foreboding mind of the young man was harrassed with
apprehensions for the fate which might befall them. Access to the Lady
Geraldine was permitted to him and Eveline, and thus were they able to
bestow upon the unhappy lady at least their sympathy, for of nothing
else would she accept; but no one was allowed to see the Sagamore. In
vain Arundel pleaded and intreated; in vain he recounted his personal
obligations to the Chief; he was firmly repulsed, and told that though
the feeling was honorable, it constituted no claim for the violation
of a rule which their circumstances imposed.

Disappointed and somewhat incensed at the unnecessary harshness, as he
conceived, wherewith the Chief was treated, and at the suspicion
implied toward himself, he, one day on his return from an unsuccessful
attempt to obtain an order for admission to the prison, from Winthrop,
poured out his vexation and wounded pride to his mistress.

"Is it not," he said, "most extraordinary, this refusal to allow me to
say to a man who saved my life, that I have not forgotten him? Is it
because their treatment of the unfortunate Sagamore is so bad that
they are unwilling it should be known? or do they think that in open
day I would attempt to rescue him?"

"It is more likely," said Eveline, "to conceal the weakness of the
prison."

"By heaven, Eveline, thy woman's wit hath discovered the cause. I have
been thinking over his wrongous confinement, and my debt, till I can
endure my inaction no longer, and I swear by St. George of England,
that I will soon seek an opportunity to deliver the noble savage from
the undeserved death, which sure am I, is his intended doom."

"I blame thee not, Miles," said Eveline. "One were craven to forget a
benefit. Only show me how I can aid thee, and my assistance shall not
be wanting."

"Nay," said her lover. "This is no matter wherein soft, small hands
like thine must interfere."

"It is not so big as thine," she said, measuring the little hand on
the palm of Arundel, "but such as it is, it shall ever be at the
service of honor and justice. Were I a man I would strike a blow for
the sake of the generous chief, even although sure of being prostrated
to the earth by a hundred the next instant."

The color of Eveline was heightened, and her voice trembled a little,
as she made the declaration.

"Thy language, dearest, is a spur to a determination already formed.
Were Sassacus to lose his life, and I to leave this lan