drove them off to a distance; when wedges being driven into thetrunk, steps were formed to enable the climbers to reach the combs.They took the precaution of covering their heads with handkerchiefs,leaving only two small holes through which they could see. No one wasinclined to be longer about the task than was absolutely necessary, as,in spite of their precautions, they did not escape without severalstings. In a short time they descended, each man laden with combs ofvarious sizes. Other combs were found on the branches of trees in theimmediate neighbourhood, and altogether honey enough was found to feedthe whole party. The comb and the honey were eaten together. While itstopped the pangs of hunger, it seemed also wonderfully nutritious.Alone, the honey might not have afforded us sufficient nourishment, butour guide told us that at a short distance off we would come upon anopening in which grew an enormous quantity of cabbage-palms. A partywas sent to procure them, and before dark they returned with asufficient supply for all hands. As the bees were likely to revengethemselves should we remain in their neighbourhood, we advanced a shortdistance, and encamped in a small clump of pines, from which we couldsee the approach of an enemy, and defend ourselves should we beattacked. No Indians, however, came near us, nor was any traildiscovered in the neighbourhood; and the next day, weary and footsore,with our trousers well-nigh torn off our legs, we came in sight of FortKing. On our right were several buildings. As we got up to them, wefound that the houses were roofless, shattered, and blackened, whilenear them were the remains of what was once a large store. It waspretty evident that the work of destruction had been performed byIndians.
We were advancing in full expectation of a hearty welcome, when a bulletwhistled past the captain's ear.
"Can the Redskins have captured the fort?" he exclaimed, ordering ahalt.
"It looks like it," observed my father. "We had better ascertain howmatters stand before we go nearer. We are not prepared to assault theplace if the enemy hold it in force. But if you will follow the adviceof an old soldier, we will beat a retreat before we lose any of ournumber. I will go forward with a flag of truce. I don't know whetherthe Indians will respect it; but if I see anything suspicious, I will becareful not to allow them to take a steady aim at me."
On hearing this, I begged my father to allow me to go instead, but thishe refused. Tim then offered to go, but my father firmly persisted inkeeping to his resolution.
Mounting one of the horses, which had hitherto been led in the rear tokeep them fresh for necessary work, he fastened a flag at the end of aramrod, and, while we halted, rode rapidly forwards, waving it over hishead in a way which would distract the aim of any one firing at him.
I anxiously watched his progress, expecting to see him wheel round andgallop back to us; but presently, to our great satisfaction, the gate ofthe fort opened, and an officer, followed by several men, came out.
"It's all right," cried Captain Norton, giving the word to advance, andin a few minutes we were shaking hands with the commandant of the fort.On the captain asking why we had been fired at, he was told that themusket had been discharged by one of the sentries--of course, anIrishman!--who had mistaken us for a band of Red Indians.
"I am glad my worthy countryman was not a better shot," said my father,"or one of the best officers in the service would have been lost to hiscountry."
"We have no best officers among us; we are all excellent," observedCaptain Norton, laughing; "and I hope our friend Pat won't be punishedfor being a bad shot."
The commandant had a sad account to give us. A few days before, thegeneral commanding the forces in Florida, with several officers, hadbeen incautiously dining at the settlement we had just passed. Not anenemy was supposed to be in the neighbourhood. The evening had beenspent pleasantly, and the guests were preparing to retire to theirhomes, either in the settlement or in the fort, when a loud war-whoopwas heard, and a shower of bullets came rattling into their midst.Nearly the whole were shot down at once. Two or three managed to escapeto the fort, aided by the darkness of night; but the Indians, springingon the remainder of the survivors, struck them to the ground, andcarried off their scalps. The garrison had been afraid to fire for fearof wounding friends as well as foes. The Indians did not lose a man.
