alligators, and bade him be very careful in the future how
he wandered in the wilderness. He did not forbid his nephew to associate
with Has-se, for he was most anxious to preserve a friendship with the
Indians, upon whom his little colony was largely dependent for
provisions, and he considered Rene's influence with the Indian lad who
was the son of the chief very important.

On the afternoon following that of their adventure, Has-se came into the
fort in search of Rene, and anxious to acquire the promised trick of
wrestling. After securing his promise never to impart the trick to
another, Rene led him into a room where they would not be observed, and
taught it to him. It was a very simple trick, being merely a feint of
giving way, followed quickly by a peculiar inside twist of the leg; but
it was irresistible, and the opponent who knew it not was certain to be
overcome by it. Has-se quickly acquired it, and though he found few
words to express his feelings, there was a look in his face when he left
Rene that showed plainly his gratitude.

When next the silver sickle of the new moon shone in the western sky,
active preparations were begun among the Indians for their great Dance of
Ripe Corn. The race-course was laid out, and carefully cleared; clay was
mixed with its sand, and it was trampled hard and smooth by many
moccasined feet. A large booth, or shelter from the hot sun, under which
the chiefs and distinguished visitors might sit and witness the games,
was constructed of boughs and palm leaves. Bows were carefully tested
and fitted with new strings of twisted deer-sinew. Those who had been
fortunate enough to obtain from the white men bits of steel and iron,
ground them to sharp points, and with them replaced their arrow-heads of
flint. Has-se, with great pride, displayed to Rene his javelin or light
spear, the tough bamboo shaft of which was tipped with a keen-edged
splinter of milk-white quartz, obtained from some far northern tribe.
Guests began to arrive, coming from Seloy and other coast villages from
the north, and from the broad savannas of the fertile Alachua land, until
many hundred of them were encamped within a few miles of Fort Caroline.

At length the day of feasting broke bright and beautiful, and soon after
breakfast Laudonniere, accompanied by Rene de Veaux and half the garrison
of Fort Caroline, marched out to the scene of the games. Here they were
warmly welcomed by Micco and his peopl