As Rene stepped upon the quarter-deck, and passed through the group of
gentlemen who still occupied it, they regarded him with the liveliest
curiosity. It was not unmixed with admiration; for his tall and
handsome though slight figure was set off by a costume which, though
becoming to him and fashioned with the best of Indian art, was strange
to their civilized eyes.
The long tresses of his sunny hair were bound by a simple fillet, and
in them was twined the Flamingo Feather that proclaimed his rank. His
face was tanned by the burning suns of that country to a shade but
little lighter than that of his Indian companions, and after the custom
of the Alachuas he had added to it here and there a touch of war-paint.
From neck to feet he was clad in garments of fawn-skin, that fitted
like a glove to his person. These had been made soft as velvet by the
Indian process of curing, and were exquisitely embroidered and fringed.
Over his shoulders was flung a light mantle of feathers, woven of the
glistening plumage of many rare birds and fastened by a clasp of two
great pearls set in virgin gold. In his hand he bore a slender lance,
of which the shaft was of dark wood highly polished, and the tip was a
splinter of purest rock-crystal.
He crossed the quarter-deck, and descended to the admiral's cabin with
a proud and dignified bearing, as became his station, but which greatly
belied his feelings, for he was wellnigh overwhelmed by the joyful
emotions he experienced at being once more among his countrymen.
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