they could not by any chance be seen by those who were in advance of
them."

"Who, then, can be following so large a band, and for what purpose?
Surely two cannot harm so many."

"That I know not, but I fear them to be of the outlawed Seminoles.[1]
If so, they are following my people for the purpose of picking up
plunder, or of snatching the prize of a scalp--a thing they could only
gain by a cowardly attack upon one defenceless, for they dare not seek
it in open fight. Or it may be that one of them is he who has
conceived a bitter enmity against those who never treated him with
aught save kindness, and that he has joined with him another equally
base."

At this thought Has-se's bright face became clouded, and for some time
he remained silent. Finally the silence was again broken by Réné, who
asked,

"Who are these Seminoles of whom thou dost speak thus contemptuously?"

"Seminole, in my language, signifies a run-away. They are a band of
thieves, murderers, and other bad Indians, who have been driven out of
my tribe and other tribes on the north. They have gradually increased
in numbers, until now they call themselves a tribe. They are always at
war with all men, and against them my people have declared a fight
forever."

"And who is he of whom thou speakest so vaguely as having conceived an
enmity unjustly against those who have harmed him not?"