It was nearly morning when, having dispatched several messengers on horses to call in my company from their various homes, I lay down to rest. It seemed that I had been on the bed but a half minute, ere the sun came shining in through the window, and awakened1 me.
We had at Salem two sloops3 that would hold seventy men each. Of stores and munition4 of war there was a plenty. But guns had to be overhauled5, and ammunition6 safely packed for transportation. My first care was to see that the boats were laden7. Corn meal and flour, salted meats and fish, provisions of various kinds, and barrels of cider, were slung8 aboard by the crews, and stored in the holds.
In squads9 of two and three my men began coming in. 73I detailed11 my lieutenants12 to look after the muskets13, as they were stacked in the company room at the inn. All the spare guns that would serve, were put on the sloops. Rests for the heavier and old-fashioned weapons, that were fired by means of a slow match, were provided, as well as spare matches. Bags of extra flints were also taken. The casks of powder, and pouches15 of bullets, were placed out of danger of fire in the magazines of the sloops. Throughout all Salem, that day, little was done or talked of save what pertained17 to the coming fight.
The children stood about the streets, forgetting to go to school and were not rebuked18. With Cory and Nicols, I hurried here and there. Now, seeing to it that none but serviceable arms were taken, and again, looking to the muster19 rolls, or replying to the many questions that every one wanted answered.
The air was filled with martial20 sounds. Two boys, barely out of their teens, came up to me, as I was trying the locks of a musket14. They saluted21 gravely.
“Please, Captain,” said the taller one, “put our names down, and give us each a gun.”
“What! To go to the wars?” I asked.
“Yes, sir,” the younger replied. “The Indians killed our mother, and we want to kill some of them.”
“Not now,” I said kindly22. “When you are a little older you may both go.”
They turned away, sorely disappointed. Indeed the 74spirit of battle seemed born in the children of this land, and they nursed it with their mother’s milk. There was much need of it, though.
About noon, two long teams of oxen were seen winding23 along the road from Boston. They drew heavy wagons24, on which were two good sized cannon25, in addition to the small ones we had. There was also a sufficient supply of ammunition, and I was very glad of this increase to our power.
Though it cost us no little labor26 to get these guns aboard, we finally accomplished27 it, and they were placed, one in the bow of each sloop2, where they could do the most good.
When all this had been done, and it was well into the afternoon, I had a chance to sit down and map out my plans. Another letter, with more explicit28 instructions, had come to me from the Governor by the hands of a second messenger. In the meantime I had learned somewhat of the man de Vilebon, with whom I was to engage, shortly.
Soon after he came to Canada he saw the fierce fighting qualities of the red men, and, with much cunning, he made treaties with them, persuading them to become his allies. He promised them that the hated English would soon be driven from the land, the homes they had builded being allowed as plunder29 for the Indians. It was by such talk as this, and the manner in which he consorted30 in the 75daily lives and practices of the savages31, that de Vilebon had won to his side many influential32 chiefs and their followings.
One way the French took to incite33 the Indians was to pay for the scalps of the English settlers. There was a scale of prices, so much for a man’s, so much for a woman’s and less yet for the children’s. There were other reasons why the Indians preferred to fight with the French and against the English. The French almost lived with the savages, adopting their mode of dress, painting their faces with the brilliant pigments34, and wearing the feathered head pieces.
Then, too, the Indians, contrasting us with the French, thought of them as brave warriors35, who loved swordplay, and fighting, while we English, ’twas deemed, cared for nothing but raising the crops, which was, with the red men the work of their squaws.
So, I found to my sorrow, ere long, that the Indians loved the French and were glad to battle against us.
Among the settlers, now, there was much fear of a sudden night attack from the forest. Madockewando, Moxus and Egeremet, fierce Indian chiefs, whose names were but other words for carnage, treachery and horrid36 massacres37, were with de Vilebon, we heard.
To these chiefs and their followers38, the French had furnished not only guns, swords, powder and bullets, but even food, so that the savages had naught39 to do save fight, 76which they were ever ready for. De Vilebon had established himself at St. Johns, in Nova Scotia, where a fort of no mean strength had been thrown up. Approach by either land or sea was not easy, I learned from scouts40.
Sir William wrote that few men defended the place now, though troops were expected in the fall. Could we but be successful against this fort, capturing de Vilebon, the spirit of the Colonists41 would be much strengthened, and a blow would be dealt the French forces that would teach them and their Indian allies a severe lesson.
My plan for the expedition was to sail to within a few miles of St. Johns, and land most of my force. Then the two sloops and their crews could sail boldly up to the town, and while menacing it from the sea by the boats, I could lead my men to the rear of the fort. I counted on the sea attack, if the cannon were rapidly fired, to create such a diversion as to detract attention from the rear, and while the enemy was engaged against the sloops, I could fall upon the fort with my force and storm it. So my plans were laid, and I called my lieutenants and made them acquainted with the way matters stood.
