rds the center of the broken and irregular semi-circle in which the
huts were arranged, rose two wigwams, of a size and construction
superior to the rest; and around them were planted many flowering
shrubs and fruit-bearing plants, that clearly showed the habitations to
have been permanently fixed for some seasons, and to have been occupied
by persons who possessed more of good taste and forethought than are
commonly displayed by the improvident natives. Many climbing plants
also threw their luxuriant branches over the sides and roof of these
rude, but picturesque dwellings, and the brilliant blossoms hung
gracefully around the eaves and the doorway, and moved gently in the
evening breeze.

On a neatly-carved bench, in front of one of these wigwams, sat an aged
Indian Chief, and by his side a young woman, who seemed to possess all
the ease of manner and refinement of a European, but whose clear brown
skin, and glossy jet-black hair and eyes, at once showed her to be of
the same race as her venerable companion. Her dress was also Indian,
but arranged with a taste and delicacy that rendered it eminently
becoming to her graceful figure; while her hair, instead of being
either drawn up to knot on the crown of the head, or left loose and
disheveled in native fashion, was braided into a truly classical form,
and simply adorned with a beautiful white water-lily--a flower that
Oriana always loved.

Two other figures completed the group that was formed near the wigwam
door. One of them was a young man of tall end muscular form, whose
dress and richly-carved weapons would have proclaimed him to be an
Indian warrior and chieftain, had not his curling brown hair, and deep
blue eyes, spoken of a Saxon lineage. Courage and intelligence gleamed
in those fearless eyes, but no Indian fierceness or cunning were there;
and as the tall warrior stooped towards the ground, and lifted up in
his arms a laughing little child that was reclining on the mossy turf,
and tearing to pieces a handful of bright-colored flowers that his
father had gathered for him, the smile of affection and happiness that
lighted up those clear blue eyes, showed that a warm and manly heart
was there.

'Ah! Ludovico!' said the happy young father, as he fondly kissed the
child, whose azure eyes, and long black eyelashes and curling raven
hair, showed his descent both from the fair race of Britain, and
America's wild wandering children. 'Ah, Ludovico! how well I rem