The tidings of which Micco spoke had been brought that day by an Indian
runner from a far-eastern tribe. They told of the arrival upon the
coast of the Spaniards under Menendez, and of their destruction of
Seloy and capture of Fort Caroline. The runner had also told of the
brutal massacre by Menendez and his soldiers of Admiral Ribault and all
who escaped with him from the wreck of the French ships. These, when
they were cast ashore by the fearful storm already described, had
thrown themselves upon the mercy of the Spaniards, and had met only
with the mercy dealt out by the sword and the dagger.

That the pale-faces should thus destroy each other had been deemed so
wonderful and of such importance by those eastern tribes who knew of
these occurrences, that they had despatched runners to all the friendly
tribes within hundreds of miles to acquaint them with the facts. Many
of Micco's warriors were inclined to doubt that such things could be,
and it was to discuss the matter that he had summoned his advisers and
principal braves to his lodge.

While the chief and his wise men thus talked and smoked with a gravity
becoming their years and position, and while Has-se, the Bow-bearer,
listened to them with an eager interest, there came of a sudden loud
shouts from the lads on the river-bank. All eyes were turned in that
direction, and some anxiety was felt lest Allapatta had indeed made his
appearance, and was endeavoring to secure a meal off one of the bathers.

In another moment, however, all the lads were seen trooping towards the
camp, and surrounding a young warrior who came willingly with them, but
who was a stranger to all present. The lads conducted him directly to
where the little circle was formed in front of the chief's lodge. Here
one from among them explained that this stranger had come down the
river alone in a canoe, and had asked of them information concerning
the land of the Alachuas, and particularly for that tribe of Indians
led by a chief called Micco.

As the young warrior, whose person bore every evidence of long and
hasty travel, stood silently before him, the old chief said,

"I am Micco. Who art thou, and what is thy errand here?"

The stranger answered, "I am known as E-chee, and am of that place by
the great waters called Seloy. He whom I seek most anxiously among thy
people is named to me as thy son, Has-se, the Bow-bearer."

"Then is thy search ended," replied Micco, "for Has-se, m