Two days, busy ones in truth, were spent in getting ready. I had seen little of Lucille in that time, though I much more desired to be near her than at the task with which I was engaged. But night, as well as day, was filled with work. At length, when I thought all was in readiness, and I had looked to my own arms, and had a 77new edge put on my sword, I went out one evening across the meadows to her.
She was waiting for me.
“You have only come to say good bye, I fear,” she said.
“Only for a time, dear heart,” I answered.
“Oh, Edward, if you should not return,” she whispered, softly.
“Would you care, then, so much?”
“Does the flower care when the sun goes down? Does it not droop42 at the close of day, and does it not smile when the light comes again? Do you know how I feel?”
“I hope so, dear heart.”
“Then ask not if I care. If you should not come back to me----”
The rest of the sentence was unfinished, for I had her in my arms, and her lips could not speak for the kisses I pressed on them.
Long did we talk of what might be held locked in the future, and yet the time I was there seemed woefully short. But I knew that I must go now, for we had prepared for an early start--Lucille promised to be near when the boat should sail, and with that I must be content.
“And now God keep you, dear,” she said bravely, though there were traces of tears in her eyes.
“And God keep you,” I said.
Neither of us knew how soon we would be in need of His care. I pressed a last good night kiss on her lips, and 78then, with the look of her dear eyes in mine, I went away.
With the rising of the sun all was activity about Salem inn. Many details remained to be looked after. The men, few of whom had before been with such a large expedition, were much excited.
There was a clattering43 of swords and muskets; good byes were being called out on every side; and some careful men were doing up extra pairs of socks that their good dames44 had provided.
“What canst thou do with that weapon, friend John Post?” called one man to another who carried an exceeding heavy and clumsy musket.
“Shoot an Indian or a Frencher for a surety,” answered John.
“Then thou’lt have to get a squad10 to help ye load and fire it. For if ye don’t the Indians would eat you up before you could put match to the powder.”
“Never mind, never mind,” responded he with the ancient weapon. “The gun did damage to the enemies of His Gracious Majesty45, when thou wert hiding behind thy mother’s skirt. ’Tis a good arm, and will serve now as well as thou!”
A laugh showed that the would-be jester had not hit the mark, and John Post marched on, well pleased with his little skirmish.
There were other wordy tilts46 between the men. Some, having nothing better to do for the time, engaged in leaping, 79running and wrestling, so that the inn yard looked like a fair ground. At length I ordered the drum beat and the men fell in, after some confusion.
About one hundred in all had responded to the summons, and I formed them into two commands, giving Cory one and letting Nicols lead the other. I would have a general command over both, and had made arrangements to sail on board the larger of the two sloops. Truly it was a goodly sight that morning, to see the little Colonial Army marching out, each man with his musket well cleaned, and with his bundle of matches, or his pouch16 of flints and ammunition slung by a thong47 on one side. Stout48 and able-bodied men they were, too, much given to prayer. Yet they need be none the less well thought of for that. For I had heard of their earlier battles against the Indians, and I knew that a well rounded psalm49 tune50 stayed not the sword arm, nor weakened the trigger finger. And, as they stepped out to march from the inn yard to the sloops, Master Willis, who stood on the steps, did lift his voice up in prayer, and after that the deep tones of men singing was heard.
Of the God of Israel they sang, pleading that they might be led on to battle against the enemy, as were their fore-fathers of old, in the days of King David.
The sloops were soon filled. I walked to one side and met Lucille. Our parting was brief, for wind and tide served, and we must shortly lift anchor. The last words 80were spoken, and then, with a final embrace, I left her. I boarded the vessel51 and the sails were run up. They filled, and we began to gather headway. I stood in the stern, whence I could take a last look at the little town and the people on the shores. Amid the crowd I saw Lucille. She was looking earnestly after us, and when I waved my helmet in a good bye her hand signaled an answer. We were fairly off to the wars at last.
Suddenly, coming along the road at a furious gallop52, I saw a single horseman. He waved over his head a paper. Even at the distance I knew him for the same man I had seen in the Governor’s room the day I received my commission, and for the messenger who had come from Sir William a few nights before. But it was too late to turn back now. The horseman spurred on to the beach and waved the paper frantically53. It might be some message from Sir William, but, if it was important, a boat could be sent to overtake us. I snatched up a ship’s glass and turned it toward the shore.
“In the King’s name!” cried the horseman, leaping violently from the saddle.
“But I am away in the King’s name,” I called back.
Then, while I was watching through the glass, I saw the horseman turn about. Lucille had advanced from the crowd and stood, shading her eyes, to see the last of us.
