CHAPTER I The Lodge.

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The young chieftain Natanis stood in front of his hunting-lodge leaning
upon his bow. Tall and noble in person, and in his attitude commanding,
yet graceful, he looked like a young Apollo just returned from the chase.
At his feet lay a doe with a freshly oozing wound in her soft white breast,
and upon the ground by his side crouched, panting, a huge black wolf-dog.

The bronzed chest and right arm of the young Indian were naked. A
panther's skin hung negligently from his left shoulder in massive folds. He
had slain the fine animal without weapon, as Samson had overpowered the
lion, and with a vanity pardonable in a young and handsome chief, wore
his skin as a trophy of his exploit. Beneath this shaggy toga was visible a
buff-coloured hunting-shirt of dressed deer's hide, girdled at the waist by a
gorgeously embroidered belt of wampum. In this belt he carried a long
French dagger with a silver handle and sheath of the same metal. His leggins
were also of deer's skin, died scarlet and fringed with bead-work in a
very curious and beautiful manner. Upon his feet he wore moccasins, elaborately
wrought with beads of the richest tints in representations of birds
or stags in flight pursued by winged arrows.

At his back was slung a quiver, containing, at this time, a single arrow.
The quiver was made of the silvery bark of the birch tree, and ornamented
with divers pictorial figures, beautifully colored, though with rudely-drawn
outlines. Upon his head he wore no covering; but a hand of wampum in
which was delicately worked in parti-colored grasses, his name and warlike
deeds bound his brow, leaving the jet black masses of hair falling free upon
his finely moulded shoulders. From the front of this band towered a bright,
scarlet feather, rising above his lofty forehead from amid a dark eagle's plumage
that half encircled it like a crescent. This feather was the badge and
insignia of his rank as chief of the powerful Abenaquies; and it also gave
him the designation, by which he was known among warriors, of—`The
Scarlet Feather.'

Before him flowed the waters of the romantic Kennebis,[1] its dark,

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transparent tide almost bathing his feet and reflecting his stately form. The
river was narrow, and its opposite bank almost overcast with its shadows
the green spot where the cabin of Natanis stood. It was near the close of
a sunny day in October, that season of richness, when Nature, investing
herself with a thousand dyes, mocks even the gorgeous pallete of the
painter.

Natanis gazed silently, as if in admiration, upon the darkly flowing water
reflecting from its banks foliage of gold, crimson and orange, and upon
the gorgeous forests that clothed the hills and mountains; and from these,
his eye rested in the distance through a gorge of the river hills upon a lofty
peak shining with snow, and thence uplifted, they reposed upon the deep,
still, pure blue of heaven over all.

It was a sweet, secluded spot where the young chieftain had pitched his
hunting lodge; a green, quiet vale upon the river back shut in by pleasant
hills, yet commanding a beautiful and varied prospect. At intervals as he
stood leaning thus upon his bow as if calmly enjoying the scene and the
hour before entering his cabin, the sound of a distant waterfall would come
fitfully and soothingly to his ear. Drawn up on the green sward before
his cabin was a light birch canoe of that graceful shell-shape peculiar to
these barks of the sons of the forest; and by the side of his cabin-door reclined
the sharp flat paddle and a salmon-spear which he had just before
taken out of it; for he had landed at his lodge from his canoe but a few
moments before. Around the lodge, upon branches cut for the purpose,
hung several skins of deer, stags, and does; and one of a huge black bear,
the glittering tusks being left in the head. Within the lodge were a few
rude implements for preparing food, and upon the ground was thrown a
skin which served the occupant for a couch.

The sun-beams of the closing day had left in shadow the vallies, and
were lingering upon the snowy peak of Mout Bigelow, when Natanis changed
his position and turned to enter the lodge. Before going in, he sent as
if by habit a quick, searching glance up and down the river. As he did
so, his eye was arrested by a canoe gliding out of the shadows of the bank
below and approaching the lodge. His whole manner was transformed by
the sight, as if by magic. His figure dilated and his dark eyes lighted up
with fire. He seized his yew bow, which was seven feet long, with a firmer
grasp, pressed his knee upon the middle, and strung it till the deer's sinew,
which formed the chord, had the tension of a steel rod. Then drawing
from the quiver his sole remaining arrow, he fitted it to the string, and throwing
himself at once into an attitude defying, and yet inquiring, he waited
the movements of the canoe. He saw that it contained two persons, and
that they were `pale faces.'

As the boat came within a hundred yards of the lodge, it stopped at the
bank, and one of the men alighted, and waved an Indian calumet in token
of his peaceful intentions; at the the same time he placed against a tree a
rifle which he carried, and there leaving it standing, advanced a few paces
unarmed, and stood still, as if awaiting the decision of the young Chief.

Natanis, after surveying him a moment longer, seemed to recognize him,
dropped the head of his arrow, and holding it and the bow together in one
hand, made a dignified motion of the hand for the stranger to approach.—
The intruder was a man of extraordinary make, being full six feet and a
half in height, yet as slender as a youth of seventeen, a compound of long
bones and sinews most uncouthly, yet muscularly put together. He wore a
tall, box-skin cap with the tail pointed down his back, a blue, linsey-woolsy
hunting frock, checked trowsers, with half, deer-skin leggins and moccasins.
He carried a knife, sheathed in a leathern case stuck in a belt that had once
been a soldier's, and a sort of haversack of bear-skin was slunk across his
left shoulder and rested upon his hip. His countenance was large featured,

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hardy, and stamped with decision and good nature. He had no beard,
his hair was yellow in hue, and worn long and strait over his neck; and his
skin was burned as brown as mahogany.

He walked towards Natanis with enormous strides which seemed his
natural gait.

`There! stand there!' commanded the young chief pointing with his bow
to a point about ten paces from him. `What would you, stranger, that you
visit the lodge of Abenaquis?' he enquired with dignity.

`I come as a friend of the Abenaquies,' answered the hunter in the Tarratine
language with which he had been addressed. `If thou art Natanis,
“The Scarlet Feather,” I am thy friend.'

`The Abenaquis well knows all his friends. He knoweth not thee! yet,
he suspects who it is that has sought him in his hunting lodge! I have heard
of Ustaloga, called also the “Sharp Knife!”'

`You guess right, Natanis. I am the hunter you call the “Sharp Knife!”
If you know me, you know I am the friend of the Abenaquies!'

`I know thou art a great warrior, and art from a child a dweller of the
forest with the tribe of the Kennebis; yet I have never seen thee before.—
But I believe thou art a friend to our race.'

`I am more Indian than Christian, Scarlet Feather,' said the hunter laughing;
`I never knew my white name, having been taken prisoner by the Chief
Ustaloga, who gave me his own name, and raised me a warrior!'

`You have done great deeds in battle, I hear! I am glad to welcome a
brave man to my lodge. Enter, Ustaloga, and be welcome to my hospitality.
Who comes with you? go bring thy brother.'

`'Tis thy brother, chief.'

`My brother?' repeated Natanis with surprise, and endeavoring to pierce
with his keen eye the foliage which partly hid the companion of the hunter
from his sight.

`It is the Sagamore Sebatis, chief. He delays but to bring with him some
presents for thee!'

`My brother Sabatis?' cried the young Indian warrior, his fine, dark countenance
illuminated with an expression of pleasure, which the next moment
passed by, leaving behind a sorrowful expression; for he suddenly recollected
that when he and his brot er had last parted, it was in coldness.—
He therefore restrained the impulse by which he was first moved to hasten
to meet him, and remained where he was, calm and silent, awaiting his approach.

The chief, Sabatis, at length advanced towards the lodge, bearing in his
hand a package wrapped in the skiu of an otter. He was a man of large
stature, of great breadth of shoulder, a massive frame, and features bold and
prominent. He wore a blue striped blanket, with a deep fringe, wrapped
round his form, leggings of undressed deer-skin, and a single eagle's feather
tipped with crimson, bound in the masses of his dark locks. He was older
than Natanis, and with a sterner visage; yet his carriage was marked by
the smae lofty port, and haughtiness of air.

`Welcome, brother,' said Natanis, as the Sagmore came near; and he advanced
a pace, and stretched forth his hand.

`Natanis, let us meet as brothers;' said the elder, throwing his arms
around him and embracing him. The young chief with frankness and cordiality
returned the embrace, and the brothers were reconciled!

`Come, brother, let us enter the lodge. I have a doe here, and we will
feast together!'

`No, Natanis, not now. I and Sharp Knife have both eaten. I have
come to see thee on affairs touching thyself and thy greatness. Let us
talk, for we must pursue our journey with the rising of the moon!'

`Whither does the prow of your canoe lead you?'

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`Northward! We seek in haste the river's source, and our feet must not
rest until we have crossed the mountains of the wilderness, and our canoe
floats again in the waters that flow north into Lake Megantic.'

`Why this haste? Do you pursue game, brother, you and Sharp Knife,
that you thus follow the trails into the northern wilderness?'

`Listen, brother!' answered the Sagamore Sebatis, after the three had
seated themselves on skins in front of the lodge, Natanis a little removed
from, and facing his guests.

`My ears are open, brother.'

`Three moons ago, Natanis, when I sought you in the midst of your people,
and there proposed to you to join with me in taking part with the English
of Quebec against the pale faces who inhabit our hunting grounds, you
refused.'

`I did refuse, Natanis. The English I know not. They are far removed
from us! Their king's lodge is beyond the sea, and his hunting grounds lie
beyond the rising of the sun. What have we to do with giving our arms
and aid to strangers? So I answered thee then, so I answer thee now!'

`And who are these you would take part with? are they not the very
men who invade our hunting grounds, and who press us back from the sea
and the pleasant valleys of the rivers into the wilderness? The English of
Canada have not robbed us of our lands, and they are at war with those who
possess them from the shores of the Kennebis and the Bay of Massachoiset
to the far south, more than a moon's journey.'

`I know not the English. They are neither my foes nor friends! The
Americans I do know! I know that there are among them men of wisdom
also great warriors! why should I take up the hatchet against them? It is
true they dwell upon lands that our father once hunted over; but those
lands have been sold to them brother! I shall not mix with this war!' he
concluded in a firm tone of voice.

The Sagamore sat silent, and his countenance grew dark after his brother
had ceased. The hunter, seeing that he would soon reply with anger, hastened
to prevent any quarrels, and said to him,

`Scarlet Feather, noble Sagamore, does not show any hostility to the
English. He will remain neutral at least.'

`I want my brother's arm and warriors,' answered Sebatis sternly and impatiently.
`I have given the English the promise of mine, and the braves
of my tribe. Natanis, we are brothers! We are chiefs over brother tribes,
which our father divided between us. Let us not be at enmity. Thy tribe,
numbering eight hundred Abanaquies, and mine of a thousand Tarantine
warriors, will be of great service to the English.'

`And have you, brother, sold yourself, and your warriors?! demanded Natanis
with haughty surprise.

`No! I have only pledged myself as an ally, and to be ready to serve the
English King, whensoever I may be called on!' replied Sebatis with equal
haughtiness.

