for fear
of wounding friends as well as foes. The Indians did not lose a man.

The garrison of the fort having been greatly weakened, the commandant
expressed his satisfaction at our arrival, and at once informed Captain
Norton that he must detain him and his men for the defence of the place.
This, though a necessary measure, completely disconcerted all our plans
for the discovery of my young cousin. My father, Lejoillie, Tim, and I,
not being citizens, were at liberty to go if we liked. The commandant
also did not insist on detaining Carlos, should he desire to return home
or to continue the prosecution of our undertaking. The fort was amply
supplied with provisions; and as there was a well within it, there was
little fear of the garrison, even if besieged by the red men, being
compelled to give in. Still, their limited numbers prevented them
moving to any distance without the greatest risk of being cut off, as
other parties had been.

We now much regretted that Rochford had left us, as from the knowledge
he had obtained of the country, we might, under his guidance, have been
enabled to recover Juanita.

We were all this time, I should have said, very anxious about my uncle
and his party, for no tidings had been received of him; and being as
much exposed as those who had been massacred, he ran the risk of sharing
the same fate.

We had spent some days in inactivity. All this time my poor young
cousin might be exposed to the greatest danger, and yet we were unable
to devise a plan for rescuing her.

Finding my sleeping-place very hot, I had one morning turned out at
daybreak, and was taking a turn on the gallery, or rather platform,
above the stockade, when I caught sight of a person approaching the
fort. I soon saw that he was a black, and that he was waving a white
handkerchief at the end of a stick. The nearer he approached the more
he waved, evidently not satisfied with the appearance of things. I
looked round to see that none of the sentries were taking aim at the
man. It struck me at once that he might be a messenger from Rochford.
I hastened down to the gate to receive him. I was not mistaken.

"Me Pompey; bring message from Massa Rochford to de young white massa.
You he, I guess," he said.

"I have no doubt that Mr. Rochford has sent to my father or me, as we
are friends of his. I am anxious to hear what you have to say," I
replied.

"It dis," said Pompey, trying to look very grave; "Massa