,
those foaming steeds flew on, pausing not even to snuff the breeze, till
they had cleared the territory of the Pawnees, and reached a sheltered
nook within the precincts of a neutral tribe. Here, as among all the
Indian tribes the woman is considered competent to take care of herself
in all ordinary emergencies, her deliverer left her, giving her ample
directions for the way, and cautioning her to use the utmost diligence
to avoid pursuit.

"But, tell me first," she cried, tears of grateful joy standing in her
eyes, "tell me to whom I am indebted for this miraculous escape--that,
in all my prayers to the Great Spirit, I may call down his blessing upon
your head."

"I am Petalesharro," replied the youth, modestly. "My father is
Latalashaw, the chief of my tribe. We do not believe, with our people,
that the Great Spirit delights in the sacrifice. He loves all his red
children, and they should all love one another."

"But, will not your chiefs revenge upon your head this interference with
their solemn rites? If any national calamities follow, will they not
charge them all to your account? I could not bear that my generous
deliverer should be struck down by those terrible hands, in the prime of
his youth, as the reward of his heroic benevolence. Better that I should
return and submit to the fate they had prepared for me."

"Fear not for me, Monica. Petalesharro fears not to meet the assembled
council of his nation. Not a brave among them all will raise a hand to
hurt him. He will make them know that the Great Star needs not the blood
of the captive. And never again shall the fires be kindled for that
cruel sacrifice."

Encouraged by the words of the young chief, Monica turned, with a strong
heart, towards her home, still some four hundred miles distant. The same
kind providence which had rescued her from the devouring flames, still
guided and guarded her solitary way, and gave her strength and spirits
for her toilsome journey.

On the second day of her pilgrimage, as she climbed the summit of a
range of hills that ran athwart her path, she was alarmed by the
appearance of a considerable body of armed men, just emerging from a
distant ravine of the same range, in a direction that would lead them
immediately across her path. They were too far off to enable her to
discern, by their dress and accoutrements, to what tribe they belonged.
She supposed they must be Pawnees in pursuit of their lost captive. If
she attempte