"Why," answered Réné, 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 thee. How then dost thou speak with such
confidence of journeying to the land of these Alachuas?"

With a meaning smile Has-se answered:

"Walls and bars may answer to cage men, but they cannot confine a
sunbeam. If thou wilt go with me, then meet me when the light of the
second moon from now touches the waters where Allapatta the great
alligator delivered us from Catsha the tiger. With my life will I
answer for thy safety, and at the next full moon, or soon after it,
thou shalt return to thy people."

Réné would have talked more of this plan, but just then the door of the
guard-house was opened and the sergeant appeared, saluting, and saying,
"'Tis the hour of sunset, Master De Veaux; the guard is about to be
relieved, and I must request you to retire and leave the prisoner for
the night. Surely you must be tired of talking with such a pig-headed
young savage."

Not caring to exhibit his real feelings towards Has-se before the
sergeant, Réné bade him good-night very formally, and added, "Mayhap I
will see thee on the morrow; but count not on my coming, for I may not
deem it worth my while to visit thee."

"I should think not," said the sergeant, as he closed the door behind
them and barred it. "A young gentleman such as Master De Veaux can
find but little pleasure in intercourse with such ignorant creatures.
For my part, were I commandant of this fort, I would make slaves of