War of 1812 Bicentennial

CHAPTER III

REUNITED.

Colonel McArthur, after having stated as his belief that Captain Sam's disappearance was not due to the savages, left me abruptly, and I saw no more of him until late in the evening of that same day.

I had come upon the troops shortly after noon, and the remainder of the time, while I remained uncertain as to whether anything more might be required of me, was spent in learning what the soldiers had done.

I was minded to retrace my steps early next morning, unless orders to the contrary were given, for it was not my intention to leave Ezra to seek out our old friend alone.

There was small doubt in my mind but that I could find him again even in the wilderness, for since he was hunting instead of being hunted, there was little likelihood he would make any great effort at concealing his trail.

After a certain fashion we were bound to obey any orders the colonel might give, for although not having signed the muster-rolls, we had agreed to give our services during the journey to Detroit, which, as both Ezra and I viewed it, was much the same as though we were regularly enlisted.

There was not much to be learned from the men, except it was as to how this or that causeway had been thrown across the morasses; how such a stream had been bridged, or the extent of progress made in making the road, for the gallant regiment were in fact building a highway that those who followed might march without impediment.

Several of the more orderly inclined men who spoke with me, mentioned the fact that the troops commanded by General Hull chafed under the restraints of military regulations to such an extent as to be absolutely mutinous, and one, with whom I talked at some length, predicted that disastrous results must follow before the campaign was at an end, if this spirit was not checked.

At the point where I had met the soldiers two block-houses, were being built on the south side of the stream, and I learned that the whole was to be stockaded into a regular fort; but the work was at that time so incomplete that it did not appear to me very much could be made of the place, save at the expense of halting the entire army in the wilderness until the supply of provisions might be exhausted.

It was not until late in the evening of this day that Colonel McArthur gave any sign he knew I remained with the troops, and then I was noticed he wanted to see me.

I found the colonel, who was in fact the commander of this portion of the expedition, in a hut made of brush about an hundred yards in advance of the main body, in the very position of all others which would first be attacked if the Indians were bent on mischief, but a visitor, not so well acquainted with the situation as I was, would have said, judging from his manner and appearance, that he was in the most perfect security.

A brave man and a good one is this same colonel, as I have since had ample opportunity of knowing.

"I have been thinking over what you told me about the disappearance of my friend, Sam Bassett," he said when I stood before him. "The longer I study the business the more I am inclined to the belief that his absence was due to some accident, rather than Indians. The fact that you were permitted to come back over the trail proves to my mind that the savages have had no hand in the matter, and I'll guarantee that your comrade has by this time either found the old man, or can explain exactly why he failed to respond to your summons. Therefore it is that I propose, if it so be you are agreeable, to send you back at once. Find your comrade, and if he has learned nothing, return to me we shall continue to advance at the rate of five miles each day, regardless of the work on hand. In case the matter is no longer a mystery, keep about thirty miles ahead of us until you have news of importance to impart."

This was an order which failed to please although I would not have said as much to the colonel.

If peradventure Ezra had found Captain Sam alive and well, which did not seem probable, I would have been much better satisfied to see experienced men taking our places as scouts, for by this time I distrusted my own abilities as never before.

However, I had no opportunity of saying that which was in my mind, for, having given these orders, the colonel turned away as if in token that the interview was at an end, and I could do no less than take my leave.

I knew full well it was my duty to explain why Ezra and I should not longer remain in the advance, unless older heads than ours had immediate charge of the work, and yet lost the opportunity to make the statement, because of. the fear he might think we had grown timid.

If Ezra had been in my place the matter would have been settled in. proper shape, and I consoled myself with the thought that as soon as we were together once more I would insist on his having an interview with the colonel.

As for seeing poor Captain Sam, I had no hope.

When one disappears in a forest peopled with savages who ever thirst for human blood, there is little chance of his return.

After being dismissed by Colonel McArthur looked around in search of a resting-place for the night, and was met by one with whom I had conversed during the afternoon.

He offered to share with me his shelter, which I gladly accepted, for I was not minded to wander about the encampment very long, because of the fact that I counted on setting out in search of Ezra as soon as the day had broken, and it was necessary I should have rest.

This host of mine questioned me closely regarding what we had seen, and from his questions I understood that the soldiers expected soon to find them­selves in the midst of hostile Indians who would be able to work much mischief in the dense forest, where they could remain hidden from view while doing murder.

He it was who told me that the remainder of the troops under General Hull himself were within two days' march of this place, and that the entire force would push ahead as rapidly as a road could be made.

