In the Wilds of Florida: A Tale of Warfare and Hunting
Page 39
party reloaded. We were thusable to keep up a successive fusillade, which evidently greatlyastonished our foes. Still they continued to assail us with theirmissiles, both from fire-arms and bows; and with remarkable courage theyagain rushed on to the assault. We let them approach until they wereclose up to the stockade, when we once more opened so withering a firethat few made the attempt to climb up, and those who did quickly droppeddown, either with cloven heads or hands well-nigh chopped off. Thewhole force, apparently seeing that they had no chance of getting intothe fort, hurriedly retreated, dragging away, as they did so, the bodiesof the slain.
Our men cheered, under the belief that we had won the victory; but theIndians, though they had abandoned the assault for the moment, did notconsider themselves defeated, and halting as soon as they had got beyondthe range of our rifles, once more faced about. From their costumes andwild appearance Captain Norton declared that they were not Seminoles,but probably some of the allies who had, it was said, lately joined therebels from the north. Such, certainly, were the chiefs on horseback;who now, having again arranged their men, and encouraged them to renewedexertions, dashed on towards us at full speed, waving their lances andshrieking at the top of their voices.
"Let them play that trick as long as they like," cried the captain."Wait until some of them get near enough, then bring down their horses.It will require a good shot to kill the riders; but if their steedsfall, we can easily capture them, and they would be of the greatest useto us. However, do not throw a shot away, and wait patiently until theycome near. Perhaps they think our ammunition is exhausted; and if theyfind we don't fire, they may come close up to the stockade."
The captain's orders were strictly obeyed. The warriors continuedwheeling round and round, now advancing, now retreating, but stillkeeping at a respectful distance from the fort. At length they got sonear, it seemed to me that we might have knocked over the whole of them.Captain Norton, however, did not allow us to fire. This, as may beexpected, made them still bolder, and at length they came sweeping on atfull speed, shaking their spears and shouting defiance, till they gotwithin fifty yards of us.
"Now give it them, lads!" exclaimed Captain Norton.
As we had but a limited supply of ammunition, only such men as werelooked upon as the best shots had been told off to fire. Among thesewas Tim, near whom I was standing. He was the first to draw trigger,and so sure was his aim that he shot the horse of one of the chiefsthrough the head. Down came the animal on its rider, over whom itrolled, crushing his leg, and preventing him from rising. The rest ofthe chiefs, however, throwing themselves over the sides of their horses,so as to be completely concealed, galloped off like the wind, and as faras I could see, not a man or horse was hit.
"Now, lads, let's get hold of that fellow before he gets on his feet,"cried Tim; and, jumping over the stockade, followed by three other men,he ran towards the prostrate chief, who in vain, flourishing his spear,called on his companions to rescue him. Finding that none of themreturned, he made a desperate lunge with his spear at Tim, who, however,leaping on one side, warded it off with the butt of his rifle, and dealtthe Indian a blow on the head which rendered him incapable of furtherresistance. The Irishman and his companions then seized thenearly-stunned warrior by the shoulders, and dragged him to the gate ofthe fort. It being opened for their reception, all in another minutewere safe within, and the gate again closed.
Our captive soon recovered his senses, and looked about like a wildbeast when it finds itself in a cage, seeking for some means of escape.His countenance fell when he saw the strong palisades and the number ofarmed men by whom he was surrounded. He, however, showed no other signsof fear, and appeared to resign himself to his fate, expecting,apparently, that he would at once be put to death. Captain Norton, whospoke the language of the Seminoles with perfect ease, inquired why heand his companions had attacked the fort.
"Because the desire of the red men is to drive their enemies thePalefaces out of the country, and regain their rightful heritage,"answered the chief.
"But you and your people have signed a treaty agreeing to leave thecountry in possession of the United States Government, and you havebroken that treaty by remaining and attacking the whites."