`What does he give thee, brother, for this service? asked Natanis with
contempt.

`When the war is ended, I am to have restored to my domains by the
English King, the hunting grounds of my fathers, now possessed by the
white-faces, and lying between the Kennebis and Andre-coquin!'

`And this they pledge thee?' pursued Scarlet Feather, his fine, dark face
eloquent with scorn and pity.

`They do. I have the word of the English Sagamore Carlton whom I
saw in Quebec four moons ago!'

`And what is this service required of thee?'

`To be ready to march upon the frontier of Massachoisetts whensoever I

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shall receive orders, placing myself under the command of one of their chiefs
to unite with their army against Boston!'

`And is there such a plan?' demanded Natanis starting with surprise.

`The movements of the British I don't fully know. Besides you are their
enemy, brother!' replied Sebatis cautiously, and darting a searching glance
upon him.

Said I, I was their enemy?'

`He did not say so, Sagamore, that is a fact,' said Sharp Knife readily.

`True!'

`Brother!' said Natanis, speaking with enthusiasm, his dark eye kindling
with the fire of scorn and contempt, that was awakened in his generous bosom;
`have I been so unhappy as to sit here and listen to such base words
as thou hast given utterance to! Have I heard a son of the warrior Abanaquis,
has Natanis heard his brother confess that he has sold his independence
to the Pale-Face? Shame brother! have you been so dazzled by the
gold of the white man, that dishonor appears to you without a stain? If you
have lost your hunting grounds, are you so craven as to seek their restoration
by the aid of the British bayonet? Where are your thousand warriors?
are they women? Have they no arms? are they sick? Does it become a
warrior chief of the Tarratine nation to descend thus from his dignity and
native independence? Have I lived to hear Sabatis confess that he is ready
at any moment to place himself and his braves under the command of an
inferior chief of the great British Sagamore? Shame, brother! where are
the shades of our fathers that they do not rise from their forest graves, and
reecho shame upon their degenerate son?'

Sabatis listened without moving a muscle. It was plain the Hunter anticipated
that he would the next instant spring upon Natanis, for he rose
quickly and stepped between then. Sabatis, however, remained perfectly
unmoved. The young chief Scarlet Feather having thus spoken with such
eloquent indignation his feelings, sat silent, haughtily awaiting his brother's
reply. At length Sabatis opened his lips and spake. His voice was calm
and deep:

`Brother, you have spoken, and my cars have heard what was in your
heart. You are young, and I heed not your fiery speech. What I have
done, I have done! I have wisdom, and know what I do. I am chief of my
tribe, and I will lead them to what fighting ground I will. We are brothers;
let us be at peace. There is my hand.'

Natanis took his brothers' hand, and the two remained a few moments
seated in silence. The excitement gradually disappeared from the face of
Scarlet Feather, and lighting his calumet, Natanis smoked a few whiffs, and
then handed it to Sabatis.

`Brother, where are your warriors?' asked Natanis in a careless tone, after
he had again received the pipe from the Sagamore, smoked and handed
it to the Hunter.

`They are on the Konoco Lake. They hunt and fish there! I left them
three days ago to come hither.' Sabatis cast his eye down as he a
and Scarlet Feather saw that his brother deceived him in his reply.

`Why are you here? If I am not mistaken this is not far from the Nerijewees,
the foes of your tribe, he remarked in a quiet way.

`Their lodges are in the valley beyond the ridge of hills to the East!' answered
Sehatis looking in that direction.

`You are bold also, Scarlet Feather,' said the Hunter to lodge so nigh
them! We little thought to find you here!'

`Nor did I look for Sabates so far from his hunting grounds. Why does
his brother have the honor of his visit? did Sabatis come expressly to see
Natanis, or has be met the Scarlet Feather by accident?'

Sabatis made no reply. He was not inclined to tell the truth! The truth

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was that the meeting was purely accidental. He had seen and recognized
Natanis the moment the latter had beheld the boat advancing, when finding
that he was discovered, he had landed and sent `Sharp Knife' forward, after
first holding a short discussion with him; for this unexpected recounter with
his brother was far from pleasing, either to him or Sharp Knife. He remained
behind himself, to make up a parcel of pretended gifts, from trinkets he
had brought to reward such Indians as he might employ in his expedition
to assist in carrying his canoe from one river to another. From policy, therefore,
he had feigned great joy on beholding his brother, though he apprehended
difficulty, in the further prosecution of his purposes in passing up the
river, from his opposition, should he diseover or suspect the object of this
secret expedition.

As Natanis regarded both his brother and the Hunter with a look of suspicion
while he put his question to him, the Sagamore said evasively,

`It was accident meeting you here, brother! but our visit was to you;
though we expected to find you a day's journey to the north and east.'

`My tribe's lodges lie to the south and east! why then should my brother
seek for me in the direction he has named?' demanded Natanis with increased
suspicion. `But I am found by you, brother. What would you
with Natanis? why have you come so far, and unattended to seek me.'

Before replying, Sebatis spoke a few moments earnestly aside with the
Hunter, and seemed to be influenced in his answer by Sharp Knife's opinion.

`To get your final decision, brother! will you take part with the British?
If you consent, I have a great advantage to offer you and an important
secret for your ear!'

Natanis was about to reply with a stern refusal, when the last words his
brother uttered, seemed to suggest to his mind a sudden thought. His
whole bearing was instantly changed to one of eager desire and intense
interest.

`Advantage said you, brother?' he asked with earnestness. `What advantage
can I gain by joining in this quarrel between the pale-faces?'

Sabatis looked at Sharp Knife inquiringly as much as to say, `shall he be
trusted?' The Hunter shook his head doubtfully. This was not unnoticed
by Natanis, who was by this confirmed in his resolution to adopt the course
which had just before suggested itself to his mind.

`Brother, I fear to trust you, yet I would do so,' said the Sagamore.

`Did you not come to see me to trust me? Will my brother go again as
he came?' and the young warrior rose and walked haughtily away some
steps.

`I will not trust you, brother,' answered the Chief after a moment's hesitation,
rising also. `By the light of the Great Spirit I will not trust you!'

`We must do it, Sagamore, and confide in Scarlet Feather's honor;' said
Sharp Knife very firmly, but in a tone that Scarlet Feather could not hear.
`If we do not, he will, at any rate, suspect us; and as we can't return now
but must go on with our message, he will of course suspect mischief, seeing
us continue our way north, after having visited him. We can give him
no excuse for keeping up the river. Besides, if we turn back, and then
double on our trail again, you may be sure, with his suspicions awakened
as they are, he will be a spy upon our heels. It was the fiend's luck falling
in with him here; and I wonder what he is doing, pitching his hunting lodge
so far from his own ground, and so near those of the Nerijewecs! It would
seem as if he was waiting for us; yet he could not know of our coming;
and besides, he does'nt seem to suspect the news we bear! we had best
trust him, as I think, from what he just said, he might be brought over to
our views; the idea of advantage to himself seems to have taken hold of
him.'

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The Tarratine chief deliberated a moment, and then, as if deciding to
make a confidant of his brother, advanced towards him as he stood gazing
silently into the shadowy waters as they flowed by at his feet.

At the moment Sabatis came near, the quick eye of the young chief had
detected a stag coming down to the water on the opposite shore to quench
his thirst. The shades of evening placed the spot where the lodge stood in
dark shadows, it being on the west bank, while the shore on which the stag
stood, was still reflecting the light of the western sky. Quicker than lightning,
the bow of Scarlet Feather was raised, and his arrow levelled from
his ear. Sabatis, who was at the instant, almost within its range, fancying
himself the object, sprang back with a cry of surprise, drew his tomahawk
from his helt, and brandished it before him! The Hunter sprung forward
to arrest the arrow which from the position in which he stood, seemed to
his view aimed at the Sagamore's heart. But the arrow flew singing from
its string, which rung with a loud twang as if a chord of a base-viol had
been strongly struck, and the dashing, headlong plunge of the stag into the
flood showed them the true object of the young chiefs hostile demonstration.
Natanis smiled proudly and said with a tone of mingled grief
and contempt,

Brother! did you think that Natanis would lift his hand against the child
of his own mother! we are brothers.'

The Sagamore gloomily, and with a mortified look, replaced his tomahawk
in his girdle, while the hunter, springing into the canoe, darted swiftly
across the rapidly flowing river to secure the noble animal which had mingled
its life with the dark tide.

CHAPTER II. Natanis and Sabatis.

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The two brother-chiefs stood a few moments in silence, watching the
receding canoe as it went on its swift course leaving behind it a silvery wake
of dancing waters; and when they saw the white Hunter disappear in the
shadowy curve of the river, beneath overhanging trees, in pursuit of the
stag which the current was bearing away upon its bosom, they turned and
gazed upon each other. The forests of the new world have never given
birth to two nobler sons than these two warrior brothers. Noble in their
persons, commanding in their carriage and height, native majesty seemed
enthroned upon their kingly brows. Erect, bold and fearless, with an eye
like the eagle's, and his head set upon his arched neck like a stag's, his
dignified port tempered by youthful grace, Natanis stood before his brother
a model for an Indian Hercules, or, better, the model for a statue which
should combine the strength of the Nemean hero with the elegance of Apollo.
His high forehead surmounted by his coronet of Eagle's feathers and
his towering scarlet plume; his arched brows spanning an eye clear as light
and full of courage; his Roman nose, chiselled without a fault, even to the
thin, delicate nostril; his expressive, well-shaped mouth which ever betrayed
most eloquently by the slightest workings of the bright vermillion lips
the least emotion of his soul, with the spirit of intelligence and feeling that
shone through all, presented a countenance such as seldom meets the eye,
save among the proud, independant, chieftains of the Indian races. His
panther's skin, depending from his shoulders, leaving the right arm and breast
exposed and hanging like a mantle down to the knee, with the firm manner
in which he stood, like a pillar that may not be moved his arm extended
and grasping his bow, were in perfect harmony with the whole man, and
completed a striking picture of that native independence, and physical dignity
characteristic of the Indian warrior.

The Sagamore was of a more powerful make, without the grace which
relieved the muscular strength of his brother. He had none of the Apollo
in the the strong outlines of his massive frame. He was a savage Hercules,
gigantic, yet symmetrical; and looked as if he could slay lions by
pressing his knee upon their chests, and rending their jaws apart with his
hands. His countenance expressed none of that quiet dignity and nobleness
of nature which characterized the loftier features of Scar et Feather.
His brow was heavy and very massive, with large, quick, fiery, gleaming
black eyes, ever restlessly moving beneath their deep coverts. His complexion
was darker and coarser than that of Natanis, and his features stronger
and more heavily moulded. His nose indicated great strength of passions
and his mouth, full and large, betrayed the existence of a character
daring and ferocious. In a word, there was in the face of this chief, with
all its dignity of outline, an expression which repelled confidence at first
sight, and inspired the opposite sentiments of mistrust and dislike. His
cheeks were striped with blue and red paint, drawn in such lines as would
increase the natural ferociousness of his aspect. His height, bearing and
person were, nevertheless commanding; exhibiting the native majesty of
form and stature peculiar to the family of the Abanaquis, from which he,
as well as Natanis, had sprung.