The stockade they were building had already been named Fort McArthur, and a certain Captain Dill was to be left in command of it when the army should pass on.

I was not inclined to spend the time in converse, for no one could say when I should be able to lie down again in safety, and as soon as might be, without offending him who entertained me, I gave myself up to slumber.

Save for the sentinels, not one in the encampment was astir when I set out once more, determined, now that we had done our duty in warning Colonel r, to spend all my time in the search for Captain Sam, until we should at least get some proof of his fate.

To retrace my steps over the trail I had made was only a trifling task, and in less than eight and forty hours I stood once more at the entrance to the cave which had been for us such an inhospitable place of refuge.

It is not to be supposed that during this time I pressed forward without due regard to the dangers which I believed menaced me on every hand, and yet thus far I had seen no signs of the savages, which fact struck me as strange if all I feared was true.

I had expected that from this point onward my work would be more difficult, knowing Ezra would proceed with the greatest caution; but to my surprise and joy everything was plain before me.

A sharpened stick with the point toward the north was set up in front of the cave, and I knew my comrade left it to show me the direction in which he had gone.

It lacked no more than two hours of sunset when I came upon this token, and I had better have remained at the cave until morning, since there I could rest with greater safety than elsewhere; but my anxiety was so great that I was not willing to waste a single moment.

Before the darkness forced me to halt a great hope sprang up in my mind, for by the trail I believed I could read that two persons were making their way northward, and if Ezra had a companion it could be no other than the old sailor, incredible though that appeared to be.

It is not well that I set down at too great length all that I did or thought during this portion of our journey, lest I lack the time to finish the recital of more worthy deeds, therefore, of the three days when I followed the trail, becoming each hour more firm in my belief that Captain Sam and Ezra were together, nothing more shall be said than that I pushed ahead at my best speed, without seeing anything to cause alarm.

It was at noon of the fourth day after leaving Colonel McArthur's forces that my search was ended, for I came upon my friends, who had halted to prepare a dinner of venison from a buck which had accommodatingly come in their way.

Even though I had prepared myself to see the old sailor, it was difficult to believe the evidence of my own eyes when he sprang up to meet me with outstretched hands, and a look on his face which gave token to the heartiness of his welcome.

"You are come in good season," Ezra said, trying hard not to show the joy he felt because we were together once more, lest he appear womanish. "This is the first time we have had a plentiful supply of meat, and I am minded to make a long halt."

It can well be supposed that I had not thought of eating while the mystery remained unexplained, and so I said when Ezra would have me cook my share of the venison.

"The story can be finished in few words," the dear lad said in a tone which told me how happy he was at that moment. "Captain Sam was in the cave all the while we were searching, and you had not been gone from me two hours before I found him."

I looked at the old man in bewilderment, for it was hard to believe that which Ezra had said, even though I knew it must be true.

"Yes, lad, I was there," Captain Sam added, seeming to enjoy my mystification.

"Then why did you not answer when we hailed?" And I spoke sharply, for the forest is no place in which to play tricks.

"Because I didn't hear you, an' wasn't in shape to make much of an outcry at the best."

"Tell me the story at once!" I cried impatiently.

"It won't make much of a yarn, though if Ezra hadn't had his wits about him I would have died. where I was like a rat in a trap. Shortly before mornin' I was aroused, and could not close my eyes in sleep again, so thought to get a bit of fresh air without disturbin' you as needed rest. I reckon the darkness confused me, an' instead of creepin' outside as I counted on doin', went further in as if for no other purpose than to fall through the very floor, and that was the end of it for me, till a long spell afterward. When my senses come back I was layin' in what seemed more like a grave than anything else, an' so cramped up that there wasn't chance to straighten myself out in shape to yell, though I did contrive to squeak now an' then."

"I'll finish the story," Ezra interrupted. "When you had left me, David, I set about trying to And some trail, and after spending an hour or more looking around outside, it seemed certain Captain Sam hadn't left the cave, for I couldn't find a track that looked like his. Then I went in again, determined to search every inch of the place, even though you and I believed we had already done the work thoroughly. At the further end, hidden from our view by a jutting rock, I found a hole which ran straight down; but even then was not greatly heartened by the discovery, for I did not believe our friend could have gotten into it.

