-cha."

With these words, the Indian followed Arundel into the street, walking
in his tracks, and the two pursued their way in the direction of one
of the principal store-houses.

The street led directly by the house of the Assistant Spikeman, and,
as they passed, the eyes of the young man were busy, as was natural,
to discover traces of his mistress. Nor was he doomed to
disappointment. As he came opposite, a casement opened, a small white
hand was thrust out, and beckoned to him. Thus invited, Arundel
stepped within the door, whither he was followed by the savage. In
those days, the simple forest children thought there was no harm in
asking for a hospitality they were ever ready to grant themselves, and
which they considered a duty; nor inasmuch as they never attempted to
take away anything by violence, but thankfully accepted whatever was
offered to them, were their visits generally discouraged. Indeed, the
importance of treating them with indulgence was sedulously inculcated
by both elders and magistrates, as being conducive to their own
security as well as from higher motives. The expediency of such
conduct was so obvious that few were found to disregard it. Hence the
Indians, on their visits to the settlement, were accustomed, if they
wanted food, or to enter the houses for any other purpose, to step in
with the same freedom almost as into their own wigwams. If now and
then a circumstance occurred inconsistent with the sacred duty of
hospitality, it was not considered as reflecting disgrace upon the
whole community, but only on the sordid churl who was the occasion of
it, and whose domicile was ever afterwards carefully avoided.

The young man and his dusky companion were met by Prudence, who, while
conducting them into a room, whispered:

"Why, Master Miles, who expected to see you? People said you was ever
so far away in the woods, living with bears and wolves. Have you got
one here?"

"Poh, poh! pretty Prudence, no one hath better reason to look for me
than thyself, seeing thy message brought me. As for my copper friend,
he is the gentlest savage that ever took a scalp. Do not be
frightened, and clap thy hand on thy head: he will none of thine. But
thy mistress, where is she?"

"I declare, Master Miles, you have scared almost all the breath out of
my body. Oh! how my heart beats! Follow me quick, for I want to get
out of the way."

"Waqua will wait for his brother here," said the young man, turning to