They had discovered Cat-sha's plan of an
ambush, and reported that the white men were even then leaving the fort
to attack the shell mound.
Then Yah-chi-la-ne ordered an advance, and dashed forward, with Rene
and Has-se close beside him, and followed by his eager warriors. They
reached the scene of the conflict just as the white soldiers were about
to be overwhelmed by the swarming savages, and in time to pounce upon
the rear of the astonished Seminoles; and scatter them like the forest
leaves before a whirlwind.
It was while charging by Has-se's side in this, his first battle, that
Rene de Veaux gave utterance to the cry of "France to the Rescue!" that
had so amazed Simon, the armorer, and those with him who heard it.
[1]Has-se doubtless referred to Mexico, which was known by the Indians
as "The Land of Gold."--K. M.
CHAPTER XII
ABANDONING THE FORT
Although the Seminoles and their newly made allies, the savages from
the South, were thus put to flight by the timely arrival of the party
that accompanied Rene de Veaux, it was only because of the surprise of
the attack, and because they had no knowledge of the strength of these
new enemies, which they believed to be much greater than it really was.
It was certain that when they discovered how few those were who had
thus surprised them, they would return with the chance of overwhelming
the little party by mere numbers. Therefore Yah-chi-la-ne was anxious
to deliver the twelve canoe-loads of corn to the fort, receive the
promised reward, and depart for his own country that night if possible.
Pages:
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98