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`Brother,' said the Sagamore in a deep, guttural tone, `you are a great
brave, and your warriors are as the trees of the forest. Yet you hold dominion
over but a third of the hunting-grounds our father swayed.'

`Egos-mah! Natanis hears his brother's words. They are true. What
does the Sagamore mean to say more?'

`That Natanis is not a warrior unconcerned to let the pale-face dwell
where his fathers' lodges stood! he is not the chief to let the pale-faces'
white-winged ships sail upon the rivers that once flowed through his fathers'
hunting-grounds, when he can regain them! does Natanis behold the silvery
peak of yonder mountain piercing the skies? the boy of fifteen years can
remember when, within the eye's wide range from its summit, not the
smoke of a white man's cabin curled upward to the clouds; now the huts
of the white woodman are fast approaching its base; and ere the boy be
gray, from yonder peak the eye of the solitary and homeless Indian shall
behold, from horizon to horizon no where ascending the smoke of a lodge
belonging to his tribe. The axe of the pale-face will have levelled his forests,
and the cities of the pale-face will stand in the vallies and by the rivers!
Does my brother hear?' asked Sabatis with a dark frown.

`I hear,' answered Natanis; `I know that the white man covets our lands,
and that he has many leagues of our hunting-grounds! these were not sold
him by Natanis, but by our father. Of Natanis, no pale-face shall ever have
a bow's span of land, save for his grave. What he received from his father,
he will keep.'

`Aio! well spoken, Natanis. Now, we are one. I find in your breast an
echo to my own thoughts. But let Natanis open his ears, while his brother
speaks. The power of the white warriors increases. The winged ships at
every wind bring pale-faces from the rising sun. They must have more
lands! Their Sagamore at Boston came to me two moons ago, and asked to
buy lands for gold? I refused him!'

`You did well, brother,' said Natanis with pride. `So came to me a
messenger from the same white Chief. I filled a horn with earth, from the
grave of our father beneath my lodge, and bade him say to his chief that
Natanis never sold the ashes of his ancestors!'

A slight emotion of noble feeling, such as a sentiment like this should
awaken, seemed to elevate the expression of the Sagamore's countenance,
as he gazed approvingly upon his brother.

`Then, brother, we are one,' he said with emphasis. `We are not friends
to the Pale-faces?' This was spoken with a searching look of inquiry.

`I am neither their friend nor their foe, brother. Our father smoked the
calumet of peace with their great Sagmore at Boston, and they are not our
enemies.'

`They are mine,' answered the Sagamore sternly and vindictively. `Our
father buried the hatchet, but I will unearth it and sharpen it! Sabatis can
never sleep while the axe of the white woodman rings from afar in his ears,
and he knows the forests which sheltered his fore-fathers are falling to the
earth, emblems of our our own fall and ruin! No, Natanis, I am the foe of
the white-man, the haughty invader of our hunting-grounds! the desecrator
of our forest homes!'

`Yet you say, you are the friend of the English?'

`Dubel dock! The English are beyond the St. Lawrence, brother. Their
lodges, and their Sagamore are upon the rock of Quebec! The English
have not taken our lands from us. On the contrary, they are at war with
the Pale-faces—the Bostonees,[2] who have robbed us of our inheritance and
are daily making invasions upon what remains. I am not hostile to the
English! They are a great and powerful nation whose lodges are far off.—

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We have nothing to fear from them. The Bostonees are our foes, and the
English are their foes, therefore should we be the friends of the English.'

`You speak of war between them, brother! with this we have nothing to
do. Whichever conquers, will be equally our foe, and equally strive to possess
our lands. If the English are conquerors, and take the lands of the
Bostonees, they will next want ours, like these. Let us not mingle in the
quarrel, brother.'

`Saw-got!' I have already done it. I have pledged myself to be the friend
of the English Sagamore. He has sent me great presents, and has promised
to give me back all my hunting grounds if he conquers the Pale-faces
who hold them. Now, brother, the same offers he will make you! Behold
here are some of the presents I have received!' and the chief unfolded the
otter-skin to display his gifts. `These I bring to thee as a pledge of what
thou shalt hereafter receive. Behold! here are sharp spear heads of shining
steel, barbed arrow-heads, glittering medals, a coronet of silver, medals
of gold, and bracelets of precious stone.'

`For such trinkets as these is Sabatis bought?' cried Scarlet Feather contemptuously,
glancing at them, and then turning his eyes scornfully
away.

`Ou-wa! These are but trifles to what I have, brother,' answered Sabatis
frowning darkly, and looking disappointed at the indifference of his brother
to what had dazzled his more savage eye; though, as we have before said,
these trinkets were not brought as a present for Scarlet Feather, but only
offered to him as an after-thought to help conceal the true nature of his
mission.

`You spoke to me of advantage, brother,' said Natanis. `These gew-gaws
tempt me not!' They will please a woman!'

`See! These are spear-heads and arrow-head of steel!'

`They tempt me not. What advantage didst thou speak of, a while
ago?'

`Have I not told thee?—the restoration of thy hunting-grounds.'

When I want them, I and my warriors shall recover them. I would not
follow the noblest deer that ever roamed in the forest, one bound upon lands
made mine by the British bayonet!'

`Saw-got! If thou wert not my mother's son, I would quarrel with thee! but,
peace be between us! know then, Natanis, I am to take sides with the
British. Swear to me that you will not take part, thou and thy warriors
with the Bostonees!'

`That I will swear most cheerfully, brother. I am not in want of gold
that I should sell my warlike independence even to these, though I have
towards them more friendly feelings than I have towards the English. Dost
thou not remember that our father in one of his hunting expeditions beyond
the mountains of the north encountered a white Hunter, an Englishman
from the Canadas. He found him torn by a bear and dying for want of succor.
Our father took him to his lodge, bound up his wounds, and hospitably
entertained him until he recovered; and when he was once more strong
he sent two of his people with him, to guide him to the white-man's lodges
on the Chaudiere. When the white man came among his own people, he
invited his guides into the lodge of the Sagamore, on the pretence of refreshing
and rewarding them; and taking advantage of their confidence
they took them captive and sent them to Quebec bound as prisoners,
whence one escaped, (theother having died) to tell the shameful tale of
English treachery.'

I heard the tale. But 'tis nothing. So would the Bostonee have done.
They speak one tongue, and their fathers dwelt in the same lodge under the
same great Sagamore.'

`Haar what the Bostonee did do. Three winter's ago, I was hunting on

[figure description] Page 015.[end figure description]

the lower Kennebis. The doe I was in pursuit of, leaped from a precipice,
and before I could check my speed, I followed and fell many feet, and lay
there insensible and bruised from the fall, I know not how long. When I
came to myself, I was lying upon a bear-skin in the lodge of a white-hunter—
of a Bostonee. He was watching over me with the gentleness of a
maiden who watches the couch of her sleeping lover. Ten days I was his
guest, and when I left to seek the lodges of my people he accompanied me,
taking me in his own canoe till the smoke of my lodge was in sight. He then
said to me,

`Chief, when next you meet a white man in your hunting-grounds in distress,
remember me and succor him, even though he hath slain they brother!
In me, you behold Kresley the Fish-Spearer!'

`And who was he?' demanded Sabatis impatiently.

`I had the year before, with an arrow in shooting at a deer, by accident
slain his brother!' answered Natanis impressively. `Now judge you, broth
er,' he added after a few moments silence, `between the English of Canada,
and the generous Bostonee Hunter.'

`And for this only, you are hostile to one people, and a friend to the
other?'

`I am willing my tribe should be judged by any one of my people in it,'
answered the young chief proudly.

`At this moment Sharp Knife landed a few yards below them, with the
dead stag in the boat. The Sagamore approached him, and briefly informed
him of the issue of his conversation with his brother.

`Well, Chief,' said the Hunter, `if he can't be prevailed on, and is so
prejudiced, why, the only way we can do, is to let him alone and keep on
our way. The moon will be up soon. He had better suspect, than know
the truth, as he might possibly put some obstacle in our way; and we have
not an hour to lose. I had rather have lost my rifle than fallen in with
him!'

`I am resolved, when the moon rises, to take leave of him and proceed
down the river. After a mile or two, we can take to the forests and double
so as to gain a point above him, and then take to the river again! we shall
have to pass full near the lodges of Neridgewecs to do this!'

`This will be our only course. It is quite likely he is by this time satisfied
that your only object in coming here, was to get him to take part in the
quarrel. I don't think he will suspect us; for it is impossible he can yet
know the truth; not the fastest runner could have got up the river in advance
of us. So let us deceive him by putting back awhile, and then keep
on our course again as fast as we can move forward by water and trail.'

The course here suggested, was decided on. The Sagamore approached
his brother, and soon afterwards took leave of him, the parting being cold
and distrustful on both sides. They then reentered their boat, Scarlet
Feather accompanying them to the bank; and just as the moon appeared
above the forest-llne in the eastern horizon, the canoe floated into the stream,
and, propelled by the strong arm of the tall Hunter, shot rapidly down the
tide, and was soon lost to the gaze of the young Chieftain in the gloomy
shadows of the overhanging shores.

Natanis remained standing for some moments where his brother had last
parted from him, his arms folded across his breast, his face thoughtful, and
his manner grave.

`This is a strange visit of Sabatis to me!' he said, in a slow reflecting
tone. `There is something lies deeper than the surface I have had shown
me! my brother came not thus far from his own hunting grounds to ask
me what he knew before, and then to go back again as he came. Their
canoe was standing up the river, and but for seeing me here, I am sure it
would have kept on its upward course. There is, perhaps, treachery meant

[figure description] Page 016.[end figure description]

towards me. Sabatis loves me not; and would readily sacrifice me to his
own ambition. His visit in this quarter is not to see me, alone, else why
did he make me no definite proposition? It is clear my presence here was
unlooked for by both him and Sharp Knite, and their embarrassment I could
read in their looks and efforts to ingratiate me. Nor could they have known
my hunting lodge was here. Not one of my own warriors knows it, nor
hath any one crossed my trail the three days I have been here. My presence
here is known only to one!'

And he pronounced the last word his face assumed an expression of tenderness
and gentle pride, and looking towards the moon he said, with lively
emotion,

`It is time I sought again the lodge of Willewa. For love's sake, might I
have answered the white Hunter, am I here in the huntinfi-grounds of the
Nerigewees! for the sake of the beautiful Pearl of the Eye, is the huntinglodge
of Natanis pitched in the sight of the smokes of a tribe hostile to his
fathers!'

As he spoke he turned from the spot and advanced towards his lodge.—
As he came near it, he saw standing before it a young female who, while
he was gazing down the river after the departing Sagamore, had crossed
the stream above, in a light bark propelled by her own hand, and landed
near his cabin, which she approached with shrinking, yet anxiously hurried
steps.

`Willewa!' he exclaimed, recognizing her, for the moon shed her radiance
full upon the spot where she stood.

