MIKE FINK, THE KEEL-BOATMAN, 169 
indignities ; finally the Indians made a precipitate re- 
treat ashore, amid the hooting and jeering of a thought- 
less crowd which considered them as poor devils, desti- 
tute of both feeling and humanity. 
Among this band of outcasts was a Cherokee, who 
bore the name of Proud Joe; what his real cognomen 
was, no one knew, for he was taciturn, haughty—and, in 
spite of his poverty and his manner of life, won the name 
we have mentioned. His face was expressive of talent, 
but it was furrowed by the most terrible habits of 
drunkenness. That he was a superior Indian was ad- 
mitted : and it was also understood that he was banish- 
ed from his mountain home, his tribe being then numer- 
ous and powerful, for some great crime. He was always 
looked up to by his companions, and managed, however 
intoxicated he might be, to sustain a singularly proud 
bearing, which did not even depart from him while pros- 
trate on the ground. 
Joe was careless of his person and habits—in this 
respect he was behind his fellows; but one ornament of 
his, was attended to with a care which would have done 
honor to him if still surrounded by his people, and amid 
his native woods. Joe still wore, with Indian dignity, 
his scalplock; he ornamented it with taste, and cherished 
it, as report said, until some Indian messenger of ven- 
geance should tear itfrom his head, as expiatory of his — 
numerous crimes. Mike had noticed this peculiarity ; 
and, reaching out his hand, plucked from the revered 
xealplock a hawk’s feather. 8 
