ite men would seek to detain them
as hunters for the fort, if they learned of the intended movement, and
he wished to avoid any shadow of trouble between his people and their
white brothers.

"He had undoubtedly the right to act as seemed to him best," said Rene;
"but why didst not thou accompany thy people, and what brings thee here
to the fort?"

"To see thee, Ta-lah-lo-ko, and thee only, did I come," answered
Has-se. "I learned, after we had been some hours on the journey, that
which affects thee so nearly that I could not leave thee in ignorance
of it and without a warning. What I learned is, that Chitta the Snake
regards thee with a deadly hatred, and has sworn to have thy life."

"Mine!" exclaimed Rene, in great surprise. "Why does the Snake bear
malice towards me? I have no quarrel with him."

"That I know not, unless he suspects that it was thou who taught me the
trick of wrestling that overthrew him, and thus lost him the position
of Bow-bearer that he so greatly desired to obtain."

"It may be so," said Rene, musingly, "though how he could learn it I
cannot think, nor why, even if he had knowledge of it, it should be
cause for his wishing my death."

"Ah, Ta-lah-lo-ko, thou dost not know Chitta. His nature is that of
the serpent whose name he bears, and for real or fancied wrongs to
himself his revenge is cruel. Having once conceived a bitter hate
against thee he will have thy life, or risk his own in attempting to
take it."

"In that case," said Rene, "I am deeply grateful for thy warning, and
will take care that master Chitta does not find me unprepared for him,
in case he seeks me out."

"Now," said Has-se, "I would speak of another matter. I know that you
white men have but little food within the fort, and must soon suffer
for want of it if more is not obtained. There is none left in this
country, but the Alachuas, to whom my people have gone, have an
abundance. If one of thy people would go with me to them, and offer
them things such as thou hast and they have not, in exchange for food,
he could thus obtain a supply for the fort. If many went, the red men
would be afraid; but with one they would talk, and if he were my friend
then would his safety be assured. Wilt thou go with me to this distant
land, Ta-lah-lo-ko?"

"Why," answered Rene, hardly knowing what to say to this sudden and
unexpected proposal, "thou art a prisoner, Has-se, and dost not even
know if my uncle will release t