iots something
supernatural, and call them 'Great Medicine.'"

"Yes, that's true enough," said Boulanger; "I suppose the child has had
wit enough to keep out of the way of those New Englanders, and has been
hiding about in the woods during all this business. Well, if that is
all, we may as well turn in again. Monsieur need have no fears," added
he, addressing Isidore; "the best way is to take no notice of her. At
all events, if she does skulk about, she is more likely to warn us of
any danger than to bring it upon us." With these words the guide,
followed by Pritchard, again entered the house, leaving Isidore alone
with Amoahmeh.

During this little interlude the girl had eagerly watched each speaker
in turn, apparently trying to follow what was said. It was but too
evident, however, that all was a blank to her except an occasional
word, at which her face would once and again lighten up with
intelligence. Isidore could not help being touched by her desolate
condition, and when Pritchard and the guide had left them, he turned
towards her to bestow on her a few kindly words, but Amoahmeh had
timidly retreated to a little distance and had seated herself at the
foot of a tree, apparently absorbed in conning over what had passed.

Let us be as tender-hearted and compassionate as we may, a pain in our
little finger must still come home to us more than another's loss of a
limb, at least, if there is no special link between us. Isidore's pity
for the half-witted girl was presently lost sight of in what had first
been only the inconvenience, but had latterly become the positive
suffering inflicted on him by those unfortunate boots of his. Pride
alone had restrained him from hinting at this to Boulanger during the
latter part of the day's march; but he now began to have some
misgivings as to whether he might not become wholly incapacitated from
proceeding further unless he put his pride in his pocket and adopted
the suggestions of his guide. Here was, however, a chance of temporary
relief at least, as he was likely to be unmolested for a couple of
hours, so he proceeded at once to divest himself of the said boots, a
business that was not effected without much pain and exertion, and an
unmistakable aggravation of the mischief. He was just debating with
himself on the advisability of bathing his swollen ankles in a tempting
stream that rippled along only a few yards off, when he was surprised
to find Amoahmeh--who had