346 WILD SPOETS m the south. 



lost one, and a few minutes found us on the lake pushing 

 fast and silently for the St. Johns. 



The next morning we learned the cause of the move- 

 ment of Tiger Tail's band. The flight of several flocks of 

 water birds, and the chattering of the blue jays, gave us 

 warning of the approach of some stranger, and, taking to 

 the bushes that fringed the banks, we watched for what 

 would appear. Soon we heard the measured stroke of 

 oars, and then several Indian and negro scouts in canoes 

 passed without observmg us, and then swept along six 

 barge-loads of soldiers — a part of the Second Regiment 

 moving up the river on one of their forays, by which 

 they sought to disturb the securit}^ and products of their 

 foes. The American flag was flying at the bow of the 

 leading boat, and the merry laugh of the men, and the 

 loud joke and call passed from front to rear, showed 

 how inadequate they were to catching their fleeter foes. 



*' Ilulloa !" said Mike, pushing out his canoe from the 

 reeds, " goin' a fishin' ?" 



This sudden satirical salutation brought the boats to a 

 halt, and sent half the soldiers searching about for their 

 muskets. 



" Where are you from, and where to ?" was the answer 

 of the ofiicer. 



" Oh, cross country, gom' a pleasurin'," responded Mike. 



" Seen any Indian signs ?" 



" No signs in partickalar ; stopped at Tiger Tail's camp 

 a piece back," replied Mike, gradually moving down the 

 river, and away from the boats. 



