orms. But when the labors of the kind beings who had performed these
sad and friendly offices were so far completed, they hesitated, in a way
to show that they knew not how much further they might proceed. It was
in this stage of the rites that the scout again addressed them:--

"My young women have done enough," he said; "the spirit of a pale-face
has no need of food or raiment, their gifts being according to the
heaven of their color. I see," he added, glancing an eye at David, who
was preparing his book in a manner that indicated an intention to lead
the way in sacred song, "that one who better knows the Christian
fashions is about to speak."

The females stood modestly aside, and, from having been the principal
actors in the scene, they now became the meek and attentive observers of
that which followed. During the time David was occupied in pouring out
the pious feelings of his spirit in this manner, not a sign of surprise,
nor a look of impatience, escaped them. They listened like those who
knew the meaning of the strange words, and appeared as if they felt the
mingled emotions of sorrow, hope, and resignation, they were intended to
convey.

Excited by the scene he had just witnessed, and perhaps influenced by
his own secret emotions, the master of song exceeded his usual efforts.
His full, rich voice was not found to suffer by a comparison with the
soft tones of the girls; and his more modulated strains possessed, at
least for the ears of those to whom they were peculiarly addressed, the
additional power of intelligence. He ended the anthem, as he had
commenced it, in the midst of a grave and solemn stillness.

When, however, the closing cadence had fallen on the ears of his
auditors, the secret, timorous glances of the eyes, and the general, and
yet subdued movement of the assemblage, betrayed that something was
expected from the father of the deceased. Munro seemed sensible that the
time was come for him to exert what is, perhaps, the greatest effort of
which human nature is capable. He bared his gray locks, and looked
around the timid and quiet throng by which he was encircled with a firm
and collected countenance. Then motioning with his hand for the scout to
listen, he said,--

"Say to these kind and gentle females, that a heartbroken and failing
man returns them his thanks. Tell them, that the Being we all worship,
under different names, will be mindful of their charity; and that the
time shall not be d