12 HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 
claimed, being always placed toward the East. The body is usually 
wrapped in a blanket and covered with logs, forming a kind of box 
with the palmetto leaf roof over it. A fire is built at the end of the 
tomb, which is renewed 
at sunset for three days, 
and lighted torches waved 
about for a few moments 
to frighten away the 
‘‘bad birds.” After the 
third day the fires are 
allowed to go out. 
In talking with Old 
Charlie and Osceola 
about the mounds which 
are so common in Flor- 
ida, I asked who made 
them, and they answered, 
‘¢Injuns all dead. One 
old chief tell me long time 
’g0, Injuns came in canoe, 
eat oysters, play ball.” 
Old Charlie said the 
Indians were not Semi- 
noles. 
Most of the Indians 
have but one wife, but 
two at least, Old Charlie 
and Old Doctor, have 
two. I have been told 
that Old Doctor was pre- 
sented with a second wife by his tribe, in recognition of his ser- 
vices to his brother Indians in killing a negro half-breed named 
Key-West Billy. 
This half-breed came back to his tribe and demanded in marriage 
one of the Indian girls. It is claimed that, upon being refused, he 
BARFOTARTSO. ‘* OLD CHARLIE.”’ 
