aters! Rather than do that,
I shall go to you; be one of your attendants, not hers. Rather than
that, thou shalt take me to thy bosom!"

High-sounding speeches from an Indian girl, scarce fifteen years of age?
But love's eloquence is not confined to age, race, or rank, no more
than that of jealousy. Both passions may burn in the breast of the
savage maiden, as in the heart of the high-born lady--perhaps tearing it
more. Not strange they should find like expression on the lips.

"Why not now?" continues Nacena in a tone that tells of despair, while
the cloud upon her brow is seen to grow darker. "Ah! why not? No need
waiting longer; I know all. A leap from yonder rock, and all would be
over, my suspense, as my sufferings."

For a moment she stands with eyes fixed upon a rocky promontory, which
juts out into the lake near by. Its head overhangs the water, three
fathoms deep, as she knows. Many the time has she sprung from that
projecting point to swim, naiad-like, underneath it. But the plunge she
now meditates is not for swimming, but to sink!

"No!" she exclaims, after a pause, as she withdraws her gaze from the
rock, the expression upon her face changing back to that of the
_jaguarete_! "No, Spirit of the Waters! not yet. Nacena fears not to
die, but that is not the death for the daughter of a Tovas chief. If
wronged, she must resent it, and will. Revenge first, and the deceiver
shall first die. After that, O Spirit, thou canst take me; Nacena will
no longer care to live."

As she says this, the sad look returns to her countenance, replacing
that of anger; and for a time she stands with head drooped down to her
bosom, and arms hanging listlessly by her side--a very picture of
despair.

At length, she is about to leave the spot, when a footstep warns her of
one making approach; and, turning, she sees who it is. A youth, but to
manhood grown, and wearing the insignia of a sub-chief. Though many
years older than herself, he is her brother.

"Sister!" he says, coming up to her, and closely scanning her face, "you
have thoughts that trouble you. I would know what they are."

"Oh, nothing," she rejoins, with an effort to appear calm. "I've only
been looking over the lake, at the birds out yonder. How they enjoy
themselves this fine evening!"

"But you're not enjoying yourself, Nacena; nor haven't been for some
time past. I've noticed that; and more, I know the reason."

She starts at his word