ROCHFORD ENTERS THE INDIAN VILLAGE--WAITING IN THE WOOD--DOUBTFUL OF
SUCCESS--AN ANXIOUS HALF-HOUR--PROPOSED ASSAULT--READY FOR ACTION--THE
RESCUE--AN ANGRY SCENE--THE RETREAT--DANGERS ON THE WAY--JUANITA'S
EXPERIENCE--ARRIVAL AT THE FORT--CONDITION OF MY FATHER--A FRESH
EXPEDITION--ROCHFORD DECLINES TO JOIN OUR PARTY--BLACK HAWK TO GO WITH
US--INDIAN TRAILS DISCOVERED--SCOUTING--CARLOS MISSING--AN INDIAN'S
REVENGE--A FOREST-GRAVE--A STARTLING INTERRUPTION--THE TIMELY
REINFORCEMENTS--DEATH OF MY UNCLE--RESULT OF THE ENGAGEMENT--THE FATE OF
BLACK HAWK.
Once more we were galloping in the direction of Oceola's lodges. The
warriors of the various tribes throughout the country had been summoned
round the standard of their chief, so that the district through which we
passed appeared perfectly destitute of inhabitants; not a red man did we
meet to interfere with us. We thus hoped that having distanced the
followers of Spotted Wolf, we might get Juanita off without having to
encounter an enemy. Rochford knew the country perfectly, having
frequently hunted over the whole of it for several months together; and
he was able unerringly to guide us in the direction we wished to go. At
last Rochford pulled up on the borders of a hummock. "Remain here with
the horses, ready to start at any moment," he said. "Miss Kearney will,
I trust, be on the look-out for me; and if we can but elude the
vigilance of the old squaws, we shall be with you very soon."
Having mounted the horse we had brought for him, he set off, and was
soon lost to sight. We remained under shelter of the trees; so that,
unless any one approached close to the wood, we ran but little risk of
being discovered. I was very anxious to accompany Rochford; but he
considered that my appearance would excite suspicion, and that it would
be safer to go alone. Though he had not spoken to me of the danger he
incurred, I knew that it was very great; for should he be captured in
his attempt to carry off the young lady, it would be looked upon by
Oceola as an act of treachery, and he would to a certainty be put to
death. His intention was to enter the village as if he had just come
from a hunting expedition, and offer to supply the squaws with venison;
or should he be fortunate enough to shoot a deer on his way, he would
carry it with him, as it would greatly facilitate his proceedings. That
he would do this appeared very unlikely, as the distance was but short:
still a deer might be seen in the hummock, and he was too good a shot,
should he discover one, to let it escape him.
Directly he had gone, we dismounted to allow our horses to feed, and to
drink from a pool which we found close inside the hummock. The time
dragged slowly on; I had to look at my watch several times to satisfy
myself that our friend had not been very much longer absent than we had
expected. Waiting, indeed, is far more trying than when a person is
actively engaged.
"Rochford ought to be here by this time," observed Captain Norton. "I
fear that some accident has happened to him, or that he finds it
impossible to get the young lady away. We shall have the Indians down
upon us if we have to wait much longer."
"What do you say to making a dash on the village, and carrying off my
sister in spite of the squaws or old men?" exclaimed Carlos.
"Sure that would be the finest thing to do, afther all," cried Tim.
"We'll just keep the old Redskins employed while Mr. Rochford or Mr.
Maurice lifts her on her horse and gallops off with her. They're not
likely to have any fire-arms in the place, except maybe a few old
muskets without flints in them, as the warriors will have carried off
all they own to fight the whites."
I thought Tim's proposal worthy of consideration. But Captain Norton
was of opinion that the risk to the young lady would be too great; for
though the Indians in the village might very possibly have no fire-arms,
they had bows and arrows, and a chance arrow might strike her as well as
any of us. "We will wait another half-hour," he said; "and if Rochford
does not then appear with Miss Kearney, we will as Carlos proposes,
gallop into the village, and making directly for the chief's lodge--
which we shall know by its superior size and decoration--we will carry
away the lady if she be within it. We may possibly also rescue our
friend, should we find that he has been made a prisoner."
Captain Norton's plan exactly suited the ideas of the party; and I
regretted that we had not attempted it at first: we should have gained
much time, and run less risk than we were now likely to do.
That last half-hour appeared longer than any of its predecessors.
Rochford did not arrive. We tightened our saddle-girths, saw that our
bits were well fitted, and threw ourselves on horseback. There were but
four of us to oppose some scores of squaws, and we could not tell how
many old warriors, who, although unable to fight on the battle-field,
might prove no inconsiderable foes when defending their lodges. We at
first advanced slowly, that we might put our horses to full speed when
the time came for action. As may be supposed, we kept our swords loose
in their scabbards, and our rifles ready, with fresh ammunition for
reloading.
We had as yet encountered no one: it was evident that the inhabitants,
for some reason or other, must be all in the village. At length the
tops of the lodges appeared in sight. Our hearts beat quickly. The
sooner, after we were seen, we could reach the village the better.
