man to
point out the sickness, unless he has the proper barks and plants?"

"Well," said Charley, "let the wisdom of one grown wise in councils
tell us of the cure for this disease."

The wounded savage was again seized with a fit of coughing, and it was
some moments before he could reply. "Between the glades and here--a
swift half day's journey--a small island lies in the middle of the
river. There, four men could stand off an army. If I commanded the
paleface friends as I do my tribe, I would say, bury all things too
heavy to carry away in the canoes of cloth, while it is yet light, turn
the ponies loose that they may not starve. Put all else in the cloth
boats. Let some keep up a noise and fire from the wall of trees to
convince the white men without hearts that you are going to stay and
fight. With the first darkness of night let all take to the boats. I
with the Little Tiger will lead the way, then may come him you call
captain with the little one whose face is like the night, lastly, may
come you and the one with the eager face (Walter). Without noise must
we go, and keep close to each other, for the river has many arms
stretched out for the unwary stranger. At the island of which I spoke,
you may camp in safety while we go on alone. I stop at my wigwam to
die, alone, in peace and quietness with the great spirit, as becomes a
chief of a long line of chiefs, but he, who will soon he chief, will
travel quickly on gathering together my people. With them he will
return, and of the twelve who murder from behind trees not one shall
return to boast of his deeds. When the buzzards are feeding off their
bones, then, may you return and secure that which you have buried, the
ponies, and all of that which is yours. That is the counsel of one of
a race of chiefs. What is the answer of the young white chief?"

"I must consult with those who share my dangers, Chief," said Charley
gravely. "We talk not like squaws, and in five minutes you shall have
our answer."

The Seminole rolled over on his side exhausted from his long speech and
frequent coughing spells, while Charley beckoned the captain and Walter
out of earshot.

"You have heard it all, now I want your opinion," he said simply.
"After this last terrible mistake of mine, it will be long before I
trust to my judgment again."

"We all fell into the same error, lad," said the captain, kindly. "The
blame, if any, belongs to us all. Forget it, Charley, a