It was one used by Indian mothers to frighten
their unruly children, and quiet them into obedience, for it belonged
to the crudest, boldest, and most dreaded of all the outlawed Seminoles.
When still a youth, Cat-sha had, in a fit of ungovernable anger, struck
one of his young companions a blow, from the effects of which he died.
For this he was driven from his tribe, and from that day he had been an
outcast, whose hand was raised against all men, and who had become
famed and dreaded for his deeds of savage cruelty. He had gathered
together and become chief of that band of Seminoles of whom Has-se had
told Rene, and under his leadership it was rapidly becoming a scourge
to all the more peaceful inhabitants of that country. Knowing all
this, it is no wonder that Chitta gave a start of surprise not unmixed
with alarm when he learned into whose hands he had fallen.
Evidently gratified at the impression the mere mention of his name
produced upon his prisoner, Cat-sha continued:
"For many days have I watched the place of the pale-faces from beyond
the great waters. I hate them, and would gladly drive them back into
the sea whence they came. It was to learn their strength and discover
in what manner they might be most successfully attacked that I came to
this place. Thy people, at their feasting and dancing, have I also
seen, and I had thought to do with my own hand the deed accomplished by
thee last night.
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