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We reached the fort without having seen the enemy, and, as may be supposed, were heartily welcomed.
Our arrival restored the spirits of my poor father and mother, who were very anxious, not so much for themselves as for my younger brothers and sisters. They were prepared to die, if God so willed it, in the path of their duty. My father was still very unwilling to resort to force, and proposed going out himself to meet the enemy to try and induce them to turn back.
Uncle Donald, however, told him that as he was the object of their vengeance they would, to a certainty, seize and torture him, and then probably come on and endeavour to destroy the fort. Thus no object would have been gained, as we should do our utmost to defend ourselves, and his life would be uselessly sacrificed.
But I should have done my duty in attempting to soften the hearts of the poor savages, answered my father, meekly.
My good nephew, its just this, Im not going to let ye have your scalp taken off, said Uncle Donald, bluntly. I am commander here for the time being, and no man, not een yourself, shall leave the fort without my leave. If the savages come they must take the consequences.
My father did not reply, but I am very sure that, had he been left to act by himself, he would have earned out his intentions, and would most probably have perished. From Pierres report we fully expected every minute to see the Blackfeet appear. To each man under Uncle Donalds directions a post was assigned, which he was charged to defend with his life. Orders were, however, given that no one was to fire until the word of command was received.
Hugh, Alec, and I were stationed together, and highly proud we were at the confidence placed in us, as the post we had to maintain was one of the most important.
The day wore on, but we were still unmolested, and at last darkness came down upon us.
The winter, it will be remembered, was not yet over. To defend ourselves from the intense cold we all put on as many buffalo-robes and bear-skins as we could wear, and Hugh declared that we looked like a garrison of grizzlies.
It was cold enough during the day, but it was still colder at night; notwithstanding this, as Alec and I had had no sleep for many hours, we found it difficult to keep awake. We, therefore, rolling ourselves up in our wraps, lay down, while Hugh stood ready to call us at a moments notice. There were, however, sentries enough to keep a look-out, and Uncle Donald continued going round and round the fort, seeing that they were watchful.
The dawn was approaching; it was the time the Red-skins often make their attacks, as they expect to find their enemies buried in sleep.
When morning at last came, and no enemy had appeared, we began to hope that no Blackfeet had as yet reached the neighbourhood.
Another day was drawing on. Except a few men who remained on guard, the rest of the garrison lay down to sleep, that they might be more watchful the following night.
I spent a short time with my mother and sisters and Rose, and did my best to encourage them, but I could not help feeling that possibly it might be the last time we should be together on earth. By Red Squirrels report, the Blackfeet were very numerous, and they are noted for being the most savage and warlike of all the northern tribes.
The next night was almost a repetition of the former, except that Alec and I kept watch, while Hugh lay down to sleep. Uncle Donald, as before, went his rounds, and there seemed but little risk of our being taken by surprise. He had just left us, when Hugh,
who had got up and was standing near me, whispered
I see something moving over the snow. There! there are others. Yes, they must be Indians.
Wait until we are certain, I answered, in the same low voice; and then, Alec, run round and tell Uncle Donald.
We were not left long in doubt before we all three were certain that the objects we saw were Indians, and that they were trying to keep themselves concealed.
Alec set off to find Uncle Donald. He had not been gone many seconds, when fearful yells rent the air. Before us up started hundreds of dark forms, and a shower of bullets and arrows came flying above our heads.
Chapter Fourteen. An Old Friend
We obeyed with right good will, and must have greatly astonished the savages, who, not aware of the increased number of our garrison, had probably expected to gain quite an easy victory. Many of them had muskets, but the larger number could only have been armed with bows and arrows. After they had shot five or six showers of arrows and fired their guns fortunately, without hitting any of us, though we could hear their missiles pinging against the thick palisades they suddenly ceased, and began to retreat, when Uncle Donald shouted to them in their own language, inquiring why they had attacked people who had done them no harm, but were anxious to benefit them.