In the Wilds of Florida: A Tale of Warfare and Hunting

instant we saw a horse burst forth from amidstthe lodges with Rochford on its back, carrying Juanita before him.Close at its heels came a whole herd of women--or rather furies theyappeared, from their fearful cries and wild gestures--while just overtheir heads we could see several of the old warriors coming from variousdirections, endeavouring as they moved along to fix their arrows intheir bows.

  "Come with me, Carlos," cried Captain Norton. "Maurice and Tim, takethe other side; and let our friends pass between us. Then wheel round,and cover them as they gallop on. We shall soon distance these oldhags, who, seeing that they have no chance of overtaking us, will soongive up the pursuit."

  I could not help giving way to a loud shout as Rochford, with Juanita,almost fainting, in his arms, rode up. I was joined in it by mycompanions; and we were all in another instant galloping along at a ratewhich quickly enabled us to distance our pursuers, although not to getout of earshot of their terrific cries.

  Not until we had galloped for a couple of miles did we pull rein, whenwe halted to allow Juanita to recover herself, and to congratulate herand Rochford on their escape. Captain Norton inquired whether Juanitafelt able to mount the horse we had brought. She replied that she woulddo as Rochford advised; but was ready to do so, if necessary.

  "Jump on its back, then," said Carlos; "we shall go all the faster. Youcan manage a steed as well as any of us."

  Juanita looked at Rochford, and then allowed him and her brother to helpher on her horse. When once she was seated in the saddle, she appearedherself again. There was no time to make inquiries as to how Rochfordhad contrived to carry her off. We had not only to escape from thepeople in the village who might come in pursuit of us, but also to avoidSpotted Wolf's party, who would be certain, should they discover ourtrail, to follow us up and try to avenge his death.

  In a way we had little expected, we had thus far accomplished the objectof our expedition. Still, many dangers lay before us. Had it not beennecessary to return to Fort King to rejoin my father, we should havefelt inclined to push across the Ocklawaha for the banks of the SaintJohn River, and so make our way to Castle Kearney. The distance,however, was great; and unless we could find a boat, our ammunitionmight fail before we could reach it, and Juanita might be exposed tomore fatigue than she would be able to bear. Towards Fort King,therefore, we directed our course. Juanita declared that she couldgallop the whole distance if the horses could continue going. But wehad great reason to fear that they could not accomplish this task; foralthough they had had a long noon-day rest, they had already beengalloping for several hours. Still, we determined to push forwardduring daylight, and to continue on at night should the nature of theground permit us. We kept a look-out over our left shoulders in thedirection in which it was possible the Indians might appear. They mightalso, if they suspected the route we should take, have hurried on andformed an ambush; and although they were without fire-arms, their arrowsat a short distance were as dangerous as bullets. We therefore kept ata distance from any clumps of trees or shrubs which would afford themshelter. Our steeds showed abundance of mettle; and by the time nightapproached we had every reason to believe that we had out-distanced allpursuers.

  As the sun set we saw an open prairie before us, with here and thereclumps of pine. The night was clear, and the stars would serve to guideus. Rochford offered to lead the way, that he might warn us of anydanger. Carlos rode on one side of Juanita, and I on the other; and thecaptain and Tim brought up the rear. On we went, though at a slowerpace than that which we had pursued during the day-time.

  "But how in the world did you allow yourself to be carried off, and giveus all this trouble?" asked Carlos, who was accustomed to speak in asomewhat brusque manner to his sisters.

  "Depend upon it, I could not help myself," she answered, not apparentlywishing just then to enlighten him.

  He, however, again and again pressed her.

