It would seem, however, that circumstances are peculiarly
favorable to my success in this matter, and I feared lest thou wouldst
forbid the undertaking, out of a tender regard for my youth and
inexperience. I go with the Indian lad Has-se, my friend, to the land
of the Alachuas, on a quest for provisions for the fort. In case of my
success I will return again at the end of a month, or shortly
thereafter. If I fail, and return no more, I still crave thy blessing,
and to be remembered without abatement of the love thou hast ever
extended to me. No person within the fort has aided me in this matter,
nor has any one of thy garrison knowledge of my departure.
"I remain, dear uncle, with sincerest respect and deepest love, thy
nephew,
"RENE DE VEAUX."
Having thus taken measures to inform his uncle of his departure and the
mission on which he had set forth, Rene tightened his belt, shouldered
his cross-bow, and turned into the dark pine forest. He made his way
swiftly down the river-bank towards the appointed place of meeting,
where he hoped to find Has-se still waiting for him, though it was
already past the hour that the latter had mentioned. On the way he
stopped and recovered the package of trinkets that he had hidden in the
forest that afternoon.
As he neared the little stream on the bank of which the Indian lad had
promised to await his coming, he uttered the cry of Hup-pe the great
owl, which was the signal Has-se had taught him.
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