It was, however, with far different feelings from these that he
welcomed his young countryman, and he felt that to bear him back to
France and restore him to the loving old man who had so long mourned
him as dead, would indeed be a triumph worth all the other results of
his expedition. He was not certain that Rene was disposed to give up
the honors of his present position and return with him to France and
civilization. Therefore, after he had introduced him to his officers,
it was with a tone of anxiety that he inquired what the young chief
purposed to do, now that the fighting was all over, and the services of
himself and his warriors were not needed.
"I propose to accompany thee to France, where I may once more embrace
him whom I hold most dear on earth an thou wilt take me," answered
Rene, promptly.
Concealing somewhat his joy at this answer, De Gourges said, "I will
take thee gladly, lad, an thou wilt go with us: but art thou prepared
to relinquish thy chieftainship of these Alachuas, and become once more
the plain citizen of a country where such rank is not recognized?"
"I would sooner be the humblest citizen of my own country, and dwell
among those of my own blood, than be a ruler among strangers, even
though they were the proudest nation of the earth," answered Rene, with
flashing eyes and a voice trembling with emotion. "Thou knowest what
it is to have a country; but dost thou know what it is to lose it,
without the hope of ever regaining it?"
"Ay, that do I.
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