Of the Mickasukie tribe of Indians, Ar-pe-ik, or Sam Jones, was the chief. He was said to be the most aged Indian in Florida, being upwards of seventy. For many years he lived at Silver Spring, near Fort King, and was known as Sam Jones the fisherman. His age gave him an ascendency far above his merits. He declared himself a prophet and a great medicineman. He planned war parties for the young warriors, and accompanied them to the scene of action, and from a distance witnessed their conduct; giving encouragement by his incantations with roots, barks, skins of animals and snakes, and midnight orgies and songs. He was always remarkable for his obstinate ill

nature.

With him were many young men of the same tribe, who partook of the infamy belonging to this band, otherwise intelligent and brave; none more so than Halleck-Tustenuggee, now but a boy, but who soon became the master-spirit of the war.

Thlock-lo-Tustenuggee, or Fish King, known as Tigertail, was the chief of the Tallahassees. For many years he was a common lounger about the streets of Tallahassee, begging for whisky and food. Here he learned some English, and obtained an intimate knowledge of the habits of the citizens. Upon rejoining his tribe, when hostilities commenced, this gave him much importance. Plausible and attractive in his manners, and professing great wisdom and sagacity, he deluded those of his own color as well as the whites, and was always ready to accept the proffer of peace. After enjoying for weeks the hospitality of a military camp or post, with the promise of emigrating, he would return to the woods, well supplied with ammunition, provisions, and clothing. He was about forty-four years of age.

His brother, Nethlocke-mathlar, contended with him for the government of the tribe, causing frequent broils and conflicts. By far his brother's superior in age, intelligence, and honesty, he failed in attaching to him the younger warriors, as his integrity and good sense profited them but little. Strongly opposed to emigrating, he advocated friendship and peace, and condemned the hypocrisy of his brother.

South of Pease Creek and Lake Okechobee, near the extreme southern point of the peninsula, was a band of Spanish Indians, under an intelligent chief, called Chekika, speaking a language peculiarly their own, a mixture of Indian and Spanish. They numbered about one hundred warriors. They took no part in the war until 1839 and '40, when, finding themselves attacked and pursued, they took arms and resisted. This band of Indians was

entirely unknown. In all the treaties that had been made and councils held by agents of the government, they had had no