k-hawk,
pigeon-hawk, squirrel-hawk, of the sap-sucker, of the eider duck, and a
Zenaider-like dove. Higher up were long wings of swans and albatrosses,
heads of horned owls, and beaks of the laughing goose. Through the still
air, from some dusky shallow of the river came the metallic calls of the
river birds, like the trumpeting swan. The girl lay waking, happy in
recalling the spirit with which her foster-mother had accepted her plan of
life.

Suddenly her sensitive spirit became aware of something unusual and
strange at the opening of the tent. There was a soft, light step without,
a guarded footfall. Then a tall, dark shadow distinctly appeared, with a
glitter of mother-of-pearl ornaments and a waving of plumes. It stood
there like a ghost of a vivid fancy, for a time. Gretchen's heart beat. It
was not an unusual thing for an Indian to come to the _tepee_ late in the
evening; but there was something mysterious and ominous in the bearing and
atmosphere of this shadowy visitor. The form stepped within the opening of
the tent, and a voice whispered, "Umatilla, awake!"

The old chief raised himself on his elbow with an "Ugh!"

"Come out under the moon."

The old chief arose and went out, and the two shadowy forms disappeared
among a column of spruces on the musical banks of the Columbia.

Gretchen could not sleep. The two Indians returned late, and, as they
parted, Gretchen heard Umatilla's deep voice say, "No!"

Her fears or instincts told her that the interview had reference to plots
which were associated with the great Potlatch, now near at hand. She had
heard the strange visitor say, "The moon is growing," and there was
something shadowy in the very tone in which the words were spoken.

Mrs. Woods sat down in her home of bark and splints all alone after
Gretchen's departure.

"She offers to teach me," she said to herself. "I am so sorry that I was
not able to teach her. I never read much, any way, until I came under the
influence of the Methody. I might have taught her spiritual things--any
one can have spiritual knowledge, and that is the highest of all. But I
have loved my own will, and to give vent to my temper and tongue. I will
change it all. There are times when I am my better self. I will only talk
and decide upon what is best in life at such times as these. That would
make my better nature grow. When I am out of sorts I will be silent-like.
Heaven help me! it is hard to begin all these things when one