THE AMERICANS AND THE ABORIGINES. 299 



of his researches by the disturbed state of the country, 

 and by the Indians themselves, who suspected his in- 

 tentions, and kept a strict watch on his movements ; 

 and when at last a more settled state of things enabled 

 him to prosecute his inquiries, it was with small suc- 

 cess, or at least he did not admit that he had dis- 

 covered anything, although he suspected the little 

 girl to belong to one of the French or Spanish planters 

 on the Mississippi. 



Seven years elapsed, during which the numbers of 

 the backwoodsman's family were doubled, and his 

 worldly wealth augmented in a far larger proportion. 

 The shores of the Coosa had become populous and 

 nourishing, the solitary block-house was now a roomy 

 and convenient dwelling, situated in the midst of 

 smiling plantations, and Captain Copeland was well 

 to do, and much respected by his neighbours. 



One summer evening, however, the Captain was 

 disturbed at his supper, and his family frightened 

 from their propriety, by the appearance of a tall, 

 gaunt Indian, who entered the room unannounced, 

 and was recognised by a missionary there present as 

 Tokeah, the miko or king of the Oconees, the prin- 

 cipal tribe of the Creek Indians. Tokeah was one 

 of the most deadly and persevering enemies of the 

 Avhite men, whom he detested with a bitter hate, 

 because they had driven his nation from its hunting- 

 grounds. He it was who, seven years previously, gave 

 the little girl in charge to Copeland and his wife; 



