Has-se replied that while he had no secrets that all men might not know, he would have died rather than answer the questions of those who held him a prisoner, and as such commanded him to speak.  To his friend Ta-lah-lo-ko he would, however, talk freely and with a straight tongue.  He said that after the destruction of the storehouse containing their supply of provisions for many months, Micco, their chief, had decided that it would be best for his people to remove to the land of the Alachus, their friends, who had provisions in plenty, and remain there until the next season of corn planting.  He caused their departure to be made secretly, for fear that the white men would seek to detain them as hunters for the fort, if they learned of the intended movement, and he wished to avoid any shadow of trouble between his people and their white brothers.

“He had undoubtedly the right to act as seemed to him best,” said Rene; “but why didst not thou accompany thy people, and what brings thee here to the fort?”

“To see thee, Ta-lah-lo-ko, and thee only, did I come,” answered Has-se.  “I learned, after we had been some hours on the journey, that which affects thee so nearly that I could not leave thee in ignorance of it and without a warning.  What I learned is, that Chitta the Snake regards thee with a deadly hatred, and has sworn to have thy life.”

“Mine!” exclaimed Rene, in great surprise.  “Why does the Snake bear malice towards me?  I have no quarrel with him.”

“That I know not, unless he suspects that it was thou who taught me the trick of wrestling that overthrew him, and thus lost him the position of Bow-bearer that he so greatly desired to obtain.”

“It may be so,” said Rene, musingly, “though how he could learn it I cannot think, nor why, even if he had knowledge of it, it should be cause for his wishing my death.”

“Ah, Ta-lah-lo-ko, thou dost not know Chitta.  His nature is that of the serpent whose name he bears, and for real or fancied wrongs to himself his revenge is cruel.  Having once conceived a bitter hate against thee he will have thy life, or risk his own in attempting to take it.”

“In that case,” said Rene, “I am deeply grateful for thy warning, and will take care that master Chitta does not find me unprepared for him, in case he seeks me out.”

“Now,” said Has-se, “I would speak of another matter.  I know that you white men have but little food within the fort, and must soon suffer for want of it if more is not obtained.  There is none left in this country, but the Alachuas, to whom my people have gone, have an abundance.  If one of thy people would go with me to them, and offer them things such as thou hast and they have not, in exchange for food, he could thus obtain a supply for the fort.  If many went, the red men would be afraid; but with one they would talk, and if he were my friend then would his safety be assured.  Wilt thou go with me to this distant land, Ta-lah-lo-ko?”