King's Arrow

A. Cody H.

Description

When America decided to fight for its independence from England, a small but vociferous minority remained steadfastly loyal to the crown, and many of them eventually emigrated to the wilds of Canada. This exciting tale follows one such loyalist as he makes his way in a remote community in New Brunswick.

Sujets

• Historical fiction

Informations

• Publié par: The Floating Press
• Date de parution: 01 décembre 2015
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781776595457
• Langue: English

Extrait

THE KING'S ARROW
A TALE OF THE UNITED EMPIRE LOYALISTS
* * *
H. A. CODY
 
*
The King's Arrow A Tale of the United Empire Loyalists First published in 1922 Epub ISBN 978-1-77659-545-7 Also available: PDF ISBN 978-1-77659-546-4 © 2014 The Floating Press and its licensors. All rights reserved. While every effort has been used to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information contained in The Floating Press edition of this book, The Floating Press does not assume liability or responsibility for any errors or omissions in this book. The Floating Press does not accept responsibility for loss suffered as a result of reliance upon the accuracy or currency of information contained in this book. Do not use while operating a motor vehicle or heavy equipment. Many suitcases look alike. Visit www.thefloatingpress.com
Contents
*
The Loyalists Chapter I - When the Cannon Roared Chapter II - "Come and Take It" Chapter III - Cupid's Arrow Chapter IV - The Warning Chapter V - "Try It" Chapter VI - When the Bow-String Twanged Chapter VII - Out of the Storm Chapter VIII - Beneath the Spreading Maple Chapter IX - Love's-Charm Chapter X - While the Water Flows Chapter XI - The Summons Chapter XII - Plotters in Council Chapter XIII - The King's Rangers Chapter XIV - Where the Rangers Led Chapter XV - The Line in the Sand Chapter XVI - Under Cover of Night Chapter XVII - The Unknown Quantity Chapter XVIII - Loyal Friends Chapter XIX - The Smoke Signal Chapter XX - Tempered Punishment Chapter XXI - Through the Wilderness Chapter XXII - In Desperate Straits Chapter XXIII - Six Candles and One Chapter XXIV - Timon of the Wilderness Chapter XXV - Unmasked Chapter XXVI - Behind the Bolted Door Chapter XXVII - Through the Night and the Storm Chapter XXVIII - Within the Lone Cabin Chapter XXIX - Sheltering Arms Chapter XXX - The Round-Up Chapter XXXI - Peace at Evening Time Chapter XXXII - After Many Days Chapter XXXIII - Seeds of Empire
*
To
MY ANCESTORS OF THE UNITED EMPIRE LOYALISTS
Who Came to the St. John River, May, 1783,
This Book is Gratefully Dedicated
The Loyalists
*
(1783)
"Broad lands, ancestral homes, the gathered wealth Of patient toil and self-denying years Were confiscate and lost. . . . Not drooping like poor fugitives they came In exodus to our Canadian wilds, But full of heart and hope, with heads erect, And fearless eyes, victorious in defeat."
WILLIAM KIRBY
"No one will know, because none has told, all that those brave pioneersunderwent for their devotion and fidelity. You will see to-day on theoutskirts of the older settlements little mounds, moss-coveredtombstones which record the last resting-places of the forefathers ofthe hamlet. They do not tell you of the brave hearts laid low byhunger and exposure, of the girlish forms washed away, of the babes andlittle children who perished for want of proper food and raiment. Theyhave nothing to tell of the courageous, high-minded mothers, wives anddaughters, who bore themselves as bravely as men, complaining never,toiling with men in the fields, banishing all regrets for the life theymight have led had they sacrificed their loyalty. . . . No greatmonument is raised to their memory; none is needed; it is enshrinedforever in the hearts of every Canadian and of every one who admiresfidelity to principle, devotion and self-sacrifice."
" Romance of Canada ," BECKLES H. WILLSON
Chapter I - When the Cannon Roared
*
A keen wind whipping in from the west swayed the tops of innumerablepines, firs, spruces, and maples. They were goodly trees, unharmed asyet by scathing fire or biting axe. Proudly they lifted their creststo the wind and the sun, while down below, their great boles werewrapped in perpetual shade and calm. Life, mysterious life, lurkedwithin those brooding depths, and well did the friendly trees keep themany secrets of the denizens of the wild.
Through that trackless maze two wayfarers warily threaded their courseon a chill May day in the year seventeen hundred and eighty-three.They were men, and their speed denoted the urgency of the business uponwhich they were bent. They were clad in buckskin jackets, and homespuntrousers, which showed signs of hard usage. Moccasins encased theirfeet, and squirrel-skin caps sat lightly upon their heads. Eachcarried a heavy flint-lock musket in his hand, while at his side swungthe inevitable powder-horn, hung low enough so as not to interfere withthe small pack strapped across the shoulders.
