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As he lay there, thoroughly enjoying the feast and the novelty of the scene, Has-se came to him and placed in his hand the Flamingo Feather that had been cut from his hair on the day before by Chitta's arrow. As he did so he said, "This I give to thee, Ta-lah-lo-ko, as a token of friendship forever between us, and for thee to keep in memory of this day.
This, while it did not hurt them, expressed to the Seminole a degree of contempt that satisfied him that the new recruit hated the white men as cordially as he himself. When he had departed and all was quiet, E-chee approached the place where Réné lay bound to a tree, and lying down close beside him, he whispered, "Ta-lah-lo-ko."
It is for them that, while I am still able to speak, I would ask a favor of thee, Ta-lah-lo-ko." "Name it, my brother, and if it be a thing within my power to compass, it shall be granted, even according to thy wish," answered Réné.
The little fleet of twenty canoes, twelve of which were heavily laden with corn, started on their long journey at daybreak of a still, cool morning, in the presence of the entire population of Micco's camp, and a great number of the Alachuas who had collected to see them off. As it shot from the bank, the entire assembly of Indians on shore shouted, "Farewell, Ta-lah-lo-ko!"
If many went, the red men would be afraid; but with one they would talk, and if he were my friend then would his safety be assured. Wilt thou go with me to this distant land, Ta-lah-lo-ko?" "Why," answered Réné, hardly knowing what to say to this sudden and unexpected proposal, "thou art a prisoner, Has-se, and dost not even know if my uncle will release thee.
As they finished the simple rites, and were about to turn away from the spot, the old chief, thus bereft of the pride and hope of his declining years, took the hand of the white lad in his, and, in a voice that faltered with his strong emotion said, so that all present could hear him, "I have lost a son, and I have gained a son. Has-se has gone from me, but Ta-lah-lo-ko has come in his place.
It is your chief who speaks, and as the son of your chief shall this lad dwell among you." Then the beautiful Nethla, taking Réné's other hand, kissed him gently on the forehead, and said, "In the name of him who has gone from us I welcome thee, Ta-lah-lo-ko, as a brother." As she spoke she offered him a Flamingo Feather, the same that had gleamed among the dark tresses of the dead lad.
The vegetable puzzled Réné considerably, for he had never seen its like, and knew not what to make of it. When he asked Has-se what it was, the latter laughed, with the soft, musical laugh, peculiar to his people, and answered, "Dost thou not know thy namesake, Ta-lah-lo-ko?
No word was spoken until all were seated and their stone pipes were well alight, when Réné, standing in their midst, addressed them and said, "Wise men of the Alachuas: it is now many moons since thou didst receive Ta-lah-lo-ko into thy tribe, and open wide thy hearts to him. In all this time he has been as one with thee in everything. Now he would go.
To his friend Ta-lah-lo-ko he would, however, talk freely and with a straight tongue.
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