hesitated in my intent. "After all," thought I, "there will not
be time to tell her the whole story. The Indians will soon be on the
ground. Our presence will be required in the council; and perhaps it
will be better to postpone the revelation till that is over? Let her
enjoy her new-found happiness for an hour longer."

I was thus hesitating--at the same time looking the beautiful huntress
in the face--when, all of a sudden, I saw her start, and fling from her
the hand she had been hitherto holding in her fond clasp! The look of
her lover--mine as well--was that of bewildered astonishment. Not so
hers. Her cheek turned pale--then red--then paled again; while a glance
of proud anger shot forth from her eyes! The glance was directed
outwards to the plain, back upon Wingrove, and then once more quick and
piercing towards the plain. Equally puzzled by her look and behaviour,
I faced round in the direction indicated by her glance. I had the
explanation at once.

The chief, Wa-ka-ra, had arrived at the butte; and sat halted upon his
war-steed by the side of the waggon. There were three or four other
Indians around him, mounted and afoot; but one on horseback was entirely
unlike the rest. This one was a woman. She was not bound, yet it was
easy to see she was a captive. That could be told by the way she was
encircled by the Indians, as well as by their treatment of her. She was
on horseback, as already stated, and near to the Utah chief--in front of
him. Neither Wingrove nor I had any difficulty in identifying the
captive. It was Su-wa-nee, the Chicasaw. The eye of jealousy had found
her equally easy of identification: since it was by it she was first
recognised. It was upon her that Marian was directing those lightning
glances. It was her presence that had caused that convulsive start, and
those fearful emotions, that now proclaimed themselves in the
countenance of the huntress-maiden.

The storm soon burst. "Perjured hypocrite! this is the love you have
sworn--with the oath still burning upon your lips? Once more betrayed!
O man! Once more betrayed! O God! would that I had left you to your
fate!"

"I declar', Marian--"

"Declare nothing more to me! Enough--yonder is your attraction--yonder!
Oh! to think of this outrage! Here--even here to the wild desert has
he brought her; she who has been the cause of all, my unhappy--Ha! she
is coming up to you! Now, sir, meet her face to face--help her fr