g! My interest in the beautiful huntress was every moment
augmenting. I felt an indescribable yearning to hear the story of her
misfortunes: for in no other light could I regard the situation in which
I had found her.

"You have promised to tell me of yourself?" said I, reminding her of
what she had said.

"I shall keep my promise--upon the condition, of which I have forewarned
you."

"Name it then--if not impossible, I am ready to accept it."

"It is not impossible--though it may tax your generosity more than you
expect. You have said that you intend returning to the States. _Will
you take me with, you_?" A start must have betrayed my astonishment at
the unexpected request.

"Willingly," I replied; "but now--I fear--it is impossible."

"Your journey is not ended? Is that what you mean?"

"Alas! I know not when or where it may end."

"That is strange! But you intend to go back some time? Till then, let
me be your travelling companion?"

The proposal left me for the moment without a word to say. "Oh, do not
refuse me!" continued she, in an appealing tone; "I will wait upon you;
I will hunt for you--anything, but longer I cannot stay here. With all
their kindness--and they have been kind, in their own rude fashion--I
cannot remain. I long for the society of civilised beings. O stranger!
I cannot tell you how I long to see!"--She hesitated.

"Whom?"

I asked in expectation of hearing a name. "A sister--a sweet gentle
sister, who loved me as her own life--whom I loved more than my life.
Oh! not till we were parted knew I the strength of that love."

"How long since you have seen this sister?"

"Six months ago, I left her--deceived by a villain, I left her. Six
years it has seemed! Oh! I cannot endure this savage life. They
honour me--they give me all the hospitality in their power--but I am not
happy. Stranger, say you will relieve me from this terrible existence?
Say you will take me with you?"

"I freely promise it, if it be your desire. But what of these? Will
they--will _he_ consent?"

"Who?"

"Wa-ka-ra."

"Yes--yes! He has said I may go, whenever an opportunity should offer.
Brave chief! he has nobly kept his word to him who is now no more."

"To whom?"

"To him who saved my life--to him who saved me--Ah! see, the chief
approaches! the war-song is ended. At another time, I shall tell you
all; but not now. We must haste, or the warriors will be gone."

"Surely _you_ do