MIKE FINK, THE KEEL-BOATMAN. Isl 
seemed evident, yet no one of his associates knew of his 
ever having had a single fight with the 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 the 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 the red men. 
ad 
