Part 35 (1/2)

Chris' troubles reached their climax when the little party was seated around the fire with the Indians in the evening.

The chief, who had been watching the little darky closely all day, turned to Charley: ”Me buy 'em,” he said, indicating Chris with a wave of his hand. ”Me buy n.i.g.g.e.r.”

”I ain't no n.i.g.g.e.r,” shouted Chris in a rage, ”I'se a free-born black Englishman, dat's what I is.”

Charley silenced the indignant little darky with a wave of his hand.

”He already has a master and is therefore not ours to sell,” he said, while Chris bristled with indignation.

”Who master?” inquired the Seminole with an appraising glance at the st.u.r.dy little darky.

”A man called King Edward,” said Charley gravely, and Chris'

indignation subsided.

”Too bad,” grunted the chief, and dropped the subject.

”What's that?” exclaimed Walter suddenly, as distant rifle shots echoed in the air, were repeated irregularly and finally ceased.

”The convicts, I guess,” whispered Charley, ”I don't understand why they are firing, though. All the Indians are here.”

Significant glances pa.s.sed between the Indians.

”Jackals are dead,” said the chief, a fierce exultation in his face.

”Who killed them?” cried Charley.

”Crocodiles,” said the Seminole, briefly.

The little party stared at each other in horror. They understood now why the Seminoles had not made an attack, and had showed so much confidence in the convicts not being able to escape.

Much as the hunters hated the men who had persecuted them, they felt shocked and horror-stricken at the horrible fate that had overtaken them.

CHAPTER x.x.xIV.

THE RETURN.

The hunters soon withdrew from the circle around the fire and made their way to their hut.

”This has been a queer trip,” said Charley musingly. ”I do not believe I care to make another like it. Look at all we have been through, and what have we gained by it? Nothing.”

”We might stop on the St. Johns on our way back and hunt again for plumes,” suggested Walter.

But the others negatived the proposal decidedly.

”It would be like tempting Providence, after the dangers we have been spared from,” the captain declared.

”Dis n.i.g.g.e.r wants to get out ob a kentry where a black Englishman is called a n.i.g.g.e.r,” said Chris.