "Virginia needs your sword. The country must be ^smi^itmilts^omuT' said die govemw. ~~ -^S *.'■'.!.' ,i,>*^,. f-*?^;*.'^ ■>|Sr -?*? '^^f The Defeat of Braddock. 49 "I have won my rank." "We know it, and it is because we have need of you that I ask you to withdraw your resignation." "I will fight for Virginia, but not for King George," answered the brave Washington. "It is for your country you will fight." And this little episode was the turning point in Wash- ington's career. / "I am loyal to the king," he said, "but I cannot fight for him. I will fight for my country." Braddock knew that England was in the wrong, and appointed the Virginian on his staflF. In everything but official documents he gave Wash- ington his^ll title. It was not the title that the Virginian cared about, it was the fact that the order was a direct insult to the colonists. The march began from Fort Cumberland. A select force of five hundred men was thrown for- ward to open the roads to Fort du Quesne. The advance was led by Sir Peter Halket, and Brad- dock followed with the main body. The army, marching in a slender column, extended along the narrow roads for four miles. "Grtjneral, you do not know the country," said the sagacious Benjamin Franklin, "and you ought to move with more caution." "Caution, sirrah I What mean you?" i. '■■fk ..A i: ^19^ •i .^^^ _.jfi/ io The Defeat of Bnddock. w "The Indians may be in ambuscades; had you not better send out scouts?' " . ■ Braddock was self-willed and arfogant ' He looked at Franklin, »id for a ifiomeitf di4 nol ' utter a sotind. ' i : When he did it was to give utterance to a hearty^ — ^ laugh and a contemptuous speech : "Sirrah l> Not all the savages in the world could mkke any impression on his majesty's regulanu" Washington was jint fiM-, and the general asked hiili what he thought of tfie situation. fi . "We need greater caution. We are in <^ger of sonbuscades." * . Bradc^ck flew into a passion^ . "I haVes<5en real fighting, and it is high time when a"" Col. Buckskin presumes to teach one of his majesty's generals." On the eighth of July the van reached the junctkm of the Youghioghcny and the Monongahda. It was only twelve miles more to Fort du Quesne. There was no sign of the enemy. The road was but twelve feet wide, the country on either hand was cov- ered with a dense undergrowth, ^cks and ravines, and / little hills, thus making the district a good one for sud- den surprises. It was night The clear sky was studded with stars. . "Scarcely V breese stirred tibe leav^ «-" * ' ^•'.•fl'. , ■■■':M. "' ''%r:i5f^^M. f ^2^' *"/" '^SMU ^^'^ '^T^ '^'^^ « The Defeat of Bnuidock. ■kfy^ —•- ~i^ «t i*,' Washington was Officer of the watch,, and he with his subordinates were the only ones not sleeping. -^ "^S*^"* of the grass was heard. Washington scir^d his sword and awaited further dei^elopraents. '•Hush! *Shr • -. * y He heard the cautionary sound, but' could not see. , from whence it came. *• r^- ' "Are you English?'* " * The qu , ,'-*'■ • \ii^. 0 #' <* •J Mi. -ma :-f - -'^'x^'JtAf' '^ ^ '^^■i,,;- -» i-^s- 5^ .ilirt' The Defeat of Braddock. "May I Stay with you?" asked Harry, as he wilked back with the Virginian. , **YesT You are a brave fellow ; I like your manner." Harry was overjoyed. 4ie was to be wit^ his heri That was a happiness he had Utile dreamed of, and he knew not that )Vashington was jwdt^ the English army until he saw him in the starlight and instantly Tgnizedhim. wo hundred and thirty French, led by Beaujeu an^ Dumas, and a bod^ of six hundred and thirty-sevei^ Indians, led by Red Wolf, set out to harass and annoy tfie English, ■ j They had just reached their place*of ambuscade whei^ Harry Leonard gave the information to Washington. Early in the morning the order was given to march Braddock laughed at the idea of caution. The flanking parties of the English reached th^ ambush. I A long stream of fire burst out from the bushes, a savage yell from the Indians, and the battle began. Col. Thomas Gage was urged to hurry up his men, but he was undecided and confused. For a few minutes the flanking parties held their own, but the Indians closed in upon them and drove them back. . The French fousrht with valor. The Indians yelled and shouted, making the place 't like pahdenioniurh. '%. 4i^,t^j'' jitii'h} U itsL'^\ f'. ,1 ) , ' \A i,aij ntf "Jc ,,j ■■Aii^'ik'iitU-it^^pf ■^J S i'.. 1 / ^ .) ' ■ '. .-ii?*",! ) * ,» #r