A wonderful change had taken place in the conduct of Elias Rody. He was most gracious--most condescending. He kissed all the children, chatted with the mothers, and listened to their narratives of infant ailments, husbands' delinquencies, or household troubles. To the surprise of many of the poorer settlers the hitherto aristocratic governor took, or appeared to take, great interest in their affairs, and, more wonderful still, in some instances, put his hand into his pocket to relieve their pressing necessities. Petty matters seemed to become deeply interesting to him, and he devoted time and attention to their adjustment. Through all this his temper was conciliating and amiable. Many personal quarrels, amongst settlers, were forgotten and forgiven through his means, whilst coolness were warmed into new friendships by his mediation. This was the work of some time, and the astonishment of his amiability gave way to self censure on the part of the observers, who charged themselves with having done him great injustice. No churlish man would have sent down provisions for the poor, have rebuilt Widow Jones's barn, or bought Seth Cheshire a new horse; and what mean man would have lent money to that drunken but popular Jake Stebbins, whose fiery nose, should Jake be abroad, was as a lighthouse on a dark night to any belated traveller? This was the impression that gradually got abroad about Elias Rody. He only smiled, rubbed his hands softly together, and muttered, "Humph!" The monosyllable was full of meaning. It meant that he thought his labour well bestowed, and that the design he had in view prospered even beyond his expectations. What this design was must be already apparent. He had courted this popularity to enable him to accomplish the dearest wish of his heart. After his bland dismissal of Oluski, laden with gifts, he had acquired a control over his own naturally impetuous temper which astonished himself. The refusal of the Seminole chief to give him quiet possession of the hill was the more annoying because it seemed to close for ever any further attempt at negotiation. He understood the Indian character sufficiently to know that they were unchangeable in their opinions, and seldom, if ever, to be moved from a resolution once taken. This tenacity of purpose had, time out of mind, brought ruin and devastation upon themselves as on those who sought to coerce them, and Rody ground his teeth with impotent rage when Oluski had announced the decision of the Indian council. The Judas smile that succeeded had root in another thought, which the governor had left out of his mind until the supreme moment of his defeat. Hence his changed conduct towards his fellow-settlers. They became almost to a man believers in him, and ready to do his bidding.