In a few seconds we stood face to face with the hostile chiefs.
Chapter Seventy.
The Talk.
Before a word was uttered, all six of us shook hands—so far as appearance went, in the most friendly manner. Osceola grasped mine warmly; as he did so, saying with a peculiar smile:
“Ah, Randolph! friends sometimes meet in war as well as in peace.”
I knew to what he referred, but could only answer him with a significant look of gratitude.
An orderly, sent to us with a message from the general, was seen approaching from the camp. At the same instant, an Indian appeared coming out of the timber, and, keeping pace with the orderly, simultaneously with the latter arrived upon the ground. The deputation was determined we should not outnumber it.
As soon as the orderly had whispered his message, the “talk began.”