Chapter Twenty Two.
A Conversation between Cousins.
The tranquil state of affairs did not last for long.
The Indians, eager to revenge Oluski’s death, wore impatient of the restraint Wacora would have imposed upon them, and at a council convened for that purpose, they determined to attack the stockade upon the hill.
This determination was hastened by several rencontres which had taken place in the outlying districts.
A small party of the red men, led by Maracota, had pillaged and destroyed a plantation.
Near the bay they had been met by some of the white settlers as they were returning from their work of destruction.
In the mêlée which ensued a number of Indians were killed, while their white adversaries met with little loss.
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.
A chimera it may have been, but still his great ambition.
He thus spoke to the assembled chiefs—
“I do not urge upon you to withhold vengeance for injuries done to our race by the white enemy. I only desire to make it more full and terrible. This is but the beginning of a long list of retributions, the overflowing of accumulated wrongs, the first step towards freedom and redemption! To take that step we must be patient until certain of success. Then begins a warfare that will only end with the annihilation of our hated enemies and in a new existence for the red men! Have I spoken well?”
Loud approbation greeted him from the assembled warriors; but such is the inconsistency of human character that individually they devised means for immediate retaliation on the settlers.
Hence the several encounters which had already taken place.
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. 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!”
“Take three or four of my own people, follow every trail that promises to lead to where they are concealed, and having found the monster, bring him to me alive.”
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.”
“How am I to find him?”
“By diligent search. He is not near the spot, but yet not so distant as to be ignorant of what is passing. He has the cunning of the wild cat; remember that.”
“I’ll be a match for him, never fear, cousin.”
Wacora glanced pityingly at the simple youth.
He thought of his confiding nature, and felt that if the only chance of finding Sansuta lay in cunning, they would never be discovered.
“Well, Nelatu, I have given you the best advice I can. Will you undertake the search?”
“I will!”
“When?”
“At once, Wacora.”
With these words the cousins separated.