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Updated: May 29, 2025
The young man in a few words expressed his desire to act according to his father's wishes, winding up, as he pointed to the sky, "Should Tecumah fail to fulfil his promise, may the great Spirit punish him as he will deserve." Thus far the interview had passed off in a most satisfactory manner.
The enemy would certainly make their attack where they would not be exposed to the fire of the ships or that of the fort. Tecumah urged the count and his friends to make all haste. Even now he feared that there would be barely time for the French to assemble and prevent the enemy from landing.
Tecumah followed the governor, anxious to know what had taken place, and inquired what the priests were about when they muttered prayers over the silver dish and wine. "They were then performing the greatest miracle of our Church," answered the governor. "They were converting the wafer and wine into the body and blood of Christ." "What?" asked the Indian.
"Beware, young man, what you say!" he exclaimed, in an angry tone. "How can you understand the mysteries of our faith? But I know well where you received your instruction, and he who taught you shall have his just reward." Tecumah stood calmly listening to the priest's angry threats. "He who taught me is under the protection of my tribe," he answered, "and those who injure him will be our foes.
They obeyed his orders; while Tecumah, having fulfilled his mission, hurried away to his canoe, intending to cross to the mainland for the purpose of urging his tribe to use all speed in coming to the assistance of the French.
He had, he affirmed, before Tecumah and his party had cut their way out of the fort, seen Tuscarora and many of their tribe shot down by the enemy; and he had also witnessed the death of the count. Nigel questioned him narrowly, but could elicit nothing that could shake his testimony.
"I fear much, though, that they will equally endeavour to persecute you whom they look upon as my instructor; but I will be on the watch, and try to defend you as well as myself." Tecumah spent the rest of the day with his friends, and it was late in the evening when his canoe was seen gliding rapidly across the harbour towards the mainland.
"We must make our way to the spot where they have left their canoes," exclaimed Tecumah; and he again attempted to lift up Constance, who had earnestly entreated to be placed on the ground. The din of battle still sounded as loud as ever, and the rattle of musketry was heard close at hand. It was evident that the combatants were approaching the shore.
On reaching the count's house, he mentioned the circumstance to his friends, and inquired who the Indians were. "They must be, without doubt, the young chief Tecumah and his sister Cora, who come frequently to receive from our good minister instruction in the truths of Christianity, of which, I trust, they have gained considerable knowledge," answered Constance.
Numbers and discipline favoured the Portuguese, who had well trained their native allies, while the French mistrusted each other, and had but little confidence in the natives, who, however, were gallantly doing their utmost to assist them, headed by their brave chief, Tuscarora. Tecumah and his faithful band had but one object in view, to rescue Constance and her father.
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