pects--in costume, and humble bearing--she resembled the
women of the soil.

I would not willingly inflict on the reader too much of my private
feelings and opinions, but perhaps I may be excused for saying that I
fell over head and ears in love with this creature at once! I make no
apology for being thus candid. On the contrary, I am prepared rather to
plume myself on the quick perception which enabled me not only to
observe the beauty of the girl's countenance, but, what is of far more
importance, the inherent goodness which welled from her loving eyes.
Yes, reader, call me an ass if you will, but I unblushingly repeat that
I fell--tumbled--plunged headlong in love with her. So did every other
man in the camp! There is this to be said in excuse for us, that we had
not seen any members of the fair sex for many months, and that the sight
of this brilliant specimen naturally aroused many pleasant recollections
of cousins, sisters, nieces, aunts, mothers, grandmothers--well, perhaps
I am going too far; though, after all, the tender, loving-kindness in
this girl's eyes might well have suggested grandmothers!

Before any of us could recover the use of our limbs, Big Otter had
glided rapidly towards the girl. Grasping her by the hand, he led her
towards Lumley, and introduced her as his sister's daughter, Waboose.

The red-man was evidently proud as well as fond of his fair niece, and
equally clear did it become in a short time that the girl was as fond
and proud of him.

"Your relative is very fair," said Lumley. "She might almost have been
the daughter of a white man."

"She _is_ the daughter of a white man."

"Indeed!"

"Yes; her father was a white hunter who left his people and came to
dwell with us and married my sister. He was much loved and respected by
us. He lived and hunted and went on the war-path with us for many
years--then he was killed."

"In war?" I asked, beginning to feel sympathetic regard for the father
of one who had stirred my heart to--but, I forget. It is not my
intention to bore the reader with my personal feelings.

"No," answered the Indian. "He perished in attempting to save his wife
from a dangerous rapid. He brought her to the bank close to the head of
a great waterfall, and many hands were stretched out to grasp her. She
was saved, but the strength of the brave pale-face was gone, and we knew
it not. Before we could lay hold of his hand the current swept him away
and ca