Just as they came to the end of their task, and had thus rendered
useless the last of the fleet, a wild yell of disappointed rage close
at hand warned them that their enemies were upon them, and that only
the most instant and speedy flight could save them from their hands.
The Seminoles had uttered their yell of disappointed rage at seeing, by
the moonlight, the flashing paddles of those canoes that had already
departed; for they did not at first discover the three who had lingered
to destroy or render useless the canoes of their own fleet. As these
sprang into the only one they had left uninjured, and shot out from the
shore, the Seminoles uttered loud cries of exultation, and rushed to
the hiding-place of their fleet, in order that they might follow and
capture these three who were now so widely separated from their fellows.
When they discovered what had been done to their canoes, and that they
were indeed useless, their fury knew no bounds, and they sent flight
after flight of arrows whizzing after those who had thus outwitted
them. Many of these struck the canoe; but all, save one, fell as
harmless to its occupants as so many drops of rain.
The one barbed shaft that sped so truly on its fatal mission was
delivered with all the strength of venomous hate, just as the canoe was
passing out of the lagoon, and beyond bow-shot. It struck the gentle
Has-se between the shoulders, and, piercing his body, protruded its
keen point from his breast.
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