But the lieutenant was the commander, and there was no rebellion against his orders.
"Bring your up here," ordered Fred, and Golcher made a sign for the Senecas to approach.
They moved forward a few paces, but, mistrusting the purposes of the , refused to come further. Golcher , and ordered them to advance, telling them—what they already knew—they were covered by the guns of the whites.
But they stood apart, and began moving in the direction of the river.
At this moment Dick Durkee called out:
"Lieutenant, shall we fire? We've got every of 'em fast."
"Keep them covered, but don't shoot unless they raise their guns," called Fred, who was embarrassed by the unexpected turn.
"May I go with 'em?" asked Jake Golcher, in a voice, beginning to back away from his master.
"Yes, go; and I pray Heaven none of us may ever look on your face again."
Fred should have been prepared for what followed, inasmuch as no one understood the nature of Tory and Indian better than he, but, as we have intimated, he was confronted by an unexpected condition of affairs, and was caught off his guard, so to speak.
He saw the warriors withdrawing, and already entering the wood on his left, while he stood in the full light of the camp-fire, calmly watching the movement.
"Fred, move away from there," called out his father; "you are too good a mark for them."
Fortunately, the young man stepped back and to one side, placing himself near Dick Durkee, who stood with cocked rifle, fairly quivering with rage, because he was forced to hold his fire.
Fred himself had his pistol at command, but he was without any rifle, having handed his over to one of his friends, when he went forward with Habakkuk McEwen.
The Indians were in the fringe of the wood, when all the former prisoners, who were sitting on the fallen tree, sprang up, and began moving away.
At this one of Durkee's men shouted:
"Look out! They're going to shoot!"
The words were yet in his mouth, when Jake Golcher, with unparalleled treachery, raised the gun that he had caught from one of the Senecas, and aimed directly at Maggie Brainerd.
His position was such that only her father understood his purpose, and he sprang forward to shield his daughter, throwing himself before her at the very moment the Tory discharged his gun.
With a of pain, the brave parent staggered a few steps and fell heavily to the ground.
"Just as I expected," exclaimed Dick Durkee. "Give it to 'em, boys! Don't spare one!"
With incredible celerity the Iroquois fired their guns almost with the Tory, and then off like so many shadows through the wood, the dim morning light being to betray them in the thick undergrowth.
But Dick Durkee and his men returned the volley instantly, and sprang after them.
Fred Godfrey had not noticed the fall of his father, but, with his whole soul aflame at the , he dashed toward the , pistol in hand, to
Join or Log In!
You need to log in to continue reading
