|
Main
- books.jibble.org
My Books
- IRC Hacks
Misc. Articles
- Meaning of Jibble
- M4 Su Doku
- Computer Scrapbooking
- Setting up Java
- Bootable Java
- Cookies in Java
- Dynamic Graphs
- Social Shakespeare
External Links
- Paul Mutton
- Jibble Photo Gallery
- Jibble Forums
- Google Landmarks
- Jibble Shop
- Free Books
- Intershot Ltd
|
books.jibble.org
Previous Page
| Next Page
Page 43
He had at once recognized R�n�, though he was careful not to betray the
fact, and was very glad that the white lad showed no sign of ever
having seen him. Only by an occasional pitying glance, when he could
give it undetected by the others, did he attempt to convey his friendly
feelings to the young prisoner. When it came his turn to stand guard
over the captives, he treated them with greater harshness than any of
the Seminoles, in order to allay any suspicion that might be
entertained of his faithfulness. But always he watched for an
opportunity to communicate with R�n�, and make known to him that he was
a friend.
At length such an opportunity offered itself. They had entered the
great swamp, and even R�n�, from the bottom of the canoe, seeing the
tall cypresses meet overhead, began to suspect where they were. During
a portion of an intensely dark night E-chee kept watch over the
prisoners. While the guard whom he relieved was there to note the
action, he gave each of the three captives a kick with his moccasined
foot. This, while it did not hurt them, expressed to the Seminole a
degree of contempt that satisfied him that the new recruit hated the
white men as cordially as he himself.
When he had departed and all was quiet, E-chee approached the place
where R�n� lay bound to a tree, and lying down close beside him, he
whispered, "Ta-lah-lo-ko."
R�n� had fallen asleep, but he was instantly awakened by the sound of
this familiar name, even though it was only whispered. Without moving,
he waited to hear if the sound would be repeated, or whether he had
only dreamed some one had called him.
In a moment the whisper came again, "Ta-lah-lo-ko."
"Who art thou?" asked R�n�, in the Indian language.
"I am E-chee from Seloy, where I saw thee when thou first set foot on
the land of my people. Dost thou not remember?"
"Art thou not E-chee the Seminole?"
"To all appearance I am become one of these runaways, but my heart is
that of a true man, and I seek only an opportunity to escape from them
and to rejoin my own people. If indeed any of my people be left
alive," he added, bitterly.
"Dost thou think an escape may be effected?" asked R�n�, eagerly, a new
hope dawning in his breast.
"I know not, but I can try, and should I fail, death itself were better
than life with these Seminole dogs."
Then R�n� asked where they were and what E-chee knew of Cat-sha's plans.
He was told that they were in the great Okeefenokee swamp, even as he
had suspected. On the morrow they were to leave the canoes and find a
trail that led to the Seminole village, hidden in its most impenetrable
depths. When they reached it E-chee believed, from fragments of
conversation he had overheard, that there was to be a great feast, and
that the prisoners were to be tortured.
Then R�n� told E-chee of the land of the Alachuas, and described to him
how he might reach it. This done, he asked the young Indian to reach a
hand into the breast of his doublet, where, within its lining, he would
find a feather with a slender chain and pin attached to it. This, on
account of his bonds, he could not get at with his own hands.
When E-chee had secured the feather, which was the very Flamingo
Feather given to R�n� by Has-se, R�n� told him to guard it with his
life; and, if he succeeded in escaping from the Seminoles, to convey it
with all speed to the land of the Alachuas. There he was to present it
to any of Micco's tribe, but in particular to one named Has-se the
Bow-bearer, if he could discover him. He was to tell them of the sad
plight of the prisoners, and beg of them to send a party to their
rescue.
Hardly had he finished these instructions when the snapping of a twig
near by caused E-chee to spring to his feet and pour out a torrent of
abuse upon R�n�, at the same time giving him a kick that drew from the
prostrate lad an exclamation of pain. It was quite as much a groan of
despair; for he could not understand the action of the young Indian,
and imagined him to be a vile traitor who had only gained his
confidence in order to betray it.
Previous Page
| Next Page
|
|