`Natanis! Pardon me! I came hither to—'

He interrupted the tremulous, musical tones with which she would have
hurredly explained her errand, by pressing her to his manly breast, and
saying, smilingly,

`What need I care, fair Peal of my Eyes, what brought thee hither, so I
behold thee, and know thou art present with me? Comest thou, doubtless,
to chide Natanis for loitering when he should have been on his way to meet
thee at the Doe's fountain beyond the river, as he promised last night when
he parted from thee there!' and again he pressed the graceful Indian girl to
his heart; and then holding her back, gazed by the moonlight upon her
lovely olive brow, and ingenious countenance, over which grateful love, and
maidenly modesty, played charmingly.

`Natanis, I bring thee strange, and weighty news!' she said withdrawing
herself with sweet, native dignity from his ardent gaze.

`What, dear Willewa? Has thy pet doe escaped? or the singing bird I
gave thee flown away to its fellows in the wood? or—'

`Nay, Natanis, I have more serious news than this,' answered the indian
maiden impressively.

`Then I will hear thee tell what makes thy warbling tones so sad to-night.
Sit down in my lodge, for thy heart throbs like a fawn's that has been pursued!
There is my mantle,' he said taking the panther's skin from his shoulders,
and throwing it down upon the floor of his lodge.

No, not in thy lodge, Natanis,' she said with blushing embarrassment.—
`Here, without by the door in the fair moonlight!'

`Then here in the fair moonlight, sweet Pearl of my Eyes!' said the lover
playfully; and taking the skin from the lodge, he placed it for her upon
the ground outside. `Now what have those little talking cherries to say?'
he said touching her lips lightly with his forefinger.

But ere we listen to what the beautiful Willewa has to reveal to her noble
lover, which brought her at that hour alone, to seek him at his lodge,
we will tell who this maiden was. Allusion has already been made to the
tribe of Norigewees as having their national lodges not far from where
Natanis had planted his own hunting cabin, and as being hostile to him and

[figure description] Page 017.[end figure description]

his tribe. This people were once the most warlike and imperious in all the
East. Their tribe had originally, in centuries past, belonged to the Tarratine
and Abanaquis races, from which all the inferior tribes in Maine had
also sprung. The Norigewees were a powerful Tarratine family which had
rebelled under a younger brother of the Tarratine King, and never being
subdued, had increased to become a distinct and powerful tribe. Its sway
extended over the vast region between the falls of the Kennebbis, and the
mountains of the northern wilderness; and its chiefs were all distinguished
for their warlike courage. The feud which existed from its very origin between
this tribe and the equally powerful families of the Tarratine's and
Abanaquis, kept alive in all three nations a spirit of war, and an hereditary
quarrel. The Tarratine and Abanaquir chiefs were by no means disposed
to acknowledge the independance of a revolted tribe, though three hundred
years had elapsed since the original ogence; nor was the haughty rebel
ceieftain disposed to yield submission to a power that was no stronger than
himself.

This state of hostile feeling prevented all intercourse between the parties,
and the warriors of both families only met in the hunt, to convert the
hunting-field into a battle plain.

It was on such an occasion as this not long before the opening of our
story, thht Natanis chanced to see Willewa the beauteous daughter of the
proud Nerijewca chieftain Canassa! But we have the further development
of this love-passage to the next chaptor.

eaf190.n2

[2] The Indians of Maine invariably applied the term `Bostonee' to the Massachusetts colonists
from the name of their principal town.

CHAPTER III. The Chase.

[figure description] Page 018.[end figure description]

It was about two months previous to the time we have chosen for the
opening of our story, that Scarlet Feather, at the head of thirty young warriors
of his tribe, left his national lodges, on the beautiful lake Tuteloe,[3] for
a grand hunting expedition. As the past season the Nerigewecs had penetrated
his hunting-grounds, and driven the deer from the rivers to the wilderness,
Natanis resolved not only to pursue the chase towards the mountains,
but also invade the territories of the Nerigewecs, by crossing their
hunting grounds to the upper forest, instead of following the course of the
river, which, among all the tribes, was held sacred as a common thorough-fare.
The afternoon after leaving his own people, he crossed the Kennebis
above the falls of the Nerigewecs, and entered upon their hunting grounds.

The young men whom Scarlet Feather had selected from his warriors
for this expedition were about his own age, and among the very bravest of
his followers; and in nobleness of spirit, and pride of character they were
not unlike himself. After they had crossed the river and stood together
upon a rock upon which they had landed, with the towering forests of their
foes rising majestically around them, Natanis with a wave of his hand
gathered his braves around him, and thus addressed them:

`Warriors and brothers! we are now pressing with our feet the soil of
the haughty Nerijewee! In these forests they hunt their game, and from
the bosom of yonder hills ascend the smokes of their lodges. We are Abenaquies,
and do not fear to stand in the sight of the lodges of our foes. We
have entered their hunting grounds to pursue in them the deer and the bear
and the moose, as we do in our own. Natanis would not have been the first
aggressor upon their territories, for he is content with his own, and the deer
loves the shade of our forests as well as that of our foes! But the proud
Chief Canassa has invaded our lands, and hunted the doe before the very
doors of our lodges. His warriors have driven the game from our rivers
and lakes when we were hunting on the hills, and we must pursue the chase
even to the mountains that we may have food and raiment for ourselves and
our little ones. It is true, we can follow the river's course to where deer
are plenty, but 'tis a day's journey farther, than crossing the hunting grounds
of our foes. Let us enter them and pursue the chase, and at our leisure go
northward to the hills; it may be the forests of our enemies will furnish
game an abundance without seeking it in the wilderness of the north.—
Now, my braves, you know what is the mind of Natanis. Let us go onward
to the hunt, and while we pursue the game that offers, let us not forget that
we are surrounded with foes, and act with wisdom and prudence. Let no
warrior go alone, but keep together in parties of ten; and when danger
menaces, let us give the hunting war cry of the Abenaquies, and reunite for
defence! Attack none of the braves of the Nerigewecs if you cross them in
your path; for we are hunters and our arrows are sharpened only for the
deer and the wild beast. But if we are attacked we will let the Nerigewecs
know that we are the sons of Abanaquis!'

[figure description] Page 019.[end figure description]

This address of the young chief wa received with a shout of warlike enthusiasm,
by the young braves around him, and the clashing of their bows
and spears together manifested a disposition more for the battle than the
chase. The scene presented at this moment was singularly brilliant, yet
wildly savage. Natanis stood alone upon a slight elevation of the rock
which overhung the dark water as it went wheeling and rushing past at its
base in a hundred involving circles. Above his head towered a majestic
oak, which overshadowed him and his braves. The opposite banks were
high and precipitous, clothed with wood to their summits, save where here
and there a bold boary rock forced its rugged brow, or shoulder through
the foliage that enveloped it like a mantle. Upon the lofty spine of a lightning-blasted
pine sat an eagle, who at intervals shook his immense pinions,
and uttered the fierce, shrill shriek, which the Indian Warrior imitates
and makes his war-cry. Around the young Chief stood his braves, a picturesque
and formidable band, dressed in skins or gay mantles, with plumes
nodding above their brows, spears or bows in their hands, painted quivers
at their backs, and with their bronzed breasts and right arm naked. They
stood around him with dark, earnest, brave countenances, and flashing eyes,
their nostrils working like those of the impatient charger, and their attitudes
spirited and daring.

`Yonder eagle gazes down upon us, and his shriek is warlike; but let us
not catch his spirit to-day, my braves!' said Natanis, as he looked from the
noble bird upon his followers with an air of pride. `We are hunters and
not warriors, until the war-cry of the Nerijewecs is heard in our ears.—
Then, let us sheath the hunting-knife, and grasp the war-hatchet as become
Abanaquies. Now to thee hase, brothers. He who strikes down the
first stag shall have a feather from the crest of yonder eagle.'

As he spoke, he fitted an arrow to his yew-bow and sent the fatal missile
flying upward and onward over the river with unerring velocity. The Eagle
uttered a fierce cry as he saw the whizzing messenger of death approaching,
and spread his heavy wings to soar. But the light dart pierced his
majestic breast and fastened its barbs deep in his body. He nevertheless
rose, and darted wildly through the air in irregular flight, now essaying to
ascend, and then plunging impotent perpendicularly far downward; but
recovering himself ere he struck the water soared again, madly, the while,
plucking at the arrow with his strong beak, and vainly endeavoring to tear
it from his body.

`Nay! Let him soar, Ayane', cried Natanis to a youthful Indian by his
side who suddenly drew an arrow to the bead, and was about to launch it
from the string, as he saw the Eagle, after nearly striking the water, rise
perpendicularly upward again; `Let him battle with his fate, Ayane. He
struggles bravely, and has a noble spirit! I would my arrow had not flown
so truly, for I am sorry that I sent him his death. It is like seeing a brave
warrior-chief die. Look! Behold! he has torn the dart from his bosom
with his ferocious beak, and holding it in his talon rises proudly and triumphantly
into the air!'

All eyes watched the Eagle as he went soaring into the skies, higher and
higher, till he appeared to the eye no bigger than a sparrow. He then
seemed to become stationery, when Natanis exclaimed,

`The noble bird will live; he deverves his life. My shaft pierced not to
his proud heart. No! See, my braves! he descends like the lightning from
a cloud!'

There was a general murmur of surprise and savage admiration, as they
saw the bird falling from the skies with the velocity of an arrow. The descent,
though as rapid as the eye could follow its course, was erratic and
irregular, the wings now wildly flapping, and now pressed closely to the
body, and then again flaring wide. It was therefore evident that the bird

[figure description] Page 020.[end figure description]

was either dead, or had no control over himself. Nearer and nearer the
earth came the huge body, making the air roar as it passed through it, in its
swift descent, when suddenly it plunged into the current close at the feet of
the hunting party, dashing over them, in its heavy plunge, a shower of
spray.

Ayane, the young Indian, leaped into the flood, and bearing it to the shore,
laid at the feet of Natanis the dead monarch of the mountain peaks, the
arrow which the young Chief had launched at his breast, still clenched in
the iron-grasp of his talon.

Natanis plucked from the crest of the war-eagle a tuft of feathers, and
placing them among those of his own coronet, said,

`Now, my braves, to the chase. He who strikes down the first stag in
the hunting-grounds of the Nerijewec shall wear this Eagle's crest in token
of his rank as a hunting-chief.'

