as the sun-flower to the
sun?"

"The Great Spirit loves the Long Beard, and the Long Beard loves his
red brethren."

"What! a Yenghese love an Indian? Yes, as a wild-cat loves the deer
when he sucks his blood, as the water loves the fire it extinguishes.
The lips of Peena speak foolishness."

"If Peena feel grateful to the Long Beard, why should that anger her
brother? Could he look into her heart, he would see his face as in a
clear stream."

It was not in human nature to withstand the soft voice and pleading
looks of the woman. The momentary fierceness passed away from the
countenance of the Indian, a milder expression assumed its place, and,
in a gentle tone, he said--

"Peena shall hear. She is like a stone which, when spoken to, repeats
not what is said, and not like a brook that sings an idle song. My
words shall enter her ears, but they will not descend to her tongue.
Listen! the Manitou has troubled my thoughts, and sent a bird to tell
me, that the hands of the Long Beard are red with the blood of my
brothers."

"It was a lying bird," she exclaimed vehemently; "it was an owl that
hooted untruth from the dark. When lifted the Long Beard a hatchet
against my tribe?"

"The voice was as the voice of the waterfall," he continued. "It spoke
indistinctly, and I understood but half."

"Why should not Ohquamehud talk with the Long Beard? The words of each
shall be sweet to the other, and they will learn to have one heart."

"It is well," said the Indian, "Peena is a wise woman, and Ohquamehud
will speak with the white man."

It needed only the suggestion of the squaw to carry into effect a
resolution already more than half adopted.

The Indian rose, and proceeding to the river, which was but a dozen
rods distant from the hut, unloosed a canoe, and directing its course
up the stream, was lost, in a few moments, from her view.

The appearance of Ohquamehud indicated no hostility when he presented
himself before the Recluse, whom he found weaving baskets in front
of his cabin, nor did his visit seem to surprise the latter. For an
instant the Indian looked with disdain upon an employment which his
wild education had taught him was fit only for women; but suppressing
the expression of a sentiment that might have interfered with his
purpose, with a quiet dignity, and, as if in answer to a wave of
Holden's hand, he seated himself on a large stone by his side. For
a time he was silent, as if either out of defer