It was one used by Indian mothers to frighten their unruly children, and quiet them into obedience, for it belonged to the crudest, boldest, and most dreaded of all the outlawed Seminoles.
When still a youth, Cat-sha had, in a fit of ungovernable anger, struck one of his young companions a blow, from the effects of which he died.
For this he was driven from his tribe, and from that day he had been an outcast, whose hand was raised against all men, and who had become famed and dreaded for his deeds of savage cruelty.

He had gathered together and become chief of that band of Seminoles of whom Has-se had told Rene, and under his leadership it was rapidly becoming a scourge to all the more peaceful inhabitants of that country.

Knowing all this, it is no wonder that Chitta gave a start of surprise not unmixed with alarm when he learned into whose hands he had fallen.
Evidently gratified at the impression the mere mention of his name produced upon his prisoner, Cat-sha continued: "For many days have I watched the place of the pale-faces from beyond the great waters.

I hate them, and would gladly drive them back into the sea whence they came.

It was to learn their strength and discover in what manner they might be most successfully attacked that I came to this place.