THE LULL BEFORE THE STORM--ADVANCING TO THE ATTACK--THE ENGAGEMENT--WORK FOR MARKSMEN--TIM'S SHOT--A CAPTURE--ROCHFORD UNDERTAKES A PERILOUS ENTERPRISE--A HUNTING EXPEDITION--OUR SUCCESS--WE GO BACK TO THE FORT-- SPOTTED WOLF JOINS THE PARTY--ENCAMPED FOR THE NIGHT--LEJOILLIE NODS DURING HIS WATCH--AN ADVENTURE--THE INDIAN DISAPPEARS WITH OUR HORSE-- SUPPLYING THE GARRISON WITH PROVISIONS--CARLOS'S SUSPICIONS CONFIRMED-- THE PARTING--REDUCED TO EXTREMITY--PREPARATIONS FOR RETREAT--THE WOUNDED SOLDIER--DEATH OF THE TROOPER--THE MARCH COMMENCED.
An unusual silence appeared to reign in the woods surrounding the fort; even the birds, whose notes were wont to be heard, were silent. The sun had already risen above the tops of the trees, and shone down with intense force into the confined space which enclosed us. Not a breath of air stirred the leaves. It seemed as if all nature had gone to sleep. The sentries paced up and down on the platforms, watching on either side, for it was impossible to say on which the Indians would make their threatened attack. I asked Rochford if he did not think, after all, that they had changed their minds, and would not venture near.
"I am very sure that they have not," he answered. "They know that you are but ill supplied with provisions and ammunition; besides which, they have vowed that they will drive all the Palefaces into the sea, and their late success in destroying a large detachment has encouraged them to continue their efforts to liberate their country. I acknowledge that they are vain, for they are ignorant of the vast resources we possess, and fancy that the power of the whites is represented by the few hundreds of troops which they have seen. It would have been more merciful if the United States Government had sent an overwhelming force, which would have rendered resistance impossible. But even had ten times as many troops as are at present in Florida been employed, they could have proceeded but slowly in a country covered in all directions with impenetrable thickets and swamps; and unless good roads are cut, the war will not be brought to a close for many a year to come. Meantime, both white men and natives will suffer cruelly. The great object should be to show the Indians that the whites must conquer at last, and that is what I have endeavoured to do; but the Redskins declare that the country is their own, that they have right on their side, and that the Palefaces will be the first to get tired."