his part he believed there
was magic in it, and that some of the old Indian witches had spirited
the prisoner up the chimney, and flown away with him on a broomstick.

Although troubled to find that his prisoners could thus easily escape
from the fort, Laudonniere was relieved that the disposal of Has-se's
fate had thus been taken from his hands. He said to Rene, "I am glad
that thy friend has escaped, though I like not the manner of his going,
and I trust he may come to no harm. I would, however, that we had been
able to send a company, or even one man, with him to this land of the
Alachuas of which he told thee, for mayhap we might thus have obtained
provision; but without a guide, I know not how it could be discovered."

"Could I have gone, uncle?" inquired Rene, eagerly.

"Thou, lad? No, thou art too young and tender to be sent on such a
perilous mission. It should be one of double thy years and experience.
Let no such foolish thoughts fill thy head yet a while."

CHAPTER V

THE ESCAPE OF HAS-SE AND RENE

This speech from his uncle both pleased and troubled Rene. He was glad
to learn that it was deemed advisable for some one from the fort to
visit the land of the Alachuas, and troubled to find that if he went
with Has-se, he must do so without permission from his uncle.
Nevertheless he felt certain that he, being Has-se's friend, and also
regarded by the Indians as the son of the great chief of the white men,
could undertake the mission with a greater chance of safety and success
than any one else. He would have urged this view of the case upon his
uncle's attention, but feared that speaking of the subject a second
time would only result in his being absolutely forbidden to leave the
fort on any pretence. The lad felt himself to be truly a man, now that
he was nearly seventeen years old, and like all manly, high-spirited
boys of his age, he was most anxious to enter upon any adventure that
promised novelty and excitement.

Rene's appearance at this time was very different from that of the boy
who, less than a year before, had left the old chateau of his fathers
with tear-stained cheeks. His long curls had fallen under the shears,
and his closely cropped hair showed to advantage his well-formed head.
He was tall for his age, his muscles had hardened with constant
exercise, and his face, neck, and hands were tanned to a ruddy brown by
the hot suns beneath which he had spent so many months. His b