rn
our quarters, seeing that I had been a sergeant in his company.

"Quecheco, my line fellow," said Sir Christopher, "thou didst us a
service on that day not to be forgotten, and now we must look to thee
for another. Where shall we hunt?"

"Let Soog-u-gest and Quecheco go a little towards Accomack, where I
saw yesterday some deer, and the sanop toward the setting sun,"
answered the Indian.

"Go thou with Philip, and I will take my chance alone," said the
Knight:

"The chief must not go alone," said the Indian. "Quecheco will go to
carry the deer which Soog-u-gest will shoot."

"A sensible Indian," said Philip. "Take him with you, Sir Christopher.
For my part, I do not want his copper skin gliding like a snake among
the bushes; and, Sir Christopher, look sharp, and see if I bring not
back as much game as you and your friend."

"I accept the challenge," said the Knight, good-humoredly, "and will
take him, since you prefer to go alone."

"I will none of him. He is thy valley-doo-doo--a murrain on mounseer
for his hard words; and why a waiting-man should be called a valley,
more than a mountain, or a river, doth pass my understanding."

"An interesting mystery. Yet is its solution unnecessary at the
present. Get thy bow and quiver, Quecheco, and we will see by evening
how Philip's boastings will turn out."

"And, hark ye, red-skin," cried the soldier, "take care that thou
bring back Soog-u-gest, as thou callest Sir Christopher, safe, and
with a good appetite to eat my game."

In spite of his habitual self-possession, the Indian started. A guilty
conscience began already to affright him, and for an instant he
fancied his purpose detected.

"What ails thee?" asked the Knight, regarding him with a quick, keen
glance.

"Quecheco hurt his foot," answered the Indian, with a limp, and
bending down to hide his face from the sharp eyes.

"Poor fellow, then, remain behind, and we will hunt for thee, who hast
done so often for us."

"Quah!" exclaimed the Indian, with a gesture of disdain, "It is
nothing. See, Quecheco can run like a deer," And with that he sprung
round with great agility, as if to make good his words.

"Enough," said the Knight; "reserve thy breath until it is wanted."

The course taken by the two was toward the south, as recommended by
the savage, in order to find the herd which he said he had seen the
day before.

"Why, then, brought you back no venison!" asked the Knight.

"The deer was qu