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Chapter Eight: Escape To The Falls

The fort was no longer bombarded with cannons, gun fire, or shouting commands of officers atop the fort ramparts; for now all that hung within the populated encampment was a heavy silence. Ever since the negotiations for surrender had been proposed, military strikes gradually began to come to an end. And now all anyone could do was wait.

Would they surrender the abused fort to the French and possibly be withheld in a military barge? Or would they fight and die where they remained?

Most left didn't care, the majority remaining within the fort walls were all but civilians... the rest wounded soldiers or gate guards. It was not lost on many that their efforts for battle against French invasion had been futile... now there was only two options left, die or surrender?

The fort's once strong exterior, as well as interior, was now partially in ruins; destroyed from invading French cannons and musket rounds. And anyone knew that without reinforcements from the British Army, the fort would not be able to withstand another battle.

Because of the lack of fighting, patients in the surgery quarters were now decreasing by the numbers, most noticeably so, soldiers without serious injury.

Glancing briefly at Cora, Alice asked, "More water?"

"Yes, please... and more bandages, if you can find some," Cora replied, not looking up from her next patient.

Nodding, Alice walked silently out of surgery, her hands briefly moving toward the strings of her blood-soaked apron to withdrawal it from the front of her dress. It was now late afternoon and information concerning fort surrender would not be revealed well on into the night. Despite their ordeal, Alice was not as anxious to get back home as she thought she would be... to be honest, she liked it here. It was just the nearly being killed part that got to her.

She knew, however, that her chances of being sent back to England were very high... her father seemed overly anxious to get them far away from this place. Staying would not be an option for her, nor would it be one for Cora. Their father would simply not permit them to remain here.

She placed the apron carelessly on a chair nearby before beginning her journey toward the open area of the fort. Water would be an easy source to find, bandages for patients, however, would not be. Cora had plenty the night before after shredding a bunch of linen from the main headquarters. It seemed they had just begun to run out of it today.

The timing for it wasn't too bad... especially since many soldiers were now gone, all having left to attend the negotiations with the French army this morning. It seemed to Alice that the surrender of Fort William Henry was about to take progress. They were in no shape to fight the French... and General Webb still had yet to send reinforcements for British defense.

It would likely take another day before they could take leave from here. Cora had spoke with Nathaniel the other night... and Alice briefly wondered if she planned on following his orders of staying close to the front column, near their father. Seeing how serious the man had been about it, she probably would... reluctantly, of course. Alice could tell that Cora was specifically trying to distract herself by working non-stop with Mr. Phelps in surgery. To tell the truth, it worried her greatly.

She had begun approaching the southern sally port, having seen a water station nearby, but stopped abruptly as her eyes fell on the familiar figure that walked purposefully from his vantage point below the ramparts toward her. His expression seemed vacant, revealing nothing of his emotions or intention. He stopped as soon as he stood in front of her... and Alice was quite ready to argue her point of being out here if need be. She had patients in surgery, there were no cannons being detonated nor were there any rounds being fired... if he had a problem with it, he'd just have to endure it because she had no intention of leaving or being cowed by him to leave.

"We need to talk."

"Talk?"

Uncas nodded, gently grasping her hand in his as he guided her away from potential onlookers. Alice saw that he was taking her back near the surgery unit, or behind it, to be exact.

"What is it?" Alice asked quietly, stopping as he released her. Had it do with his brother? It wouldn't be long before his execution was to take place... oh, god, was he going to do something that would ultimately get himself killed?

She stared at him silently, more than likely with a nervous expression, as he began, "The fort-"

"Is likely going to fall. Yes, I know this already."

"Did he tell you what to expect?"

She knew he was referring to Nathaniel... he had, after all, watched her go near his prison cell. And, no, he hadn't explained what to expect... he merely gave her a cryptic request. "Expect what?"

"The French, if this fort surrenders, will comply with whatever term negotiations are set... the Hurons will not."

It finally began to make sense and Alice murmured, "And you both think they'll attack once we're out of the fort?"

He nodded. "Not right away. Stay close to your father and the other officers... you'll be safer with them."

Alice frowned at the thought. "But what about you?"

To tell the truth, she would have felt safe in the company of British soldiers before coming to the Americas... but after the incident of a few days ago, she no longer felt that British defense was adequate enough against Huron attack. They would all be easily killed.

"I'll be with the prisoners."

With his brother... he didn't have to speak it aloud for her to come to that conclusion. If there was to be an attack, he planned on using that distraction to release Nathaniel. If they were to release him, what would they do then? Leave? Escape while in the midst of the attack? It was the best solution for Nathaniel's survival. And yet, it pegged the question which created yet more knots within the pit of her stomach... would she ever see him again?

She remained silent for a brief moment, suddenly too distressed by the idea of it. She was stunned that the thought hadn't dawned on her long before now, what with their father plotting on sending her and her sister back to their home in London.

Too deep in thought, Alice hadn't realized he was speaking to her until he gently touched her arm. "Alice?"

"Hmm?" She asked, looking at him quickly.

"Stay where you are if you can... if something should go wrong, we'll find you."

She nodded silently in understanding and added, "And if there isn't an attack?"

"Then there isn't anything you should be worried about," he answered.

"Not even you?" Alice asked softly, her eyes gazing into his. She had no doubt that he could read the seriousness that revealed itself in her voice. He seemed to be startled by the question and Alice inched closer to him.

