Annette - The Metis Spy

"Clear away these corpses," shouted the chief, and "be ready for the

next." There was soon another knock, and the same wolfish voice

replied as before, "Entrez." This time a tall, manly young fellow, named Charles Gowan,

opened the door and entered, Always on the alert for Indian

treachery, he had his suspicion now, before entering suspected

strongly, that all was not right. He had only reached the settlement

that morning, and had he returned sooner he would have counselled the

settlers to pay no heed to the invitation. He was assured that

several had already gone up to the pow-wow, so being brave and

unselfish, he said, "If there is any danger afoot, and my friends are at the meeting

lodge, that is the place for me, not here." He had no sooner entered

than his worst convictions were realized. With one quick glance he

saw the bloodpools, the wolfish eyes, the rows of ready rifles.

"Hell hounds!" he cried, "what bloody work have you on hand? What

means this?" pointing to the floor.

"It means," replied the chief, "that some of your paleface brethren

have been losing their heart's blood there. It also means that the

same fate awaits you." Resolved to sell his life as dearly as lay in

his power, he sprang forward with a Colt's revolver, and discharged

it twice. One Indian fell, and another set up a cry like the

bellowing of a bull. But poor Gowan did not fire a third shot. A tall

savage approached him from behind, and striking him upon the head

with his rifle-stock felled him to the earth. Then the savages fired

five or six shots into him as he lay upon the floor. The body was

dragged away, and the blood-thirsty fiends sat waiting for the

approach of another victim. Half an hour passed, and no other rap

came upon the door. An hour went, and still no sound of foot-fall.

All this while the savages sat mute as stones, each holding his rifle

in readiness.

"Ugh!" grunted the chief, "no more coming. We go down and shoot em

at em houses." Then the fiend divided his warriors into four

companies, each one of which was assigned a couple of murders. One

party proceeded toward the house of Mr. Gowanlock. Creeping

stealthily, they reached within forty yards of the dwelling without

being perceived. Then Mrs. Gowanlock, a young woman, recently

married, walked out of her abode, and gathering some kindling wood in

her apron, returned again. When the Indians saw her, they threw

themselves upon their faces, and so escaped observation. No one

happened to be looking out of the window after Mrs. Gowanlock came

back; but about half a minute afterwards several shadows flitted by

the window, and immediately six or seven painted Indians, with

rifles cocked, and uttering diabolical yells, burst into the house.

The chief was with this party; and aiming his rifle, shot poor

Gowanlock dead. Another aimed at a man named Gilchrist, but Mrs.

Gowanlock heroically seized the savage's arms from behind, and

prevented him for a moment or two. But the vile murderer shook her

off, and falling back a pace or two, fired at her, killing her

instantly.