Mayne Reid

“ Turning to the shrinking maiden, he said—
“You hear what Nelatu says? He loves you.”
She murmured faintly—“I hear.”
“He loves you. Wacora, too, has loved. That love has been trampled upon, and by your wretch of a brother! Yet still it shall plead for Nelatu. His request is granted. You are spared both life and honour, but must remain a prisoner. Conduct her hence!”
“And these?” asked a warrior, pointing to the other prisoners.
Wacora’s heart, touched for an instant by his cousin’s pleading, as well as by Alice Rody’s heroic bearing, became again hardened. ”

“ Those gifts were thrust upon my uncle, falsely bestowed as the lands he gave you were falsely claimed for services done to him! Your black heart never conceived a generous thought or a just deed! All was for a treacherous end—the betrayal of this noble-minded chief, as much your superior as the Deity you profess to worship is above the white man himself! Wacora despises you! Wacora has said it!”
He drew Oluski towards him, and stood erect and proud in the consciousness of right before the trembling usurper and his adherents. ”

“ Do you know who it is?”
“No, I do not.”
“’Tis Warren. Why do you start and tremble? He will not hurt you. Who was it you thought I meant?”
“I cannot tell, dear Sansuta.”
“No one but him—I think of him always, although,” she added lowering her voice to a whisper, “I dare not call his name. I’m afraid to do that. I’m afraid of my brother Nelatu and my cousin Wacora. Why does the sun look so fiery? It is the colour of blood—blood—blood! That red colour, is it on your hands, too? Ah, no! You are no murderer!”
“Hush, Sansuta! you are excited.” ”

“ A frank, fearless, young face withal, of true maiden modesty. Her hair, in a rich golden shower of curls, fell over a forehead of snowy whiteness, and a neck and shoulders admirably rounded.
Her figure was graceful and striking; its contour shown off by the dark riding-dress she wore.
A hat, with a heron’s plume, stuck saucily on one side, covered her head.
The horse she rode was a Seminole steed—of the Andalusian race—small, but well proportioned, as evidenced by the arching of its neck, proud of its fair burden. ”

“ She was resting on the same stone where Sansuta’s head had rested on her bosom.
On perceiving the chief’s approach she rose to her feet, as if to quit the spot.
“Does my coming drive you away?” he asked.
“Not that; but it is growing late, and I must return to my prison.”
“Your prison?”
“Is it not my prison?”
“It is no more your prison than you are a prisoner. You have long been free.”
There was a mournful sadness in Alice Rody’s speech which touched the heart of the Indian chief.
“Freedom is a boon only to those who can enjoy it,” she said, after a pause.
“And are you unhappy?” asked Wacora. ”

“ Wacora, struck with this reply, felt an interest in the courageous girl, which he could not account for.
“You have been taught to think of the red man as a remorseless savage?”
“Not as remorseless, only as revengeful.”
“Then you acknowledge that we have just cause for revengeful feelings?”
“I did not say so.”
“But you implied it.”
“All men have enemies. The truly great are the only ones who can forego revenge.”
“But savages must act according to their instincts.”
“Savages—yes. But men who know right from wrong should act by their judgment.” ”

“ His heart swelled with noble feelings.
“I do not, will not, trust in the white man!” answered the young chief. “What has he done to our race that we should believe in him? Look at his acts and then trust him if you can. Where are the Mohawks, the Shawnees, the Delawares, and the Narragansets? How has the white man kept faith with them?”
“All white men are not alike,” responded Oluski. “A pale-face befriended me when I required aid. The deed always weighs against the word. I could not be ungrateful.”
“Well, Oluski’s gratitude has been proved,” returned Wacora. ”

“ Oh! Wacora, on my knees I implore you to spare her!”
“Rise, Nelatu; the son of Oluski should not bend his knee to man. At your intercession, her life shall be spared!”
Nelatu rose from the ground.
“You are indeed our chief, Wacora. Your heart is open and generous.”
“Stay, yet, before you mistake me. I give you her life, but ‘an eye for an eye!’ She shall suffer what Sansuta has suffered; spare her life, but not her honour.”
“Wacora!”
“I have said it. Here”—turning to the assembled warriors who had been amazed witnesses of the scene—“this is the child of our enemy, Elias Rody. ”

“ The Indian rapidly crossed the open space at the back of the house, and led the way to the edge of the forest.
The released captive strode silently after.
They paused under a grove of live oaks, in the shadow of which Carrol perceived a horse.
“It is yours,” said Nelatu, “follow the straight path, and you are free.”
“Nelatu,” said the backwoodsman, “you’ve done me a great sarvice. I’m goin’ to give you a bit of advice in return for it—”
“Give up the angeliferous critter that’s your prisoner; send her back to her own people, and forget her!” ”

