im lie
still for a moment, she left the lodge. Directly afterwards she
returned, accompanied by Has-se, whose face was radiant with joy at
seeing his friend once more, and finding him so much better than he had
dared hope.

The Indian lad told Rene that those who came so promptly to their
rescue upon hearing his call had stopped for a minute upon reaching
them to learn who their pursuers were, and how many there were of them.
Cat-sha and Chitta had taken instant advantage of this delay to paddle
swiftly up-stream and disappear in the depths of the great swamp, where
it was impossible to track them, and so had escaped.

The fortunate meeting between the boys and their friends was owing to a
scarcity of provisions among Micco's followers, which had obliged them
to remain in camp for two days, while the hunters went in pursuit of
game to replenish the larder.

The next evening, thanks to the wonderful healing properties of the
herbs applied by Nethla to his wound, Rene was able to recline on a
soft couch of furs in front of the chief's lodge, near a great fire,
and enjoy with the rest the feast of venison, wild turkey, and bear's
meat that had been prepared to celebrate the successful return of the
hunters.

As he lay there, thoroughly enjoying the feast and the novelty of the
scene, Has-se came to him and placed in his hand the Flamingo Feather
that had been cut from his hair on the day before by Chitta's arrow.
As he did so he said, "This I give to thee, Ta-lah-lo-ko, as a token of
friendship forever between us, and for thee to keep in memory of this
day. It is a token such as may only be exchanged between chiefs or the
sons of chiefs; and if at any time it shall be sent to me or any of my
people in thy name, whatever request comes with it from thee must be
granted even at the cost of life. Keep the emblem hidden, and wear it
not, for that may only be done by the chiefs of my tribe, or those who
are sons of chiefs."

As he took the precious feather, and thanked Has-se warmly for the gift
and its assurance of friendship, Rene noted with surprise that attached
to it was a slender gold chain fastening a golden pin of strange and
exquisite make. It was by these that the feather had been confined in
Has-se's hair, and it was the cutting of this chain by Chitta's arrow
that had loosened it.

In answer to Rene's inquiries Has-se explained that these ornaments
came from a distant country in the direction of the setti