Manito, who,
however, was unable to defeat the sacrifice. The countenance of
Ohquamehud brightened, and he began again to collect the brush
and scattered sticks. From hollows, in the butts of old trees, and
recesses under projecting cliffs, he succeeded in finding enough dry
fuel to start the fire anew, and soon it shot up a bright bold flame
as before. "O, Manito!" he softly said, "thou art not angry--receive
my gift." Again, he threw tobacco into the fire, and, this time, no
portent interposed. The greedy flame seized upon the dry leaves, which
crackled in the heat, and bore them on its shining billows high into
the air. The fire continued burning till all was consumed, and the
heap sent up only a spiral of indistinct smoke.

The importunity of Ohquamehud had wrung from the Genius the consent
which he solicited. The gratified Indian stretched out his hand, and
again spoke--

"O, Manito, thanks! The heart of Ohquamehud is strong. When he
journeys towards the setting sun, his feet shall bound like those of a
deer, for the scalp of Onontio will hang at his girdle."

He glided into the woods and disappeared, ignorant that any one had
been a witness of his actions. But, Quadaquina, from an evergreen
thicket, had watched all his motions. As the form of Ohquamehud became
dimmer in the distance, the boy could not repress his exultation at
the success of his ambush, but gave it vent in a whistle, imitating
the notes of the whipperwill. It caught the ear of the Indian, and he
turned, and as he did so, the boy threw himself on the ground. The sun
had hardly set. It was too early for the bird to be heard, which never
commences his melancholy chant until the shades of evening are spread
over the dewy earth. The eyes of Ohquamehud sent sharp glances in the
direction whence the whistle came, but he could discern nothing. He
listened for awhile, but the sounds were not repeated, and wondering
what they could mean--for he relied too implicitly on his senses
to suppose his imagination had deceived him--he resumed his course
homeward. Presently, Quadaquina slowly rose, and, perceiving no one in
sight, followed in the same direction.

The boy, at first, walked deliberately along; but, after, as he
supposed, a considerable interval was interposed between him and the
Indian, he quickened his steps, in order to more at about the same
rate as the other. He had cleared the clumps of trees next to the
Falls, and crossed the open fields,