fact."

Boulanger's countenance fell, and after musing a while he said, "That's
strange. Are there any Algonquins about here?"

"Oh, they are on the English side now," answered Bibi. "I heard only
yesterday that a number of them, under a chief called White Eagle, had
come into the English camp at Montmorency."

The Canadian started up. "And she has been so good to you whilst I
have been away!" said he. "Put the little ones to bed, Bibi. I'll go
up to the 'Steps' and see if I can find out what she is at."

"I wish you would," said Bibi. "I am quite anxious about her; but come
back as soon as you can."

Boulanger kissed his wife and children, and then, shouldering his
rifle, he quitted the cottage.

There are few spots near Quebec more picturesque than those so-called
"Natural Steps" on the Montmorency River. Between almost perpendicular
rocks, that look like huge stone towers, or the ruins of ancient walls,
the little river foams and rushes along, over and between great flat
slabs of stone, which here and there assume the shape of steps as
regular as if the hand of man had fashioned them. The summits of the
castellated banks are crowned with trees, and wherever their rocky
steepness will allow of it, luxuriant shrubs grow in profusion from
every crevice, and add another charm to the wild beauty of the scene.

Long had Amoahmeh stood alone on one of those rocky steps, pale and
anxious, and evidently expecting some one to meet her there. He came
at last, and White Eagle stood before her.

For a short time neither of them spoke; each seemed under some strange
constraint. Perhaps the Indian could not shake off the awe with which
his race regard all those who are, or have been, deprived of the light
of reason. Amoahmeh had risen above such childish superstitions, but
she seemed as though the chief possessed some hold over her which had
power to subdue even her lofty spirit. She was the first to speak.

"White Eagle has bidden me come here. What would he have of me?"

"Can the daughter of War-thunder ask?" was the reply. "Did she not
promise that if I brought back the young French brave from Fort
Duquesne the wigwam of the chief of the Algonquins should remain no
longer empty. He is safe in Quebec and among his friends; Amoahmeh
will keep her promise."

"To whom did she give that promise? To a great chief who fought under
the flag of France, ay, and one who professed to have forsaken the
worship o