Laudonniere commanded them to release their hold of the prisoner and to
retire from the room, but to remain within call. They did so, and the
young Indian, left to face the council, drew himself up proudly, and
folding his arms, stood motionless. Réné tried in vain to catch his
eye, that he might, by a sympathetic glance, assure him of his
friendship; but the other betrayed no recognition of his presence, nor
once looked in his direction. He was dressed in the full costume of a
young warrior who occupied the honorable position of Bow-bearer to a
great chief, and in his hair gleamed the Flamingo Feather that
proclaimed the station in life to which he was born. His handsome
figure, proud face, and fearless bearing caused the members of the
council to regard him with approving glances, and it was with less of
sternness in his tone than usual that, after the door was closed,
Laudonniere said,

"Now, sir, explain to us the meaning of this sudden departure of thy
people, and the reason of thine own action in thus acting the part of a
spy upon us."

With flashing eyes the young Indian answered in the French that he had
learned of Réné:

"My name is Has-se. I am the son of a chief. My father and my people
have been friendly to you and your people. This country is ours, and
in it we go where we please when we are ready to go, and stay where we
please when we are ready to rest from going. I have done nothing that
I should be brought here against my will, and until I am set free I
will answer no questions. Has-se has spoken."