  "It is a painful subject, and I would rather not think about it," sheanswered. "However, if you insist upon knowing, I will tell you. Youremember when we were out riding how I galloped on ahead. I did sounder the belief that the others were following; when, looking round, Isaw that I was alone, and to my horror directly afterwards found myselfin the presence of five mounted Indians, one of whom I recognised as thechief who had come to the judge's house while we were there. Headvanced and addressed me, courteously enough, in a long speech full offlowery language, the tenor of which was that I must become his wife. Ianswered, with as much composure as I could command, that such a thingwas impossible, and that I must beg to decline the honour he intendedme. I avoided, as I thought, saying a word to annoy him; but I supposeI exhibited the indignation I felt. Suddenly seizing the bridle of myhorse, and ordering his braves to follow, he set off at a gallop. Iscreamed out, threatening to throw myself to the ground; but I wasafraid of doing so lest I should break my neck, or that the Indianswould gallop over me, which from their looks I thought they would havevery little scruple in doing.

  "On we went for miles and miles, until we reached a large camp ofseveral hundred warriors. Here a hut was quickly built, which the chiefbegged me to occupy; and I was treated with every courtesy, althoughthere was not even a squaw to attend on me. It was impossible toescape; and although I was dreadfully frightened, I tried hard torecover my composure and presence of mind, so that I might be able toact on an emergency. The chief, who spoke very good English, said heintended to convey me to the lodges of his tribe, where the squaws wouldtake care of me and attend to all my wishes, provided I made no attemptto escape; and that I should remain there until the white men weredriven out of the country and the natives had regained their rights,when he would claim me as his bride. I thanked him for the honour heintended me, but entreated that he would in the meantime carry me backto my father and mother, who would be greatly alarmed at mydisappearance. He answered that it was with regard to my safety that hehad carried me off from the whites, who would ere long be exterminated;and that he could not bear to see one for whom he had so great anaffection remain to share the fate prepared for them. He paid me allsorts of absurd compliments, likening me to a lily, an angel, a star,and I don't know what else; though I scarcely listened to what he saidon that subject. In vain I pleaded, notwithstanding any risk I mightrun, to be allowed to return home: he was deaf to all my entreaties. AsI was careful, however, not to say anything to irritate him, hecontinued as courteous as at first.

  "We set out with a strong escort, and galloped on till nightfall; butnot until the end of the fourth day did we reach the chief's lodges. Hethere committed me to the charge of his mother, who had, no doubt, inher younger days been very handsome. She received me very kindly, and Ihad no reason to complain of the way I was treated; in fact, had I beena princess of their tribe, more attention and respect could not havebeen paid me.

  "I now first learned that the chief was no other than Oceola, the greatleader of the Indians in the present rebellion. When he visited me Itried to persuade him to make peace with the whites, and to abandon hisattempt to regain the country; trying to explain to him how hopeless itwas, as, should every settler and soldier be killed, others inoverwhelming numbers would ere long pour into the country and revengetheir people. He replied that the red men had been victoriouseverywhere; that hundreds of the Palefaces had been killed; and thatsuch would be the fate of all who should come to the country. At lasthe took his departure. I was very glad he was gone. I feared, however,that I had not succeeded in impressing him with the hopelessness of hiscause.

  "Though I saw no means of escaping, I tried to keep up my spirits, andresolved to take advantage of any opportunity that might occur. Imaginemy surprise, after I had been some days in the Indian village, to see awhite man dressed as a hunter enter it. I felt sure that he was yourfriend Rochford. Though I pretended not to notice his arrival, Iresolved as soon as possible to communicate with him. He must have seenme or heard that I was there; for within an hour a note was brought me,written on a sm
all scrap of paper, containing these words:--

  "`Trust me; I will assist you to escape.--R.'

  "Tearing off the small blank piece of the note, I simply wrote `Yes,'fearing lest by any chance it might fall into the hands of the chief.By some means or other, Rochford managed to throw the squaws off theirguard, by bringing either venison or some other game each time he cameto the village; and he managed to hold frequent communication with me.The rest you know. My great fear now is lest he should fall into thehands of the Indians, who would, on finding that he had assisted tocarry me off, wreak a dreadful vengeance upon him."

  I assured Juanita that there was little danger of this; and quieted herfears as well as I could by promising to do my best to prevent ourgallant friend running any unnecessary risk.

  At last we found so many impediments in our course--Rochford having twoor three times