With the new moon three
great thunder canoes, bearing the banner of lilies, reached the end of
the salt-waters. It is thought there will soon be fighting between
those who come in them and the bad white men who already hold the land.
The dwellers of the country of sunrise, by the great river, send a
prayer to the chief of the Alachuas. It is that he will come, and with
his wisdom aid these white men, and then tear down and tread in the
sands the yellow banner of death and bondage."
"Ay, that will I, and right gladly, not only with my wisdom, which is
but little, but with a hundred warriors, which is more to the purpose!"
exclaimed Rene in a tone of such excitement as greatly to astonish the
runner once more. Springing to his feet, the white chief ordered his
bow-bearer, who was in attendance, to summon to him, without delay, all
the principal men of the tribe, and in particular the chief
Yah-chi-la-ne. He was also to issue orders to his own war-party of a
hundred picked braves to prepare themselves, with all possible
despatch, for a forced journey to the great river of sunrise.
These messages from their chief caused the greatest excitement and
commotion among the Alachuas. They were obeyed without hesitation, and
while the braves of his own war-party restrung their bows, or secured
new heads of keenest flint to their lances, the principal men, with
Yah-chi-la-ne among them, repaired to his lodge.
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