MIKE FINK, THE KEEL-BOATMAN. 181 



Beemed evident, yet no one of his associates knew of his 

 ever having had a single fight with tlie Indians. 



The soul of Mike was affected, and, taking the hand 

 of his deceased comrade between his own, he raised his 

 bloody knife towards the bright moon, and swore that 

 he would desolate '' the nation " of the Indians who 

 made war upon them that night ; and turning to his stiff- 

 ened victim, which still retained the expression of im- 

 placable hatred and defiance, he gave it a smile of grim 

 satisfaction, and then joined in the general conversation 

 which the occurrences of the night would naturally sug- 

 gest. 



The master of the " broad horn "' was a business 

 man. and had often been down the Mississippi. This 

 was th« first attack he had received, or knew to have 

 been made from the shores inhabited by the Choctaws, 

 except by the white man ; and he suggested the keeping 

 the dead Indians until daylight, that they might have an 

 opportunity to examine their dress and features, and see 

 with certainty, who were to blame for the occurrences of 

 the night. 



The dead boatman was removed with care to a re- 

 spectful distance ; and the living, except the person at 

 the sweep of the boat, were soon buried in profound 

 slumber. 



Not until after the rude breakfast was partaken of, 

 and the funeral rites of the dead boatman were solemnly 

 performed, did Mike and his companions disturb the 

 corses of tlie red men. 



