THE SEMINOLES OF FLORIDA 29

his attending surgeon. Confinement no doubt hast-
ened his death, and his proud spirit sank under the
doom of prison life. He seemed to feel the ap-
proach of death, and about half an hour before the
summons came he signified by signs--he could not
speak--that he wished to see the chiefs and offi-
cers of the post. Making known that he wished his
full dress, which he wore in time of war, it was
brought him, and rising from his bed he dressed
himself in the insignia of a chief. Exhausted by
these efforts the swelling heart of the tempest-tossed
frame subsided into stillest melancholy. With the
death sweat already upon his brow, Osceola lay
down a few minutes to recover his strength. Then,
rising as before, with gloom dispelled, and a face
agleam with smiles, the young warrior reached forth
his hand and in dead silence bade each and all the offi-
cers and chiefs a last farewell. By his couch knelt
his two wives and his little children. With the
same oppressive silence he tenderly shook hands with
these loved ones. Then signifying his wish to be
lowered on his bed, with slow hand he drew from his
war belt his scalping knife which he firmly grasped
in his right hand, laying it across the other on his
breast. In another moment he smiled away his last
breath, without a struggle or a groan. In that
death chamber there was not one tearless eye.
Friends and foes alike wept over the dying chief.
Osceola died as he lived a hero among men.
 OSCEOLA -PATRIOT AND WARRIOR,
 DIED, JAN. 30,- 1838.