They have gradually increased in numbers, until now they call themselves a tribe.

They are always at war with all men, and against them my people have declared a fight forever." "And who is he of whom thou speakest so vaguely as having conceived an enmity unjustly against those who have harmed him not ?" "One who should be well known to thee, Ta-lah-lo-ko.

I speak of Chitta the Snake, whom I hope we may not encounter." "It will be the worse for him if we do encounter him, and he ventures to interfere with us," replied Rene, hotly.
"Nay, Ta-lah-lo-ko.

I have a feeling within me which warns me that a meeting with the Snake will be a sad one for us," answered Has-se, who, though as brave as a young lion, was inclined to be superstitious, as were all of his race.
During this conversation the course of the canoe had been through a mere thread of a stream, and Rene now noticed that they were traversing the mazes of a dark swamp.

The little stream connected a series of stagnant pools or bayous, and just as they came into the open water of one of these they caught a glimpse of another canoe leaving it on the opposite side.