He also pledged his word that the Alachua warriors who should escort the provisions should be kindly treated by the white men in Fort Caroline, and should be allowed to return at once to their own country.
After taking a day to consider this proposal, and to consult with his wise men concerning it, the Alachua chief agreed to accept it, and greatly to Rene's delight the gathering together of the twelve canoe-loads of corn was at once begun.

No difficulty was experienced in procuring an escort for them, for all the young Alachua warriors who had not attended the Feast of Ripe Corn were anxious to visit Fort Caroline, and see for themselves the white men, and the great "thunder-bows," as the Indians named the cannon that stood in its embrasures.
Thus, within two weeks of the time of his arrival in the land of the Alachuas, Rene was ready to set forth on his return to Fort Caroline.
With him were to go his friend Has-se, who had obtained a reluctant consent from Micco his father to take the journey, and fifty young Alachua warriors, under command of Yah-chi-la-ne, Has-se's brother-in-law.
The white lad had made many pleasant friendships among these simple people, and it was with feelings of sadness that he bade farewell to the beautiful Nethla, the grave and stately Micco, the good chief of the Alachuas, and many others who had been kind to him, and whom he feared he might never see again.
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.

In the leading canoe were Rene, Has-se, Yah-chi-la-ne, and a young warrior named Oli-catara (the Bear's Paw).

As it shot from the bank, the entire assembly of Indians on shore shouted, "Farewell, Ta-lah-lo-ko!" [Illustration: "Farewell, Ta-lah-lo-ko!"] "Farewell to the young white chief!" "Do not forget us, Ta-lah-lo-ko." These shouts sounded very pleasantly to Rene, for they showed that he had succeeded in gaining not only the respect but the affection of these kindly people, and he stood up and waved his cap to them until they were hidden from his sight by a bend in the river.
On this journey nothing worthy of note happened until the party had nearly passed through the great swamp, when some of the warriors detected signs that led them to suspect that another party, eastward bound, had passed that way shortly before.

The greatest vigilance was now exercised, and every effort made to discover the nature of this party.