As the man caught sight of her, I could see a cruel smile curl the corners of his mouth. Lucille suddenly 81shrank back, as she had that night when she saw the messenger in the hallway of her home, and she seemed frozen with fear, like unto the day the snake of the glen was in her path.
My heart misgave54 me, and I was half minded to turn back. Would that I had been of a whole mind! For, had I been, I would have leaped into the sea and gone to her. But I knew not, until afterward55, who I left behind me there on the sea sands. Of the deadly enemy he was; who caused me to strike many a fierce blow for Lucille and for myself ere I conquered. And the warfare56 was not alone that of the sword.
And so I stood, watching the shore fade away, seeing the crowd grow smaller, while, as long as I could, I held the glass to my eyes, to catch the last glimpse of Lucille.
Then, with no very cheerful heart, I set to work to get matters arranged in soldierly fashion.
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1
awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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sloop
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| n.单桅帆船 | |
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sloops
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| n.单桅纵帆船( sloop的名词复数 ) | |
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munition
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| n.军火；军需品；v.给某部门提供军火 | |
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overhauled
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| v.彻底检查( overhaul的过去式和过去分词 )；大修；赶上；超越 | |
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ammunition
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| n.军火，弹药 | |
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laden
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| adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的 | |
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slung
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| 抛( sling的过去式和过去分词 )； 吊挂； 遣送； 押往 | |
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squads
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| n.（军队中的）班( squad的名词复数 )；（暗杀）小组；体育运动的运动（代表）队；（对付某类犯罪活动的）警察队伍 | |
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squad
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| n.班，小队，小团体；vt.把…编成班或小组 | |
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detailed
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| adj.详细的，详尽的，极注意细节的，完全的 | |
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lieutenants
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| n.陆军中尉( lieutenant的名词复数 )；副职官员；空军；仅低于…官阶的官员 | |
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13
muskets
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| n.火枪，（尤指）滑膛枪( musket的名词复数 ) | |
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14
musket
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| n.滑膛枪 | |
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15
pouches
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| n.（放在衣袋里或连在腰带上的）小袋( pouch的名词复数 )；（袋鼠等的）育儿袋；邮袋；（某些动物贮存食物的）颊袋 | |
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pouch
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| n.小袋，小包，囊状袋；vt.装...入袋中，用袋运输；vi.用袋送信件 | |
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17
pertained
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| 关于( pertain的过去式和过去分词 )； 有关； 存在； 适用 | |
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18
rebuked
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| 责难或指责( rebuke的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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19
muster
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| v.集合，收集，鼓起，激起；n.集合，检阅，集合人员，点名册 | |
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20
martial
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| adj.战争的，军事的，尚武的，威武的 | |
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21
saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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22
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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23
winding
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| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
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24
wagons
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| n.四轮的运货马车( wagon的名词复数 )；铁路货车；小手推车 | |
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25
cannon
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| n.大炮，火炮；飞机上的机关炮 | |
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26
labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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27
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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28
explicit
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| adj.详述的，明确的；坦率的；显然的 | |
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29
plunder
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| vt.劫掠财物，掠夺；n.劫掠物，赃物；劫掠 | |
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30
consorted
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| v.结伴( consort的过去式和过去分词 )；交往；相称；调和 | |
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31
savages
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| 未开化的人，野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
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32
influential
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| adj.有影响的，有权势的 | |
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33
incite
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| v.引起，激动，煽动 | |
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34
pigments
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| n.（粉状）颜料( pigment的名词复数 )；天然色素 | |
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35
warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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36
horrid
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| adj.可怕的；令人惊恐的；恐怖的；极讨厌的 | |
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37
massacres
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| 大屠杀( massacre的名词复数 )； 惨败 | |
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38
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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39
naught
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| n.无，零 [=nought] | |
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40
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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41
colonists
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| n.殖民地开拓者，移民，殖民地居民( colonist的名词复数 ) | |
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42
droop
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| v.低垂，下垂；凋萎，萎靡 | |
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43
clattering
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| 发出咔哒声（clatter的现在分词形式） | |
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44
dames
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| n.（在英国）夫人（一种封号），夫人（爵士妻子的称号）( dame的名词复数 )；女人 | |
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45
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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46
tilts
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| （意欲赢得某物或战胜某人的）企图，尝试( tilt的名词复数 ) | |
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47
thong
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| n.皮带；皮鞭；v.装皮带 | |
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49
psalm
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| n.赞美诗，圣诗 | |
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50
tune
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| n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整 | |
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51
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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52
gallop
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| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
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53
frantically
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| ad.发狂地, 发疯地 | |
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54
misgave
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| v.使（某人的情绪、精神等）疑虑，担忧，害怕( misgive的过去式 ) | |
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55
afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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56
warfare
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| n.战争(状态)；斗争；冲突 | |
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