following his example, seized our rifles; Tim did thesame. But the words produced a terrifying effect on the rest of ourcompanions, who, without waiting to ascertain the number of our enemiesor how far off they were, took to their heels, and scampered away,leaving their hats, coats, and shoes behind them, many even forgettingtheir rifles. In vain Carlos, Lejoillie, and I shouted to them to stop.
"Halt, ye villains! halt!" cried Tim, "or I'll be afther sendin' a shotamong ye that'll make a hole in one of your backs."
Tim's threat produced no effect, and away went our brave party, tumblingover each other; and certainly, had the Redskins been close at hand,every one of us would have been scalped.
The scout who had given the alarm, and who was a brave fellow, nowjoined us, and explained that he had seen a large party of Indians inthe distance, making, as he supposed, towards the hummock; and that hehad shouted out, not supposing that his warning would have produced soterrifying an effect.
Lejoillie directed him to hurry on, and try to induce the men to comeback for their clothes and arms; and to point out to them that shouldtheir flight be discovered by the Indians, they would certainly follow,believing they would obtain an easy victory; whereas, if we were to haltand show a bold front, they would probably not attempt to molest us.
Tim accompanied the scout, and fortunately overtaking the fugitives,gave them Lejoillie's message. Having pointed out that we had remainedbehind, and that the Indians were still at a distance, they induced themat length to come back and collect their scattered garments. We thenretreated at a rapid rate, in somewhat better order than before, as wewere anxious to get out of the hummock, where the Indians, had theydiscovered us, would have taken us at a great disadvantage. In the openprairie, or even in the pinewood, we should have no fear of the Indians,though more numerous than ourselves, as our rifles would tell with moredeadly effect than their inferior arms or bows and arrows. I cannot saythat I felt very confident that, should an enemy appear, the Rosevillevolunteers would not again cut and run. I must say, however, that mostof the heroes looked very much ashamed of themselves. The truth was,they had been seized with a panic, such as occurs sometimes even amongregular troops. Lejoillie, who was acting as their leader, was astranger to them, and they probably also had very little confidence ineach other. Having got to a sufficient distance from the hummock toprevent it affording shelter to an enemy firing at us, a halt wascalled, and Lejoillie advised that scouts should be sent back toascertain the whereabouts of the Indians.
Carlos and I volunteered to undertake the duty. On hearing this, Timstepped forward.
"Sure, Mr. Maurice dear, it'll be better for me, an old soldier,accustomed to the ways of the savages, to go out and scout than you," hesaid. "What could I say to the capt'n if the varmints were to shoot youdown and take your scalp?"
"I am not afraid of that," I said. "If my cousin and I hang back, wecannot expect the rest of the people to show any courage; though I shallbe very glad if you will accompany us."
"Then, Mr. Maurice dear, I'll go with you," said Tim; "and if I say,`Run,' just promise me that you will run; and I won't say it unless Isee it is the best thing to be done."
To this I agreed, knowing that Tim was a stanch old soldier, who wouldnot beat a retreat unless we were likely to be overpowered.
On seeing us prepared to set out, two other men stepped forward who hadbefore acted as scouts. We made our way as rapidly as we could towardsthe hummock. Advancing quickly through the forest, keeping ourselvesconcealed from any one in front by stooping down behind bushes, orrunning from one trunk to another, we reached the spot where our partyhad so ignominiously taken to flight, without having seen an enemy.After this, we expected every instant to discover the Indians who hadcaused the alarm, as, unless they had halted, they could not be far off.We had thus worked our way to the farther side of the hummock, whenlooking out from behind a tree I had just reached, I saw two personsadvancing across the open, neither of whom had much the look of anIndian.
"Sure that's not the band of Redskins that set our fellows running sohard!" exclaimed Tim, who had at the same time caught sight of the twomen.
As they drew nearer, to my infinite satisfaction I discovered that onewas Rochford. It was difficult to determine whether the other, a tall,fine-looking man in hunter's costume, was an Indian or a white.
