Sybil his wife, and to give in exchange
for her, peltries and robes sufficient to fill the store-house of the
fort. Captain Mackintosh answered, with due caution, that it was not
the custom of English ladies to marry unless they could give their
hearts to the persons who desired to possess them, nor that of fathers
to receive payment; but that he would tell his daughter of the honour
the chief intended her, although he would hold out no prospect that she
would consent to quit her home, and become the bride of one whose people
differed so much in their habits and customs, as well as in their
religion, from his.

On this, Mysticoose declared that he would be ready to learn the
religion of the pale-faces and adopt their customs, and entreated that
he might be allowed the opportunity of declaring his sentiments to the
maiden.

Captain Mackintosh, though very much annoyed, kept his countenance as
well as his temper, and endeavoured to persuade the chief that he could
find a far more suitable wife among his own people, with whose beauty he
would be satisfied, and who would labour for him like her sisters in
general. All he could say, however, did not appear to have any effect
in turning the young chief from his purpose; but, on the contrary, he
grew more and more eager, as if determined to succeed.

All the time Sybil, unconscious that she was the subject of
conversation, went on with her sketch; and as she drew rapidly, she
succeeded in producing a very exact portrait of the savage warrior.

Norman, who had been attending to his duties in the store, now returned,
and looking over Sybil's shoulder exclaimed--

"Capital! It's Mysticoose himself." Snatching it from her hand, he
held it up to the chief, saying, "What do you think of that, my friend?
It's wonderfully like you, isn't it?"

Mysticoose started as he saw it, without making any reply; and rapidly
advancing towards the young lady, endeavoured to take her hand. She
instinctively drew back, and stepped behind Effie.

On meeting with this rebuff, the chief stopped short, and addressed
Sybil, expressing in glowing language his admiration of her charms.
Though she could not understand his words, she could not fail to suspect
their meaning. Norman, however, who was sufficiently acquainted with
the language of the Blackfeet to make out the meaning of the speech--
though the expressions were too elaborate for him to follow--not
possessing the discretion of his fa