elf to
her.

"What white man ever entered the wigwam of Waqua and was not invited
to a seat on his mat? Who can say that Waqua fastened his eyes on him
like a snake?"

"But see," said the girl, advancing to the portrait, and passing her
hand over its surface; "it is nothing but a cunning painting. Come and
satisfy thyself."

Waqua complied, in part, with Prudence's invitation, feeling some
contempt for a man who would permit such an indignity and advancing to
the picture regarded it with keen and inquisitive glances. He refused,
however, to touch the figure, until Prudence, taking his hand in hers,
placed it on the canvas. But no sooner did he feel the flat surface,
than, uttering a cry of astonishment, he leaped backward, almost
overturning Prudence in his haste, keeping his eyes on the picture,
and ejaculating twice or thrice the expression, "Ugh!"

"What a simple savage thou art," exclaimed Prudence, "I tell thee it
cannot bite. It can neither hear nor see, and thou art a man to be
scared by it!"

The Indian felt the taunt, conveyed quite as much in the tone as in
the words, and without replying, but as if to show that he was above
the feeling of fear, holding the tomahawk in one hand, he passed the
other over the whole surface, as far as he could reach, winding up the
achievement with eyes wild with wonder, and snorting out divers
astonished "ughs!"

CHAPTER X.

"Burned Marmion's swarthy cheek like fire,
And shook his very frame for ire,
And--'this to me!'--he said."

MARMION.

At this moment the Assistant Spikeman entered the room. His advance
had been so noiseless that it was unobserved by either the girl or the
Indian, so entirely were they engrossed by the adventure of the
portrait.

"Whom have we here?" he exclaimed. "Methinks, Prudence, there are
other parts of the dwelling more fit for such visitors."

"I desired to see," said the girl, evasively, "how a savage would act
who never had beholden a painting. There is no great harm in that,"
she added, pouting.

"And doubtless he mistook it for a live man. Master Vandyke had skill,
I trow, to deceive more learned eyes than those of a wild Indian. But,
Prudence, thou knowest that I mean not to chide thee. Far different
words arise spontaneously to my lips. But go, now, and I will pay the
honors to thy red friend."

"He is no more friend of mine than I hope all the world are my
friends," answered the girl, glad to get away to ac