Now the Indians had been reporting to the English commander that the French were very strong, in fact that their numbers quite equalled if they did not surpass his, but after Seth had scrutinized4 the place he exclaimed:
"Those rascally5 Indians have been lying, as usual. The French are nothing like as strong as we are. If our men were only here now we could take the fort easily. What a pity they're not! And at the rate they're getting ahead they won't be here for months. If only Colonel Washington had his way things would be different. But it's the old story. I'm sick of the slow way they have of doing things."
He had good reason to feel impatient. The work of road-making through the dense6 forest was exceedingly heavy and tedious. Over the main range of the Alleganies, hewing7, digging, blasting, laying fascines and gabions to support the track along the sides of steep declivities, or worming their way like moles8 through the jungle of swamp and forest, the soldiers toiled9 at their tremendous task while the weeks went by, whereas if the Braddock route had been followed their progress would have been comparatively rapid.
Not satisfied with having got a very good idea of the French fortress10 and of the strength of its garrison11, Seth had it in mind to take back with him a prisoner or two, as Major Rogers was wont12 to do whenever possible, and so, instead of setting out at once on the return journey, he moved from the hill and lay in ambush13 by the road leading northward14 from the fort.
"We mustn't be in a hurry to let our presence be known," he told his men. "If the French get the alarm we may be cut off and captured. So we'll keep as quiet as possible until we see a good chance of taking a prisoner."
They had not long to wait, for that same afternoon appeared a small party of soldiers sent out by the Commandant de Leignerie to see if there were any signs of the approach of the reinforcements and provisions which he expected from Canada, and which were now overdue15.
They were in a gay mood, joking and laughing with each other, being evidently well pleased at getting away from the confinement16 of the fort for a little outing.
"Let them go on a bit," whispered Seth to his men waiting for the signal to rush upon the unsuspecting soldiers. "The farther they are from the fort the better. We'll follow them close."
Not until they had gone another mile was the command given, and then the Rangers17 dashed out of the woods upon the startled Frenchmen with such suddenness that they had not time to lift their guns to their shoulders, and were easily made prisoners, with one exception.
This was the officer in charge of them, a stalwart youth with a sinister18 countenance19, who whipped out his sword at the first alarm, and made a slash20 at Seth that would have cleft21 his skull22, had he not cleverly parried it with the barrel of his musket23.
Before the Frenchman could recover himself for another stroke Seth drove the muzzle24 of his musket into his ribs25, knocking the wind out of him so that he went down in a heap on the road, groaning26 with pain.
If Seth's object had been to kill, the whole party might have been despatched without difficulty, but it was not in his heart to take their lives when they were at his mercy. Even the officer who had come pretty near putting an end to him he had no thought of doing away with.
Yet now that he had the prisoners he was in a considerable quandary27 as to their disposition28, for they were too many to take them all back with him, while if he set some of them free they would of course make all haste back to the fort and rouse the garrison to pursuit.
After puzzling over the problem for some minutes he saw no other way out of the difficulty than to adopt the expedient29 of releasing all but two of the soldiers, on their taking oath not to return to the fort for twenty-four hours, which would allow the Rangers ample time to get beyond all possibility of pursuit.
The two prisoners he retained were the officer and one of the soldiers, with whom he now hastened back, feeling, as he well might, well satisfied with the success of his enterprise.
The officer proved sulkily silent, and no information could be extracted from him, but the soldier made amends30 by being very communicative, and freely answering Seth's questions, whereby it was made clear that Fort Duquesne would prove an easy conquest if the attack upon it could only be made promptly31.
When Colonel Washington heard this, he was all the more put out that his advice in regard to the route had not been adopted.
"It is really too bad," he said, his troubled countenance showing how deep was his concern, "that Brigadier Forbes should have been persuaded to take the longest way to the fort. But it is too late now to change the plan. We must only carry it out as best we can. I am sure that when he hears your report he will feel bound to admit that my counsel should have been followed."
Seth had by this time come to have such an admiration32 for Washington that he was ready to accept unquestioningly any opinion he might hold, and it made him quite wrathy to think that the views of so able a leader should not prevail.
He showed this spirit so plainly in presenting his report as to bring upon himself a sharp rebuke33 from the commander-in-chief, who, being a somewhat testy34 Scotchman with a good opinion of himself, did not take kindly35 to having his wisdom questioned by a mere36 youth.
"You presume too much, young sir," he said, in a tone of manifest irritation37. "Your business is simply to give an accurate report of what you had ascertained38. You have nothing to do with what we may see fit to determine upon."
Seth flushed deeply, and was tempted39 to retort that when what he had learned went to show so plainly that no time should be lost he felt bound to say so, but his better sense prevailed, and he accepted the reproof40 in silence.
Thenceforward the tedious work of piercing the wilderness41 went steadily42 on, but it was well into November ere the English force had got near enough to Fort Duquesne to prepare for striking the first blow.
