A yell of defiance burst from the Indian warriors at the conclusion of this stirring speech; and the disturbed council threatened a disruption.

Several of the chiefs, excited by the appeal, had risen to their feet, and stood with lowering looks, and arms stretched forth in firm, angry menace.

The officers of the line had glided to their places, and in an undertone ordered the troops into an att.i.tude of readiness; while the artillerists on the bastions of the fort were seen by their guns, while the tiny wreath of blue smoke told that the fuse had been kindled.

For all this, there was no danger of an outbreak. Neither party was prepared for a collision at that moment. The Indians had come to the council with no hostile designs, else they would have left their wives and children at home. With them by their sides, they would not dream of making an attack; and their white adversaries dared not, without better pretext. The demonstration was only the result of a momentary excitement, and soon subsided to a calm.

The commissioner had stretched his influence to its utmost. His threats were now disregarded as had been his wheedling appeal; and he saw that he had no longer the power to effect his cherished purpose.

But there was still hope in time. There were wiser heads than his upon the ground, who saw this: the sagacious veteran Clinch and the crafty Ringgolds saw it.

These now gathered around the agent, and counselled him to the adoption of a different course.

"Give them time to consider," suggested they. "Appoint to-morrow for another meeting. Let the chiefs discuss the matter among themselves in private council, and not as now, in presence of the people. On calmer reflection, and when not intimidated by the crowd of warriors, they may decide differently, particularly now that they know the alternative; and perhaps," added Arens Ringgold--who, to other bad qualities, added that of a crafty diplomatist--"perhaps the more hostile of them will not stay for the council of to-morrow: you do not want _all_ their signatures."

"Right," replied the commissioner, catching at the idea. "Right--it shall be done;" and with this laconic promise, he faced once more to the council of chiefs.

"Brothers!" he said, resuming the tone in which he had first addressed them, "for, as the brave chief Holata has said, we are all brothers.

Why, then, should we separate in anger? Your Great Father would be sad to hear that we had so parted from one another. I do not wish you hastily to decide upon this important matter. Return to your tents-- hold your own councils--discuss the matter freely and fairly among yourselves, and let us meet again to-morrow; the loss of a day will not signify to either of us. To-morrow will be time enough to give your decision; till then, let us be friends and brothers."

To this harangue, several of the chiefs replied. They said it was "good talk," and they would agree to it; and then all arose to depart from the ground.

I noticed that there was some confusion in the replies. The chiefs were not unanimous in their a.s.sent. Those who agreed were princ.i.p.ally of the Omatla party; but I could hear some of the hostile warriors, as they strode away from the ground, declare aloud their intention to return no more.

Note 1. The child follows the fortunes of the mother. The usage is not Seminole only, but the same with all the Indians of America.

Note 2. _Magnolia grandiflora_. So styled in the language of the Indians.

CHAPTER THIRTY.

TALK OVER THE TABLE.

Over the mess-table I gathered much knowledge. Men talk freely while the wine is flowing, and under the influence of champagne, the wisest grow voluble.

The commissioner made little secret either of his own designs or the views of the President, but most already guessed them.

He was somewhat gloomed at the manner in which the day's proceedings had ended, and by the reflection that his diplomatic fame would suffer--a fame ardently aspired to by all agents of the United States government.

Personal slights, too, had he received from Osceola and others--for the calm cold Indian holds in scorn the man of hasty temper; and this weakness had he displayed to their derision throughout the day. He felt defeated, humiliated, resentful against the men of red skin. On the morrow, he flattered himself that he would make them feel the power of his resentment--teach them that, if pa.s.sionate, he was also firm and daring.

As the wine warmed him, he said as much in a half boasting way; he became more reckless and jovial.

As for the military officers, they cared little for the _civil_ points of the case, and took not much part in the discussion of its merits.

Their speculations ran upon the probability of strife--war, or no war?

That was the question of absorbing interest to the men of the sword. I heard much boasting of _our_ superiority, and decrying of the strength and the courage of the prospective enemy. But to this, there were dissentient opinions expressed by a few old "Indian fighters" who were of the mess.

It is needless to say that Oceola's character was commented upon; and about the young chief, opinions were as different as vice from virtue.

With some, he was the "n.o.ble savage" he seemed; but I was astonished to find the majority dissent from this view. "Drunken savage," "cattle thief," "impostor," and such-like appellations were freely bestowed upon him.

