Page:Edward Ellis--Seth Jones.djvu/28

Rh but, as he heard him communing with himself, he discovered at once that he was a white man. "

"And what has brought you back here?" asked Graham, when he had finished.

"That's a pooty question to ax me, I swow! What has brought me back here? Why, the same thing, I cac'late as has brought you—to find out what is to be found out 'bout Ina, that purty darter."

"Ah—pardon me, friend, I am glad to hear it, and I am free to confess that that inducement has had more in bringing me here than any thing else. From your starting alone to rescue her, I presume you entertained hopes of recovering her, and, as you, alone, entertained such hopes, I judge there is greater room for them, when another one joins you."

"Did I say, stranger, I 'spected to git that gal again?" asked Seth in a low tone.

"You did not say so in words, it is true; but from what you said, I judged such was your intention. Was I mistaken?"

"No, sir; that's what I meant."

"I see no reason why we should not be friends, as we are both actuated by a desire to rescue an unfortunate one from the horrors of Indian captivity, and I trust, without that fact, we would find nothing distasteful in each other."

"Them's my sentiments, 'zactly. Give us your hand."

The two closed hands with a true friendly grip, and could each have seen the other's face in the darkness, he would have beheld a radiant expression of friendship. They then retired further into the wood and continued the conversation.

We may remark in this place, that the Indians who had captured Ina, were, as Seth had remarked, members of the Mohawk tribe. This tribe itself, was a member of the "Five Nations," including with them, the Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, and Oneida tribes, which have become quite famous in history. They are known among the French as the Iroquois, and among the Dutch as Maquas, while at home they are called the Mingoes, or Agamuschim, signifying the United People. The Mohawks, or Wabingi, first existed separately and alone. The Oneidas then joined them, and these in turn, were followed by the Onondagas, Senecas, and Cayugas. In the beginning of the last century, the Tuscaroras of the South,