Washington had opened the way by cutting a road to within a day's march of the fort, and in order that the advance might be as rapid as possible, no artillery43 save a few light pieces was taken.
On the evening of the twenty-fourth of November the English force, which consisted of twenty-five hundred picked men without tents or baggage, and carrying only knapsacks and blankets, encamped by Turkey Creek44 in readiness to attempt the attack on the following day.
Brigadier Forbes, although suffering so from sickness that he had to be carried on a litter, was in command, and with him were Colonels Washington, Bouquet45, and Montgomery, while the detachment was made up of Royal Americans, Highlanders, and Provincial46 troops.
Their progress had hitherto been unopposed, but this was no guarantee that they might not find the French blocking their way.
About midnight the camp was aroused by the sound of a heavy explosion that came booming over the western woods.
What could it mean? Had a magazine exploded by accident at the fort, or was it possible that the French were blowing up their works in despair of being able to defend them?
Seth determined47 that he would lose no time in finding out, and by break of day he was off with his Rangers at a pace they only could maintain through the leafless forest until they came out upon the open plain in which stood Fort Duquesne.
"Deserted48 and destroyed, as I live!" Seth cried as with one swift glance he took in the state of affairs. "Not a Frenchman left and the whole place in ruins. Well, I declare, and what will our folks think of it? I shouldn't wonder if they'll be not a little disappointed."
There was not a sign of life about the place, and after a hasty examination of the premises49 Seth, leaving most of his men on guard in case some of the Indians should attempt to loot the place, made all haste back to the main body.
Half way thither50 he met Colonel Washington at the head of his regiment51 of Provincials52, and told him what had taken place.
"I am not at all surprised," he said in his calm way. "In fact I should have been more surprised had the French made any defence, but I am sorry that they have destroyed the fort, as it would have been useful to us in the future. However, there's no helping53 it now. You again have the pleasure to be the bearer of good news, Ensign Allen. I trust it may always be your fortune."
Seth thanked him for his kind words, and continued on his way until he came to the litter of the suffering General, to whom he reported what he had seen.
"Ah, ha!" he exclaimed, "and so they have run off like curs after first blowing up the fort. Drat them, I wish they had stayed long enough to let us have a crack at them. They owe us a long score which now we'll have no chance to make them pay. Tut, tut, it's very provoking," and so he went on, fully54 confirming Seth's shrewd anticipation55.
The work of destruction was so complete, the barracks and storehouses being burned to the ground, and the fortifications blown up, that the victors could make no use of what was left, and to provide defence and shelter for those of their number on whom the dangerous task was to fall of keeping what had been won, were compelled to plant a stockade56 around a cluster of traders' cabins and soldiers' huts which had been left intact.
This temporary apology for a fort Forbes called Pittsburg, in honor of the Prime Minister, William Pitt, and it was the germ of the great city of the present day.
A small garrison of Provincial troops having been left to hold Pittsburg for the winter, the remainder of the force returned to Philadelphia, having achieved a solid, if not brilliant, success, for the conquest of Fort Duquesne opened the Great West to English enterprise, took from France one-half of her savage57 allies, and relieved the western borders of the provinces from the awful scourge58 of Indian war, so that from Southern New York to North Carolina the frontier people had good reason to bless the names of the steadfast59 and much enduring soldier, Brigadier Forbes, and his loyal assistants, Colonels Washington and Bouquet.
Seeing no prospect60 of further service there in the near future, Seth with his Rangers went back to Fort Edward, where they found Major Rogers and the rest of the men at their old work, but impatiently looking forward to an active and eventful campaign when the winter had passed away.
Seth's greeting from his chief could not have been more cordial.
"I am right glad to see you back, my boy," he exclaimed as he gave a warm grasp of the hand, "and I'm curious to hear all about your doings down South. I hope you kept up the credit of the Rangers."
"I'll leave you to judge of that after you've heard what I have to tell," Seth responded archly, and then he proceeded to give an account of his experiences.
The Major listened with lively interest, asking many a question, and making frequent comments. He evidently enjoyed the recital61 until Seth came to speak about Colonel Washington, and then his ardent62 admiration for the Virginia officer seemed to displease63 him, and he broke in with:
"What makes you think so much of that man? What great things has he done, any way?"
Seth, not perceiving that the question was prompted by a spirit of jealousy64 which he had roused, for Major Rogers was one who could not brook65 a divided allegiance, made haste to take Washington's part, and before he realized it found himself involved in a controversy66 that threatened to grow uncomfortably warm, so for fear of giving offence to his friend he ceased arguing the matter, and started off on another track.
But his eyes were opened, and he took care not to mention the name of Washington to the Major again.
A few days after his return he received the gratifying news of his promotion67 to the rank of lieutenant68, which made him very happy, and all the more eager for the renewal69 of active hostilities70 in order that he might have the opportunity of achieving further advance, for it was the ambition of his heart to become a captain, and have command of a troop of Rangers.