Tne party of hunters now formed in three divisions, and in a few moments
were moving in as many lines, nearly parrallel with each other,
through the forest, in the direction of the river uplands, where they knew
the dear would be, at that hour feeding. For the night, Natanis had appointed
a rendezvous at a fountain about two leagues north ward, near the
river's bank. Leaving the two hunting parties to which Natanis was not
attached, to pursue the chase in their own way, we shall follow our young
Chief and his hunters. Natanis kept on for about a mile without seeing
any game, but crossing three trails which he knew to belong to some hunting-party
of the hostile tribe, whose territories he was so boldly invading.
He at length came to a small, but beautiful lake placed in the midst of the
forest, like a crystal vase set in a bed of flowers. Gentle hillsides, clothed
with fragrantly blooming trees, ascended from its circular brim, birds were
singing in the over-hanging branches, fishes were glaucing in the sun-light
beneath its surface, and the deep blue sky without a cloud, was reflected in
its bosom. To add to the rare beauty of this gem in the wilderness, a
small island, green as emerald, with a few old oaks growing upon it, and
casting beneath an inviting shade, was anchored in the midst. On this island,
the shores of which, on all sides of it, were about a quarter of a mile
or a long bow's shot from the shores of the lake, the birds were more numerous
than on the main, filling the old oak grove with melody, while deer
and does were grazing or reclining in the peaceful glades. The island was
not large, being not two arrow-flights across, either in length or breadth.

When Natanis came suddenly upon this beautiful lake of the forests, he
paused upon its shores a few moments to contemplate its quiet; for the
child of nature loves to gaze on the features of the Great Parent, on whose
bosom he has been nourished, and has a heart to feel and a mind to appreciate
the fairer lines of her beauty.

While he stood there, wrapped in pleased surprise, a herd of deer was
discovered by his warriors, cooling their limbs in the water, about half way
round the circle of the lake. There were visible, full a score of
these animals, among them three stately stags. Desirous of striking the
first stag, the whole party started in excited pursuit, not even looking round
to see if they were followed by their Chief, but rather emulous to outstrip
him in the chase. Ayane, however, after running along the sparkling sands
of the beach a few hundred yards and seeing that Natauis did not follow,
turned back and rejoined him.

`Go with the hunters, Ayane;' said the Chief to him in the kind tone in
which he always spoke to the youth whose eyes, looks and manner evinced
the closest devotion and love for his Chieftain.

`Ayane would not leave Natanis alone, with foes around,' answered the
young Abanaquis.

`Then come with me! I see on the island the antlers of a nobler stag

[figure description] Page 021.[end figure description]

than stands in the water among yonder herd they have gone in pursuit of.
He must be the King of his species, and as such worthy to receive his death
wound at the hand of Natanis!' The young chief spoke with that simple
and ingenuous pride, that native dignity of character peculiar to the Indian,
as if properly conscious of his power and independence as the Princely
head of a warlike tribe.

`How can we react the island, my chief?' asked Ayane, his dark eyes
brightening as he beheld the majestic autlers which Natanis had pointed
out, peering above a group of shrubbery near the shore of the island.

`There lies a canoe of the Nerijewecs' answered Natains, pointing to a
birchen conoi half-concealed under the drooping foliage of a willow that
hung like like a vast green umbrella over the bank, leaving beneath a sort of
arching shelter, within which the little bark was moored.

Ayane sprang into the canoe, and emerged in it from its covert, and the
chief standing upright in its centre, the young Indian propelled it swiftly
towards the island. Natanis stood up with his bow strung, and the feather
of his arrow betwen his fore-finger and thumb, and with his eye keenly
watching the moving antlers over the top of the bushes. Suddenly a dashing
of water came from the lake shore and Natanis saw the whole herd of
deer in motion, having discovered the approaching party of hunters, who,
as they came near them, had separated so as to encircle them and enclose
them with the lake in their rear. But the stags first took the alarm and
tossing their branching heads high into the air, shook them, snuffed up the
wind, snorted like horses when alarmed, and then dashed towards the forest
coverts. Then came the wild, answering cries of the hunters, and arrows
winged with death flew among the terrified fugitives, and one here
and one there plunged headlong in full course and struggled in the ensanguined
waters around them. The stag and a dozen of the does reached
the wood and went flying down its glades, the Indian hunters in fierce pursuit.

Natanis watched this spirited scene with an excited countenance, and
then turned his eyes upon the island which they were closely approaching.
The majestic stag, which had allured him from the main, had taken the
alarm, and unable to see, from his position, the hunters and the herd they
were pursuing, on account of the intervention of trees, he stood still upon a
green knoll, to which he had trotted, his antlers aloft, his head thrown back,
his eyes strained and starting, and his attitude was that of flight without
motion.

He was a noble animal, as large as a war-charger, with a skin the tawny
hue of the lion's, and a broad, massive chest, white as snow. Natanis drew
his arrow to his ear, when the stag discovered him, and tossing his head
up and down several times in defiance, the arrow of the young Chief was
caught upon his shield-like antlers, and shivered like glass. The next moment
Natanis was upon the shore with his hunting lance in his band. He
launched it as he struck the beach, but the stag was already in full flight.—
Natanis recovered his lauce, and his dog, which had accompanied
him, swimming along with the boat from the main, bringing him to
bay, he a second time cast it, and wounded the noble animal in the shoulder.
The stag again fled, and was again brought to bay by the staunch
hound, and maddened by his wound, he rushed, forward and by a fierce
stroke of his antler embowelled the dog, and then trampled upon him with
his strong hoofs. An arrow from the bow of Natanis fastened itself in his
neck, and the outraged monarch of the forest, shaking it to the ground, and
made furious by the pain, dashed towards the young Chief, emitting a harsh
noise from his lungs, like the angry roaring of a bull. So sudden and unexpected
was the change that Natanis, who, at that moment had his hand in
the quiver withdrawing a third arrow, would have been thrown down by
the infuriated animal, but for an arrow from the bow of Ayane who was

[figure description] Page 022.[end figure description]

close behind him. The young Indian had aimed so truly that the point of
the dart penetrated deep into the breast of the stag, who reared high in the
air and gave utterance to a cry as shrill as the shriek of an Eagle. Ayane,
seeing him stagger and bleed copiously, sprang forward, elevating his knife
to strike him to the heart, when the stag, lowering his head caught him upon
his broad antlers, and tossed him high into the air. With the effort, the
stag reeled and fell to the earth, while the sharp dagger of Scarlet Feather
entered his heart. The young chief then flew to the succor of his young
brave, who lay insensible upon the ground, where he had descended in his
heavy fall. Raising him up in his arms he tenderly bore him to the water-side,
where he bathed his temples and used other means to restore him to
consciousness, while he carefully bound up a wound that was freshly bleeding
in his side. At length Ayane opened his eyes and gratefully acknowledging
by a glance of affection the kindness of his chief, breathed a deep
sigh of pain, and again sunk into unconsciousness.

Natanis, distressed for the fate of the young warrior, to whom his soul
was bound with the bonds of more than brotherly love, looked round as if
seeking for assistance. None of his people were visible, and he hastened to
a slight eminence in the centre of the island, where he could obtain a view
of the main on the opposite side of it, where the hunters had surprised the
herd of deer. But he could see only two or three wounded does dragging
themselves to the water, to quench their feverish thirst but all else was without
life.

`They have penetrated the forest and are now lost to sight. I will give
the hunting cry of recall, though it may bring upon me even a band of my
foes. Ayane must not perish, but be borne to our lodges by some of the
warriors. Poor Ayane! This thou hast suffered to save me. I had rather
it had been me than thee, for thou hast the love of a gentle maiden, whose
eyes will weep tears of grief for thee. But I am alone.'

As he spoke he raised his fingers to his lips, and the shores of the lake
and the deep forests beyond, rung and echoed with the shrill eagle-cry of
the young chief. Again the wild alarm of the hunter rose upon the air,
rising note after note, till the very eagles of the cliffs on the river, soared
from their eyries and answered it from the sky. But no human reply reached
his ears.

With a look of disappointment he hastened back to his friend whom he
found in a deep, yet suffering sleep. He took him in his arms and bore him
far into the grove where the coolness and shelter invited to repose. Here
he laid him upon a bed of moss, softer than piled velvet; and seating himself
by his side, he took his hand and gazed sadly upon him, forgetful of the
chase, and of all else save the sacred offices of friendship.

The day was drawing to a close, and the long lines of alternate sun-beams
and shadows that the setting sun leaves in his path, were stretching across
the green sward of the island, and Natanis still remained by the stumbering
youth, carefully watching each motion and anxiously regarding every sign
of returning sensibility. Before him was an opening in the trees which
gave him a glimpse from the island across the water into the wood on the
main, and up a narrow and secluded creek that lost itself in the forest-depths,
It was on the side of the island oposite to that on which the herd of deer
had been started, and the inlet had not before been noticed by him, especially
as its mouth was closely shielded by overhanging trees. While his eyes
were absently regarding the spot, he fancied he detected a thin, blue
smoke winding its way over the distant tree tops and gently curling in the
sunny air. He watched the appearance more steadily and was satisfied that
he was not deceived.

`There is a lodge!' he exclaimed with animation; `whether of foe or
friend it matters not! Ayane must have shelter to-night! I will leave him to

[figure description] Page 023.[end figure description]

seek the place whence the smoke issues. Even thy haughty chief Canassa
will not refuse hospitality to his enemy who craves it.

He gazed a few moments anxiously upon the wounded and insensible
young hunter, and seeing that there was no change manifest in his condition,
he was about to rise to depart on his errand, when he felt a tongue licking
his hand. He turned and saw the large, noble stag-hound, whom he had
forgotten, and supposed dead, crouching by his side. Behind him he saw
a trail of blood with which he had died the grass as he slowly dragged himself
over it to his master's side.

`Poor Keenuck!' said Natanis sadly, laying his hand kindly upon his majestic
head; `sorrowing for Ayane I had not a thought for thee. The fierce
stag has torn thee terribly, poor dog!'

Keenuck looked gratefully and affectionately with his blood shot and heavy
eyes up into the face of his friend, stretched forth his shaggy neck to
lick his hand once more, and then keeping his fading eyes upon his countenance,
till the slowly drooping lid shut in his sight forever, the faithful
creature, with just strength enough to lay his head upon his master's knee,
sighed heavily and died.

Natanis surveyed him a few moments with a look of melancholy regret,
and then, brushing a manly tear from his eyes, he hastened to the shore and
cast himself into the canoe.

CHAPTER IV. The Indian Maid.

[figure description] Page 024.[end figure description]

The young Chief, after reaching the water-side, had returned for Ayane,
and placed him in the canoe, still sleeping. He then seized the slender paddle
and propelled the light, birchen bark across the space between the island
and the shore, with the speed of an arrow, the bright, orange-colored
sides of the graceful canoe shining like gold as they glanced in the level
beams of the sun. He soon reached the entrance of the inlet, and shot his
boat forward between its green banks, stooping low as he passed into it to
avoid the bending branches that arched over it, nearly meeting in the centre.

The inlet was winding and narrow, with so dense a covering of foliage
suspended from vines that swung from tree to tree, that the sun-light only
penetrated it here and there, through a larger opening in the verdant canopy.
It was like entering, and sailing far into a cavern of foliage.

