But Niniotan never hesitated. The way was
perfectly familiar. A rabbit could scarcely have glided through the
wood with more dexterity than did he and his father.

Finally the two reached what appeared to be a large mound of earth,
covered over with rank grass and brilliant flowers. On one side was a
perfect bank of bushes, so that the mound could not be seen until it
was closely approached. A Shawnee Indian might have encamped beside
it, without once having his suspicion awakened in regard to its nature.
This was the retreat and home of Oonomoo, the friendly Huron, where his
wife, Fluellina, and son, Niniotan, dwelt, which was regularly visited
by him, and where he frequently spent days, enjoying the sweets of
home. No living person besides these three knew of its existence. It
stood upon this vast island in the midst of this swamp, almost
inaccessible to approach, and where no one would have dreamed of
looking for the dwelling place of a human being. The surrounding
waters were as cold and clear as crystal, and were swarming with the
choicest fish. Abundance of game was upon the land, and, what might
seem curious, considering the location of the island, its air possessed
an extraordinary degree of salubrity.

The mound was but a mere shell, the interior of which was lined with
luxurious furs and skins, and furnished with every convenience and
comfort that the fancy of a warrior's wife might covet. Within, too,
were numerous presents, such as rifles, knives, pistols, beads and
picture-books which had been given Oonomoo by his numerous white
friends. In addition there was a magnificent gold watch--a gift from a
wealthy lady, whose life the Huron had saved several years before.
Hearing that he had a young wife, she sent the present to her, and it
had hung within their "wigwam" ever since. Its use was understood, and
it was regularly wound and attended to with great care.

Fluellina, the wife of Oonomoo, was also a Huron, who had been educated
at one of the Moravian missionary stations in the West, and was a
professing Christian. She was a mild, dove-eyed creature, a number of
years younger than her husband, whom she loved almost to adoration, and
for whom she would not have hesitated to lay down her life at any
moment. She had had another child--a boy, born two years before
Niniotan, but he had died when but six years of age, and was buried in
the clear depths of the water which surrounded his home.

Reg