Cat-sha was much pleased to find that in thus following Micco's tribe
he was also journeying in the direction of his own band, who awaited
him in the depths of the great swamp. He even meditated an attack upon
his Indian foes as they travelled, with their women, children, and
baggage, before leading his warriors back to Fort Caroline.

It was these two, then, whose traces had so puzzled Has-se as he and
Réné de Veaux in turn followed them, and it was their canoe of which
the two boys caught a fleeting glimpse in the great swamp.

"Look!" exclaimed Has-se, whose keen eye was the first to detect the
vanishing canoe. "These are either my own people, whom we have thus
overtaken, or those whom we know to be in close pursuit of them. Here
is work for us, Ta-lah-lo-ko, or rather for me, for it is my duty to
discover the meaning of this pursuit, and warn my people if danger is
near them, while I am also bound to keep thee as far as possible from
all harm."

"Nonsense, Has-se! It is well for thee to keep me out of danger so
long as thou keepest from it thyself; but since I have thrown my
fortunes with thine, thy friends are my friends, thy enemies are my
enemies, and thy safety or danger is mine to share with thee. So say
no more of my safety, save as it concerns thine as well, but lead on as
thou thinkest best, and I will follow thee as truly as though I were
enlisted beneath thy banner. Not that I suppose you Indians have such
things as banners, or understand their significance; but thou might
well have them, and be none the worse for the having."

Although Has-se made no reply to this brave speech, he accepted it as