Osceola the Seminole Part 15

But even this was no fulfilment of the terms of the Oclawaha covenant.

The deputation was to return with their report, and ask the will of the nation. That was yet to be given; and, in order to obtain it, a new council of all the chiefs and warriors must be summoned.

It was to be a mere formality. It was well-known that the nation as a body disapproved of the facile conduct of the seven chiefs, and would not endorse it. They were not going to "move."

This was the more evident, since other conditions of the treaty were daily broken. One of these was the restoration of runaway slaves, which the signers of the Oclawaha treaty had promised to send back to their owner. No blacks were sent back; on the contrary, they now found refuge among the Indians more secure than ever.

The commissioner knew all this. He was calling the new council out of mere formality. Perhaps he might persuade them to sign--if not, he intended to awe them into the measure, or force them at the point of the bayonet. He had said as much. Troops were concentrating at the agency--Fort King--and others were daily arriving at Tampa Bay. The government had taken its measures; and coercion was resolved upon.

I was not ignorant of what was going on, nor of all that had happened during my long years of absence. My comrades, the cadets, were well versed in Indian affairs, and took a lively interest in them--especially those who expected soon to escape from the college walls. "Black Hawk's war," just terminated in the west, had already given some a chance of service and distinction, and young ambition was now bending its eyes upon Florida.

The idea, however, of obtaining glory in such a war was ridiculed by all. "It would be too easy a war--the foe was not worth considering. A mere handful of savages," a.s.serted they; "scarcely enough of them to stand before a single company. They would be either killed or captured in the first skirmish, one and all of them--there was not the slightest chance of their making any protracted resistance--_unfortunately_, there was not."

Such was the belief of my college companions; and, indeed, the common belief of the whole country, at that time. The army, too, shared it.

One officer was heard to boast that he could march through the whole Indian territory with only a corporal's guard at his back; and another, with like bravado, wished that the government would give him a charter of the war, on his own account. He would finish it for 10,000 dollars!

These only expressed the sentiments of the day. No one believed that the Indians would or could sustain a conflict with us for any length of time; indeed, there were few who could be brought to think that they would resist at all: they were only holding out for better terms, and would yield before coming to blows.

For my part, I thought otherwise. I knew the Seminoles better than most of those who talked--I knew their country better; and, notwithstanding the odds against them--the apparent hopelessness of the struggle--I had my belief that they would neither yield to disgraceful terms, nor yet be so easily conquered. Still, it was but a conjecture; and I might be wrong. I might be deserving the ridicule which my opposition to the belief of my comrades often brought upon me.

The newspapers made us acquainted with every circ.u.mstance. Letters, too, were constantly received at the "Point" from old graduates now serving in Florida. Every detail reached us, and we had become acquainted with the names of many of the Indian chieftains, as well as the internal _politique_ of the tribe. It appeared they were not united. There was a party in favour of yielding to the demands of our government, headed by one _Omatla_. This was the traitor party, and a minority. The patriots were more numerous, including the head "mico"

himself, and the powerful chiefs Holata, _Coa hajo_, and the negro Abram.

Among the patriots there was one name that, upon the wings of rumour, began to take precedence of all others. It appeared frequently in the daily prints, and in the letters of our friends. It was that of a young warrior, or sub-chief, as he was styled, who by some means or other had gained a remarkable ascendency in the tribe. He was one of the most violent opponents of the "removal;" in fact, the leading spirit that opposed it; and chiefs much older and more powerful were swayed by his counsel.

We cadets much admired this young man. He was described as possessing all the attributes of a hero--of n.o.ble aspect, bold, handsome, intelligent. Both his physical and intellectual qualities were spoken of in terms of praise--almost approaching to hyperbole. His form was that of an Apollo, his features Adonis or Endymion. He was first in everything--the best shot in his nation, the most expert swimmer and rider--the swiftest runner, and most successful hunter--alike eminent in peace or war--in short, a Cyrus.

There were Xenophons enough to record his fame. The people of the United States had been long at peace with the red men. The romantic savage was far away from their borders. It was rare to see an Indian within the settlements, or hear aught of them. There had been no late deputations from the tribes to gratify the eyes of gazing citizens; and a real curiosity had grown up in regard to these children of the forest.

An Indian hero was wanted, and this young chief appeared to be the man.

His name was Osceola.

CHAPTER TWENTY.

FRONTIER JUSTICE.

I was not allowed long to enjoy the sweets of home. A few days after my arrival, I received an order to repair to Fort King, the Seminole agency, and head-quarters of the army of Florida. General Clinch there commanded. I was summoned upon his staff.

