Several days had elapsed since the meeting in the council-house.
The answer of the Seminole warriors had been conveyed to the white
governor by Oluski himself.
The old chief couched the decision in kindly words mingled with regrets.
Elias Rody was wonderfully self-possessed.
He smiled, shrugged his shoulders, grasped the Seminole's hand, and with
a wave of his own seemed to dismiss the subject from his thoughts.
Nay, more, he presented the old warrior with a beautifully inlaid rifle,
a bale of broad-cloth, and a keg of powder.
"Come, come," said he speaking in the friendliest tone, "don't let a
mere whim of mine affect such a friendship as ours. You _must_ accept
these things--mere trifles. Your taking them will prove that you
harbour no unkindness towards me or mine."
Thus pressed, Oluski accepted the presents.
The governor smiled covertly as the old chief departed.
Nelatu had recovered from his wound; he daily spent hours in company
with Warren, and there was no lack of diversion for the white youth or
his red-skinned companion.
Their canoe darted through the blue waters of the bay, or stole dreamily
along the river's current.
Their rifles brought down the wild fowl upon the sea, or the quail and
partridge upon the land.
Their fishing-rods and spears furnished many a dainty dish.
Sometimes, going farther afield, they would bring home a deer, or a
brace or two of wild turkeys--or, bent on destruction, would penetrate
some dark lagoon and slay the hideous alligator.
The opportunities which these pursuits presented were constantly
improved by Warren.
He moulded his conduct and expressions to suit the simple faith and
understanding of his companion.
He concealed beneath a considerate kindness the dark thoughts that were
brooding in his bosom, and was the very semblance of what he professed
to be--a friend.
Nelatu, generous and confiding, was flattered and charmed by his
condescension; with the simple faith of a child he trusted his white
associate.
"Ah, Nelatu," would the latter say, "if I had only the power to do what
I wish, I would prove myself a true friend to the Indians. Our race are
afraid to show real sympathy with them on account of old and stupid
prejudices. Wait until I am in a position to prove my words, and you
will see what I will do. Why, even now, I'd rather sit near you
fishing, or tramp with you across the country on a hunting excursion,
than spend my time amongst my own people, who cannot understand either
me or my ways."
In a thousand designing ways he impressed himself on Nelatu's mind as a
chivalrous, self-sacrificing fellow, worthy the love of any maiden.
Then, adroitly singing soft praises of Sansuta to the brother's pleased
ear, he insured in him a faithful ally and warm panegyrist.
Sansuta, pleased with an admiration which she never paused to question,
blushed at her brother's report of Warren's good qualities.
Many articles of adornment had come into her hands, and were kept from
her father's sight.
She dared not wear them, but in secret gloated over their possession as
over the feeling which had prompted the gift.
Sansuta, it will be seen, was a coquette, though one through vanity, not
vice.
She was innocent as a child, but inordinately vain.
She had grown up without a mother's care; had been so much thrown upon
her own resources; that all her faults were those of an untrained
nature.
Her heart was warm, her affection for her father and brother deep and
true; but she was too prone to turn from the bright side of life, and
tremble at anything with the appearance of dulness.
Differently placed, this Indian maid might have become a heroine. As it
was she was nothing but a frivolous child.
With a generous man, her defenceless position would have ensured her
safety.
Not thus with Warren Rody.
The son did not belie his father's nature.
Crookleg had become useful to him in his scheme. This hideous creature
proved far more subservient and trustworthy than the defunct Red Wolf,
for he was all obsequious obedience.
True, he sometimes glanced askance with an ugly look bent upon his young
master, but the look vanished in a hideous grin whenever the latter
turned towards him.
What dark mystery lay hidden in the negro's mind, no one white knew, but
all, by a common impulse, gave way to him as he passed. Children ran
shrieking, and hid their faces in their mother's aprons; the boys paused
suddenly in their play as he hobbled by, while the old gossips of both
sexes shook their heads and thought of the devil as he approached them!
He seemed only flattered by these signs of detestation, and chuckled
with glee at the aversion he inspired.
The Indians, meanwhile, pursued their usual avocations.
The waters of Tampa Bay were dotted with their canoes. Troops of their
children frolicked on the plateau, or clucked the wild flowers that grew
along the sloping sides of the hill.
The women of the tribe followed their domestic duties, and the whole
scene around the wigwams was one of tranquil contentment.
The white settlers were not idle neither. The fields were swelling with
crops, which the planters had commenced to gather in. A goodly store of
merchandise was collected upon the wharf, and several schooners had come
to an anchor in the bay.
Peace and plenty abounded in the settlement.
But, as before the storm a small, dark cloud specks the bright sky,
gathering as it grows, so was there a cloud, too small for human view,
drifting over this peaceful scene which should carry death and
destruction in its wake.
Slowly and surely it was coming!