170 THE HIVE OF THE BEE-HUNTER. 
The Indian glared horribly on Mike as he consum- 
mated the insult, snatched the feather from his hand, 
then shaking his clenched fist in the air, as if calling on 
Heaven for revenge, retreated with his friends. 
Mike saw that he had roused the soul of the savage, 
and he marvelled wonderfully that so much resentment 
should be exhibited; and as an earnest to Proud Joe 
that the wrong he had done him should not rest unre- 
venged, he swore that he would cut the scalplock off 
close to his head, the first convenient opportunity, and 
then he thought no more about it. 
The morning following the arrival of the boat at 
Louisville was occupied in making preparations to pur- 
sue the voyage down the river. Nearly every thing 
was completed, and Mike had taken his favorite place 
at the sweep, when, looking up the river bank, he beheld 
at some distance Joe and his companions, and perceived, 
from their gesticulations, that they were making him the 
subject of conversation. 
Mike thought instantly of several ways m which he 
could show them altogether, a fair fight, and then whip 
them with ease; he also reflected with what extreme 
satisfaction he would enter into the spirit of the arrange- 
ment, and other matters to him equally pleasing—when 
all the Indians disappeared, save Joe himself, who 
stood at times viewing Mike in moody silence, and then 
staring round at passing objects. 
From the peculiarity of Joe’s position to Mike, who 
