Part 19 (1/2)
The young Mohawk chieftain smiled. Johnson, who had married a girl of their race, could jest with the Mohawks almost as he pleased, and among themselves and among those whom they trusted the Indians were fond of joking and laughter.
”The wife of Waraiyageh not only has a great chief for a husband,” he said, ”but she is a great chief herself. Among the Wyandots she would be one of the rulers.”
The women were the governing power in the valiant Wyandot nation, and Daganoweda could pay his cousin no higher compliment.
”We talk much,” said Colonel Johnson, ”but we must remember that our friends are tired. They've come afar in bad weather. We must let them rest now and give them refreshment.”
He led the way to the light summer house that he had called a bower. It was built of poles and thatch, and was open on the eastern side, where it faced a fine creek running with a strong current. A fire was burning in one corner, and a heavy curtain of tanned skins could be draped over the wide doorway. Articles of women's apparel hung on the walls, and others indicating woman's work stood about. There were also chairs of wicker, and a lounge covered with haircloth. It was a comfortable place, the most attractive that Robert had seen in a long time, and his eyes responded to it with a glitter that Colonel Johnson noticed.
”I don't wonder that you like it, lad,” he said. ”I've spent some happy hours here myself, when I came in weary or worn from hunting or fis.h.i.+ng. But sit you down, all three of you. I'll warrant me that you're weary enough, tramping through this wintry forest. Blunt, shove the f.a.ggots closer together and make up a better fire.”
The command was to a white servant who obeyed promptly, but Madame Johnson herself had already s.h.i.+fted the chairs for the guests, and had taken their deerskin cloaks. Without ceasing to be the great lady she moved, nevertheless, with a lightness of foot and a celerity that was all a daughter of the forest. Robert watched her with fascinated eyes as she put the summer house in order and made it ready for the comfort of her guests. Here was one who had acquired civilization without losing the spirit of the wild. She was an educated and well bred woman, the wife of the most powerful man in the colonies, and she was at the same time a true Mohawk. Robert knew as he looked at her that if left alone in the wilderness she could take care of herself almost as well as her cousin, Daganoweda, the young chief.
Then his gaze s.h.i.+fted from Molly Brant to her brother. Despite his youth all his actions showed pride and unlimited confidence in himself. He stood near the door, and addressed Robert in English, asking him questions about himself, and he also spoke to Tayoga, showing him the greatest friendliness.
”We be of the mighty brother nations, Onondaga and Mohawk, the first of the great League,” he said, ”and some day we will sit together in the councils of the fifty sachems in the vale of Onondaga.”
”It is so,” said Tayoga gravely, speaking to the young lad as man to man. ”We will ever serve the Hodenosaunee as our fathers before us have done.”
”Leave the subject of the Hodenosaunee,” said Colonel Johnson cheerily. ”I know that you lads are prouder of your birth than the old Roman patricians ever were, but Mr. Willet, Mr. Lennox and I were not fortunate enough to be born into the great League, and you will perhaps arouse our jealousy or envy. Come, gentlemen, sit you down and eat and drink.”
His Mohawk wife seconded the request and food and drink were served. Robert saw that the bower was divided into two rooms the one beyond them evidently being a sleeping chamber, but the evidences of comfort, even luxury, were numerous, making the place an oasis in the wilderness. Colonel Johnson had wine, which Robert did not touch, nor did Tayoga nor Daganoweda, and there were dishes of china or silver brought from England. He noticed also, and it was an unusual sight in a lodge in the forest, about twenty books upon two shelves. From his chair he read the t.i.tles, Le Brun's ”Battles of Alexander,” a bound volume of _The Gentleman's Magazine,_ ”Roderick Random,” and several others. Colonel Johnson's eyes followed him.
”I see that you are a reader,” he said. ”I know it because your eyes linger upon my books. I have packages brought from time to time from England, and, before I came upon this expedition, I had these sent ahead of me to the bower that I might dip into them in the evenings if I felt so inclined. Reading gives us a wider horizon, and, at the same time, takes us away from the day's troubles.”
”I agree with you heartily, sir,” said Robert, ”but, unfortunately, we have little time for reading now.”
”That is true,” sighed Colonel Johnson. ”I fear it's going to be a long and terrible war. What do you see, Joseph?”
Young Brant was sitting with his face to the door, and he had risen suddenly.
”A runner comes,” he replied. ”He is in the forest beyond the creek, but I see that he is one of our own people. He comes fast.”
Colonel Johnson also arose.
”Can it be some trouble among the Ganeagaono?” he said.
”I think not,” said the Indian boy.
The runner emerged from the wood, crossed the creek and stood in the doorway of the bower. He was a tall, thin young Mohawk, and he panted as if he had come fast and long.
”What is it, Oagowa?” asked Colonel Johnson.
”A hostile band, Hurons, Abenakis, Caughnawagas, and others, has entered the territory of the Ganeagaono on the west,” replied the warrior. ”They are led by an Ojibway chief, a giant, called Tandakora.”
Robert uttered an exclamation.
”The name of the Ojibway attracts your attention,” said Colonel Johnson.
”We've had many encounters with him,” replied the youth. ”Besides hating the Hodenosaunee and all the white people, I think he also has a personal grievance against Mr. Willet, Tayoga and myself. He is the most bitter and persistent of all our enemies.”