Natanis did not regard the solitude or the singular beauty of the tortuous
canal up which he was moving; but with one object in view, the safety and
shelter of his young friend, he steadily ascended the stream, his passage
disturbing many a singing bird on its leafy branch, and startling many a
fawn from its covert. He had been advancing up the inlet for about ten
minutes in this way, when he saw appearing before him through the trees
a bright sunny knoll rising gently from the water; and he pushed forward
to reach the bright scene. In a few moments he emerged from the umbrageous
inlet into the loveliest spot his eyes had ever beheld, or his fancy had
ever painted. He suspended his paddle in the act of cleaving the water to
gaze around him. There was, just before him a lovely basin scooped out
by nature from a table of the purest marble, and into it, from the top of a
dark green rock, leaped a glittering cascade. The sound of its ceaseless
fall filled the place with a soothing murmur, with which was mingled the
rippling of a score of mimic torrents, which, clambering over the brim of
the vast marble basin which was overrunning to its edge, leaped sparkling
and laughing down the rocky sides, or flowed smoothly and shining over
the green sward to mingle with a deep pool in which the inlet up which
he had come, lost itself. The verge of the pool was hung with the richest
mosses, and around the basin, on the terrace above it, clambered vines and
other creeping plants in full and brilliant flower, loading the air with clouds
of perfume. Upon the summit of the white marble precipice, the dazzling
surface of which was every where relieved by a net-work of foliage-laden
tendrils and gorgeous boquets of blooming shrubs planted by the tasteful
hand of nature in every crevice that would nourish a green plant; upon the
summit, over all, was a fringe of cedars and laurel-trees, forming against
the sky a rich and beautiful outline to the lovely scene below. The whole
place was sheltered by the encroaching forest, and seemed a fit abode for
that Indian Fairy, called the `Lady of the Waters and Woods.'

The scenery, however, did not alone command the surprised attention of
the young Chief. His eyes had discovered in a little valley not twenty paces
wide lying between the bright sun-lit knoll and the basin and carpeted
with the softest green, a group of acacia-trees amid which he thought he
discovered a lodge. He gave a few strokes of his paddle lightly in the water
as if fearing to disturb the calm repose of the beauteous place in which
he found himself, and entered the pool beneath the basin. He now saw

[figure description] Page 025.[end figure description]

plainly that there was a lodge half hid in the group of acacias close by the
water-fall. With a sort of awe and curiosity, but with the situation of
Ayane and his need of succor uppermost in his thoughts, he touched the
moss-clad verge of the dark pool and landed.

He looked, and seeing that his friend continued to sleep with laboured
and heavy breathing, he hastened forward to the lodge which was
not twenty paces distant, up a gentle ascent of natural lawn. He went
forward with the spear grasped in his hand, for he expected to meet foes in
the hunting-grounds of his foes, yet was prepared to crave that hospitality
which no Indian warrior ever refused to his enemy in distress. He had
not gone five steps when a beautiful doe bounded from the other side of the
knoll where it was quietly browzing, and darted with fear towards the lodge.
He saw with surprise that its neck was encircled by a band or circlet of
wampum beautifully ornamented with shells, which jingled musically as it
bounded away. Softly he advanced with a watchful eye lest he should be
surprized, and with a noiseless step that he might not alarm the inmates of
the lodge ere he should reach its threshold. As he entered under the acacias
he saw white shells sterwn upon the ground, and a sort of path-way
leading to the basin. Every thing had an air of singular neatness. The
lodge was tastefully constructed of interwoven garlands. A white deer
skin elaborately embroidered with dyed threads of bark and the glazed quills
of the porcupine, hung before the entrance for a door, but was now partly
drawn aside. Within, the ground was laid thick with bear-skins, and the
sides of the lodge were hung with dressed doe's-hides with ornaments
worked upon them. On every side, as well as that which formed the door,
Natanis saw conspicuous the representation of a bear's claw grasping a
hunting-spear, which he knew to be the device of the Nerijewic chief, Canassa.
He, therefore, knew that this was not only a lodge of this tribe, but
of some one of Canassa's family; and he was too familiar with the customs
of the Indian race to be told that the occupant of this lodge was a female,
and perhaps a maiden; for there was upon the floor of the lodge, a pair of
mocassins of delicate workmanship, and of a size, both together, not longer
than the length and breadth of Scarlet Feather's hand. He saw, also,
a beautiful tiara of feathers hanging upon an antler above a fawn's skin,
that served as a couch for the occupant, and near it, upon another horn of
the antler, a mantle of golden, orange and green colored feathers curiously
woven together, and forming a magnificent mantle.

When Natanis saw the tiara and the mantle he stepped back with respectful
awe; for he knew that none else than a princess of the tribe could be
the tenant of that fair home. He then remembered that he had heard that
Canassa had a daughter exceedingly beautiful. With an emotion of diffidence
such as became a young Chief, he drew back from the door of the
lodge, refusing to enter it, and looked eagerly around for the mistress of
that charming habitation; for he felt not only a curiosity to behold the
daughter of his foe, but he felt that in her, his young friend would find a
protector and a careful nurse; for he knew the skill and gentleness of the
daughters of the forest and that their benevolence acknowledged no distinction
between friend and foe.

Scarlet Feather was, also, by no means unimpressed with the startling
fact that the lodge of Canassa and those of his warriors could not be far
from the spot where that of the Prince's was found. But Natanis knew no
fear; and, so that he had his friend in safety he thought not of himself.
Nevertheless, he did not intermit that caution and circumspection which
was needful; for, if it were possible to find shelter for Ayane without falling
in with Canassa or any of his people, Natanis would gladly have avoided
meeting them; especially as he reflected that he had brought upon himself
his present difficulties, by an act of hostility upon the very domains of

[figure description] Page 026.[end figure description]

his hereditary foe. Being, therefore, uncertain how Canassa might receive
him, he was desirous of finding the princess, and securing first her
favor and her protection for his young friend. He therefore turned aside
from the lodge, and followed the shell-path towards the basin, for he had
discovered light foot-prints leading in that direction from the door of the
lodge. He was also quite confident she must be near, as the doe, which he
supposed to be her pet, after skipping to the side of the marble terrace stopped
and gazed wistfully behind a rocky wall by which a portion of the basin
was hidden from him. He approached the doe, when the animal, with
a startled look, made a sudden leap behind the rock and disappered.

`Neta, what has alarmed you, my gentle doe?' said a soft, musical voice
which distinctly reached his ear from that side of the basin which was hidden
from him by the rock behind which the doe had bounded.

He stood transfixed with delightful surprise. The sound of the sweet,
lute-like tones he had heard not only fell upon his ear, but thrilled across
the chords of his heart as if love's invisible finger had swept them. With
a richer color deepening the olive hne of his brow and cheek, he advanced
softly, and lightly ascending the rock which overhung the basin a few feet
above it, he looked down. Ae he gazed, he held his breath lest he should
scare the beautiful vision away which met his eye.

Just beneath him, upon a bank of moss softer in texture than the velvets
that cover the thrones of Empresses, and of a richer green thau the emeralds
that sparkle upon their diadems was seated, half-reelining, a young Indian
girl. She could not be eighteen summers old. She sat with one little
bewitching brown foot dropped to the depth of the exquisitely turned ancle,
into the pellucid water, her fringed leggings of the softest doe-skin being
rolled up to keep them dry. Upon her knee rested its fellow, upon which
she was fastening, with the loveliest fingers in the world, a mocassin no bigger
than Cinderrella's slipper. Her hair was as black as the coat of a raven,
and hung around her in luxuriant, wavy masses, covering her like a veil; but
beneath it could be seen the folds of a robe of swan's skin, ermined with
the dark azure feathers of the blue-jay. This robe was, however, now partly
thrown back, leaving exposed her perfectly rounded arm naked to the
shoulder. Upon the wrist were half a dozen massive silver bracelets, but
upon the shapely, taper fingers of her hand there was no ring. By her
side watching her, yet trembling from his recent alarm stood the doe which
she still addressed.

`You are easily terrified of late, Neta. Even a buck showing his branching
head upon the top of the cliff, only to look down upon you, and envy
you your happy lot here with me, sets you scampering as if a hunter's cry
had fallen on your timid ears.'

Neta moved her head to this side and that as if listening and trying to
understand her young mistress' words, but still showing signs of fear and
snuffing the air.

`I will soon go and see what has alarmed you. It may be my father with
his warriors has returned from the lake of the Islands, and has sent for me.'
While she was speaking in those soft, melodious accents of her native language
which had fallen so delightfully upon the ear of Natanis, she drew
the other foot from the water, dried it by folding it up as if it were a bird
in the nest of her long, dark hair, and then hid it in the other fairy-like
moccassin. She then rose from her seat and began to gather up the magnificent
mantle of her inky locks, entwining her round, polished arm among
them, and evolving their bewildering mazes through her fiugers, or sweeping
them over her shoulders; her figure displaying in every motion of the
act an elegance, grace, and physical beauty the most perfect. Her face was
now visible as she gracefully threw back her head, and turned half round
in the act of binding the abundant folds of her hair together upon the back
and neck.

[figure description] Page 027.[end figure description]

The sight of her countenance caused Natanis to experience a sensation
of the most enthusiastic delight. Its faultless beauty filled him with surprise
and admiration, and as he gazed upon it, his heart throbbed with emotions
he had never known before.

Her olive and delicately-rounded forehead, half-hid by, and lying deep in
the shadow cast by her hair; her pencilled brows; her large, glorious eyes,
black as the starless night, yet flashing with fire like the dark cloud from
which the lightning darts forth: the long lashes, so long that they lay upon
the soft cheek, and curved laughingly back; the exquisite finish of her narrow,
strait nose; the short, upper lip carved so delicately, yet so beautifully
matching its mate, which was a thought riper and fuller; the small, round
chin, and exquisitely turned throat, the proud, deer-like carriage of the superb
head, with the slender grace of her plant, ungirded figure presented a
model for the Grecian sculptor who would create a youthful Dian in her
native charms.

The expression of her face was gentle, kind and sweet-tempered, with a
certain spirited tone which increased its fascination. Having bound her
tresses low upon the back of her head, with a narrow band of scarlet wampum,
she said to Neta in a playful, reproachful tone,

`Now, my wild one, let us see who has frightened you. I could not go
with you bare-footed, and with my locks sweeping the ground, lest, instead
of my tather, I should meet some one of the young braves of my own
tribe.'

She then lightly bounded across a little chasm through which a stream of
water gushed, and swinging herself round the rock, followed by the doe,
proceded towards the cabin, her step light as a roe's, and full of incomparable
grace. Natanis remained unseen upon the rock above her, and suffered
her to pass him, admiring her as she moved. He then rose, and gently
followed her. The doe, with quicker instincts to detect a stranger's presence
instantly saw the first movement made by the young chief, and stopping,
gazed full upon him with ears erect! The maiden turned round to see
what produced Neta's alarm, and her eyes fell upon the stately form of the
youthful chieftain. She saw at a glance that he was not a warrior of her
father's tribe; yet, instead of flying in alarm she stopped to gaze, struck
with admiration at his noble and manly beauty; and perhaps equally arrested
by the tenderness and gentle interest with which he fixed his eyes
upon her.