Not without chagrin, I prepared to obey the order. It was hard to part so soon from those who dearly loved me, and from whom I had been so long separated. Both mother and sister were overwhelmed with grief at my going. Indeed they urged me to resign my commission, and remain at home.

Not unwillingly did I listen to their counsel: I had no heart in the cause in which I was called forth; but at such a crisis I dared not follow their advice: I should have been branded as a traitor--a coward.

My country had commissioned me to carry a sword. I must wield it, whether the cause be just or unjust--whether to my liking or not. This is called _patriotism_!

There was yet another reason for my reluctance to part from home. I need hardly declare it. Since my return, my eyes had often wandered over the lake--often rested on that fair island. Oh, I had not forgotten her!

I can scarcely a.n.a.lyse my feelings. They were mingled emotions. Young love triumphant over older pa.s.sions--ready to burst forth from the ashes that had long shrouded it--young love penitent and remorseful--doubt, jealousy, apprehension. All these were active within me.

Since my arrival, I had not dared to go forth. I observed that my mother was still distrustful. I had not dared even to question those who might have satisfied me. I pa.s.sed those few days in doubt, and at intervals under a painful presentiment that all was not well.

Did Maumee still live? Was she true? True! Had she reason? Had she ever loved me?

There were those near who could have answered the first question; but I feared to breathe her name, even to the most intimate.

Bidding adieu to my mother and sister, I took the route. These were not left alone: my maternal uncle--their guardian--resided upon the plantation. The parting moments were less bitter, from the belief that I should soon return. Even if the antic.i.p.ated campaign should last for any considerable length of time, the scene of my duties would lie near, and I should find frequent opportunities of revisiting them.

My uncle scouted the idea of a campaign, as so did every one. "The Indians," he said, "would yield to the demands of the commissioner.

Fools, if they didn't!"

Fort King was not distant; it stood upon Indian ground--fourteen miles within the border, though further than that from our plantation. A day's journey would bring me to it; and in company of my cheerful "squire," Black Jake, the road would not seem long. We bestrode a pair of the best steeds the stables afforded, and were both armed _cap-a-pie_.

We crossed the ferry at the upper landing, and rode within the "reserve"

[Note 1]. The path--it was only a path--ran parallel to the creek, though not near its banks. It pa.s.sed through the woods, some distance to the rear of Madame Powell's plantation.

When opposite to the clearing, my eyes fell upon the diverging track. I knew it well: I had oft trodden it with swelling heart.

I hesitated--halted. Strange thoughts careered through my bosom; resolves half-made, and suddenly abandoned. The rein grew slack, and then tightened. The spur threatened the ribs of my horse, but failed to strike.

"Shall I go? Once more behold her. Once more renew those sweet joys of tender love? Once more--Ha, perhaps it is too late! I might be no longer welcome--if my reception should be hostile? Perhaps--"

"Wha' you doin' dar, Ma.s.sr George? Daat's not tha' road to tha fort."

"I know that, Jake; I was thinking of making a call at Madame Powell's plantation."

"Mar'm Powell plantayshun! Gollys! Ma.s.sr George--daat all you knows 'bout it?"

"About what?" I inquired with anxious heart.

"Dar's no Mar'm Powell da no more; nor hain't a been, since better'n two year--all gone clar 'way."

"Gone away? Where?"

"Daat dis chile know nuffin 'bout. S'pose da gone some other lokayshun in da rezav; made new clarin somewha else."

"And who lives here now?"

"Dar ain't neery one lib tha now: tha ole house am desarted."

"But why did Madame Powell leave it?"

"Ah--daat am a quaw story. Gollys! you nebber hear um, Ma.s.sr George?"

"No--never."

"Den I tell um. But s'pose, ma.s.sr, we ride on. I am a gettin' a little lateish, an' 'twont do nohow to be cotch arter night in tha woods."

I turned my horse's head and advanced along the main road, Jake riding by my side. With aching heart, I listened to his narrative.

"You see, Ma.s.sr George, 'twar all o' Ma.s.sr Ringgol--tha ole boss [Note 2] daat am--an' I blieve tha young 'un had 'im hand in dat pie, all same, like tha ole 'un. Waal, you see Mar'm Pow'll she loss some n.i.g.g.as dat war ha slaves. Dey war stole from ha, an' wuss dan stole. Dey war tuk, an' by white men, ma.s.sr. Tha be folks who say dat Ma.s.s' Ringgol-- he know'd more 'n anybody else 'bout tha whole bizness. But da rubb'ry war blamed on Ned Spence an' Bill William. Waal, Mar'm, Powell she go to da law wi' dis yar Ned an' Bill; an' she 'ploy Ma.s.sr Grubb tha big lawyer dat lib down tha ribba. Now Ma.s.sr Grubb, he great friend o'