Both travellers were peering intently forward, and when at length theglint of shimmering water glimmered through the trees their facesbrightened with satisfaction. But just then the leader stopped dead inhis tracks, and glanced anxiously to the left. He was an Indian ofmagnificent physique, and princely bearing, as straight as the treesaround him. His companion, too, was standing in a listening attitude afew feet away. His keen ears had also caught a sound, and he knew itsmeaning. He was a white man, much younger than the Indian, althoughfrom his deeply-bronzed face he might have been mistaken for a native.He measured up nobly to the other in size and bearing, as well as instrength, woodland skill, and endurance on the trail.
"Slashers, Pete, eh?" he questioned in a low voice.
"A-ha-ha," was the reply. "No meet 'em, Dane. Too many. We go round."
Without another word he swung sharply to the right, and led the way tothe water in a wide circle. Cautiously they approached the shore, andthen keeping within the edge of the forest they moved slowly along,most of the time upon their hands and knees. Occasionally they pausedto listen, but the only sounds they heard were the ones which had firstarrested their attention, although much nearer now.
Presently they stopped and from a thicket of bushes drew forth a birchcanoe, which had been cunningly hidden. It took them but a few minutesto carry it to the water, step lightly aboard, and push away from theshore. Each seized a paddle, and soon the canoe was headed for theopen, with Dane squatting forward, and the Indian seated astern.
Less hardy souls would have hesitated ere venturing out upon that angrystretch of water in such a frail craft. The crooked Kennebacasis wasshowing its temper in no uncertain manner. Exposed to the full rake ofthe strong westerly wind, the waves were running high, and breakinginto white-caps, threatened to engulf the reeling canoe. But theIndian was master of the situation, and steered so skilfully that onlyan occasional wisp of spray was flung on board.
They had gone about two hundred yards when a shot rang out from theshore, and a bullet whistled past their heads. Glancing quicklyaround, they saw several men in the distance with muskets in theirhands. They were shouting words of defiance to which the canoeistsmade no reply. Intuitively Dane reached for his musket, but a sharpwarning from the Indian caused him to desist.
"No shoot," he ordered. "Paddle. Quick."
And in truth there was urgent need, for the canoe had swung somewhat tothe left and was in danger of being swamped by the big waves as theyrolled and tossed their white foamy manes. Another bullet sang by asDane drove his paddle into the water and forced the canoe into the eyeof the wind just as a larger wave than usual was about to break. Toattempt to shoot he realised would be useless, although he longed tohave a try at the insulting slashers. But to reach the opposite shorein safety would require every ounce of strength and utmost skill, so hebent steadily to his task and paid no further heed to the men upon theshore.
Ahead lay two islands, separated by a narrow strip of water, and towardthis opening they directed their course. It was a hard fight, and onlymen of great strength and thoroughly-developed muscles could haveaccomplished the task. Reeling, dipping, lifting, and sliding, thecanoe pressed on, a fragile thing in the grip of an angry monster. Butbear up it did and rode proudly at last into the smooth water betweenthe two islands. Here the men rested and mopped their moist foreheads.
"Bad blow," the Indian casually remarked.
"Pretty heavy," Dane replied. "I wish the slashers had come after us."
"Slashers, ugh! Cowards! No come. Bimeby me ketch 'em. Me fix 'em,all sam' skunk."
Dane smiled as he again dipped his paddle into the water.
"Come, Pete, let's get on. There's a nasty run ahead, and it'll takeus over two hours after we land to reach the Fort."
"Plenty rum to-night, eh?" the Indian queried, as he guided the canoeout into the open.
"Not plenty, remember, Pete. You've got to be careful this time andnot take too much. If there are slashers hanging around the tradingpost they'll be only too anxious to get you drunk, and put you out ofbusiness. There's too much at stake to run any risk."
"Umph! me no get drunk," the Indian retorted. "Me no fool. Me nocrazee white man."
It took them almost a half hour to cross to the mainland. Here theylanded, concealed the canoe, and ate a frugal meal of bread and driedmeat. This detained them but a short time, and they then started forthupon the trail which led along the river not far from the shore. Theyswung rapidly on their way, up hill and down, leaping small brooks, andcrossing swamps overgrown with a tangle of alders, rank grass, andsucculent weeds. Small game was plentiful. Rabbits scurried acrossthe trail, and partridges rose and whirred among the trees. But thetravellers never paused in their onward march. Although they had beenon the way since early morning, they showed no sign of fatigue. Theirstrong athletic bodies, bent somewhat forward, swayed in rythmicmotion, and their feet beat a silent tatoo upon the well-worn trail.
For over an hour they kept up this swinging gait, and only slowed downwhen at length the trail led them out of the thick forest into a greatopen portion of the country. This was marshland, and it spread outbefore them miles in extent. To the right were rugged wooded hills,while far away to the left