“ My uncle was beloved by all his tribe—by all our race. His injuries were ours; it was ours to avenge them. And for her”—his voice trembled as he pointed to Sansuta’s grave—“she was his only hope and joy upon earth.”
Alice Rody’s tears fell in torrents over the last resting-place of the Indian maiden. Wacora observed them, and, with a delicacy of feeling, was about to withdraw from her presence, when she stayed him with a motion of her hand. ”

“ This was especially true of the young chief Wacora, and she had not failed to observe it.
Her first reflection was what he might have been had he been brought up amongst her own race, for, although she had not been told of his mother being a white woman, she did not doubt that he had white blood in his veins.
What might not a man of his intelligence, chivalric courage, and purity of thought have become in a society where civilisation would have developed all these mental qualities? ”

“ How my heart sickens at the thought that human ambitions and human vanities should so pervert man’s highest mission—peace—turning the world into scenes of strife and bloodshed! I, an Indian savage, as white men call me, would gladly lay down this day and for ever the rifle and the knife; would willingly bury the war hatchet, and abandon this sanguinary contest! ”

“ These and some individual cases of contest had worked the red men up to a pitch of savage earnestness that took all Wacora’s temporising power to restrain.
He knew the character of the people he had to deal with too well to hazard opposition to their will, the more so as his own desire for vengeance was as deep and earnest, but more deadly than theirs.
One thought occupied his mind nobler than that of revenge—the regeneration of the Indian race. ”

“ The aged chief had recovered himself while his nephew was speaking.
“What Wacora has said is good, and he only utters my own thoughts. I came here ready to receive atonement for the wrong done me and my people. I now see that there is a darker depth of treachery in you, even than this which has robbed a confiding man of his best-loved possession. I, Oluski, the Seminole, spit at and despise you! I have spoken!”
With a kingly dignity the old chief folded his blanket around him, and leaning on his nephew’s arm, slowly departed from the spot. ”

“ Only remember, Massa Warren, remember Crookleg to your dyin’ day!”
With these words the negro darted off, and was soon lost to sight behind the bushes.
Warren stood grating his teeth in impotent rage.
He saw that he had fallen into a trap laid for him by Crookleg.
Nelatu stirred not an inch.
Again young Rody pronounced his name.
“Nelatu!”
“Yes, Nelatu—the brother of Sansuta! Does not the sight of me turn you into stone? Is your heart so hardened that you do not tremble?”
Warren gave a short, mocking laugh.
“Go away from here,” he said; “I owe no account of my actions to any one.” ”

“ The young Indian again essayed, but only succeeded in muttering “Sansuta!”
“Sansuta! What of her? Is she dead? Answer me!”
“No; she is not dead. Oh! father be calm—have courage—she is—”
“Speak, boy, or I shall go mad! What of her?”
“She is gone!”
“Gone! Whither?”
“I have sought her everywhere. I only heard of her departure after you left the encampment. Bury your tomahawk in my brain if you will, for I have been the cause.”
“What does the boy rave about? What does it all mean? Has the Great Spirit cursed me in all my hopes? Speak, Nelatu. Where is your sister? You say she is gone. Gone! Gone! ”

“ The waters of Tampa Bay were dotted with their canoes. Troops of their children frolicked on the plateau, or clucked the wild flowers that grew along the sloping sides of the hill.
The women of the tribe followed their domestic duties, and the whole scene around the wigwams was one of tranquil contentment.
The white settlers were not idle neither. The fields were swelling with crops, which the planters had commenced to gather in. A goodly store of merchandise was collected upon the wharf, and several schooners had come to an anchor in the bay.
Peace and plenty abounded in the settlement. ”

“ Wacora’s eyes, as he uttered these words, blazed with passion.
“I would rather go alone,” said Nelatu.
“As you please; but remember, that there is one man you dare not trust, and yet he may be the means of finding Sansuta.”
“His name?”
“Crookleg, the negro.”
“But he, too, is missing.”
“I know it, and therefore he can lead you to their hiding-place, if he can be found. With Crookleg to assist you, you may succeed; without him your search will be fruitless.” ”

“ The stoic bravery of the Indian is marvellous, and for him death has no terrors. With them it is a sort of fatalism.
What they do not dread themselves, they make but light of in others.
Por all that they have the highest admiration for a man who dares meet death calmly.
In their eyes the white captive had assumed all the importance of a great warrior. ”

“ Wacora watched the lithe-limbed maiden; as she flitted to and fro, engaged in household duties, he thought her as attractive as ever. A certain consciousness on her part of the fact, in no way detracted from her beauty.
“I am pleased, nephew,” said Oluski, “pleased to see you here again. I feel that I am no longer young, the support of your arm in a wearying day’s march has been very welcome.”
“It is always at your service, uncle.”
“I am sure of it. If Oluski thought otherwise he would be unhappy. Your cousin, Sansuta,” addressing his daughter, “came to see you as much as to bear me company. ”

