could not break that oath, though it cost him so much. He had
not allowed any of the people in the village to see me all this time, as
he was afraid that they might prevent my going away. He set off with
me, therefore, very early in the morning, and as I knew the way I had
come from the place where he found me, I was able to lead him directly
to the canoe. He was very sad at parting from me, and sighed much, and
made me promise that I would come back to him again if I could. I found
the canoe safe, as no one had passed that way. He asked me if I was not
afraid of remaining by myself, but with a laugh I told him no; that I
had often been out in the forest alone; that I would sleep in the canoe
that night, and be away by dawn in the morning. Still he seemed very
sorry to let me go, as he wanted to tell me more of the wonderful things
about which he had spoken, and the happy country of spirits to which
good men go. He said, therefore, that he would not leave me till he had
seen me begin my voyage. We lighted a fire, therefore, and cooked some
birds which we had shot as we came along, and then when it was time to
go to sleep, while I lay down in my canoe, he climbed up into a tree
above me, and lay down among the thick branches, so that he could watch
me.

"It was just daylight when I heard his voice telling me that it would be
time for me to begin my voyage, after I had had some more food. He then
kneeling down, prayed to his God to take care of me, and blessed me; and
then kissing my brow, helped to force the canoe out into the stream. As
I turned my head several times I saw him still standing on the bank
watching me, till I could see him no longer. As the current was with
me, I got back early in the day, before my grandfather and the other men
who had gone out hunting had come back. None of the squaws dared to ask
where I had been, nor whether any other girls had accompanied me; so I
went into my grandfather's hut, and waited till he had come back.

"When he appeared, he was too glad to see me to be angry; indeed, he
never has been angry with me since I can remember, but has looked upon
me as above every one else in the tribe, so that I can come and go as I
like. I would not say where I had been all that day, but the next I
told him of my long voyage up the river, how I had hurt my foot in the
woods, and had been helped by the strange white man. On hearing this,
he replied that the white man must be a wick