These received the new prisoner with extravagant
manifestations of delight, and after all had examined him, and his
weapons had been taken from him, he was again tightly bound and thrown
into the bottom of one of the canoes. Although he had caught a glimpse
of the other white prisoners, he was not allowed to communicate with
them.
As his captors desired to keep him well and strong, they gave him food
and water, both of which he at first thought of refusing, and thus
bringing his sufferings to an end as quickly as possible. On second
thought, however, he decided that this course would be cowardly, and
unworthy of his white blood. So he ate heartily all that was offered
to him, determined to keep up his strength, and to make a desperate
effort to escape should the slightest opportunity present itself.
Having reached this decision, Rene felt much calmer and more hopeful,
and as he was sadly in need of sleep, he determined to obtain as much
of that blessing as was possible. Shortly afterwards the Indians were
greatly astonished to find their new prisoner slumbering as quietly as
though no danger threatened him, and he had not an anxiety in the world.
While daylight lasted the Seminoles remained in that spot, but at
nightfall they launched their canoes, and set forth on their journey to
the great swamp of the Okeefenokee.
An hour later a few shadows flitted through the darkness over the
placid waters, past the two French ships that still lay at anchor near
the mouth of the river.
Pages:
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136