“ A tunic of bright-coloured cloth, clasped round her neck by a silver brooch, descended to her ankles, while around her waist was twisted a scarf of many colours; over her shoulders fell a bright cloth mantle, bordered with shells worked into delicate patterns; upon her head was a bead-work cap, trimmed with the plumes of the white eagle, like a fringe of newly-fallen snow; her wrists were encircled with bead bracelets, whilst embroidered mocassins covered her small feet. ”

“ Nelatu, mortified at his own weakness, was among the warriors addressed by Wacora.
On returning from the council, the young chief approached his cousin.
“Nelatu, you would do something to make up for your blind infatuation, that has led to such misfortunes?”
“I would, Wacora, I would. My father’s face seems always before me, reproaching me as my sister’s destroyer.”
“Then action is the only way by which to shake off the remorseful feeling. Our efforts have till now been fruitless in tracing the spot to which your sister has been carried. ”

“ Then taking a flask containing brandy from his pouch, he poured a portion of its contents down the throat of the unconscious youth.
These kindly offices he repeated several times, and was finally rewarded for his pains. The blood slowly mantled Nelatu’s cheek; a shivering ran through his frame; and with a deep sigh he gazed dreamily upon his preserver, and at the same time faintly murmured “Warren.”
“Yes, Warren! Speak, Nelatu. What is the meaning of this?”
The Indian had only the strength to mutter the words “Red Wolf,” at the same time raising his hand to his side with apparent difficulty. ”

“ He saw, accordingly, that any injury to the captive must be accomplished by his own agency; the more so, as he had already endeavoured to excite a feeling of jealousy in Nelatu’s mind, of which she and Wacora were the objects. The generous youth not only refused belief, but angrily reproved the slanderer, for daring to couple his cousin’s name with an act so unworthy!
When a person resolves upon mischief it is astonishing how many opportunities present themselves.
Alice, although unsuspicious of the enmity of which she was the object, avoided Maracota. ”

“ Disappointed and chafed, the two chiefs returned in all haste to the Indian encampment.
But few words had been spoken between them on their way from the hill. A firm pressure of his uncle’s hand was proof that Wacora, once embarked in the impending contest, would remain faithful to its end.
It needs no speech among true men to establish confidence. Between the two chiefs it was mutual.
As they neared the spot where the tribe had pitched their tents, an unusual excitement was observable. Men and women were conversing in little groups, animated apparently by the receipt of some startling news. ”

“ The feelings of the warriors being known, he, as well as any other, good give them voice.
“The chosen of the tribe have decided,” said he, amidst perfect silence; “I will proclaim their answer.”
“Do so,” Oluski said, simply raising his head.
“They despise the white chief’s bribe, offered for the bones of our ancestors. They bid me ask Oluski what answer he intends making to the pale-face.” ”

“ The conversation was at length resumed by his uncle.
“I have nothing to charge the white chief with or his people. Our tribe yearly visits the place. We are welcomed on arrival, respected during our stay, and unmolested at leaving. No, Wacora, these white men are not like others.”
“Uncle, all white men are the same. They make their homes in our land. When space is needed, the Indian must yield to them. What faith or friendship can exist where there is no equality? ”

“ Perhaps he is not guilty of carrying off Sansuta. I always trusted him. Why should he be so evil without a suspicion having crossed my mind that he was so? He has not been seen since she disappeared; but yet Crookleg might be the guilty one. If all I have been told be true, and Warren be the man, he shall bitterly pay for his crime. But I will not believe it until I am convinced ’tis so.”
It will be seen that Nelatu was still a firm friend, ready to doubt even villainy. ”

“ The ground was crumbling slowly but surely beneath the horse’s feet, and a fissure had already opened wide enough to show the deep, black chasm underneath.
She shuddered, closed her eyes for a second, and then opened them, only to see the fissure widening—the blackness growing more intense.
A prayer rose up from her lips.
She waited for the catastrophe!
The tension on the horse’s nerves became too great. ”

“ What more, then, did Elias Rody want?
A covetous man always wants more. Oluski’s gift was a noble one. It covered a large area of fertile land, with water privileges, and a harbour for trade. It was the choicest portion of his possessions. The chief, in bestowing it, gave as a generous man gives to a friend. He gave the best he had.
Unfortunately the best he had did not embrace the hill; and, therefore, Rody was unsatisfied.
More than once during the progress of the settlement, he had cast a wishful eye upon the spot, as the choicest site in the whole district for a dwelling. ”

“ She must be found, and the punishment of the guilty made sure.”
“Not Sansuta. You would not injure her?”
Wacora smiled sadly, as he pressed his hand upon his heart.
“No, Nelatu, I would not injure your sister. Alas! I had already learned to love her. I would not hurt her for worlds. It is the wretch who has carried her away. I would have him suffer a thousand deaths, and every death more terrible than the other!”
“Tell me, what can I do? If I remain idle, I shall die!” ”