in despair; "the pale
face youth will not creep through the silent and shady forest with
La-u-na any more. He will gather no more ripe grapes for the Trembling
Fawn. He will not bathe again in the clear waters with La-u-na. He
will give her no more rings of roses to put on her breast. The
Trembling Fawn is wounded. She must find a cool shade and lie down.
The dove will perch over her and wail. She will sing a low song. She
will close her eyes and die."

[Illustration: "Oh, no!" cried William, placing his arms around her
tenderly; "La-u-na must not die; or, if she does, she shall not die
alone. Why will not La-u-na dwell with me, among my friends?" The girl
started, and exhibited signs of mingled delight and doubt.--P. 232]

"Oh, no!" cried William, placing his arms around her tenderly,
"La-u-na must not die, or if she does, she shall not die alone. Why
will not La-u-na dwell with me among my friends?" The girl started and
exhibited signs of mingled delight and doubt, and then replied--

"The pale maiden would hate La-u-na, and the gray-head would drive her
away."

"No, La-u-na," said William; "they would all love you, and we would be
so happy! Say you will stay with me here, and you shall be my wife,
and I will have no other love. My sister is sweet and mild as La-u-na,
and my father will always be kind."

The dark eyes of the girl assumed an unwonted lustre, and she turned
imploringly to Mary, Glenn, and Roughgrove.

"Oh!" cried William, in his native tongue, addressing his white
friends; "let La-u-na dwell with us! She is as innocent as the lily by
the brook, and as noble as a queen. Father," he continued, stepping
forward and taking Roughgrove's hand, "you won't refuse my request!
And you, sister Mary, I know you will love her as dearly as you do me.
And you, my friend," said he, turning to Glenn, "will soon hear her
speak our own language, and she will cull many beautiful flowers for
you that the white man never yet beheld. Grant this," added the youth,
after pausing a few moments, while his friends hung their heads in
silence, "and I will remain with you always; but if you refuse, I must
fly to the forest again."

"Stay! Oh, brother, you shall not go!" cried Mary, and rushing
forward, she threw her arms round his neck. The Indian girl kissed her
pale brow, and smiled joyfully, when the youth told her that Mary was
his dear sister.

"He loves her, and her affection for him is imperishable!" said Glenn.