front, or maybe he'll be afther shootin' one
of us, an' stickin' his scalping-knife into the other."

The Indian, no ways displeased by the evident want of confidence placed
in him, led the way, and managed to pick out a path with fewer
obstructions than the one by which we had entered the hummock. As we
came in sight of the camp he hesitated for a moment, perhaps surprised
at seeing many more people than he might have expected. It is possible
that he would have been welcomed by half-a-dozen rifle shots had we not
appeared close behind him. Our friends were highly pleased at seeing
the game which we brought. Just then Lejoillie arrived, bringing three
fat gobblers, some smaller birds, and a racoon, which he and the men
attending him had shot. My father, who had only one companion, had not
yet returned. I could not help fearing that he might have fallen in
with some other Indians, who might not have behaved in so pacific a
manner as Spotted Wolf. I at once took the Indian up to Captain Norton,
who rose to receive him, and being well accustomed to the habits of the
Redskins, desired him to be seated on the ground near the camp-fire.
The fact that Spotted Wolf spoke English showed that he had had frequent
intercourse with the white men.

Captain Norton at once began questioning him as to whether he was alone,
or had few or many companions.

He declared that he was alone; that he had separated from his
countrymen, as he did not approve of their making war on the Palefaces,
who, he knew, must conquer at last. At the same time, while making this
acknowledgment, he described the army of Oceola as very large,
consisting of numerous warriors, well-armed, and with abundance of
ammunition.

Captain Norton inquired if he knew where they were. He replied that
they were now some distance away to the west, waiting for reinforcements
from the Cherokees and Creeks. Whether Spotted Wolf was giving a true
account or not, it was impossible to ascertain. He was consistent in
all he said, and maintained a calm and unembarrassed manner. I was
little accustomed to the countenances of Indians, who looked to me very
nearly all alike, but I certainly did not admire the expression of that
of Spotted Wolf; and I found that Carlos had formed a bad opinion of
him. He sat on in the ordinary inelegant position which Indians
maintain round a council fire, deliberately smoking a pipe of tobacco
which the captain had presented to him.