Lying in the bottom of a canoe, from which he was only taken when the Indians went into camp, Rene knew not whither he was being taken, nor had he any idea that he was making the very same journey that he and Has-se had taken together some months before.  He was not allowed to communicate with, nor did he even see, the other white prisoners, for they were carried in separate canoes, and at night all three were bound to trees situated at considerable distances from each other.

Day after day the boy studied the faces of his captors attentively, but among them all he found only one that betrayed the faintest evidence of pity for his forlorn condition.  Even his expression was only one of somewhat less ferocity than that of the others, and poor Rene imagined that it was owing to his youth, for this Indian was but a mere lad of even less years than himself.  In fact he was the young Indian from Seloy who had been captured by the Seminoles on the same day with Rene.  Having unexpectedly obtained three instead of two white prisoners, and being in need of recruits, Cat-sha had offered to spare this lad’s life and set him at liberty if he would become a Seminole and a member of their band.  This the young Indian, whose name was E-chee (the Deer), had professed himself as willing to do, though he secretly determined to make his escape at the very first opportunity.

He had at once recognized Rene, though he was careful not to betray the fact, and was very glad that the white lad showed no sign of ever having seen him.  Only by an occasional pitying glance, when he could give it undetected by the others, did he attempt to convey his friendly feelings to the young prisoner.  When it came his turn to stand guard over the captives, he treated them with greater harshness than any of the Seminoles, in order to allay any suspicion that might be entertained of his faithfulness.  But always he watched for an opportunity to communicate with Rene, and make known to him that he was a friend.

At length such an opportunity offered itself.  They had entered the great swamp, and even Rene, from the bottom of the canoe, seeing the tall cypresses meet overhead, began to suspect where they were.  During a portion of an intensely dark night E-chee kept watch over the prisoners.  While the guard whom he relieved was there to note the action, he gave each of the three captives a kick with his moccasined foot.  This, while it did not hurt them, expressed to the Seminole a degree of contempt that satisfied him that the new recruit hated the white men as cordially as he himself.

When he had departed and all was quiet, E-chee approached the place where Rene lay bound to a tree, and lying down close beside him, he whispered, “Ta-lah-lo-ko.”

Rene had fallen asleep, but he was instantly awakened by the sound of this familiar name, even though it was only whispered.  Without moving, he waited to hear if the sound would be repeated, or whether he had only dreamed some one had called him.