Wyandotte eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 608 pages of information about Wyandotte.

Wyandotte eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 608 pages of information about Wyandotte.
saving his head but the upper edge’s lodging against the wall.  At the same moment, a dozen Indians leaped through the opening, and sprang into the court, raising the yells already described.  Mike followed, armed with his shillelah, for his musket was abandoned in the surprise, and he began to lay about him with an earnestness that in nowise lessened the clamour.  This was the moment when Joyce, nobly sustained by Blodget and Jamie Allen, poured a volley into the court, from the roofs; when the fray became general.  To this point had the combat reached, when Willoughby rushed into the open air followed, a few instants later, by Nick.

The scene that succeeded is not easily described.  It was a melee in the dark, illuminated, at instants, by the flashes of guns, and rendered horrible by shrieks, curses, groans and whoops.  Mike actually cleared the centre of the court, where he was soon joined by Willoughby, when, together, they made a rush at a door, and actually succeeded in gaining their own party on the roof.  It was not in nature for the young soldier to remain here, however, while his mother, Beulah, and, so far as he knew, Maud, lay exposed to the savages below.  Arnid a shower of bullets he collected his whole force, and was on the point of charging into the court, when the roll of a drum without, brought everything to a stand.  Young Blodget, who had displayed the ardour of a hero, and the coolness of a veteran throughout the short fray, sprang down the stairs unarmed, at this sound, passed through the astonished crowd in the court, unnoticed, and rushed to the outer gate.  He had barely time to unbar it, when a body of troops marched through, led by a tall, manly-looking chief, who was accompanied by one that the young man instantly recognised, in spite of the darkness, for Mr. Woods, in his surplice.  At the next moment, the strangers had entered, with military steadiness, into the court, to the number of, at least, fifty, ranging themselves in order across its area.

“In the name of Heaven, who are you?” called out Willoughby, from a window.  “Speak at once, or we fire.”

“I am Colonel Beekman, at the head of a regular force,” was the answer, “and if, as I suspect, you are Major Willoughby, you know you are safe.  In the name of Congress, I command all good citizens to keep the peace, or they will meet with punishment for their contumacy.”

This announcement ended the war, Beekman and Willoughby grasping each other’s hands fervently, at the next instant.

“Oh!  Beekman!” exclaimed the last, “at what a moment has God sent you hither!  Heaven be praised! notwithstanding all that has happened, you will find your wife and child safe.  Place sentinels at both gates; for treachery has been at work here, and I shall ask for rigid justice.”

“Softly—­softly—­my good fellow,” answered Beekman, pressing his hand.  “Your own position is a little delicate, and we must proceed with moderation.  I learned, just in time, that a party was coming hither, bent on mischief; and obtaining the necessary authority, I hastened to the nearest garrison, obtained a company, and commenced my march as soon as possible.  Had we not met with Mr. Woods, travelling for the settlements in quest of succour, we might have been too late.  As it was, God be praised!—­I think we have arrived in season.”

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Wyandotte from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.