2^82 WILD SPOETS IN THE SOUTH. 



but a poor footing for an ambuscade. The negroes bent 

 to their oars, and the boats skimmed fast, making the 

 curve in beautiful order, and had entirely passed the 

 point, when the shrill report of a dozen guns sounded on 

 the stillness of the forest, and the water near the boats 

 was spattered by the bullets. Then followed the tremu- 

 lous, fierce, prolonged war whoop, and as it died away, 

 Mike's tauntmg answer, with a gesture of derision, came 

 back. Two or three of the savages had not fired with 

 the rest of the band, but had reserved their shots for a 

 better opportunity. The opportunity came as the last 

 boat, steered by Jackson himself, swept down with the 

 tide. He had seen the futility of the preceding discharge, 

 and regarding the boats as entirely out of range of the 

 guns, had rather cut the segment of the semicircle than 

 followed its outer curve. As he came opposite the point 

 two guns were discharged almost simultaneously, and at 

 the report Jackson dropped his steering-oar, and raised 

 his hand to his side. 



A taunting cry was echoed from the shore, and a num- 

 ber of the Indians ran out as far as they might come, 

 mocking the fugitives, and delighted at the apparent 

 effect of their shot. Jackson raised himself up, stagger- 

 ing, and attempted to bring his rifle to his shoulder, but 

 could not ; he spoke to Lem, his favorite servant, who 

 put his arm around him, obedient to his master's com- 

 mand. 



" Way enough, boys," he called out in a low voice. 



The men paused on their oars, Jackson's lips com- 



