"De trufe, Massa Injun, am what dis ole nigga always 'peak. He can't help it, kase it comes so na'tral to him. Trufe an' innocence is dis chile's on'y riches, tank heaven!" The look which accompanied this impious speech was almost diabolical. Wacora cut him short in an attempt to continue his speech, by a command instantly to make known what Warren Rody wanted, with what message he had been charged, and to whom. Crookleg, however was not easily taken at a disadvantage. "Well, Massa Injun, I don't mind tellin' you somet'ing, but I don't like talkin' afore other folk. You send dis indiwiddle away," pointing to Maracota, "an' ole Crook'll tell you all about it. He meant to do so, when he comed here so sudden." With a sign the chief dismissed Maracota, and telling the black to follow, led him a little distance further from the town. A long, and apparently interesting conversation ensued, in which Crookleg's gesticulations were, as usual, violent, while the young chief, with arms folded, and brows knit, listened to his narration. It was late ere they separated, the negro hobbling back in the direction of the ruin, while Wacora returned to his uncle's dwelling. CHAPTER EIGHTEEN. A LOVE MEETING. The old fort, as already said, was in a ruinous condition. It had at one time been a stronghold of the Spaniards, but on their quitting that part of the country, it had been suffered to fall into decay. Early in the morning succeeding Wacora's interview with Crookleg, two persons stood conversing near the inner wall of the ruin. They were Sansuta and Warren Rody. The Indian girl had stolen from her father's house unnoticed by the few early risers, and with cautious steps had gained the fort. Warren's presence at such a distance from Tampa Bay, as well as Crookleg's attendance upon him, were thus explained:-- "I am very grateful to you, Sansuta, for coming here to meet me." "I am afraid I have done wrong." "Wrong! What can you mean?" "That I am deceiving my father, my kind father; but it is for the last time." "The last time?" "Yes, I have determined that this shall be our last meeting. I could not endure my father's reproaches, if he knew that I betrayed his confidence." "Do you doubt my love for you, Sansuta? Will it not make up for Oluski's anger?" "Warren!" The reproachful tone in which Sansuta uttered his name, recalled young Rody to himself. He immediately changed his tactics. "But why talk of Oluski's anger? Rather speak of my love. Surely you do not doubt it?" The Indian maiden heaved a sigh. "Sansuta does not doubt you, but she is unhappy." "Unhappy! Why?" "Because an Indian girl would make but a poor wife to a white gentleman." A strange smile crossed the young man's face. He did not, however, interrupt her. "If Sansuta cared for you less, she would not have been here this morning; she would not have seen you again."