hey ran up the steps, and gave Carlos and
me a cordial welcome. When the judge heard of Rita's narrow escape, he
exclaimed--

"We must have a broad road cut through that hummock. It will not be
safe to traverse until that's done. We are all deeply indebted to
Captain Norton for his timely shot, and I shall be happy to make his
acquaintance if he comes here."

We inquired for Rochford and Lejoillie.

"They went away at daybreak into the forest--the one bent on
slaughtering game, the other on collecting objects of natural history.
A clever fellow is that Frenchman, and I have begged him to remain here
as long as he can find subjects for scientific research," he answered.

When we told him the object of Captain Norton's visit to Roseville, he
laughed, and replied--

"I don't believe the Indians will venture near the place; they know too
well the effect of our fellows' rifles. Since I came home, I find that
a treaty has been entered into with them. The meeting took place at
Payne's Landing, on the Ocklawaha River, and they have agreed, in the
course of a few months, to move westward across the Mississippi, where
the Creeks and Cherokees are also about to migrate; so that we shall, in
a short time, I hope, see the end of all these Indian troubles."

We found that the judge had business to attend to, and Carlos suggested
that we should take a stroll through the settlement. We had got some
little distance, when my companion pointed out, with a laugh, the chief
inn of the place, in front of which, nailed to a tree, hung the sign of
"The General Washington." It was a weather-boarded shanty, fixed up in
an open space between several trees, which the builder had not thought
it worth while to cut down. From the boughs hung several cages full of
birds, while a number of hideous little mongrel dogs ran about, attended
by a black boy, who sat on the steps, apparently having nothing else to
do than to scratch his woolly pate. As we approached, Captain Norton
rode up, and calling to the boy, directed him to summon his master.

"What you want him for, massa cap'n?" asked the black.

"I tell you to call him," answered the captain.

"Him fast 'sleep in him hammock now. No want to be 'sturbed."

"Go and call him, whether he is asleep or awake," said the captain,
getting angry.

Just then a person, who I had no doubt was "mine host," appeared at the
door, though as unlike my notion of what a landlord should be as
pos