His eyes sought hers for a moment, seeming to search for an answer to a silent question. Alice smiled shyly, her blue eyes warm, yet unsure. Gazing at her quietly, mesmerized, Uncas gently cradled her chin. The conflict within him stopped, his decision made, and after realizing that she wasn't going to pull back, his head lowered, his firm yet warm lips gently descending and slanting upon hers.

His hand moved from beneath her chin to her waist in moments, pulling her supple form more firmly against his. Alice strained against him, a faint whimper escaping her throat as the kiss deepened.

A moment later, each breathlessly broke away. His arms still holding her, Uncas leaned his forehead tenderly against hers, answering quietly, "Not even me."

His eyes held hers as he released her. "You're going to stay with your father tomorrow."

"And you're going to save your brother," Alice added, smiling as he gave her a startled look. "Don't think I don't know what you're doing... be careful."

Smiling softly, she walked away from him, returning back to the sally port. She couldn't find it in herself to say goodbye.

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Following day, after Fort Surrender...

Alice turned as Cora hugged her closer, both had heard the screams from the far column and their mare stopped its trotting. Despite her and Cora's glances, they still had yet to catch sight of Nathaniel and Uncas... which led Alice to believe that prisoners had likely been placed at the rear column. It was hard to tell since the lines were filled with hundreds of British soldiers, some frontiersmen and many Mohawk, up to thirty to forty women, and some children.

"Do not break ranks! I want these ranks to hold!" Alice heard her father order, watching as he galloped away. She felt Cora's arms tighten around her. Perhaps Nathaniel and Uncas' theory had not been far off... yet, there was a chance that they would be separated from their father.

There was a brief silence... and then a sudden cry ripped through the forest atmosphere, quickly erupting into a loud roar. Alice squinted through the sunlight, fear gripping her as she heard a round explode. More fire then proceeded and within a matter of seconds, all chaos broke loose. It was a massive ambush. From every tree and shadow, Hurons sprang down their lines, their numbers revealing thousands. Screams of terror, along with musket fire cut through the air, surrounding the large meadow in a cloud of heavy smoke.

Alice glanced back at Cora as she felt their horse trot off to the side, stopping at a distance which was not preoccupied. They both stood on the ground, Cora grasping her hand, as they began to run through the chaos and murder. Their planning had all been for not... and Alice, in the midst of the confusion, no longer knew where to go from here. What were they to do?

Alice reared back as a Huron approached them... and was slightly startled when Cora shot him with a pistol. She hadn't seen her pick it up.

"Come on, Alice!" She heard her sister yell. Alice was too busy trying to find a musket herself... which it seemed, was unattainable.

Alice glanced back at Cora, taking her offered hand as they ran down the line. Alice noticed that little Hurons and more of the militia officers surrounded them. Unfortunately, they were dropping like flies.

Alice felt a strong hand grasp around her arm, yanking her easily away from her sister.

"Alice!"

Alice struggled vehemently, her blows unfazing the Ottawa warrior that held her. She screamed as he pulled her upright by her hair, his knife raised.

Her sister attacked him with a rather large rock, only to be easily flung aside. "Cora!"

Alice's eyes fearfully went back to her captor's, his attention now focused on her and Alice whimpered as his blade hovered over her flesh, about to cut through...

His actions were stopped abruptly as he was suddenly spun around and punched, his attacker dragging him away from her. Alice nearly toppled to the ground from the sudden movement, had it not been for the arm that hoisted her up. Suddenly alarmed, her gaze flew to her side, her eyes catching Uncas'.

He pulled her closer to him, leading her, as they followed Nathaniel and Chingachgook back through the swirling smoke. They escaped most of the chaos, stopping to find two empty war canoes floating soundlessly in a Lake.

They approached through the water and Alice's brief sense of relief was ended as she felt something grab her, pulling her down toward the shallow bottom. She screamed, alarming Uncas, as an Ottawa warrior emerged from the water surface. Uncas slammed him back down, pulling out a musket and firing.

Alice climbed abruptly into the canoe, behind Uncas. After everyone was inside, all three mohicans began to paddle furiously, making a quick exit through the lake. Alice's attention went to Cora as she heard her sister shout, "No!"

Glancing beyond them, Alice saw a second canoe approaching... with Duncan aiming a pistol at Nathaniel's head.

"You got nothing better to do today on Lake George than shoot me, Major, then go ahead," Nathaniel shouted, paying no heed to the British officer as he continued paddling.

"Stop it!" Cora screamed. Seeming to come to his senses, Duncan lowered the weapon.

"When you fall into British hands again, Nathaniel Poe, I will have you hanged."

Alice couldn't help but roll her eyes. Men.

She noticed beyond them, as everyone else, that Hurons were beginning to load into the boats. Uncas glanced at Hawkeye, both exchanging a look, and Alice watched silently as Uncas jumped off the stern, climbing into Duncan's boat. Nathaniel moved to where Uncas had been sitting, both brothers seemed intent on piloting each of the canoes.

It wasn't long before they reached the white water, each canoe drifting easily along the strong current. By the end of the journey Alice, as well as everyone else, was drenched. Each of the canoes was stopped abruptly near the lip of a long ending waterfall and everyone climbed out in a quick fashion. Alice and Cora watched in silence as the vessels were promptly released, rocketing over the edge.

Duncan, grasping her arm, helped Alice out of the water... and Alice briefly glanced at her surroundings to see that they were headed toward the falls.