32 HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 
tribe. The language spoken by the Miami Indians is somewhat 
different. 
The chief seat of government is located at Fish Eating Creek, and 
at this camp resides Hospataki and Tustanugge, who are chiefs of 
note, although, as I understand it, there has been no regularly 
recognized head chief among the Seminole Indians since the death 
of Tiger Tail. It was customary in the old days to have the chieftain- 
ship descend in the female line, but this is not so at present, and if 
a chief is now elected itis done by the council. 
SEMINOLE HISTORY. 
THERE is a tradition handed down from one generation to another 
among the Indians to the effect that a very long time ago some 
wandering bands of Indians came from the northwest, and, finding 
the country fertile and filled with game, they settled in the country 
of the then powerful tribes of Florida and Appalachian Indians. 
They were received in a friendly manner and for many years lived 
on good terms with their neighbors, but later, when their numbers 
had increased, they made war upon the Appalachians and succeeded 
in destroying that tribe early in the eighteenth century. These 
Indians, who belonged to the Creek or Muskogee tribe, became 
famous for their warlike abilities. They extended west to the Ala- 
bama River, and east throughout Georgia and Northern Florida. 
They conquered the Alabama nation who inhabited the country near 
the Alabama River; but later restored to them their lands upon the 
Alabamians becoming a part of the Creek nation. 
At this time various wandering bands settled in Florida, most of 
them being descendants of the Creeks or Muskogees. These were 
known as Seminoles or ‘‘lost men.” The Indians now known as 
Seminoles in Florida are principally descendants of the Muskogee or 
Creek nation, but there are a few individuals descended from the 
Mickasaukies, Uchees, and Choctaws. 
In the year 1835 commenced what is known as the Seminole War. 
In the year 1832 a treaty had been made with the Creeks or Semi- 
