r, I remained upon the spot where
we had halted. A few minutes sufficed to bring her near; and I was
impressed more than ever with the grand beauty of this singular maiden.
She was mounted in the Indian fashion, with a white goatskin for a
saddle, and a simple thong for a stirrup; while the bold style in which
she managed her horse, told that, whatever had been her early training,
she of late must have had sufficient practice in equestrian manoeuvres.

The steed she bestrode was a large chestnut-coloured mustang; and as the
fiery creature reared and bounded over the turf, the magnificent form of
its rider was displayed to advantage. She still carried her rifle; and
was equipped just as I had seen her in the morning; but now, sharing the
spirit of her steed--and further animated by the exciting incidents,
still in the act of occurrence--her countenance exhibited a style of
beauty, not the less charming from the wildness and _braverie_ that
characterised it. Truly had she merited the praises which the young
backwoodsman had oft lavished upon her. To all that he had said the
most critical connoisseur would have given his accord. No wonder that
Wingrove had been able to resist the fascinations of the simpering
syrens of Swampville--no wonder that Su-wa-nee had solicited in vain!
Truly was this wild huntress an attractive object--in charms far
excelling the goddess of the Ephesians. Never was there such mate for a
hunter! Well might Wingrove rejoice at the prospect before him!

"Ho, stranger!" said she, reining up by my side, "you are safe, I see!
All has gone well?"

"I was in no danger: I had no opportunity of entering into the fight."

"So much the better--there were enough of them without you. But your
fellow-travellers? Do they still survive? I have come to inquire after
them."

"Thanks to you and good fortune, they are still alive--even he who was
scalped, and whom we had believed to be dead."

"Ah! is the scalped man living?"

"Yes; he has been badly wounded, and otherwise ill-used; but we have
hopes of his recovery."

"Take me to him! I have learnt a little surgery from my Indian friends.
Let me see your comrade! Perhaps I may be of some service to him?"

"We have already dressed his wounds; and I believe nothing more can be
done for him, except what time may accomplish. But I have another
comrade who suffers from wounds of a different nature, _which you alone
can cure_."

"Wounds of a differ