I had not the slightest idea of the chief"s intention, or what was the nature of the spectacle I had been promised. Somewhat impatient, I questioned him.
"A new way of winning a mistress," said he, with a smile.
"But who is the lover?--who to be the mistress?" I inquired.
"Patience, Randolph, and you shall see. Oh! it is a rare experiment--a most cunning plot, and would be laughable were it not for the tragedy mixed up with it. You shall see. But for a faithful friend, I should not have known of it, and would not have been here to witness it. For my presence and your life, as it now appears--more still, perhaps, the safety of your sister--you are indebted to Haj-Ewa."
"n.o.ble woman!"
"Hist! they are near--I hear the tread of hoofs. One--two--three. It must be they--yes--yonder. See!"
I looked in the direction pointed out, a small party of hors.e.m.e.n--half a dozen in all--was seen emerging from the timber, and riding with a brush into the open ground. As soon as they were fairly uncovered, they spurred their horses to a gallop, and with loud yells dashed rapidly into the midst of the camp. On reaching this point they fired their pieces--apparently into the air--and then continuing their shouts, rode on.
I saw that they were _white_ men, and this surprised me, but what astonished me still more, was that I _knew_ them. At least I knew their faces, and recognised the men as some of the most worthless scamps of our own settlement.
A third surprise awaited me, on looking more narrowly at their leader.
Him I knew well. Again it was Arens Ringgold.
I had not time to recover from the third surprise, when still a fourth was before me. The men of the camp--both negroes and Yama.s.sees-- appeared terrified at this puny attack, and scattering off, hid themselves in the bushes. They yelled loudly enough, and some fired their guns as they retreated; but, like the attacking party, their shots appeared directed into the air! Mystery of mysteries! what could it mean?
I was about to inquire once more, when I observed that my companion was occupied with his own affairs, and did not desire to be disturbed. I saw that he was looking to his rifle, as if examining the sights.
Glancing back into the glade, I saw that Ringgold had advanced close to where my sister was seated, and was just halting in front of the group.
I heard him address her by name, and p.r.o.nounce some phrase of congratulation. He appeared about to dismount with the design of approaching her on foot, while his men, still upon horseback, were galloping through the camp, huzzaing fiercely and firing pistols through the air.
"His hour is come," muttered Osceola, as he glided past me; "a fate deserved and long delayed--it is come at last," and with these words, he stepped forth into the open ground.
I saw him raise his piece to the level, its muzzle pointed towards Ringgold, and the instant after, the report rang over the camp.
The shrill "_Car-ha-queene_" pealed from his lips, as the planter"s horse sprang forwards with an empty saddle, and the rider himself was seen struggling upon the gra.s.s.
The others uttered a terrific cry, and with fear and astonishment depicted in their looks, galloped back into the bushes--without waiting to exchange a word with their wounded leader, or a shot with the man who had wounded him.
"My aim has not been true," said Osceola, with singular coolness; "he still lives. I have received much wrong from him and his--ay, very much wrong--or I might spare his wretched life. But no--my vow must be kept--he must die!"
As he said this he, rushed after Ringgold, who had regained his feet, and was making towards the bushes, as with a hope of escape.
A wild scream came from the terrified wretch, as he saw the avenger at his heels. It was the last time his voice was heard.
In a few bounds Osceola was by his side--the long blade glittered for an instant in the air--and the downward blow was given, so rapidly, that the stroke could scarce be perceived.
The blow was instantaneously fatal. The knees of the wounded man suddenly bent beneath him, and he sank lifeless on the spot where he had been struck--his body after death remaining doubled up as it had fallen.
"The fourth and last of my enemies," said Osceola, as he returned to where I stood; "the last of those who deserved my vengeance, and against whom I had vowed it."
"Scott?" I inquired.
"He was the third--he was killed yesterday, and by this hand. Hitherto I have fought for revenge--I have had it--I have slain many of your people--I have had full satisfaction, and henceforth--"
The speaker made a long pause.
"Henceforth?" I mechanically inquired.
"I care but little how soon they kill me."
As Osceola uttered these strange words, he sank down upon a prostrate trunk, covering his face with his hands. I saw that he did not expect a reply.
