190 AMOXG THE SEMIXOLES. 



This time I got vexed, and told him I wasn t. A third 

 &quot;humbuxj,&quot; accompanied by a gesture, directed my 

 attention to a small palmetto shanty, beneath which 

 were three iron pots, around which were three hungry 

 Indians, and from which (the pots, not the shanty) they 

 were &quot; humbuxj ing &quot; after the most approved style. As 

 I was extremely hungry I humbuxj ed. Here was an 

 opportunity ! Tiger had eaten me out at Alligator 

 creek ; I would now pay him back in kind. I looked 

 for my guide ; he had disappeared. I unbuckled my 

 belt, laid aside my revolver, and joined the band of revel 

 lers. &quot; How romantic,&quot; thought I ; &quot; to be sure, things 

 aren t just as I d like to have them, but then, when 

 you re in Eome, etc.&quot; The pot nearest me contained a 

 dirty looking liquid, which, as near I could remember, 

 not having seen any for six months, looked exactly like 

 dish-water, boiled over twice, with the dish-rag left in. 

 It was corn and water boiled. A huge wooden spoon 

 was employed to convey this delectable nourishment to 

 its proper receptacle the mouth. The bowl of the 

 aforesaid spoon was as big as a baby s head, and while I 

 was wondering how twas used, a shock-headed urchin 

 inserted it, drew it forth full, elevated it till the handle 

 pointed toward the zenith, when presto ! the dish-water 

 disappeared, the spoon was returned to the pot with a 

 swoop of satisfaction, and Injun number two proceeded 

 to do likewise. Number three did even so, and I was 

 expected to ditto. I was hungry ; I knew it ; I d eaten 

 nothing but the roast corn since sunrise, and had ridden 

 near thirty miles that day. But, strangely, my appetite 

 was gone. I forgave Tiger for eating all my flapjacks ; 

 I promised myself to forget it. After all, he hadn t 

 done so very badly. But the eyes of all were upon me. 



