Veaux.

At the time of Has-se's death, Micco's tribe and the Alachuas had
determined to be no longer annoyed by the neighborhood of the Seminole
outlaws, and had despatched a powerful war-party against them. When,
however, this party reached the island village in the depths of the
great swamp, they found it deserted. By some means the Seminoles had
obtained a knowledge of their coming, and had fled from that part of
the country. The Alachuas destroyed their village, and from that time
for more than a year they were heard of no more, save by rumor, which
located them among the savages of the far south.

Upon a certain occasion, after he had been for many months a member of
the tribe, Rene led a hunting-party, who sought to secure a large
number of alligators, to the edge of the great swamp. One night as
they sat about their campfire, gravely smoking their stone pipes, and
listening to some of the wild traditions of their race, related by the
oldest member of the party, they were suddenly startled, and all but
Rene were greatly alarmed, by a flash of light and a loud explosion.
It sounded from a small grove of trees not far from them, and Rene
instantly recognized it as the explosion of a fire-arm.

As it had been followed by a loud cry of pain, and as groans were still
to be heard, he succeeded in convincing his companions that the
terrifying sound was of human origin, and in persuading them to go with
him in search of its cause.

In the grove they found a young Indian writhing in agony upon the
ground, while near him lay the shattered remains of a Spanish arquebuse
or musket. He had evidently attempted to discharge it at some member
of the hunting-party, and, either because it was over-loaded or was too
badly rusted to be of service, it had burst in his hands. Although he
had escaped other wounds, an examination of his face showed that his
eyesight had been totally destroyed by the burning powder, and it was
the pain thus caused that had drawn from him the cries and groans they
had heard.

In spite of the disfiguration of his face Rene knew him the moment he
was dragged within the light of the camp-fire, and it was with
sensations of dread and horror that he gazed upon the once familiar
features. When he explained to his followers the nature of the weapon
this enemy had attempted to use against them, they were filled with
rage, and would have instantly slain the wretch, but Rene bade them
spare his life.