The Star Woman/Book 2/Chapter 5
CHAPTER V
IT IS ONLY BY CROOKED LANES THAT ONE GAINS THE HIGHWAY
ON the shore of that landlocked harbour at the mouth of the Danish river, where after another snow or two was to rise the palisaded front of Fort Churchill, was now being enacted a curious scene before the astonished and startled eyes of the assembled redskins, who had held their places only from a sense of dignity—and because they had no whither to run.
Lying bound at the water's edge were six men—all that remained from the company of the wrecked ship in the shallows. The others lay as they had fallen, from the savage attack of those men who came bursting from the trees—Frontin and Sir Phelim Burke, with those who followed them. Crawford, helped by two of his men, doused the icy water over face and head, cleared his eyes and rose, and gripped the hands of his friends.
"A miracle!" he said, "You say Serigny captured the corvette? What miracle"
"Devil a bit of it," exclaimed Phelim Burke. "We saw that canoe of yours heading north along the coast—Frontin declared that he recognized you, through the glass. So Serigny gave us a boat and we came after you. Did ye not hear the gun fired?"
"Serigny—gave you a boat?" Crawford stared hard.
"He wanted the corvette, would not give it up," said Frontin, frowning a little. "My faith, he meant to hang the lot of us offhand! But I had a talk with him." For one instant, the cynical visage of the man was clouded by an unwonted embarrassment. "You comprehend, cap'n, in another day and another world, I likewise had another name. Well, to the devil with all explanations! Facts are facts. I talked with Serigny, and though he'd not give up the corvette he gave us a boat, so there we were—and here we are. We landed where you did, followed your trail, and got here in time to put some shot into those rascals."
Crawford nodded. His head was clear enough now, and he perceived that instant action was needed. Ignoring his hurts for the moment, he forced himself to stride across the sand to where the circle of chieftains waited. They stared at him, at the blazing star hanging on his breast; and when he sat down and addressed them in French, they also sat down and listened.
"My brothers have seen that the medicine of Big Bear failed, and that the medicine of the Anglais also failed. Why? Because of my medicine." As Crawford held up the emerald star, grunts broke from the warriors. They could understand this. "I have come to smoke the calumet with my brothers from up-country."
There was a silence. Frontin and Sir Phelim and the other men drew in behind Crawford and waited. Then, because they had no more tobacco, and had not yet obtained any from the salvage, the head Cree chief produced a calumet and stuffed the bowl with fragrant sagacomi from his pouch. When he had lighted it, he handed it to Crawford, who puffed and returned it. So the council was opened and the calumet smoked, and now Crawford, with characteristic readiness, faced an instant decision.
He had already learned from Deakin that if Cree chiefs were here, they would be here only in order to deliver the message from the Star Woman. As a rule they came far from their own country to the bay, in May or June, and only that message would force them to come later or delay them. It was obvious that these chiefs would be now wildly anxious to be gone home. So, when the leading chief had made a short and ceremonial address, he sat down to await his answer. Crawford let him wait, made his decision, then came stiffly to his feet and faced them.
"My brothers, you know what has happened here, but you do not know why I have come here. Look at this." Once more he held up the Star of Dreams. "I have come because the Star Woman sent this to lead me to her. I am going home with you. You will take me up-country with you and then send me on to the Star Woman with guides."
Stifled grunts of awe and amazement sounded. Crawford continued swiftly.
"My brothers, you have brought beaver for Big Bear. It is of no use to me, but I will buy it from you. I will give you all these goods from the wrecked ship, such as I do not need, then you will cache the beaver here and leave it until next year, or until I come again to get it. To-morrow we will arrange these matters, and then we will leave for your own country. Go to your camp, and return here to-morrow. I have spoken."
There was silence, while Crawford's men stared at one another, and the wounded men by the water groaned in their bonds. Then, with silent acceptance of his words, the chiefs broke up the council and departed among the trees. No sooner were they gone, than Crawford swung up and faced his men.
He looked at Frontin and met a dry smile. He looked at Sir Phelim Burke and met a twinkle of the eye. He looked at his men and then laughed suddenly.
"My lads, we have no ship. Our seafaring days are ended, for we have crossed that horizon. Here is a chance that has come to me, to go farther, where no white men have gone, to see new things. I am going into the unknown country with these Indians. I have learned that the Star Woman is no myth, no legend, but actually exists—and I'm going to find her. I don't ask any of you to come with me. There's naught for you at the end of this journey. If ye want to go to Fort Nelson, go freely. In any case, I'll loose these prisoners and let them go. If ye come with me, I'll be glad. Talk it over with your comrades, Dickon. You with your men, Phelim"
"Divil take the talk!" and Phelim Burke laughed out. "These Burkes will do as I say, Hal Crawford, and ye know my mind already. We're with ye, if it's into hell!"
"Ay, master!" spoke up the man Dickon, whilst his comrades growled approval. "The horizon be as good one place as another—and we be your men!"
Crawford looked at Frontin, his blue eyes all asparkle.
"And you, old buccaneer? Wilt go to Nelson and join Serigny? Or wilt go"
Frontin shrugged, but his affected cynicism could not hide the quick glow in his dark countenance.
"I? Bah! Don't be a fool. I go to get some soup over the fire, and advise you to do the same"
A roar of laughter broke the tension.