the dark wilds
among her own people. Perhaps her heart, that wonderful controller of
human destiny, was in the keeping of some extolled brave: at all events,
it was not in the scenes that were passing before her; and the efforts so
generously put forth for her amusement and happiness were like the crystal
droppings upon the hard insensible stone, falling in full profusion, but
leaving no impress.

Mary was detained about a year, and was then given in charge of the
fisherman who captured her, with express directions that she should be
taken to the spot where he found her, and there be left to her own
guidance. She was richly clad and profusely decorated before she was given
her liberty, and was furnished with a large quantity of finery for
distribution among the members of her tribe. It was hoped that this
treatment, when communicated by one of their own blood, would cause a
change of feeling among the Red Indians, and that gradually a reciprocity
of confidence and intercourse would be established. But this experiment
and this hope proved futile and delusive. In 1836 I left the island of
Newfoundland, and up to that time not a glimpse of the red race had
flitted across the vision of civilization since the dark captive was
permitted again to bound over hill and dale without let or hindrance. Many
idle reports and tales were circulated about Mary May, after meeting with
her tribe; but little reliance is placed upon them, as they are for the
most part contradictory, and strongly savor of the marvellous. But I will
give the reader one, which is as well authenticated as any, and quite as
probable.

On the second day after Mary was liberated, she found a portion of her
people; and when they first saw her, they were much alarmed, judging from
her fanciful, brilliant habiliments that she was some celestial visiter.
But hearing their own language addressed to them, the parentage of the
girl, and the cause of her absence, they became gradually calm, and
curiosity took the place of fear, and this gave place to admiration, until
the lost one was fairly constituted by acclamation a goddess, and to her
surprise and grief, worshiped as such! The daughter's return had been
communicated to the father, with such exaggerations and extravagances as
pertain to the grossly superstitious; and he, instead of falling upon his
child's neck, and receiving her as the lost found, came bowing and doing
reverence and worship. Mary was bewildered, an