338 TKAVEL, ADVENTURE, AND SPORT. 



These words, uttered with feeling and emphasis, 

 were decisive. The chief nodded his approbation. 



" The sun was low behind the hills," said he, 

 " when my young brother approached the wigwam of 

 Tokeah, and the chief was buried in sleep. His 

 footsteps must not be seen by the white men. Will 

 my brother swear by Him Avhom the Oconees call 

 the Great Spirit, and the pale-faces name their God, 

 that he will not betray Tokeah to his enemies 1 " 



" I swear it solemnly." 



" Will he promise never to say that the Miko and 

 the chief of the Salt Lake have been friends 1 " 



" I promise that also," replied Hodges, after a 

 brief pause. 



" Then may the bones of his fathers moulder in 

 peace," said the old man, laying his hands on the 

 shoulders of the Englishman. "The Miko will clear 

 his brother's path from thorns, and his runners shall 

 show him the way to the Coshattoes. But my 

 brother is hungry," he added, "and his path is a long 

 one." 



He made a sign to his followers, and one of them 

 emptied a hunting-pouch upon the grass ; the Miko 

 sat down, and beckoning Hodges to do the same, 

 offered him some cold game, of which he himself 

 sparingly partook. A handful of roasted corn, and a 

 calabash of tolerable wine, completed the repast. 

 The meal despatched, Tokeah rose, nodded in a 

 friendly manner, and plunged into the forest, fol- 



