uess, completely overcame me."

"Somethin' queer come over you, no mistake."

"Well, if you don't like to see it, I will try and repress it in
future."

"I hope you will when I'm about."

The two hurried on without further conversation for some time. At noon
they made a shorter halt than usual, as Kent informed Leslie that, by
pressing forward, they could gain the region of the savages by
nightfall. As the afternoon advanced, the experienced eye of the hunter
began to detect unmistakable signs of the presence of Indians.

Leslie could not repress his agitation as he realized that every minute
was bringing him nearer and nearer to the object of his desires. Fear
and hope filled him, and he was alternately gladdened by the one and
tormented by the other.

He did not notice that Kent had changed his direction, and was
proceeding more cautiously than before; he only knew that he was
following closely in his footsteps, and relying entirely upon his
guidance.

All at once the hunter came to a stop, and laid his hand upon Leslie's
arm. He looked up, and there, before him, was the Indian village. Kent
had conducted him to a sort of rising ground, which afforded them a
complete view of it, while the forest gave them an effectual
concealment.

"Is this the place?" asked he, in astonishment.

"This is the place," answered the ranger.

Leslie feasted his eyes a long time upon the scene before he withdrew
his gaze. Every wigwam was visible, and the squaws and children could be
seen passing to and fro through the sort of street or highway. Many of
the warriors were gathered in groups, and reclined upon the ground,
lazily chatting; while their far better halves were patiently toiling
and drudging at the most difficult kinds of work.

Leslie scanned each form that came under his eye, in the hope of
distinguishing _one_; but he was disappointed, and compelled to see the
night closely settle over the village without obtaining a glimpse of
her. "After all," he thought, "she may not be there, and I am doomed to
be frustrated, at last." But again hope whispered in his ear, and
rendered him impatient for the hour when his fate must be decided.

The moon arose at about midnight, consequently, all that was to be done
must be done before that time. As soon as it had become fairly dark, so
that Leslie was unable to distinguish anything in the village, he seated
himself beside Kent to ascertain his intentions.

"The time," said h