The Indian grasped it in silence.
"I wish well to Little Tiger, a Seminole and a brave hunter," said Hamil pleasantly.
The red hand and the white hand tightened and fell apart.
A moment later Gray came galloping up with Eudo Stent.
"How are you, Coacochee!" he called out; "glad to see you again! We saw the pine tops blue a mile back." To which the Seminole replied with composure in terse English.

But for Mr.Cardross, when he arrived, there was a shade less reserve in the Indian's greeting, and there was no mistaking the friendship between them.
"Why did you speak to him in his own tongue ?" asked Hamil of Shiela as they strolled together toward the palmetto-thatched, open-face camp fronting on Ruffle Lake.
"He takes it as a compliment," she said.

"Besides he taught me." "It's a pretty courtesy," said Hamil, "but you always do everything more graciously than anybody else in the world." "I am afraid you are biassed." "Can any man who knows you remain non-partisan ?--even your red Seminole yonder ?" "I am proud of that conquest," she said gaily.

"Do you know anything about the Seminoles?
No?
Well, then, let me inform you that a Seminole rarely speaks to a white man except when trading at the posts.

They are a very proud people; they consider themselves still unconquered, still in a state of rebellion against the United States." "What!" exclaimed Hamil, astonished.
"Yes, indeed.