Plucking the cigar from his mouth, the frontiersman released a thick plume of smoke into the room. “I didn’t want to spoil the party for you and the gals, Poe, so I did my damnedest to shove my worries aside for a spell. But I have been in a mighty black humor since earlier today.”

“And what is the cause of your unhappiness?”

“When I got back to the hotel, there was a message from my crony in Washington City, Mr. Thomas Chilton. Seems like my enemies in Congress are fixing to push through Ol’ Hick’ry’s Injun Bill.”

“I assume that you are referring to the government’s plan to dispossess the Southwestern tribes of their rightfully deeded territories and remove them to far less favorable tracts west of the Mississippi?” The impassioned debate over this proposal having been extensively reported in the newspapers, I was, of course, familiar with its details.

“That’s the one,” Crockett said grimly. “Why, if I don’t get re-elected, them redskins will never get a fair shake.”

“I must confess, Colonel Crockett,” said I, “that—in light of both your youthful exploits in the Creek War and your frequent denigrations of the red man’s character—I am excessively surprised at your sympathetic concern for the Indian cause.”

“Why, Poe,” Crockett exclaimed, “you are plumb mistook about my sentiments. I won’t deny that I do not look with favor upon a murderous savage hell-bent on mischief. But I have always been a friend to the Chicksaws and Cherokees and other law-abiding tribes. And besides, our government give the injuns our sacred word. A treaty is the highest law of the land. I would rather be an old coon dog belonging to a poor man in the forest than belong to any country that wont do justice for all.”

For several moments following this fervent declaration, I sat in silent contemplation of the frontiersman, whose deep-rooted integrity, though sometimes obscured by his overbearing manner, could in no way be doubted. At length, I cleared my throat and declared: “In view of the pressing political matters requiring your attention, it is even more imperative that we accomplish our mission in the most expeditious manner possible.”

“Amen to that,” Crockett said. “Have you ciphered out the meaning of that pestiferous word yet?”

“Sadly,” I said with a heartfelt sigh, “and in spite of my prolonged and strenuous efforts to discover its signification, the answer is no.” Here, I folded my hands and rested them upon the tabletop. “There is, however, certain information of which I have yet to apprise you—information which, I have good reason to believe, bears directly upon the fearful mystery in which we two have become so deeply embroiled.”

“I am all ears,” Crockett said, taking another puff of his long, slender cigar.