Half-flying, yet fixed to the spot, Willewa stood for several seconds regarding
him with curiosity and wonder. His respectful manner excluded
from the first all sense of fear. At length Natanis advanced, crossing his
hands upon his breast in token of amity. She moved not, but stood trembling
even as her doe had done when receiving its chiding from her lips.—
With her dark, Castillian eyes lowered timidly to the earth, the olive hue of
her cheek becoming each moment rosier and rosier, she awaited his approach.

`Daughter of Canassa,' he said with that native courtesy of manner which
in the Indian is so polished, `Stur of the forest, Natanis, Chief of the Abanaquies
craves your hospitality.'

`Natanis, the Abanaquis!' she repeated, raising her eyes and fixing them
full upon him with surprise, while she drew back with a slight emotion of
fear.

`Such is your suppliant, fair maiden of the Fountains!' he said involuntarily
dropping before her own; `a warrior and chief of a nation hostile to
thine, yet,' he added in a tone which love modulated most musically, `but
not to thee!'

`Why art thou here, Natanis!' she asked quickly and earnestly, her heart
evidently interested in the stranger, foe though he was to her race.—

[figure description] Page 028.[end figure description]

`Knowest thou not that these are the hunting-grounds of Canassa? Why
art thou here, except,' she added, resting her eyes steadily upon his face,
`except thou comest as an enemy at the head of thy braves?'

`No, fair Rose of the Woodland,' he said smiling. `I am not here to war
with Canassa! I came with the hunting-knife in my belt, not with the war-hatchet
in my hand. I and a party of thirty hunters were on our way to
the mountains, and I passed through these forests, hunting as we went.'

`And yet thou sayest thou dost not come for war! Will Canassa let his
foe traverse his hunting-grounds and not offer him battle?'

`Nay, I sought not hostilities with thy father, fair Strawberry of the wil
derness! Last year Canassa and his braves pursued my deer through the
very smokes of lodges of my people when I and my warriors were absent
I have now entered his territories to show the haughty Nerijewec that
Natanis will not suffer an insult like this to pass without retaliation.'

`True, Natanis; I know my father was the aggressor. But why art thou
here alone? why crave the hospitality of the daughter of the foe?'

`Maiden! gentle Fawn of the forest, Natanis prays thee to hear his words
In our chase I came upon the beautiful lake not far distant in which is an
island. Seeing upon it a stately stag, I took a boat and accompanied by a
young warrior Ayane, landed upon the island. After a severe battle, the
stag was slain, first slaying my faithful dog, and then grievously wounding
my young brave, a youth dearer to me than a brother, nay! I love him as
would love a sister! he was gored by the antlers of the enraged stag, tossed
into the air and fell severely hurt. He has been, since then insensible, and
seeing on the main-land in this direction the smoke of a lodge, I placed him
in the canoe and found this place. I stood before your lodge, but finding
from its furniture that it was that of a daughter of the chief I did not enter
but sought you following your doe which I alarmed. I beheld you at the
fountain, and, unseen by you, gazed upon you; and as I gazed, my heart
was filled with love, and I no more remembered that thy father and I went
foes.'

The Indian maiden listened with blushes and a look of sweet delight
playing about her lovely mouth, and sparkling within the depth of her
heavily-fringed, down-cast eyelids.

`If Natanis seeks the hospitality of Willewa for his friend, her lodged
open to him!' she answered with animation, yet with a modesty which
beautifully became her at such a time. `Where is the youth?'

Natanis led the way to the canoe, and pointed in silent grief to the young
brave who still lay as he had left him. The pity and compassion of her
sex was at once awakened, and forgetful of all else but her hospitality, she
made Natanis bear the wounded Abanaquis to her lodge, and heaping up the
skins for his couch had him laid carefully upon them. She then placed her
fingers upon his pulse, and as she held them them there, Natanis thought
he would gladly take Ayane's place to have her gentle touch thus laid upon
him. Willewa, like all Indian maidens was a skilful leech, and knew not
only how to dress wounds, but what was good for healing them, and also
she knew how to prepare and apply the medicaments her skill extracted
from the numerous plants which grew in the forests.

She saw at once that bleeding must first be resorted to, and, assisted by
Natanis, who, by her direction bound up his arm with his wampum girdle,
she performed the operation with a very sharp flint. The result bore honorable
testimony to her skill. for in a few minutes the heavy breathing of
the sleeper subsided, his pulse became calm, and the fever diminished. He
soon opened his eyes, smiled on seeing Natanis, and gazed with admiring
surprise upon the beauteous Indian girl. Willewa then gave him a small
piece of fragrant gum to dissolve in his mouth. It was a narcotic, and
under its influence Ayane again slept, but this time in a natural manner.

[figure description] Page 029.[end figure description]

`He will wake with strength,' said the maiden.

`I cannot thank you, fairest Willewa,' said Natanis with grateful emotion.
`You have saved the life of my friend, and filled my bosom with joy. But
lovely Willewa, Pearl of my eyes,' he said with deep passion, `you have inflicted
in the heart of Natanis a deeper wound than even Ayane has received,
and you only can heal it.'

`Natanis is not hated by Willewa,' softly answered the maiden with touching
naturalness of word and air.

`Can Wilewa love Natanis?'

`Scarlet Feather is the foe of our race!'

`Willewa shall be as the incense of the Calumet of Peace to both nations.
In the loves of Willewa and Natanis, the hatred of the Abanaquies
and Nerijewecs shall be forgotten; the tribes of our people shall be one, and
the Kennebis shall no longer divide our hunting-grounds; for the smokes
of the council fires of Canassa and Natanis shall mingle together, and the
young Ahanaquis hunter shall pursue the stag side by side with the young
men of thy tribe.'

`Willewa's heart speaks with Natanis; but with her lips she says that the
daughter of Canassa can never be the wife of Abanaquis.'

`Canassa shall hear Natanis speak,' answered the young chief with energy,
while his eye sparkled with hope and joy. `If Willewa loves Natanis
with her heart, Canassa shall yet take the hand of Natanis and clasp it in
peace,'

An hour passed, an hour of exquisite happiness to the young lover, when
they were startled by a shrill cry which rung through the forest, and reechoed
from the marble cliff above their heads.

`It is my father: he has returned from the lake!' cried Willewa in alarm.
`He may visit me here; fly!'

`And leave Ayane?'

`I will protect him, noble Natanis. Let not Canassa behold you now. I
must first talk with my father. Come with me.'

Prevailed upon by her, Natanis suffered her to guide him by a steep path
up the precipice, passing, as they went directly underneath, the sheet of
water which formed the cascade. The day had already closed, and it was
now moonlight. On reaching the top, which was eighty feet above the basin,
she led him through the low wood of cedars and laurel, and stopping
on the verge of a precipice on the other side bade him look down. He
obeyed her, and saw by the clear light of the moon an extensive valley below
varied by mound and gave and shining lakes. From the midst, the
blaze of a hundred lodge-fires flashed upon his sight, and far and wide he
discovered the smokes of habitations.

`You see the danger you have exposed yourself to, Natanis,' said the maiden
earnestly. `Those are the national lodges of the Nerijewecs. That
lodge to the right, not far distant, is that of Canassa. Remain here until I
return for you; for you and my father must not meet before I have placed in
your path the calumet of peace.'

As she spoke, she left him and descended the precipice by a path-way
leading down into the valley at his feet. In a few moments he saw her light
form in motion in the direction towards the lodge of Canassa.

CHAPTER V. The Lover's Plot.

[figure description] Page 030.[end figure description]

Whatsoever was the nature of the interview between the fair
and her father, the result did not answer her hopes and wishes
turned to Natanis with a sad countenance, and told him that he must not
linger in the hunting-grounds of his foe, for the spirit of Canassa was unyieldingly
hostile towards him. She informed him that, owing to the absence
of her father with his warriors, the presence of the Abanaquis
ting parties in his territories had not yet been discovered, and
ly urged him to leave with his parties at once, ere an
people of her nation should render any reconciliation between
hopeless. The maiden then bade him return to the lodge and
his friend, and leave with him in the canoe in the morning,
rections by which he could reach the Keunebis by water. She
him to retire to a lodge she also had near her father's and
him in the morning at dawn.

`You will not be interrupted to-night, Natanis,' she said, `so
remain secure in the lodge with Ayane. No warrior of our
ters the glen of the Cascades after night-fall. This place is
daughter of their Chief.'

The next morning the maiden appeared at dawn in the door of
She was happy at finding her patient quite refreshed and strong
from pain. In a few minutes Natanis took leave of the lovely
leaving her his heart, and bearing hers away with him. He left
by a narrower inlet than that by which he had entered it, and in
launched his light canoe upon the dark waters of the swiftly
nebis. At noon he had restored Ayane to the lodge of his
ing him under the fond care of a maiden of his tribe, scarcely
than the daughter of Canassa, he turned back to follow again
party. It was not until the next day that he fell in with them
dezvous he had appointed, when, joining them they pursued the
the mountains of the wilderness.

The passion of Natanis for the beauteous Willewa grew
day, and he resolved in his heart that if Canassa refused him
marriage, he would, with her consent, make her his bride by
Her image filled his thoughts during all his hunting excursions,
mantic was the influence of his love for her, and whatever belong
upon his mind, that he forbade, for the sake of Neta, any of
slaying a doe. His warriors readily obeyed him, for he had
when assembled around the fires of their common hunting-lodge
of his adventures, and how the fair daughter of Canassa had
of Ayane who was greatly beloved by all his companions. And
anis, after reciting to them, with all the eloquence of love, the
hospitality, and impassionedly deseribing her grace, beauty and
told them that he intended to make her his bride, they clashed
spears together in rude acclamations, and shouted aloud the
anis and Willewa.'

The idea of uniting the two tribes under their own chief was
to these warriors; for they knew that when Canassa should die,

[figure description] Page 031.[end figure description]

would be in the hands of the Abanaquis. The union, there
might be agreeable to the tribe of Natanis, would, for the same
likely to be opposed by the equally haughty and ambitious braves
.

now given an account of the manner in which our hero first met
lovely Willewa, we will return to the thread of our story which we
for this purpose, and let the Indian girl explain in her own
Natanis, her object in seeking him at his lodge.

had planted his lodge there two nights before for the purpose of
the object of his love, and frequently enjoying her society, which
by secretly visiting her at the fountain, though running great risks
very; for, as the invasion of his hunting-grounds by the young
chief and his party had been discovered by Canassa, his hunters
on the alert. To be thus near Willewa, Natanis had se
his own warriors at their national lodges, not telling them whither
going, keeping his secret even from his friend Ayane, well knowing
try to dissuade him from exposing himself to the chance of falling
hands of the Nerijewecs. The place he had selected was on the
if his own hunting-grounds, and he chose it for its beauty and se
more than for its safety; for he had boldly raised his lodge on the
of the river, though the spot was shut in by lofty, wooded hills. At
he is introduced to the reader standing in the door of his cabin,
months had elapsed since he first beheld Willewa. During this
had met six or seven times, the last time, the evening before at the
.

motive which governed Natanis in fixing his abode there, so near
-fires of his foes, was with the intention of inviting Canassa to
see him for the purpose of making proposals for a reconciliation,
union with his daughter. To bring about this end it was decided
the lovers that Willewa should the next day prevail on her father
her alone in his war-canoe from the valley of Lodges into the
if for an excursion merely for her gratification; and that when
in the river she should allure him along the banks until they came
the lodge of Natanis, which she should discover with an excla
if she was not aware of its existence; that Natanis should not be
time, but concealed in the grove, and that she should propose to
to land and visit it. Natanis was then to approach and surprise
and invite the haughty Canassa to accept his hospitality. Wille
to place herself between Natanis and her father to prevent any hos
should the latter show himself disposed to show battle, and as a
, endeavor to make them sitdown together as host and guest,
effected without weapons drawn by him, she and Natanis both
would open a way to a final and permanent reconciliation. Wil
not, of course to let the old Chief suspect she had ever seen the
before.

was the plan upon which they had the last night parted, and it was
been carried into effect that day if possible; but, should Natanis
her during the day it was settled that he was again to visit her at the
in the evening to ascertain what obstacle had intervened. He
, about to proceed to the interview, having had that day, as
and Sharp Knife, instead of the fair Willewa and Canassa,
discovered her standing in the moonlight in front of his lodge.

sat by his side upon the bear-skin he had placed for her outside
, her small hand fluttering as as he held it in his, and her young
heaving with agitation, and the speed with which she had hastened
.

speak Willewa, what have those two little cherries to talk about?

