“True,” replied Clinch in a reflective tone; “but how about the government, eh? Will it endorse the act, think you?”
“It will—it must—my latest dispatch from the President almost suggests as much. If you agree to act, I shall take the risk.”
“Oh, I place myself under your orders,” replied the commander-in-chief, evidently inclined to the commissioner’s views, but still not willing to share the responsibility. “It is but my duty to carry out the will of the executive. I am ready to coöperate with you.”
“Enough then—it shall be done as we have designed it. Ask the chiefs,” continued the speaker, addressing himself to me, “ask them, if they have any fear of signing to-morrow.”
“No—not of the signing, but afterwards.”
“And what afterwards?”
“They dread an attack from the hostile party—their lives will be in danger.”
“What would they have us do?”
“Omatla says, if you will permit him and the other head chiefs to go on a visit to their friends at Tallahassee, it will keep them out of danger. They can stay there till the removal is about to take place. They give their promise that they will meet you at Tampa, or elsewhere, whenever you summon them.”
The two generals consulted together—once more in whispers. This unexpected proposal required consideration.