Opening his eyes, he saw bending
over him, and fanning him with a fan woven of fragrant grasses,
Has-se's beautiful sister Nethla.
As he attempted to rise she gently restrained him, and bidding him lie
still for a moment, she left the lodge. Directly afterwards she
returned, accompanied by Has-se, whose face was radiant with joy at
seeing his friend once more, and finding him so much better than he had
dared hope.
The Indian lad told Rene that those who came so promptly to their
rescue upon hearing his call had stopped for a minute upon reaching
them to learn who their pursuers were, and how many there were of them.
Cat-sha and Chitta had taken instant advantage of this delay to paddle
swiftly up-stream and disappear in the depths of the great swamp, where
it was impossible to track them, and so had escaped.
The fortunate meeting between the boys and their friends was owing to a
scarcity of provisions among Micco's followers, which had obliged them
to remain in camp for two days, while the hunters went in pursuit of
game to replenish the larder.
The next evening, thanks to the wonderful healing properties of the
herbs applied by Nethla to his wound, Rene was able to recline on a
soft couch of furs in front of the chief's lodge, near a great fire,
and enjoy with the rest the feast of venison, wild turkey, and bear's
meat that had been prepared to celebrate the successful return of the
hunters.
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