When he had finished, Has-se, who had followed the story with
breathless attention and flashing eyes, turned to the chief and said,
"My father, this pledge I would redeem with life itself, for he who
sends it is my best beloved friend and brother."
"And if he still lives, and it can be accomplished, he shall yet be
saved," answered the old chief, promptly, with the fire of a young
warrior blazing in his eyes. Then of E-chee he asked, "Dost thou know
the trail back to this den of wolves? and is thy strength sufficient to
allow of thy immediate departure to guide a party of my warriors to it?"
"As the wounded deer knows the trail marked by his own blood, so know I
it; and if my strength should fail, hatred of these Seminoles would
take its place and still bear me on," was the answer.
"It is well spoken," said the old chief. Then turning to
Yah-chi-la-ne, his son-in-law, he said, "Take thou twenty picked
braves, my eagle, and with them find out this hiding-place of
Seminoles. If Ta-lah-lo-ko still lives, effect his rescue, and that of
the other prisoners, and return with them. I send no more with thee,
for fear that with a stronger party thy hot blood would lead thee to
attack this nest of swamp foxes. Such a measure could only result in
failure; for if it be situated as this young man describes, not the
whole force of our tribe, together with that of thy brave Alachuas,
could prevail against it.
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