"However, I had said to myself that I would see every nook and corner, and I set about finding out where the hole led to. Before many minutes passed I heard what Captain Sam calls 'a squeak,' and that settled the matter, though it took me half the day to pull him up. The strange part of the story is that he should have made his way around the jutting rock without learning that he was going directly into, instead of outside the cave. There was no more than barely room enough for a man to slip through, and yet he did so. When all this had been done it was too late to save you the journey back, and we decided to push ahead slowly, knowing you'd soon overtake us."

Even now that the old man's disappearance had been explained, I was puzzled to understand how it, could have happened; but my comrades gave me little time to speculate upon the matter, so eager were they to learn concerning the troops.

When the little news I brought had been told, we ate heartily of the venison, and Captain Sam boldly lighted his pipe without protest from Ezra.

Answering the question in my eyes the dear lad said with a laugh:

"We have decided that until there are more signs of an enemy than has been seen thus far, Cap­tain Sam shall smoke; but only at noon, or when we have such a camp as the one whichnearly proved to be his grave."

"Then you do not believe we are in any danger from the savages?"

"That was not what I said. The danger is still as great as ever, but I do not think there are any Indians hereabouts. That we shall find them later, I have no question."

"And you still count on acting as scout?"

"If you are minded to make the venture with me, we will go as far as Blanchard's Fork of the Au Glaize, and then Colonel McArthur shall be told that experienced men must take our places. This much Captain Sam agrees to, and from that point we will march with the troops."

I was ready to join in whatever he and the old sailor might propose, so great was my joy at being with them again, and from that hour until others were set at the task we did the work to the best of our ability.

Because I fail to set the fact down, it must not be thought that during the four days which followed we pushed ahead without difficulty.

We were now in the morasses, and at one time remained in a swamp where the ooze and mud was knee-deep, forty-eight hours at a stretch; but yet kept to the course.

How the heavy baggage of the army might be brought safely over such places was more than I could imagine, and, in fact, we spent but little time speculating on such questions, for our own troubles were enough to provide us with ample food for thought.

Captain Sam, now he had gotten over his terror of the Indians, was an industrious, if not a patient traveler, and followed us faithfully, although grumbling meanwhile at the folly of trying to conduct an army across such a waste.

"It's neither sea nor land," he said once when we had floundered through the mud and water for a distance of three miles or more without finding a resting-place, "an' them as comes after us will need to have both fins an' feet."

His complainings affected us but mildly, however, for we soon came to understand that it was in a certain degree a pleasure to him, and finally we were arrived at a point where we had the dry land under our feet once more.

Here we counted on spending twenty-four hours, for before gaining the stream where our duties as scouts would come to an end there was another morass to be traversed, and we were in need of a rest before undertaking the fatiguing task.

We were now on what was very like an island in the midst of a sea of mud, and there was little fear of being disturbed by the savages, therefore Captain Sam was allowed to do as he pleased, and the camp appeared to him a pleasant one.

We had of meat enough to satisfy our wants for three days; but it was necessary this should be cooked, otherwise the millions of flies which were fattening from our bodies would have made short work of it.

While Captain Sam enveloped himself in a cloud of tobacco smoke to keep the winged torments at a distance, Ezra and I acted as cooks, and our work was progressing famously, when the noise as of splashing water in the distance caused us to seize the rifles, ready for an attack.

It was the first token of danger we had had since starting out on this task, for which we were not well fitted, and my heart beat fast and loud as I realized, that in a few moments we might be battling for our lives, with the odds strongly against us.

Because of our folly in thinking the savages would not make their way through the swamps, our camp had been made where the first who came would see it, and the only shelter to be had was behind the stunted bushes.

"It may be only a deer, in which case we can lay in a larger supply of meat," Ezra whispered with a smile that went far toward overcoming my timorousness. "But if it should prove to be savages, keep under cover as long as may be, and if we are worsted, fight in the open to the very end, for death will be more kindly when coming in such a fashion than if the painted murderers have their will."

Captain Sam moved more closely to us, and we were nerving ourselves for the possible struggle, when was heard that which put an end to all fear.

"If the way continues to be like this, we are likely to be drowned before having speech with Hull," a voice said, and on thus knowing that white men, who must be friends if they wished to speak with General Hull, were approaching, my relief was so sudden and great as to be sickening.

While one might have counted twenty I stood leaning against a sapling, powerless to speak or move, and then the sound of Ezra's voice gave me command over myself.

"Hello! Hello!" he shouted, and Captain Sam cried lustily:

"Ahoy, my hearties! Ahoy!"

The noise of the approach ceased very suddenly, and I could not but laugh as I fancied the surprise which must have come upon those who had probably fancied themselves alone in this profound solitude.

