In his rage, he discharged one barrel of his gun, sending the buckshot in a perfect shower about the trees behind which our fellows were concealed; but, instead of frightening them, it seemed to add strength to their lungs, for the signals of distress arose louder and faster than ever.
The moment Luke emerged from the water, he put his horse into a gallop, and went flying through the swamp.
I caught sight of him as he came out of the cane-brake, and if I had had my gun in my hands, I believe I should have lifted him out of that saddle with as little hesitation as I ever brought down a squirrel.
To see my little Black Bess bounding along with that man on her back—going, too, with a free step, and arching her glossy neck and tossing her head as if she enjoyed the rapid motion—I tell you, the sight made me well-nigh desperate.
It drove all thoughts of the Indians out of my mind, and almost before I knew it, I was swimming rapidly toward the opposite bank of the bayou.
This was something my captors had not calculated upon, and they were greatly amazed. I was half way across the stream before they had realized what I had done.
“Hey, you!” shouted Pete, as soon as he could speak. “Stop! You no stop and come back, Indian shoot!”
It was in Pete’s power to carry out this threat if he had felt so inclined, for he held his own rifle and my shot-gun under his arm; but I had no fear that he would attempt it.
I kept straight ahead, and Pete and his companion, seeing that I could not be frightened into surrendering myself into their hands, hastily launched the canoe and started in pursuit.
I was quite at home in the water, and prided myself on being a fast swimmer; but of course I stood no chance with a canoe propelled by two athletic Indians.