erprising young
man from a "neighboring village," twenty miles distant, called to
invite Mr. Payson to join himself and "Miss Eliza" in marriage.

The last winter the missionary's family had occupied rooms at the
hotel. Mrs. Payson had been growingly unhappy from dread of the
Indians, and often said to her husband,--

"Our lot is just such a place as they would be likely to come to
first."

Mr. Payson did not share this fear; but, on account of her feelings,
the generous-hearted landlord offered them rooms for the winter rent
free.

The winter had gone by without any adverse occurrence. Tom had been
prospering in his studies under the missionary's direction, working
for his board in the family of one of the town owners, just opposite
the hotel; so it was but a step for him to the missionary's when he
wished to recite.

"Will you be able to hear my recitation this afternoon?" asked Tom, as
Mr. Payson came down the hotel steps.

"Yes," replied the missionary. "I am called away this morning, but I
think I shall get back in season."

That afternoon, as Tom sat in the missionary's front room, absorbed in
a book, the furious barking of a dog disturbed him. He glanced out of
the window, and saw, to his surprise, an Indian. The savage had
turned, facing the hotel, rifle in his hand, and, with flashing eyes,
was driving back a large mastiff that had attacked him. Tom was struck
with the singular intelligence and beauty of the young savage. He was
a shade lighter than most of his race, had large, dark, expressive
eyes, regular and finely-cut features, a symmetric form, and his
luxuriant black hair, which was of great length, was dressed with most
elaborate care, and the ornaments that he wore about his person, and
his blanket, were better than those usually worn by Indians.

From the Indian's manner, Tom concluded that he suspected the dog was
set upon him by some white person. The bearing of the red man was
lofty, collected, and defiant. In an instant Tom sprang down the
front stairs, and called the dog off. The Indian, glancing at the lad,
went stolidly on his way, up the main street, through the village,
till he was hidden from view by the trees on the missionary's land.

Mrs. Payson and her children stood at the window, watching the
retreating figure of the Indian with mingled fear and admiration.

"Isn't he handsome?" exclaimed the elder of the little girls.

"He certainly is very intelligent looking," remarked