The garrison of the fort having been greatly weakened, the commandantexpressed his satisfaction at our arrival, and at once informed CaptainNorton that he must detain him and his men for the defence of the place.This, though a necessary measure, completely disconcerted all our plansfor the discovery of my young cousin. My father, Lejoillie, Tim, and I,not being citizens, were at liberty to go if we liked. The commandantalso did not insist on detaining Carlos, should he desire to return homeor to continue the prosecution of our undertaking. The fort was amplysupplied with provisions; and as there was a well within it, there waslittle fear of the garrison, even if besieged by the red men, beingcompelled to give in. Still, their limited numbers prevented themmoving to any distance without the greatest risk of being cut off, asother parties had been.
We now much regretted that Rochford had left us, as from the knowledgehe had obtained of the country, we might, under his guidance, have beenenabled to recover Juanita.
We were all this time, I should have said, very anxious about my uncleand his party, for no tidings had been received of him; and being asmuch exposed as those who had been massacred, he ran the risk of sharingthe same fate.
We had spent some days in inactivity. All this time my poor youngcousin might be exposed to the greatest danger, and yet we were unableto devise a plan for rescuing her.
Finding my sleeping-place very hot, I had one morning turned out atdaybreak, and was taking a turn on the gallery, or rather platform,above the stockade, when I caught sight of a person approaching thefort. I soon saw that he was a black, and that he was waving a whitehandkerchief at the end of a stick. The nearer he approached the morehe waved, evidently not satisfied with the appearance of things. Ilooked round to see that none of the sentries were taking aim at theman. It struck me at once that he might be a messenger from Rochford.I hastened down to the gate to receive him. I was not mistaken.
"Me Pompey; bring message from Massa Rochford to de young white massa.You he, I guess," he said.
"I have no doubt that Mr. Rochford has sent to my father or me, as weare friends of his. I am anxious to hear what you have to say," Ireplied.
"It dis," said Pompey, trying to look very grave; "Massa Rochford foundout whar de young missie is stayin'. He talk to her, an' she ready tocome. Massa Rochford say if he had 'osses he bring her 'way, butoderwise he fear dey bof get caught; so he stop in a wood not far fromdeir lodges, whar no Indians find him. He stay dar till de young massaand captain come wid de 'osses, den he get de white girl an' carry her'way all safe. Massa understand what Pompey say?"
"Very clearly; but how are we to find the place where Mr. Rochford ishiding?" I asked.
"Pompey him show you, massa; him come on purpose," said the black.
"How long will it take to get there?" I asked.
The black began to count on his fingers, with a knowing look.
"Maybe two days, maybe free, accordin' to circumstances; maybe only one,if 'osses go quick--but den Pompey not keep up an' show de way."
"Come in, Pompey, and you shall explain what you have told me to CaptainNorton and my father, and I have no doubt that they will agree to Mr.Rochford's proposal."
Neither of them had turned out, but I roused them up, as there was notime to be lost. On hearing the information Pompey had brought, they atonce went to the commandant and laid the matter before him. Heconsented to allow us to take the horses we had brought to the fort,with two or three others if we required them. I did not expect that hewould give permission to Captain Norton to go; but the captain pressedhim so hard that he at length consented, provided my father, who hadbeen unwell for some days, would consent to remain. To this my fatherconsented, fearing that if he went he might break down on the way, andbe unable to proceed. It was finally a
rranged that Captain Norton,Carlos, Tim, and I, under the guidance of Pompey, should set out on ourfour best horses, with two led ones for Juanita and Rochford. The blackdeclined mounting, declaring that he had never ridden a horse, but thathe would keep the lead on foot. As soon as he had taken some food and ashort rest we set out. He showed by his activity that he was well ableto perform his promise. When, however, he got out of sight of the fort,he stopped and said--
"Pompey guess he might stick on de 'oss, an' den we go faster." Withoutwaiting for a reply, he sprang into the saddle, and from the way inwhich he sat showed that he was as well accustomed to riding as any ofus. Where the ground would allow he took the lead in fine style. Awaywe went, allowing no ordinary impediments to hinder us.
"Take care that fellow doesn't
In the Wilds of Florida: A Tale of Warfare and Hunting Page 42
