Since thou hast relieved me of that labor, I am
inclined favorably towards thee, and will spare thy life upon condition
that thou renounce forever thy own people and become one of my band."
"Become a Seminole!" exclaimed Chitta, in a tone expressive of dislike
and contempt. He had never thought, even amid his wildest schemes for
obtaining revenge upon those whom he considered his enemies, to make
one of this band of outcasts.
"Un-cah" (yes), answered Cat-sha, fiercely, angered by the tone of the
other; "and why not? Art thou not already an outlaw and a runaway from
thy people? Having thus left them forever, to whom else canst thou
turn save to the brave and warlike Seminoles? Besides, if thou dost
not join us, I will kill thee where thou liest, and none shall ever
know thy fate. We Seminoles know but two kinds of men, those who are
of us and those who are against us."
Thus Chitta had no choice left him between making one of the band of
outlaws whose name was a term of reproach among all good Indians, and
meeting with a cruel death, from which he shrank. After a moment's
silence he made up his mind, and said, "So be it then, Cat-sha. From
this hour call me Chitta the Seminole. From this hour the wisdom of
the serpent shall be for them with whom he thus joins his fortunes, and
henceforth his fangs shall be held ready for all who are their enemies."
Cat-sha's dark face was again lighted by a cruel smile of triumph as he
listened to these words, for he knew that one of China's nature would
be a valuable addition to his band.
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