and advanced some little distance
into the belt of continuous woods along the river, when, suddenly,
Ohquamehud, starting from behind the trunk of a large tree, stood
before him. Quadaquina's heart beat quicker, but no outward sign
betrayed emotion.

"What does a child like Quadaquina, mean by wandering so far in the
dark away from its mother?" demanded Ohquamehud.

"Quadaquina is no longer a child," answered the boy, "to need his
mother. He runs about, like a squirrel, in the woods, whenever he
please."

"Quah! He is more like a bird, and it is to take lessons from the
whipperwill, that he comes into the woods."

"Ohquamehud talks like a crow that knows not what he says."

"When next," said the Indian, with a laugh, "Quadaquina tries to be a
bird, let him remember that the bashful whipperwill likes not the sun
to hear his song."

The boy fancying that he had been discovered, and that any further
attempt at concealment was vain, answered boldly,

"It is no concern of Ohquamehud, whether Quadaquina is a bird, or a
squirel, or a fish. He will fly in the air, or swim in the water, or
run in the woods without asking permission from any one."

"And Ohquamehud is not a rabbit to be tracked by a little dog wherever
he goes. _Ahque_! (beware). He will strike the little dog if he
presses too close upon his heels." So saying, and as if to give
emphasis to his words, the Indian lightly touched the shoulders of the
boy, with a small stick which he held in his hand.

It was like lightning falling in a powder-magazine, so suddenly blazed
up the anger of Quadaquina, when he felt the touch of the rod. He
jumped back as though bitten by a snake, and snatching up a stone,
hurled it with all his strength at Ohquamehud. It was well that the
Indian leaped behind a tree near which he stood, else the missile,
with such true aim and vindictive force was it sent, might have proved
fatal. As soon as the stone was thrown, the Indian stepped up to the
boy, who stood trembling with passion, but observing no intention on
the part of the latter to renew his violence, he passed close by him,
with a contemptuous laugh, and pursued his way, Quadaquina following,
though at some distance, in his steps. The boy came into the hut of
Peena within a short time after the entrance of the Indian, nor could
the most jealous eye have detected in either a trace of what had
happened. Ohquamehud moved with a grave dignity to the seat he usually
occupied,