er means, to restore a good understanding between themselves and
Oncagua, they would not deliver her up into his power. It was agreed,
therefore, that she should remain in the village during the night.

Oliver begged that he might go the next morning to the chief, and tell
him how matters had fallen out.

"A brave thought," exclaimed Vaughan. "You shall go, and when the chief
sees you he will be convinced that you speak the truth."

Next morning Oliver set out, with his sword by his side, which, young as
he was, he knew how to use; but without other arms. The Indians gazed
at him as he walked fearlessly on till he reached the wigwam of the
chief, who had just come forth. In the best language he could command
he delivered his message, and then told him that he was the brother of
her whom he had so long nourished and protected, and that he came to
thank him for the kindness he had shown her; that she was now with her
own people, who heartily desired to be the friends of Oncagua and his
tribe.

The chief gazed at the bold youth with astonishment. "Does she remain
willingly with them, or do they keep her as a prisoner?" he asked.

"It is of her own free will that she remains," answered Oliver.

The chief sighed; "It is true that her parents were palefaces," he said,
"but the heart of Oncagua yearns towards her, and he has ever regarded
her as his child."

"But our grandfather has no other descendants than us two, and his heart
will be made glad when he hears that the daughter of his only child is
alive," replied Oliver; "it may be that Oncagua remembers the chief of
the palefaces when they first settled at Roanoke, Massey White."

"He was my friend, my brother," answered the old chief; "it was for his
sake, in return for the kindness he did me, that I saved his grandchild,
and would have saved her mother had I possessed the means of carrying
her off. Though I shall grieve to lose the maiden, yet willingly will I
send her to him to cheer his declining years. Bring her to me; she need
not fear that I will detain her; but I will gaze at her once again
before you take her away with you to your distant home. For her sake
you and your companions may rest assured that Oncagua will remain, as he
has ever been, a friend to the palefaces."

Highly satisfied with the result of his embassy, Oliver hastened back to
the camp. After due consultation Vaughan and Roger agreed to allow
Virginia, if she was so minded, to acc