American fiction -- 19th century; Historical fiction; Indians of North America -- Fiction
Indian warfare is always stealthy. It is seldom, indeed, that the
aboriginal Americans venture on an open assault of any fortified place,
however small and feeble it may be. Ignorant of the use of artillery,
and totally without that all-important arm, their approaches to any
cover, whence a bullet may be sent against them, are ever wary, slow,
and well concerted. They have no idea of trenches--do not possess the
means of making them, indeed--but they have such substitutes of their
own as usually meet all their wants, more particularly in portions of
the country that are wooded. In cases like this before our present band,
they had to exercise their wits to invent new modes of effecting their
purposes.
Bear's Meat collected his principal chiefs, and, after a considerable
amount of consultation, it was determined, in the present instance, to
try the virtue of fire. The only sign of life they could detect about
the hut was an occasional bark from Hive, who had been taken within the
building, most probably to protect him from the bullets and arrows of
the enemy. Even this animal did not howl like a dog in distress; but he
barked, as if aware of the vicinity of strangers. The keenest scrutiny
could not detect an outlet of any sort about the hut. Everything was
tightly closed, and it was impossible to say when, or whence, a bullet
might not be sent against the unwary.
The plan was soon formed, and was quite as rapidly executed. Bough of
the Oak, himself, supported by two or three other braves, undertook to
set the buildings on fire. This was done by approaching the kitchen,
dodging from tree to tree, making each movement with a rapidity that
defeated aim, and an irregularity that defied calculation. In this way
the kitchen was safely reached, where there was a log cover to conceal
the party. Here also was fire, the food for dinner being left, just as
it had been put over to boil, not long before. The Indians had prepared
themselves with arrows and light wood, and soon they commenced sending
their flaming missiles toward the roof of the hut. Arrow after arrow
struck, and it was not long before the roof was on fire.
A yell now arose throughout the Openings. Far and near the Indians
exulted at their success. The wood was dry, and it was of a very
inflammable nature. The wind blew, and in half an hour Castle Meal
was in a bright blaze. Hive now began to howl, a sign that he knew his
peril. Still, no human being appeared. Presently the flaming roof fell
in and the savages listened intently to hear the screeches of their
victims. The howls of the dog increased, and he was soon seen, with his
hair burned from his skin, leaping on the unroofed wall, and thence into
the area within the palisades. A bullet terminated his sufferings as he
alighted.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account