Chris checked the time on his pocket watch. He had less than fifteen minutes to create the second diversion that would give Major Washington the opportunity to re-enter the cabin. He removed the old blankets bundled up in the Major’s cot and slipped the pelt into his bag. The Major was right. Being a trapper had come in handy on this little excursion.
He had already packed up his other belongings and had prepared for a quick departure if needed. Not that they would get far, trapped as they were inside this fort, but it was good to be prepared.
The second diversion was just as dangerous as the first. This time, he had to approach the guardhouse and find a way to topple the barrels. In the confusion, the Major could slip back into the room. And if necessary, he would come out of the cabin and make a ruckus about Chris’s clumsiness.
He took a last glance through the window to make sure everything was still in place. In the moonlight, he saw the top barrels, still looking precarious even from this angle. “Fantastic,” he thought. “Now all I have to do is avoid getting shot as I walk over to the guardhouse again.”
As he opened the cabin door, he saw a small detachment of soldiers approaching the courtyard from the north side of the cabin. He closed the door to a crack and tried to make out their movement in the darkness. Some in the center of the group were Indians carrying large branches or poles. A small group of soldiers led them toward the gate. The French soldiers called for the gate to open, and the Indians stopped and waited in silence, waiting to leave.
Before they could depart, another man came running up to the Indians from around the corner. He spoke loudly in a frantic tone of voice, half in half French and half in the Indian dialect. To all outward appearances, he was upset and had tears in his eyes.
Chris opened the door slightly more to get a better look. As he did, he felt the door jerk toward him. To his amazement, Major Washington had slipped into the quarters and quickly pressed his face to the window.
“How long have they been out there?” he said.
“Who? The Indians, or the little, insane fellow?”
“It doesn’t matter. Luck is on our side. I don’t know about you, but I had my doubts about that second diversion.” The major laughed.