I grew irate; I could not credit these accusations. I observed that most of those who made them were comparative strangers--new comers--to the country, who could not know much of the past life of him with whose name they were making so free.

The Ringgolds joined in the calumny, and they must have known him well; but I comprehended _their_ motives.

I felt that I owed the subject of the conversation a word of defence; for two reasons: he was absent--he had saved my life. Despite the grandeur of the company, I could not restrain my tongue.

"Gentlemen," I said, speaking loud enough to call the attention of the talkers, "can any of you prove these accusations against Osceola?"

The challenge produced an awkward silence. No one could exactly prove either the drunkenness, the cattle-stealing, or the imposture.

"Ha?" at length e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Arens Ringgold, in his shrill squeaky voice, "you are his defender, are you, Lieutenant Randolph?"

"Until I hear better evidence than mere a.s.sertion, that he is not worthy of defence."

"Oh! that may be easily obtained," cried one; "everybody knows what the fellow is, and has been--a regular cow-stealer for years."

"You are mistaken there," I replied to this confident speaker; "I do not know it--do you, sir?"

"Not from personal experience, I admit," said the accuser, somewhat taken aback by the sudden interrogation.

"Since you are upon the subject of cattle-stealing, gentlemen, I may inform you that I met with a rare incident only yesterday, connected with the matter. If you will permit me, I shall relate it."

"Oh! certainly--by all means, let us have it."

Being a stranger, I was indulged with a patient hearing. I related the episode of lawyer Grubb's cattle, omitting names. It created some sensation. I saw that the commander-in-chief was impressed with it, while the commissioner looked vexed, as if he would rather I had held my tongue. But the strongest effect was produced upon the Ringgolds-- father and son. Both appeared pale and uneasy; perhaps no one noticed this except myself, but I observed it with sufficient distinctness to be left under the full impression, that both knew more of the matter than I myself!

The conversation next turned upon "runaways"--upon the number of negroes there might be among the tribes--upon the influence they would exert against us in case of a conflict.

These were topics of serious importance. It was well-known there were large numbers of black and yellow men "located," in the reserve: some as agriculturists--some graziers--not a few wandering through the savannas and forests, rifle in hand--having adopted the true style of Indian hunter-life.

The speakers estimated their numbers variously: the lowest put them at 500, while some raised their figure to a 1000.

_All these would be against us to a man_. There was no dissent to that proposition.

Some alleged they would fight badly; others, bravely; and these spoke with more reason. All agreed that they would greatly aid the enemy, and give us trouble, and a few went so far as to say, that we had more to fear from the "black runaways" than the "red runaways." In this expression, there was a latent jest.

[The Seminoles were originally of the great tribe of Muscogees (Creeks).

Seceding from these, for reasons not known, the Seminoles pa.s.sed southward into Florida; and obtained from their former kindred the name they now bear, which in their own tongue has the signification of "runaway."]

There could be no doubt that the negroes would take up arms in the pending struggle; and no more, that they would act with efficiency against us. Their knowledge of the white man's "ways" would enable them to do so. Besides, the negro is no coward; their courage has been ofttimes proved. Place him in front of a _natural_ enemy--a thing of flesh, bone, and blood, armed with gun and bayonet--and the negro is not the man to flinch. It is otherwise if the foe be not physical, but belonging to the world of Obeah. In the soul of the unenlightened child of Afric, superst.i.tion is strong indeed; he lives in a world of ghosts, ghouls, and goblins, and his dread of these supernatural spirits is real cowardice.

As the conversation continued on the subject of the blacks, I could not help noticing the strong animus that actuated the speakers--especially the planters in the civilian garb. Some waxed indignant--even wroth to vulgarity--threatening all sorts of punishment to such runaways as might be captured. They gloated over the prospect of restoration, but as much at the idea of a not distant revenge. Shooting, hanging, burning, _barbecuing_, were all spoken of, besides a variety of other tortures peculiar to this southern land. Rare punishments--no lack of them--were promised in a breath to the unfortunate absconder who should chance to get caught.

You who live far away from such sentiments can but ill comprehend the moral relations of caste and colour. Under ordinary circ.u.mstances, there exists between white and black no feeling of hostility--quite the contrary. The white man is rather kindly disposed towards his coloured _brother_; but only so long as the latter opposes not his will. Let the black but offer resistance--even in the slightest degree--and then hostility is quickly kindled, justice and mercy are alike disregarded-- vengeance is only felt.

This is a general truth; it will apply to every one who owns a slave.