"Forward!" cried Captain Norton. "Yonder is the point for which we must
aim."
We struck our spurs into our horses' flanks. Scarcely had we done so
than a chorus of yells and shrieks, in the shrillest of tones, broke on
our ears; and the next instant we saw a horse burst forth from amidst
the lodges with Rochford on its back, carrying Juanita before him.
Close at its heels came a whole herd of women--or rather furies they
appeared, from their fearful cries and wild gestures--while just over
their heads we could see several of the old warriors coming from various
directions, endeavouring as they moved along to fix their arrows in
their bows.
"Come with me, Carlos," cried Captain Norton. "Maurice and Tim, take
the other side; and let our friends pass between us. Then wheel round,
and cover them as they gallop on. We shall soon distance these old
hags, who, seeing that they have no chance of overtaking us, will soon
give up the pursuit."
I could not help giving way to a loud shout as Rochford, with Juanita,
almost fainting, in his arms, rode up. I was joined in it by my
companions; and we were all in another instant galloping along at a rate
which quickly enabled us to distance our pursuers, although not to get
out of earshot of their terrific cries.
Not until we had galloped for a couple of miles did we pull rein, when
we halted to allow Juanita to recover herself, and to congratulate her
and Rochford on their escape. Captain Norton inquired whether Juanita
felt able to mount the horse we had brought. She replied that she would
do as Rochford advised; but was ready to do so, if necessary.
"Jump on its back, then," said Carlos; "we shall go all the faster. You
can manage a steed as well as any of us."
Juanita looked at Rochford, and then allowed him and her brother to help
her on her horse. When once she was seated in the saddle, she appeared
herself again. There was no time to make inquiries as to how Rochford
had contrived to carry her off. We had not only to escape from the
people in the village who might come in pursuit of us, but also to avoid
Spotted Wolf's party, who would be certain, should they discover our
trail, to follow us up and try to avenge his death.
In a way we had little expected, we had thus far accomplished the object
of our expedition. Still, many dangers lay before us. Had it not been
necessary to return to Fort King to rejoin my father, we should have
felt inclined to push across the Ocklawaha for the banks of the Saint
John River, and so make our way to Castle Kearney. The distance,
however, was great; and unless we could find a boat, our ammunition
might fail before we could reach it, and Juanita might be exposed to
more fatigue than she would be able to bear. Towards Fort King,
therefore, we directed our course. Juanita declared that she could
gallop the whole distance if the horses could continue going. But we
had great reason to fear that they could not accomplish this task; for
although they had had a long noon-day rest, they had already been
galloping for several hours. Still, we determined to push forward
during daylight, and to continue on at night should the nature of the
ground permit us. We kept a look-out over our left shoulders in the
direction in which it was possible the Indians might appear. They might
also, if they suspected the route we should take, have hurried on and
formed an ambush; and although they were without fire-arms, their arrows
at a short distance were as dangerous as bullets. We therefore kept at
a distance from any clumps of trees or shrubs which would afford them
shelter. Our steeds showed abundance of mettle; and by the time night
approached we had every reason to believe that we had out-distanced all
pursuers.
As the sun set we saw an open prairie before us, with here and there
clumps of pine. The night was clear, and the stars would serve to guide
us. Rochford offered to lead the way, that he might warn us of any
danger. Carlos rode on one side of Juanita, and I on the other; and the
captain and Tim brought up the rear. On we went, though at a slower
pace than that which we had pursued during the day-time.
"But how in the world did you allow yourself to be carried off, and give
us all this trouble?" asked Carlos, who was accustomed to speak in a
somewhat brusque manner to his sisters.
"Depend upon it, I could not help myself," she answered, not apparently
wishing just then to enlighten him.
He, however, again and again pressed her.
"It is a painful subject, and I would rather not think about it," she
answered. "However, if you insist upon knowing, I will tell you. You
remember when we were out riding how I galloped on ahead. I did so
under the belief that the others were following; when, looking round, I
saw that I was alone, and to my horror directly afterwards found myself
in the presence of five mounted Indians, one of whom I recognised as the
chief who had come to the judge's house while we were there. He
advanced and addressed me, courteously enough, in a long speech full of
flowery language, the tenor of which was that I must become his wife. I
answered, with as much composure as I could command, that such a thing
was impossible, and that I must beg to decline the honour he intended
me. I avoided, as I thought, saying a word to annoy him; but I suppose
I exhibited the indignation I felt. Suddenly seizing the bridle of my
horse, and ordering his braves to follow, he set off at a gallop. I
screamed out, threatening to throw myself to the ground; but I was
afraid of doing so lest I should break my neck, or that the Indians
would gallop over me, which from their looks I thought they would have
very little scruple in doing.
