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Page 46
CHAPTER XVI
HAS-SE RECEIVES THE TOKEN
Far away from the scenes of sorrow, suffering, savage cruelty, and
savage rejoicing of which the shadowy depths of the great swamp were
witness, in the pleasant land of the Alachuas, the close of the second
day after the one on which R�n� de Veaux had been held a prisoner into
the Seminole village presented a picture of peace and happy
contentment. A light breeze sweeping across the broad savannas brought
with it the odors of countless flowers; from the moss-hung trees many
birds poured forth their evening songs in floods of melody, and all
nature was full of beauty and rejoicing.
In the camp of deerskin lodges and palmetto huts clustered beneath the
grand trees, and occupied by those Indians who acknowledged the good
old Micco as their chief, all were in the open air enjoying the cool of
the evening. The hunters had returned from the chase laden with game,
and now lay in comfortable attitudes on the soft grass, indulging in a
well-earned rest. The women were busy about the fires, preparing the
evening meal, and the children frolicked among the lodges or around the
edge of the great spring, as free from care and as happy as the birds
above their heads. From the bank of the river but a short distance
away came the shouts of a party of lads who were bathing in the clear
waters. To these the Indian mothers listened with a certain anxiety,
fearful lest they should hear the shrill cry of warning that would
announce the presence of Allapatta, the great alligator.
In the middle of the camp stood a lodge larger and taller than the
others, and surmounted by the plume of eagles' feathers that showed it
to be that of the chief. In front of this lodge, seated on outspread
robes, and gravely smoking their long-stemmed pipes, were the old chief
Micco, several of the principal men of his tribe, and Yah-chi-la-ne,
the young Alachua chief. Behind the old chief, and ready to do his
slightest bidding, stood a tall, slender, but remarkably handsome
youth, in whose hair was braided a scarlet feather that shone against
the dark tresses like a vivid flame. His face was lighted with a quick
intelligence, and he evidently took a keen interest in the subject
which the others were discussing, though, as became his years, he took
no part in their conversation.
At length the old chief turned to the lad with a kindly smile and said,
"What is thy opinion, my brave Bow-bearer? Can there be enmity between
these white friends of thine and others of their own color who also
come from across the great waters?"
Very proud of having his opinion thus asked, Has-se--for it was none
other than the beloved Indian friend of R�n� de Veaux--answered,
modestly,
"It seems to me not unlikely that there should be. Do not different
tribes of our own race and color often war against one another?"
"Well answered, my son," replied the chief; "thou art right, and I am
inclined to believe that what we have just learned is only too true.
If it be, then am I deeply grieved for the sad fate of those who were
our friends."
The tidings of which Micco spoke had been brought that day by an Indian
runner from a far-eastern tribe. They told of the arrival upon the
coast of the Spaniards under Menendez, and of their destruction of
Seloy and capture of Fort Caroline. The runner had also told of the
brutal massacre by Menendez and his soldiers of Admiral Ribault and all
who escaped with him from the wreck of the French ships. These, when
they were cast ashore by the fearful storm already described, had
thrown themselves upon the mercy of the Spaniards, and had met only
with the mercy dealt out by the sword and the dagger.
That the pale-faces should thus destroy each other had been deemed so
wonderful and of such importance by those eastern tribes who knew of
these occurrences, that they had despatched runners to all the friendly
tribes within hundreds of miles to acquaint them with the facts. Many
of Micco's warriors were inclined to doubt that such things could be,
and it was to discuss the matter that he had summoned his advisers and
principal braves to his lodge.
While the chief and his wise men thus talked and smoked with a gravity
becoming their years and position, and while Has-se, the Bow-bearer,
listened to them with an eager interest, there came of a sudden loud
shouts from the lads on the river-bank. All eyes were turned in that
direction, and some anxiety was felt lest Allapatta had indeed made his
appearance, and was endeavoring to secure a meal off one of the bathers.
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