The Flamingo Feather

near the fort, and that, deeming his presence and movements very suspicious, he had sent a party of men to capture him. They had gone out by a rear gate, and

ncle sternly bade him keep his seat. He obeyed, but scowled angrily at the soldiers, who still retained their

y a sympathetic glance, assure him of his friendship; but the other betrayed no recognition of his presence, nor once looked in his direction. He was dressed in the full costume of a young warrior who occupied the honorable position of Bow-bearer to a great chief, and in his hair gleamed the Flaming

departure of thy people, and the reason of thine o

Indian answered in the French

rs, and in it we go where we please when we are ready to go, and stay where we please when we are ready to rest from going. I have

n his dignity, and questioned him sternly. To all his questions however, Has-se remained dumb, absolutely refusing to open his lips. The expression, "Has-se has spoken," with which he had

reat him kindly, but to watch him closely and on no account allow him to escape. When Has-se had thus been remov

gain. Then Réné de Veaux, blushing at his own boldness, jumped to his feet and made a vehement little speech, in which he said that Has-se was his dear friend, and that, as he himself had s

ndeed he be not our enemy, but thou hast no authority for findi

the opinion that this young savage should be courteously entreated and set at liberty. Th

ught the better plan would be to retain the Indian lad as a hostage,

said that they would hold him for at least one day, and that in the mean time Réné should visit hi

ed in his hands. He sprang to his feet at Réné's approach, and stood silently regarding him, not knowing but what he too had become an enemy. Carefully closing the door behind him, the im

-lo-ko, and I did wrong to doubt thee for a moment; but it maddens me to be thus caged, a

questioned Has-se regarding the sudden depart

aid that after the destruction of the storehouse containing their supply of provisions for many months, Micco, their chief, had decided that it would be best for his people to remove to the land of the Alachus, their friends, who had provisions in plenty, and remain there until the ne

m best," said Réné; "but why didst not thou accompan

on the journey, that which affects thee so nearly that I could not leave thee in ignorance of it and without a war

ise. "Why does the Snake bear malice t

me the trick of wrestling that overthrew him, and thus lost him

d learn it I cannot think, nor why, even if he had knowl

bears, and for real or fancied wrongs to himself his revenge is cruel. Having once conceived

y warning, and will take care that master Chitta does n

but the Alachuas, to whom my people have gone, have an abundance. If one of thy people would go with me to them, and offer them things such as thou hast and they have not, in exchange for food, he could thus obtai

"thou art a prisoner, Has-se, and dost not even know if my uncle will release thee. How

ng smile Has

light of the second moon from now touches the waters where Allapatta the great alligator delivered us from Catsha the tige

saluting, and saying, "'Tis the hour of sunset, Master De Veaux; the guard is about to be relieved, and I must request you

ade him good-night very formally, and added, "Mayhap I will see thee on the morrow

as Master De Veaux can find but little pleasure in intercourse with such ignorant creatures. For my part, were I

thou speakest another word in such strain of those who have favored us with naught s

ar it, hurried away to report to his uncle the result of his mission to the prisoner, and

d him quietly sleeping. He had visited the room again at sunrise, and it was empty. The sentinels at the gates, and those who paced the walls, had been closely questioned, but declared they had seen nobody,

to Réné, "I am glad that thy friend has escaped, though I like not the manner of his going, and I trust he may come to no harm. I would, however, that we had been able to send a company,

e, uncle?" inquir

a perilous mission. It should be one of double thy years and ex