There being no further need for concealment, I hurried forward, followedby Tim, when Rochford and his companion rapidly advanced to meet us.
"Where have you been?" I exclaimed. "We feared that you had met withsome accident, and we have been hunting for you all the morning."
"I am sorry to have caused you and my other friends any anxiety, but Icould not help myself," he answered. "While chasing a deer which I hadwounded, I was made prisoner by a band of natives, who dragged me off,and were about, I feared, to put me to death, supposing that I was asettler, when my companion here, who is a chief of importance amongthem, made his appearance. On my explaining who I was, and my object incoming to Florida, he at once set me at liberty, and treated me with thegreatest kindness. As he appeared anxious to see the settlement, Iinduced him to accompany me to Roseville, having pledged myself for hissafety."
"No one would wish to interfere with him," I observed. "I feel verysure he will meet with a friendly reception."
To my surprise, the Indian chief, turning to me, said, in perfectly goodEnglish--
"I know that I can rely on the honour of an Irishman. My sole object inentering the settlement is to assure the white inhabitants that mycountrymen desire peace, and that they need be under no apprehension ofan attack from us. All we wish is to retain our hunting-grounds, and tocultivate our lands unmolested."
While we were speaking, Carlos and the two other men came up, whenRochford's companion repeating what he had said to me, they invited himto accompany us back to the settlement. On our way I inquired ofRochford what could have caused our scout to suppose that a band ofIndians was approaching.
"He must have seen my new friend's followers in the distance," heanswered. "They set out to accompany him, but returned by hisdirections to a wood a short distance from this. There are a couple ofhundred of them, fine-looking fellows, all well-armed, and evidentlydevoted to him. It proves, I think, his friendly disposition; for, werehe ill disposed, they might pounce down on the settlement at any moment,and destroy it before the inhabitants could have time to defendthemselves."
"Then he does not altogether rely on your safe-conduct; for he knowswell that should the inhabitants of Roseville attempt to detain him hewould quickly be rescued by his followers," I remarked.
Lejoillie showed his delight at recovering Rochford by giving him a warmembrace; and then turning to the chief, he welcomed him cordially.
I observed that the latter carefully eyed the countenances of ourcompanions, as if wishing to ascertain if any of them knew him, while,at the same time, he kept his rifle in his hand, ready for instant use.When we began our march, he came alongside Rochford, Carlos, and me, inthe rear of the party, who now hurried on, eager to get back to theirhomes.
He addressed himself especially to Carlos, from whom, it appeared to me,he was endeavouring to obtain information which neither Lejoillie nor Iwas able to give him. It was late in the evening by the time we reachedRoseville. The judge, on seeing Rochford, blamed him for having causedus so much anxiety.
"Now we've got you, we'll not let you run away again," he exclaimed,shaking him by the hand.
Rochford then introduced his Indian companion.
"I have seen many of your people, but I don't know that I have everbefore met you," observed the judge, eyeing him narrowly.
"I am fonder of the chase than of war or treaty-making with the whites,"answered the Indian. "I have visited you now for the sake of assuringyou of the friendly feelings of my people, so that you may rest in quietwithout any apprehensions of an attack from us."
"I said so! I always said that the red men were well disposed!"exclaimed th
e judge. "I expect Captain Norton back to-morrow, and Ishould be happy if you could remain, and give him the same assurancesthat you have given me."
"I would willingly have an interview with Captain Norton, but my stayhere must be short. I will leave you to repeat to him the assurances ofour pacific intentions," answered the Indian.
The judge's wife and my cousins now made their appearance. The Indianchief appeared to regard them with great admiration. They on their partdeclared that he was very agreeable and good-looking, and that hebehaved like a polished gentleman, conducting himself at table withthorough propriety.
The judge offered him a bed, but he declined, saying that, accustomed ashe was to sleeping in the open air, he should prefer to pass the nightin the
In the Wilds of Florida: A Tale of Warfare and Hunting Page 9