Then came an answering hail, which told that the strangers had recovered from their astonishment, and a few seconds later two white men stood before us.

It would be hard to say which party was the most bewildered by the meeting, and during fully a moment we five stood staring at each other as if speech was impossible.

Captain Sam was the first to break the silence, and perhaps he did it better than either Ezra or I could have done, although as to that I am doubtful.

"Well, my hearties, where are you bound?" he asked as if addressing shipmates, and I fancied the newcomers were not pleased at thus being called upon to state their purpose, for the elder of the two, he who wore a portion of the uniform, asked a question instead of replying:

"Are you hunting or bent on some journey?"

Captain Sam made as if to reply, but Ezra stopped the words by clapping his hand over the old man's mouth as he said to the strangers:

"If you desire a truthful answer from us, sir, it will be necessary to explain who you are, and your purpose in this portion of the wilderness."

"Suspicions, eh?" the man said with a laugh when I had looked to see him fly in a rage because of Ezra's free speech. "Are you three engaged in such questionable transactions that you do not dare acknowledge your purpose without first being assured we are not officers of the law?"

Captain Sam lost his temper at this, and would have sprung forward, evidently intent on mischief, but that Ezra kept a firm hold of the old man's arm at the same time he replied to the stranger's mocking remark:

"We may dare do many things which are not prudent; but certain it is that you get no information from us without first declaring yourselves. If you do not care to do that, the forest is broad enough we are not blocking your way."

Both the strangers changed their tone at this, and he who had spoken rudely made haste to say:

"We world learn of American forces who are making their way in this direction, if I mistake not."

"Why do you want such information?"

"Because it is necessary we should, meet them. But such playing with words is childish! I am General Robert Lucas, and this gentleman is Mr. William Denny. We are lately from Detroit, and had hoped to meet with the troops long ere this."

There was no question in my mind but that the stranger had spoken truthfully, and, as a matter of fact, I have always thought Ezra too cautious on this occasion, for it did not stand to reason we would meet with white enemies in that place, yet I made no attempt to take part in the conversation.

After a short pause Ezra said, and none could have spoken more fairly, or with better show of good manners:

"Even in the wilderness it is not well to tell more than may be necessary, and particularly is that true, sir, if all we have heard be correct, therefore you will pardon me for having been over-careful. We are scouting in advance of the army you seek."

"Are the troops near at hand?" General Lucas asked eagerly.

We gave him all the information of which we were possessed, and soon the five of us were holding converse as if we were equals.

It was not to be expected that Colonel McArthur's regiment could be very near at hand, and since the gentlemen wished an interview with General Hull himself, it was likely they would be forced to travel many days over an exceedingly rough country before ending the journey.

That which we told regarding the difficulties of the way determined them on stopping at this place until the troops should come up, and General Lucas was so kind as to say he would be pleased if we remained with him.

Save for the news he gave us I question if we would have agreed to the proposition, for it had been our purpose to push on to the Au Glaize; but now it seemed wisest more experienced scouts should take the lead.

These gentlemen had been sent to Detroit many days previous by General Hull himself, and were now returning with more information than it would be possible for us to gather though we scouted a month.

They told us that the British were making friends; with the savages in order to send them on the warpath against our people, and that large numbers of Indians were at Malden in Canada, where the king's officers supplied them liberally with blankets and ammunition.

General Lucas himself had been present at a council held by chiefs from the Wyandots, Ottawas, and Chippewas, and his report was most disheartening to us who lived on the frontier.

Many of the savages had promised friendship, but could not speak for all the members of their tribes, while Walk-in-the-Water was most bitterly hostile against Americans.

Tecumseh, the greatest warrior of them all, favored the British, and there could be no question but that the march of the troops would soon be opposed by the savages.

Then we were emboldened to speak with General Lucas regarding our fears that we could not perform the duties of scouts properly, and he was quite agreed that experienced men should be sent in advance, although he was at the same time very kind in praising us for our willingness to take upon ourselves so dangerous a duty.

These gentlemen both believed war would soon be declared, but, so far as they then knew, the two nations still professed to be at peace.

We no longer had any hesitation about following the advice of these two so strangely met in the forest where both parties might have passed within a dozen rods and yet remained ignorant of each other's whereabouts.

The fact that General Lucas was an officer in our army gave us good warrant for following his advice as if it had been a command from Colonel McArthur himself, and without further hesitation we set about making such a shelter as would serve for our comfort in case of a storm, determined to await the coming of the troops.