then delayed in their progress by the necessity of supporting, and
nearly carrying, him whom they had rescued.

As soon as the first excitement of escape had passed, Rene's swollen
ankles began to pain him so keenly that he found it almost impossible
to walk, and, when he and his three rescuers reached the place where
the rest of the party had remained, he sank to the ground with a groan.

They found the braves who had been left behind so impatient of their
long delay, and alarmed for their safety, that they had been about to
advance upon the village to learn, and if possible to avenge, the fate
that they feared had befallen them. These were overjoyed to see their
leader and his companions once more, and to learn of the successful
issue of their hazardous undertaking.

There was no time for the exchange of congratulations, and
Yah-chi-la-ne ordered the flight to be resumed with all haste, at the
same time directing two of the strongest warriors to support the almost
helpless Rene. He himself, with E-chee, occupied the post of danger in
the rear; while Has-se kept as close as possible to his newly recovered
friend at the head of the little column.

The storm had by this time passed away, and their path was made easier
by the light of the full moon, that shone with the wonderful brightness
peculiar to southern latitudes from an unclouded sky. Although this
aided them, they knew that it also favored the pursuers, whom they felt
certain must ere this have started after them, and many an anxious
backward glance did Yah-chi-la-ne and E-chee cast over their shoulders
as they hastened onward.

In this manner, and without mishap, they finally reached the end of the
trail at the head of the little lagoon, where their canoes had been
left. Here all breathed more freely, for they considered themselves
almost safe from pursuit, and were jubilant over their success.
Yah-chi-la-ne would, however, allow of no delay even here; but, after
seeing Rene placed tenderly in the foremost canoe with two of the
strongest and most prudent of his warriors, he ordered the rest to
embark with all haste and follow it.

While they were doing this, he, with Has-se and E-chee, busied
themselves with the canoes of the Seminoles, of which E-chee showed the
hiding-place. In these they drove great holes, so that they would not
float; or if they happened to lie in the water they cut them adrift,
and pushed them far from the shore.

Just as they