"On we went for miles and miles, until we reached a large camp of
several hundred warriors. Here a hut was quickly built, which the chief
begged me to occupy; and I was treated with every courtesy, although
there was not even a squaw to attend on me. It was impossible to
escape; and although I was dreadfully frightened, I tried hard to
recover my composure and presence of mind, so that I might be able to
act on an emergency. The chief, who spoke very good English, said he
intended to convey me to the lodges of his tribe, where the squaws would
take care of me and attend to all my wishes, provided I made no attempt
to escape; and that I should remain there until the white men were
driven out of the country and the natives had regained their rights,
when he would claim me as his bride. I thanked him for the honour he
intended me, but entreated that he would in the meantime carry me back
to my father and mother, who would be greatly alarmed at my
disappearance. He answered that it was with regard to my safety that he
had carried me off from the whites, who would ere long be exterminated;
and that he could not bear to see one for whom he had so great an
affection remain to share the fate prepared for them. He paid me all
sorts of absurd compliments, likening me to a lily, an angel, a star,
and I don't know what else; though I scarcely listened to what he said
on that subject. In vain I pleaded, notwithstanding any risk I might
run, to be allowed to return home: he was deaf to all my entreaties. As
I was careful, however, not to say anything to irritate him, he
continued as courteous as at first.
"We set out with a strong escort, and galloped on till nightfall; but
not until the end of the fourth day did we reach the chief's lodges. He
there committed me to the charge of his mother, who had, no doubt, in
her younger days been very handsome. She received me very kindly, and I
had no reason to complain of the way I was treated; in fact, had I been
a princess of their tribe, more attention and respect could not have
been paid me.
"I now first learned that the chief was no other than Oceola, the great
leader of the Indians in the present rebellion. When he visited me I
tried to persuade him to make peace with the whites, and to abandon his
attempt to regain the country; trying to explain to him how hopeless it
was, as, should every settler and soldier be killed, others in
overwhelming numbers would ere long pour into the country and revenge
their people. He replied that the red men had been victorious
everywhere; that hundreds of the Palefaces had been killed; and that
such would be the fate of all who should come to the country. At last
he took his departure. I was very glad he was gone. I feared, however,
that I had not succeeded in impressing him with the hopelessness of his
cause.
"Though I saw no means of escaping, I tried to keep up my spirits, and
resolved to take advantage of any opportunity that might occur. Imagine
my surprise, after I had been some days in the Indian village, to see a
white man dressed as a hunter enter it. I felt sure that he was your
friend Rochford. Though I pretended not to notice his arrival, I
resolved as soon as possible to communicate with him. He must have seen
me or heard that I was there; for within an hour a note was brought me,
written on a small scrap of paper, containing these words:--
"`Trust me; I will assist you to escape.--R.'
"Tearing off the small blank piece of the note, I simply wrote `Yes,'
fearing lest by any chance it might fall into the hands of the chief.
By some means or other, Rochford managed to throw the squaws off their
guard, by bringing either venison or some other game each time he came
to the village; and he managed to hold frequent communication with me.
The rest you know. My great fear now is lest he should fall into the
hands of the Indians, who would, on finding that he had assisted to
carry me off, wreak a dreadful vengeance upon him."
I assured Juanita that there was little danger of this; and quieted her
fears as well as I could by promising to do my best to prevent our
gallant friend running any unnecessary risk.
At last we found so many impediments in our course--Rochford having two
or three times narrowly escaped breaking his neck--that we were
compelled to halt. As well as we were able to do so in the dark, we put
up a shelter for Juanita. The night passed quietly, and the next day we
reached Fort King.
Nothing of importance had occurred during our absence. My father was
still far from well, and very anxious about my uncle and the party who
had accompanied him; for nothing had been heard of them, and it was
feared that they might have been surprised by the Indians and cut off,
as many other parties had been. Our great wish, therefore, was to set
off to ascertain their fate. Should we discover my uncle, it would be a
great relief to him to know that his daughter was in comparative safety.
Juanita's position, however, was far from pleasant: though she had her
brother, her uncle, and me, there was no female in the fort to attend on
her, and the best accommodation which could be provided was rough in the
extreme.
How to proceed was now the question. If she were left in the fort,
either Carlos or my father must remain with her. My father was ill, and
unfit for any fatigue, though he might have been able to perform an easy
journey of short stages. It was therefore decided that he should remain
in the fort, and that as many men as could be spared,--including
Lejoillie, Carlos, and I,--under the command of Captain Norton, should
set off to search for my uncle. Should we discover him, our plan was to
return directly to Fort King, and from thence make our way to the Saint
John River, by which we could descend to Castle Kearney. It was
possible, however, that by this time my uncle had returned home, though
he was not likely to have done so without having obtained tidings of his
daughter. We therefore resolved, after giving the horses a day's rest,
to set out on our fresh expedition.
To my surprise, Rochford excused himself from accompanying us, although
he did not intend to remain in the fort. "I have a duty," he said, "to
perform to others; and while fully alive to the dangers I shall run in
passing through the country alone, it must be done."