As for the robbery of the
ship's cargo, no doubt the Cassekey had progressed far enough in
civilization to know that to the victors belong the spoils. Florida, for
two years, had been stricken down from coast to coast by a deadly famine,
and in all probability these cannibals returned thanks to whatever God
they had for this windfall of food and clothes devoutly as our
forefathers were doing at the other end of the country for the homes
which they had taken by force. There is a good deal of kinship among us
in circumstances, after all, as well as in blood. The chief undoubtedly
recognized a brother in Dickenson, every whit as tricky as himself, and
would fain, savage as he was, have proved him to be something better;
for, after having protected them for several days, he came into their
tent and gravely and with authority set himself to asking the old
question, "Nickalees?"
"To which, when we denied, he directed his Speech to the Aged Man, who
would not conceal the Truth, but answered in Simplicity, 'Yes.' Then he
cried in Wrath 'Totus Nickalees!' and went out from us. But returned in
great fury with his men, and stripped all Cloathes from us."
However, the clothes were returned, and the chief persuaded them to
hasten on to his own village. Dickenson, suspecting foul play as usual,
insisted on going to Santa Lucia.
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