|
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 48
In the darkness of the early night the little party entered their
canoes, and with lusty strokes of the paddles started swiftly up the
narrow river towards the terrible swamp, and the more terrible scenes
that it concealed.
E-chee occupied the foremost canoe with Yah-chi-la-ne and Has-se; and
as they sped onward he told them at greater length than before of the
tragic events of the past few days, and of the captivity of
Ta-lah-lo-ko.
He also told the story of his own escape, which would doubtless have
interested the Seminoles greatly could they have heard it. Having made
up his mind that if he was to be of service to the young white chief he
must set about it immediately, he had determined to attempt an escape
on the very night of his arrival at the Seminole village. As he knew
that he would not be permitted on any account to pass the guard at the
end of the trail, he conceived a plan that would draw the sentinel from
his post for a few moments, and as soon as darkness came on proceeded
to put it into execution.
He simply procured a billet of heavy water-soaked wood, that would sink
like a stone, and carried it, undiscovered, to a thicket on the edge of
the island near the end of the trail. There he flung his Seminole
head-dress of feathers upon the ground, chanted a few notes of a
death-song, cried out that he was thus about to rejoin his own people,
and threw the billet of wood into the dark waters, where, with a loud
splash, it instantly sank from sight. Then he crept noiselessly from
the spot, and when the sentinel reached the thicket he had gained the
unguarded trail, and, without waiting to listen to the comments upon
his supposed suicide, made off with all speed. He had happily
succeeded in retaining his footing upon the uncertain pathway, and in
safely reaching the spot at the head of the lagoon where the Seminole
canoes were hidden. Taking possession of one of these, he had
travelled night and day towards the land of the Alachuas, guided by the
directions given him by R�n�.
Has-se and Yah-chi-la-ne listened attentively to this tale, and at its
conclusion commended E-chee highly for the skill and bravery with which
he had effected his escape and made his way to their encampment. Then
they talked of their chances of still finding R�n� alive, and of how
they should rescue him, until E-chee, utterly exhausted by his
prolonged efforts, dropped into a profound slumber, from which he did
not awaken until daylight.
Meantime, in the Seminole village, the preparations for the great Feast
of Rejoicing had been completed, and it had been begun on the very day
of E-chee's arrival in Micco's camp, and of the setting forth of the
rescuing party. For two days R�n� de Veaux listened with a sickening
dread to the sounds of savage revelry that penetrated the hut in which
he lay. He heard the continuous beating of the kas-a-lal-ki, or Indian
drum, and the rattle of the terrapin shells, filled with dried palmetto
berries, that accompanied the dancing. He heard the fierce, wild
shouts and yells of the savages and shuddered at them. Above all he
heard, and attempted to close his ears to the sound, the cries of agony
forced from those of his own race who suffered torture at the stake.
Of all these sounds he could only guess the meaning; for none came near
him save the guard who brought him food and water, but who refused to
speak to him, and once Chitta came and stood over him with a smile of
triumph lighting his dark features. As he turned away he said, as
though speaking to himself,
"On the morrow we shall see of what stuff pale-faced chiefs are made."
This was all, but to the quick understanding of the captive boy it
meant everything. He knew at once that his turn had come, and that
with the light of another day he would be led forth, and by his
sufferings afford a brief amusement to a horde of yelling savages.
Could he endure it? Would his strength bear him bravely to the bitter
end? Or would he too break down and cry out as he had heard the
others? The agony of such thoughts was too great for the poor
friendless lad, and, throwing himself face downward upon the ground, he
burst into bitter tears.
How long he lay thus he knew not. At last, after passing what seemed
like hours of anguish, he rose slowly to his knees and poured forth his
whole soul in prayer to One who had also been tortured, and knew the
agony that preceded such sufferings. His prayer was for deliverance;
or if that might not be, then for His presence to support and
strengthen him in the hour of trial.
Previous Page
| Next Page
|
|