e used their most powerful incantations against it, and made
charms with which to drive it away; but they did not succeed, because
they could not understand it, and did not even know its name, which was
"Homesickness."

When the good old chief Micco died, which he did a few months before
the time which this chapter opens, greatly lamented by all his people,
the person who would have naturally succeeded to his office was
Yah-chi-la-ne (the Eagle). When it was offered to him, this brave
young Indian declared that he was not nearly so wise or fit to become a
ruler as his friend Ta-lah-lo-ko, who, though younger in years than he,
was so much older in wisdom that his equal did not exist in all the
land. He therefore begged them to hail Ta-lah-lo-ko as head chief of
the nation. Greatly to Rene's astonishment, this was done, and he
found himself anxiously wondering how he should act in this new and
unexpected position.

His modesty, bravery, and ready tact were, however, as quick to aid him
now as when they had guided the boy Rene de Veaux on his perilous
journey in search of food for the starving garrison of Fort Caroline;
and, day by day, the white chief steadily gained the love and
approbation of his people.

He had entered upon the performance of his new duties with all his
heart and soul, and it was only within a few days that he had felt the
great longing to see once more his own land, and that his thoughts had
been constantly turned towards the old chateau in which his early
boyhood had been passed. He felt so strongly that in some way he was
to receive tidings from his native land, that one day, when a
travel-stained runner from the East was brought to his lodge, he at
once asked "what word dost thou bring of the French?"

The runner stared at him for a moment in amazement and then answered,

"I bring word that the French have come again. With the new moon three
great thunder canoes, bearing the banner of lilies, reached the end of
the salt-waters. It is thought there will soon be fighting between
those who come in them and the bad white men who already hold the land.
The dwellers of the country of sunrise, by the great river, send a
prayer to the chief of the Alachuas. It is that he will come, and with
his wisdom aid these white men, and then tear down and tread in the
sands the yellow banner of death and bondage."

"Ay, that will I, and right gladly, not only with my wisdom, which is
but little, but wit