“Well, Tommy Ten-Canoes,” said the Pilot, “don’t you ever get into any trouble with the white people, because you might find yourself merely Tommy No-Canoes.”
Tommy was offended at this. He had no fears of such a fall from power, however.
The old Jamaica pilot had taken a boat and drifted down the Sowans River one long June day, when he chanced to discover Tommy and his five canoes. The canoes were hauled up on the shore under the cool trees which overshadowed the water. The Pilot, who had with him three men, rowed boldly to the shore and surprised Tommy Ten-Canoes, who had gone into the wood, leaving his weapons in one of his canoes.
The Pilot seized the canoe with the weapons and drew it from the shore.
Tommy Ten-Canoes beheld the movement with astonishment. He called to the old Pilot, “I am Tommy Ten-Canoes!”
“No, no,” answered the Pilot. “You are Tommy Nine-Canoes.”
Presently the Pilot drew from the shore another canoe. Tommy called again:
“Don’t you know me? I am—”
“Tommy Eight-Canoes,” said the Pilot.
Another boat was removed in like manner, and the Pilot shouted, “And now you are Tommy Seven-Canoes.” Another, and the Pilot called again, “Now you are Tommy Six-Canoes.” Another. “Good-bye, Tommy Five-Canoes,” said the Pilot, and he and his men drew all of the light canoes after them up the river.