ce existing between them. Occasionally a holiday
was allowed, when Nigel, having one of the ship's boats at his command,
took the count and his daughter, with other friends, across the bay, to
visit its picturesque shores and the many lovely islands resting on its
bosom. The party had gone higher up the bay than they had hitherto
ventured to do, and reaching a small island which appeared to be
uninhabited, they went on shore, proposing to dine and wander through
its shady woods. The seamen remained near the boat, while Constance and
two lady friends, with the officers and other gentlemen who formed the
party, proceeded to a clear spot beneath the shade of some lofty trees,
where for awhile they could enjoy the sea breeze, while discussing the
viands they had brought. The repast being over, the three ladies
strolled along the beach to the western end of the island, for the
purpose of enjoying the view which extended almost to the extreme limit
of the harbour. Constance's two friends had seated themselves on the
bank, while she, attracted by some flowers which grew near the edge of
the water ran forward to examine them. She was on the point of picking
one of gorgeous hue when a canoe, paddled by a single Indian, unobserved
by her, darted round the point and approached the beach. The occupant
sprang lightly on shore, when a cry from her companions made her look
up, and she saw a tall and handsome native, with a circlet of feathers
on his head, and a cloak and kilt richly adorned, standing before her.
Her first impulse was to fly, but, giving another glance at the
stranger, she recognised Tecumah, the young chief of the Tamoyos. She
had already acquired some knowledge of the language.

"What brings you here?" she asked. "We thought that none of your people
were on the island."

She felt that it was better to speak, although she was not altogether
free from fear. The respectful attitude of the young chief, however,
reassured her.

"I often come here," he answered. "Seeing your boat approaching, I
waited for an opportunity of speaking to you, lady. For days and days I
have longed for it. Since my eyes first rested on your countenance it
has never been absent from my heart. My ambition has been to become
like your people, and to gain the knowledge they possess, and thus be
worthy of leading you home as my bride."

Such in substance was what the young chief said, although his address
was far longer, and more f