While he was away on the Fort Duquesne expedition General Abercrombie had made a futile71 attempt to take Ticonderoga, and had then withdrawn72 his forces and gone into winter quarters. The French at the other end of the lake had done the same, and only an occasional scouting73 party kept alive the embers of war.
Montcalm, who commanded the French, from time to time sent out war parties to harass74 his opponents, and one of them under La Carne succeeded in surprising and destroying a large wagon75 train.
When General Abercrombie heard of it he ordered Major Rogers to take a strong party of Rangers and Provincials, and to go in pursuit of the enemy. As a matter of course Seth went with him.
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1
scouts
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| 侦察员[机，舰]( scout的名词复数 )； 童子军； 搜索； 童子军成员 | |
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eminence
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| n.卓越，显赫；高地，高处；名家 | |
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afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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scrutinized
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| v.仔细检查，详审( scrutinize的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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rascally
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| adj. 无赖的，恶棍的 adv. 无赖地，卑鄙地 | |
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dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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7
hewing
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| v.（用斧、刀等）砍、劈( hew的现在分词 )；砍成；劈出；开辟 | |
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moles
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| 防波堤( mole的名词复数 )； 鼹鼠； 痣； 间谍 | |
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9
toiled
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| 长时间或辛苦地工作( toil的过去式和过去分词 )； 艰难缓慢地移动，跋涉 | |
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fortress
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| n.堡垒，防御工事 | |
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garrison
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| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
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12
wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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ambush
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| n.埋伏(地点)；伏兵；v.埋伏；伏击 | |
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northward
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| adv.向北；n.北方的地区 | |
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overdue
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| adj.过期的，到期未付的；早该有的，迟到的 | |
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confinement
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| n.幽禁，拘留，监禁；分娩；限制，局限 | |
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17
rangers
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| 护林者( ranger的名词复数 )； 突击队员 | |
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18
sinister
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| adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的 | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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20
slash
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| vi.大幅度削减；vt.猛砍，尖锐抨击，大幅减少；n.猛砍，斜线，长切口，衣衩 | |
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21
cleft
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| n.裂缝；adj.裂开的 | |
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skull
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| n.头骨；颅骨 | |
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musket
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| n.滑膛枪 | |
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muzzle
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| n.鼻口部；口套；枪(炮)口；vt.使缄默 | |
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25
ribs
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| n.肋骨( rib的名词复数 )；（船或屋顶等的）肋拱；肋骨状的东西；（织物的）凸条花纹 | |
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26
groaning
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| adj. 呜咽的, 呻吟的 动词groan的现在分词形式 | |
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quandary
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| n.困惑，进迟两难之境 | |
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disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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expedient
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| adj.有用的，有利的；n.紧急的办法，权宜之计 | |
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30
amends
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| n. 赔偿 | |
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31
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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32
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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33
rebuke
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| v.指责，非难，斥责 [反]praise | |
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testy
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| adj.易怒的；暴躁的 | |
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35
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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36
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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irritation
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| n.激怒，恼怒，生气 | |
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38
ascertained
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| v.弄清，确定，查明( ascertain的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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39
tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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40
reproof
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| n.斥责，责备 | |
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41
wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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42
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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43
artillery
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| n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队) | |
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44
creek
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| n.小溪，小河，小湾 | |
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45
bouquet
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| n.花束，酒香 | |
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46
provincial
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| adj.省的，地方的；n．外省人，乡下人 | |
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47
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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48
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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49
premises
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| n.建筑物，房屋 | |
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50
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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51
regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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52
provincials
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| n.首都以外的人，地区居民( provincial的名词复数 ) | |
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53
helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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54
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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55
anticipation
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| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
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56
stockade
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| n.栅栏，围栏；v.用栅栏防护 | |
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57
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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58
scourge
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| n.灾难，祸害；v.蹂躏 | |
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59
steadfast
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| adj.固定的，不变的，不动摇的；忠实的；坚贞不移的 | |
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60
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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61
recital
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| n.朗诵，独奏会，独唱会 | |
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62
ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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63
displease
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| vt.使不高兴，惹怒；n.不悦，不满，生气 | |
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64
jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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65
brook
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| n.小河，溪；v.忍受，容让 | |
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66
controversy
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| n.争论，辩论，争吵 | |
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67
promotion
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| n.提升，晋级；促销，宣传 | |
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68
lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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69
renewal
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| adj.(契约)延期，续订，更新，复活，重来 | |
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70
hostilities
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| n.战争；敌意(hostility的复数)；敌对状态；战事 | |
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71
futile
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| adj.无效的，无用的，无希望的 | |
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72
withdrawn
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| vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出 | |
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73
scouting
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| 守候活动，童子军的活动 | |
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74
harass
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| vt.使烦恼，折磨，骚扰 | |
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75
wagon
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| n.四轮马车，手推车，面包车；无盖运货列车 | |
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