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Had thy father discovered that an Abanaquis has dared to plant his lodge
within sight of the smokes of his council fires, and do you hasten to bid me
fly? I have waited all day, gentle Fawn of my breast; and my eyes have
never ceased watching for thee and Canassa. Impatient, I crossed the river
in my canoe an hour before sunset and followed the trail to thy lodges for a
mile, and then returned disappointed. On my way, I pursued thy father's
game, and slew even a bear that came upon me suddenly. But the skins of
the stag and wild-beast shall be offered to Canassa to-morrow, if he comes
with thee. Why has not my dark-eyed turtle-dove brought with her the
chief of the Nerijewecs to be the guest of Abanaquis?'

`Natanis, the Chief Canassa has this day been holding a council of war,
and he would not listen to the voice of a woman. The words of Willewa
could not enter the ear of the warrior who discoursed only of hattle.'

`Ha! does the Nerijewec sharpen the war-hatchet?' cried Natanis with
surprise, his eyes kindling with courage and the thoughts of battle. `Does
Canassa's war face turn towards the Lodges of the Abanaquies?'

`No, Natanis. My father has no desire to war with thee for thy invasion
of his hunting-grounds; for he regards it but a just retaliation for a like act
of his own hnuters. “Though,” said he to me, “I cannot he the friend of
the Abanaquis, I do not wish to go to war with him. Let the Kennebis flow
ever between us, and its waters shall be as the waters of peace to our borders.”
Perhaps I contributed to this spirit of forbearance,' added Willewa,
`for I discoursed with him of all the long existing feud between our people,
and endeavored to inspire in him thoughts of peace. I even said to him,'
continued the lovely maiden blushing at her own earnestness and sincerity
`that he should not only seek peace with you, but try to bring together the
two tribes, that by union they might gain strength.'

`And did my Singing Robin hint to him how that union might be brought
about?' said Nataniswith a smile, as he gently laid his hand upon her polished
brow, and looked with eloquent love into the deep, dark fountains of
her eyes.

Willewa replied by a slightly reproving look, and her eyes sought the
ground.

`Who, then, fair Star of my soul? who then is Canassa to go to was
with?'

`With the Bostonee.'

`The white brothers upon our borders,' cried Natanis with surprise.—
`Has the English king sent Canassa a war belt filled with gold as he has
done to Sahatis? How know you this, Willewa?' he asked with animation,
his previously tender, playful manner suddenly changed to one of earnest
and serious interest in what she said.

`The great Sachem of the English has sent one of his chiefs to my father
and bade him speak fair words to Canassa. Canassa lent his ears to
him, and the white chief and my father smoked together and Canassa pledged
to the English himself and his warriors. This took place six weeks ago,
Natanis, though I only knew it to-day through my father.'

`This is news, Willewa! what is Canassa's intention? Will he seek the
habitations of the Bostonees? He cannot reach them without crossing the
hunting-grounds of the Abanaquis.'

`Your speech and looks, Natanis, make me tremble, while they assure me,
also, that you are not the enemy of the Bostonees. If Canassa seeks the
habitations of the white settler to war with them, and he crosses your territories,
I fear that there will be strife between thee and him. Whatever happen,
let there be peace, Natanis. But he will not seek the Pale-face. The
Pale face seeks the Indian in his homes.'

`For thy sake, my gentle doe, I will be at peace. But you have not told
me all. What mean your words? What more is on thy tongue?'

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`To-day—this morning, when I sought my father's lodge to allure him
hither, as our plan was, I found him surrounded by his warriors, and holding
council; while in their midst stood an Indian of the Damaresc nation—
one of the swift runners of that sea-board tribe!'

`Why was he in the lodge of the Nerijewec?' demanded Natanis quickly.

`He had come to tell my father that three days before, he had seen from a
high hill, a fleet of many of the white-winged canoes of the Pale-face enter
the river, even the Kennebis on whose banks we now stand! That these
ships bore the scarlet-belted flag of the Bostonees, and that he counted upon
the decks, as they sailed up the river, more than a thousand warriors!'

`A thousand Bostonce warriors!' repeated Natanis starting to his feet with
surprise! `said the Damaresc runner this?'

`He told this to my father; and further, that the fleet had stopped two
hours journey below the falls of Cushnoc, there to build batteaux to ascend
the river further. That he there left them, and hastened to Canassa us the
Chief of a powerful tribe, to communicate the intelligence. My father,
therefore, called a council of war, and as he believes that the Bostonees seek
to possess themselves of his territories, he has unburned the war-hatchet,
and is to day assembling his braves to defend his lodges and his hunting-grounds.
'

Natanis listened with surprise until she had ended, and then remained
thoughtful and silent. He could not realize that the Americans, with whom
he and the Indian tribes had been so long at peace, could so treacherously
come upon them to surprise and destroy them.

`This expedition of war-canoes,' he said with spirit, `cannot be against
me, if against Canassa, as I have made no compact with their foes, the British.
The great Sachem of Boston knows the Abanaquis is not his foe.—
Thou tremblest for thy father! Fear thee not, Willewa; I will see the Chief
of these white warriors in person, and know if danger menaces the Nerijewec.
But how is it that the Damaresc tribe, who are friends, like Canassa,
to the English Sagamore, how is it that it has been passed by, unmolested?
The Kenuebis, up which they have ascended so far, flows past many a lodge
of the Damarese warriors. Yet said he that they had been harmed?'

`No, Natanis; I have yet more to tell thee,' she added, embarrassed; `did
I but know that thou wert truly the friend of the Bostonee.'

`I love not the white man, Willewa, as if he were of my own race. They
are stronger than we, and by and by will overrun us, and we shall be as the
leaves of the last year. Yet I would not war against them, be cause one of
them has been my friend. Dost thou love the Bostonee?'

`I do, Natanis. Listen to my words. Four years ago I went with my
father to the great council of Lodges at the home of the Sachem of Boston.
My father and other warriors went up to hold a council with the white Chief.
There I was taken into the great Chief's lodge, and his daughter loved me,
and told me she was my white sister. She was fair as the lilly, with soft
eyes, like the sky in color, and shining hair flowing upon her shoulders like
the golden tresses of the water-telossa, when the autumn frost dies them
with gold. Her voice was like the song of the Letel in the morning, and
her laugh rung in the ears of Willewa like the wild melody of the birds of
her native woods. Willewa gave the fair daughter of the great white Sachem
all her heart, and loved to sit upon a silken cushion at her feet and
listen to her.'

`Could she speak thy tongue with thee, Willewa?' asked Natanis.

`Not all the words; but what her lips failed to say, her eyes and smiles
more eloquently expressed.'

`What said this blue eyed maiden of the Pale-faces to thee, as thou did'st
sit at her feet?'

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`She asked me if I loved my father. I told her that he was dearer to me
than any on eon earth,—'

`Would'st thou answer her so now, bride of my heart?' inquired Natanis
with mingled tenderness and pride.

`Nay, Natanis; then I did not know thee to love thee,' she answered with
artless sincerity, and lifting to his face her large, gazelle-like eyes with maidenly
joy. `She then asked me why I loved my father; and when I told
her, she said, and sweetly she said it,—

`If you love thus your father, Willewa, because he is kind, and grants
you all your wishes, should you not love more, Him who bestows upon you
your father?'

`She alluded to the Great Spirit, Willewa,' observed Natanis, reverently
laying his hand upon his heart and looking upward with awe to the deep
blue sky, through which the moon was sailing in her silvery car of light,
and over which were spangled a thousand stars, and where, to the eye of
the simple son of the forest, God dwelt in majesty and glory!

`I answered her that I loved the Great Spirit, and that I worshipped him.
She then began to tell me more than my heart could hold, of the majesty,
and power, and goodness of the Great Spirit! She told me how He first
made men good, with gentle hearts, and without a spirit of war and hatred
That there was no enmity then in men's hearts; only love and peace dwelt
there. But man disobeyed and fell under the displeasure of the Great Spirit;
and when he would have destroyed him, his Son interceded, and for his
sake, the Great Spirit spared us! She told me that from that time all the blessings
we have on earth, and all our hopes of dwelling in a land of peace and
love beyond the setting sun, after death, we owe to the love of the Son for us.
That the sun and, moon, and stars shine for us, on His account, for we have
not deserved them on our own; that the seasons roll round, the fruits put
forth, the forests give shade and verdure, that deer and other game are bestowed
upon us for food, and that all our enjoyments came to us through this
good Son of the Great Spirit! This Son, she told me, was all love and benevolence
and peace, and all his desire in return for his goodness to us is,
that we should be like him.'

After this manner did Willewa discourse for several minutes longer to
Natanis, narrating to him in eloquent words the entire outline of the Christian
atonement as it had been taught her by the daughter of the governor on
her visit to Boston. Natanis listened with deep attention. When she had
ended, he said,

`Did not the French Priest, fatherRalle, teach some of your tribes
this?'

`He did, I believe; but I had not been taught it by my father.'

`Is Willewa a Christian?'

`She believes in the Son of the Great Spirit answered the Indian maiden
with touching fervor. `Will Natanis believe?'

`Natanis knows that his father adored the Great spirit of the skies! whom
they worshipped, he will worship. But I will hear thee speak more of this,
Willewa. What you believe, I do not fear to believe. It is for this, then
you are the friend of the Bostonee?'

`I love the daughter of the great Sachem, for she taught me that which
is to make me happy here, and beyond the setting sun, and which I shall
love to teach thee Natanis; it is a faith that will surely find a home in your
noble bosom! For her sake are the Bostonees my friends! What says
Natanis? Are they his?' she asked, looking up into his face with gentle
earnestness.

`They are my friends, also, Willewa.'

`If need be, will Natanis, for my sake, do them service as brothers?'

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