There was a sadness in his tone, as though some deep sorrow lay upon his heart, that could neither be controlled nor comforted. I had noticed it before; and thinking he would rather be left to himself, I walked silently away.
A few moments after I held my dear sister in my arms, while Jake was comforting Viola in his black embraces.
His old rival was no longer near. During the sham attack he had imitated his followers, and disappeared from the field; but though most of the latter soon returned, the yellow king, when sought for, was not to be found in the camp. His absence roused the suspicions of Osceola, who was now once more in action. By a signal his warriors were summoned; and came galloping up. Several were instantly dispatched in search of the missing chief, but after a while these came back without having found any traces of him. One only seemed to have discovered a clue to his disappearance. The followers of Ringgold consisted of only five men.
The Indian had gone for some distance on the path by which they had retreated. Instead of five, there were six sets of horse tracks upon the trail.
The report appeared to produce an unpleasant impression upon the mind of Osceola. Fresh scouts were sent forth, with orders to bring back the mulatto, _living_ or _dead_.
The stern command proved that there were strong doubts about the fealty of the Yellow Chief, and the warriors of Osceola appeared to share the suspicions of their leader.
The patriot party had suffered from defections of late. Some of the smaller clans, wearied of fighting, and wasted by a long season of famine, had followed the example of the tribe Omatla, and delivered themselves up at the forts. Though in the battles. .h.i.therto fought, the Indians had generally been successful, they knew that their white foemen far outnumbered them, and that in the end the latter must triumph. The spirit of revenge, for wrongs long endured, had stimulated them at the first; but they had obtained full measure of vengeance, and were content. Love of country--attachment to their old homes--mere patriotism was now balanced against the dread of almost complete annihilation. The latter weighed heaviest in the scale.
The war spirit was no longer in the ascendant. Perhaps at this time had overtures of peace been made, the Indians would have laid down their arms, and consented to the removal. Even Osceola could scarce have prevented their acceptance of the conditions, and it was doubted whether he would have made the attempt.
Gifted with genius, with full knowledge of the strength and character of his enemies, he must have foreseen the disasters that were yet to befall his followers and his nation. It could not be otherwise.
Was it a gloomy forecast of the future that imparted to him that melancholy air, now observable both in his words and acts? Was it this, or was there a still deeper sorrow--the anguish of a hopeless pa.s.sion-- the drear heart-longing for a love he might never obtain?
To me it was a moment of strong emotions, as the young chief approached the spot where my sister was seated. Even then was I the victim of unhappy suspicions, and with eager scrutiny I scanned the countenances of both.
Surely I was wrong. On neither could I detect a trace of aught that should give me uneasiness. The bearing of the chief was simply gallant and respectful. The looks of my sister were but the expressions of a fervent grat.i.tude. Osceola spoke first.
"I have to ask your forgiveness, Miss Randolph, for the scene you have been forced to witness; but I could not permit this man to escape.
Lady, he was your greatest enemy, as he has been ours. Through the cooperation of the mulatto, he had planned this ingenious deception, with the design of inducing you to become his wife; but failing in this, the mask would have been thrown off, and you--I need not give words to his fool intent. It is fortunate I arrived in time."
"Brave chief!" exclaimed Virginia--"twice have you preserved the lives of my brother and myself--more than our lives. We have neither words nor power to thank you. I can offer only this poor token to prove my grat.i.tude."
As she said this, she advanced towards the chief, and handed him a folded parchment, which she had drawn from her bosom.
Osceola at once recognised the doc.u.ment. It was the t.i.tle deeds of his patrimonial estate.
"Thanks, thanks!" he replied, while a sad smile played over his features. "It is, indeed, an act of disinterested friendship. Alas! it has come too late. She who so much desired to possess this precious paper, who so much longed to return to that once loved home, is no more.
My mother is dead. On yesternight her spirit pa.s.sed away."
It was news even to Maumee, who, bursting into a wild paroxysm of grief, fell upon the neck of my sister. Their arms became entwined, and both wept--their tears mingling as they fell.
There was silence, broken only by the sobbing of the two girls and at intervals the voice of Virginia murmuring words of consolation. Osceola himself appeared too much affected to speak.
After a while, the chief aroused himself from his sorrowing att.i.tude.