"The treaty was signed by traitors, and could not be binding on the restof the people," answered the Indian. "We have once more dug up thewar-hatchet, and have resolved to regain our own. I have spoken. Youhave me in your power; my life is in your hands; do as you list."
"Do you wish to live or die?" asked Captain Norton, detecting lessconfidence in the Indian's tone than his words, of which I give a verymeagre translation, appeared to exhibit.
"Black Hawk has no desire to die. He has many in his lodges who wouldmourn his loss," was the answer.
"Your life is in your own hands, then," answered Captain Norton. "Ifyou will promise to render us faithful service, you shall live, andobtain an ample reward, with which you can return to your own andgladden the hearts of your squaw and children."
The Indian's countenance brightened, and Captain Norton at once saw thatin spite of his boastful bearing he would be easily tempted to act anypart required.
"Our desire is to make the red men our friends, and we have no wish toinduce you to betray your people: but we require information, and if youhave the power of giving it, and will enable us to attain our object, weshall be content," said the captain.
"What is it the white chief desires to know?" asked Black Hawk.
"One of the daughters of the Palefaces was carried off some weeks ago byyour people. Is she residing anywhere in this neighbourhood; and if so,will Black Hawk undertake to restore her to those to whom she desires toreturn?" said Captain Norton.
The Indian, for some time, made no reply to this question. He wasapparently considering how he should act. Should he be unable to assistus, or refuse to do so, he would lose his reward, and perhaps be put todeath. At last he answered:--
"Black Hawk wishes to serve those who have saved his life. He cannot doso if his own people suspect that he has allied himself to their foes.The daughter of the Paleface chief is alive, and living in the lodges ofour great chief Oceola, where she was brought some time back. It issaid that he desires to wed the damsel, but that she has refused tobecome his bride, and that he is unable to compel her."
"So far what you tell us is satisfactory," observed Captain Norton."Can you conduct a party to the lodges of your chief, so that thedamsel, should she desire it, may return to her home?"
"The undertaking would be difficult and dangerous," observed the Indian."Still, if the white chief wills it, Black Hawk will go; but it wouldbe certain destruction to all those who might form the party, shouldOceola discover the attempt made to carry off his intended bride."
Rochford had been an attentive listener to this conversation, of which Igive only a few particulars as they were interpreted to me. He had beensufficiently long with the Indians to understand the greater part of theconversation.
"If Miss Kearney be held captive in the lodges of the Seminole chief, Iwill undertake to bear any message to her which her uncle or brotherdesires to send, and endeavour, should she be willing to accompany me,to escort her to her family," he said. "I have the means ofcommunicating with the Indians in all parts of the country; and in spiteof dangers and difficulties, I am sanguine of success."
"But should the Indians find out that you have communicated with us,they will look upon you as an enemy to their cause, and will probablydetain you, if they do not take your life," observed my father."Anxious as I am to recover my niece, I think it right to point out toyou the danger you incur."
"I have considered all the difficulties, Captain Kearney, and I countthem as nothing compared to the object to be attained," answeredRochford. "I would set out this very day, but I think it is ofimportance to know whether our late assailants have taken theirdeparture; for should I fall into their hands, they might detain meuntil Black Hawk was delivered up to them; or, should they think
himkilled, they might take my life in revenge for his in spite of Oceola'ssafe-conduct. Besides, I am very sure that you require a larger supplyof provisions than you now possess; and as none of your party can withprudence venture far from the fort, I propose spending a day in hunting.I have a sufficient reason for this, as I have greater hopes of beingable to conduct Miss Kearney to this fort than I have to reach herfather's house; and if you are compelled to abandon the fort for want ofprovisions, my plan would be defeated."
Both Captain Norton and my father agreed to Rochford's proposals, but itwas a question whether the Indians could be trusted. They might provefaithful, but it was more likely that they would play him sometreacherous trick. He, however, was not to be turned from his purpose.On hearing of his intended