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Updated: June 15, 2025
Though we had shot several birds, Lejoillie wanted to reach one of the woody islands I have described, which appeared some way ahead; so on we went. "Keep a look-out for snakes," said Carlos, "or we may very likely step on one before we see it." "It will not be very easy to avoid the creatures in this high grass," I observed. "Don't you think we had better turn back?"
I should have left the greater part of the venison behind me, as I knew that it would not keep long, but that I hoped to fall in with them before long, and guessed, in case Lejoillie and Carlos had failed to kill a deer, they would be very glad of it. My difficulty was now how to direct my course. I looked round in every direction.
Wherever we went, we found people talking about the supposed approach of the Indians, though no one seemed to think there was much chance of their attacking the settlement. We hoped, on getting back, to find Rochford and Lejoillie; but they had not returned. Soon afterwards, Captain Norton came in, and the judge and Mrs. Shurtleff, by their kind reception, at once made him feel at home.
"Ah!" exclaimed Lejoillie as he popped one after another down his throat, "this is indeed a fine country, and might maintain a population as dense as that of China with the abundance of food its shores and surrounding seas afford." "What are we to do next?" asked Carlos, when we had finished our oysters.
We caught sight, however, only of several birds, about the size of a thrush, flitting in and out among the branches, and stopping every now and then to look at us. As we passed on they followed, until we got close to the camp. We then called Lejoillie to come and see them. He at once pronounced them to be cat-birds.
I rather think that Lejoillie, judging by his countenance, heartily wished himself safe on shore. As we paddled on, the scenery changed, and animal life became more abundant.
The poor girls, though they mourned for their father and brother, were, I knew, troubled about Rochford and Captain Norton. Lejoillie had gone on, as he said, to finish his visit to Judge Shurtleff at Roseville, that settlement being one of the very few which had escaped an attack from the Indians, owing to the due precautions taken by the inhabitants. Several weeks passed away.
"Wait till the tide rises, and then, if we can keep the craft afloat, make for Hickory Bluff, where I guess we shall have to put her on shore and try to patch her up," answered the skipper. "And how long will it take to perform that operation?" inquired Lejoillie. "Maybe a week, or maybe a month," was the answer.
As my father, Captain Norton, Lejoillie, Carlos, and I sat round our camp-fire eating our frugal supper, we anxiously discussed the probabilities of recovering Juanita. Carlos spoke very strongly on the subject.
It was evident, however, that his fire had at length become too hot for them, as the blows on the door ceased, and he told us that they had thrown down the log, and were retreating. "Hand me up another rifle," he cried; "I'll give them a few parting shots." "Oh, let them escape without further punishment, my friend," said Lejoillie. "We should not wish to take their lives.
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