Part 11 (2/2)
”By means which these cruel priests themselves afforded,” answered Cora.
”When they were building their prison-house, Tec.u.mah and I happened to pa.s.s that way and observed that they were placing it on the ground once occupied by an ancient temple at which, in days gone by, our tribe were wont to wors.h.i.+p. One of our medicine-men, who had listened to the truth from Tec.u.mah's mouth, told us that there were several pa.s.sages running underground which had possibly been undiscovered by the builders. He is a sagacious man, and, finding that the new building was intended for a prison, advised us to visit the ancient pa.s.sage and endeavour to keep it concealed, so that a way might be made if necessary into the dungeon.
'The whites treat us at present with respect,' he observed; 'but the time may come when they may act towards us as the Portuguese have long been acting towards the Indians in their neighbourhood, imprisoning and murdering those who refuse to adopt their faith.' My brother accordingly, with several other young men, led by the medicine-man, paid numerous visits, at night, to the place, unknown to the French. It was thus discovered that an underground pa.s.sage was being formed between some of the cells of the prison and the church. Fortunately this was found out before the old pa.s.sage was cut through, and by placing a large stone, turning on a sort of hinge, on one side, they were able to secure a way into the new pa.s.sage without betraying the existence of their own.
By constantly being on the watch, they ascertained that only one cell had as yet been formed into which the pa.s.sage led. I had resolved when you were made prisoner to attempt your rescue even from the fort; but when I found that you were, carried to the priests' prison my hopes of success arose. I had one night, from curiosity, gone with my brother to visit the spot. We then discovered that the door which led into your prison had no lock, but was merely closed with smooth sliding bolts. I thus knew my way, and was able to set you free.”
Nigel had no doubt that the object of the pa.s.sage was to enable the priests either to work on the minds of the prisoners by pretended miraculous appearances; or else, should they desire to murder one of their captives, to convey the body secretly away. He, indeed, knew that such arrangements were common throughout Europe, and that numberless impostures had thus been carried out.
They quickly reached the sh.o.r.e, which had of late been entirely deserted by the Tamoyos, who had, influenced by what had been told them by Tec.u.mah, moved some distance further inland. Cora, who feared that the direction they had taken would be suspected by the French, when Nigel's escape was discovered, advised that they should go forward till he was safe among her tribe.
Dark as the night was, she knew her way, and, light and active, she led him forward at a rapid rate. They had gone some distance, when she exclaimed, ”Here come my brother and his people. They will indeed rejoice to find you free.”
Nigel was welcomed by Tec.u.mah and his party. They were on their way to the sh.o.r.e, intending immediately to cross, and hoping before daylight to reach the prison. Tec.u.mah, in his anxiety to save Nigel, had induced his followers to swear that they would rescue him by force if they could succeed in no other way. Their intention was to attack the guards and break open the prison, expecting to get off again before the governor and his people had time to pursue them. Nigel a.s.sured them how thankful he was that they had not been compelled to resort to such a proceeding.
Too probably the governor and priests would wreak their vengeance on his wife and father-in-law. As it was, he felt very anxious as to what would happen when his escape was discovered. It would certainly baffle the sagacity of the priests to ascertain how it had been accomplished, and would undoubtedly make them more savage, as they might naturally suspect that some of their own followers had proved treacherous, and yet not know whom to accuse.
”They shall not injure the count or any of our friends,” exclaimed Tec.u.mah. ”We can distinguish between the true men and the bad. The last, as G.o.d's Word tells us, are always the most numerous, and it shall be our care to defend the innocent and weaker ones. My people shall remain ready with their canoes to cross over at a moment's notice, while I go to the island and learn what has taken place.”
Nigel expressed his wish to accompany the Tamoyos, but both Tec.u.mah and Cora urged him to proceed to a further distance, as, should the governor suspect where he had gone, he would in all probability send an expedition over to bring him back, and as they would refuse to give him up, an open rupture would be the consequence. Nigel at last agreed to accompany Cora to her father's abode, which was above five miles from the sh.o.r.e of the harbour, while Tec.u.mah carried out his proposed project.
Leaving his people encamped on the sh.o.r.e with their canoes ready to embark, he paddled across towards the island. He was well aware of the risk he was running, for the governor, should he suspect that he had been instrumental in rescuing Nigel, would in all probability seize him and shut him up in prison. He had taken the precaution, however, of charging the next chief in common after him to come across and demand his liberation.
Daylight broke as he reached the place at which he was accustomed to land. He proceeded at once to the house of the count, who was already on foot, and he had the satisfaction of giving him tidings of Nigel's safety.
”The knowledge that he is free will restore life to my poor daughter,”
said the count. ”But we are still in the power of the governor and those revengeful priests, and I fear much that they will not allow us long to remain in quiet.”
”Then come over and live with us!” exclaimed Tec.u.mah. ”We will build a house for you and hunt for you, and do our utmost to enable you to live as you are now doing.”
”We cannot be thus burdensome to you; and we should have no means of paying your people for labouring in our service,” answered the count.
”Still, I am most grateful to you, and will think over the matter.”
Constance came out of her room as soon as she had risen to thank Tec.u.mah, who then, hoping that his friends would not be interfered with, went on to see the minister.
He had been there for some time, and was about to return, when one of the count's servants rushed into the house, out of breath from running.
”Sad news, Monsieur Laporte!” he explained. ”Just ten minutes ago one of those ill-conditioned priests, with half a dozen ruffians of soldiers, came to my master's house and carried him and Madame Nigel off on an accusation of having a.s.sisted Monsieur Nigel to escape, and of reading the Bible. What will they do with them? They say Monsieur Nigel was condemned to be burnt, and they will burn them in revenge;”
and the poor fellow wrung his hands and burst into tears.
”G.o.d will protect them, though I don't see how,” said the minister.
”Alas! alas! These persecutors of ours have already put many innocent persons to death, and will not scruple to destroy all those who oppose them.”
”They must not be allowed to suffer,” exclaimed Tec.u.mah, when he heard what had occurred. ”I will away to my people before they can stop me; and we will one and all perish before we allow a hair of their heads to be injured.”
”I would seek to avoid bloodshed, and must urge you, my friend, to try peaceable measures _first_,” said Monsieur Laporte.
”We will endeavour, at all events, to rescue the innocent. You, my friend, come with me; you are in danger here, for they will a.s.suredly seize you,” said the Indian, taking the minister's hand.
”I must remain at the post where duty calls me,” answered Monsieur Laporte. ”I may be the means of leading some peris.h.i.+ng soul to turn to G.o.d, and should I be imprisoned with my friends I may be a comfort to them. But bear my love and blessing to Nigel, should I be destined never again to see him.”
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