nodded to Trueheart who of course understood
the conversation. With a slight inclination of the head denoting
acquiescence she began to sing. At the same moment Goodred parted her
pretty lips and joined her. The result was to fill the air with harmony
so sweet that the captain and his comrade were struck dumb with delight
and surprise, the Indian's jaw was arrested with an unchewed morsel in
the mouth, and the family baby gazing upward in wonder, ceased the
effort to choke itself on bear's fat.

It need scarcely be said that the grunt of the Indian was very emphatic
when the sounds died away like fairy-music, and that the hunter's white
guests entreated for more. Trueheart and her daughter were quite
willing, and, for a considerable time, kept their audience enthralled.

At last, having washed down his meal with a final basketful of soup, the
Indian began to unbosom himself of his news--a few words at a time. It
was soon found, however, that he had no news of importance to tell. He
was a hunter; he had been out with a party of his tribe, but having
differed with them as to the best district to be visited, he had left
them and continued the hunt alone. Being not far distant from the home
of the white hunter who had mated with the Bethuck singing-bird, he had
turned aside for no other purpose than to have his ears gladdened and
his heart thrilled!

"We are happy," said Hendrick, "that our Bethuck brother should have his
ears gladdened and his heart thrilled, and we trust that the spirit of
the wolf within him is subdued, now that his stomach is also filled."

A polite grunt was the reply.

"Will our Bethuck brother tell us more news?"

"There is no more," he answered, "Strongbow is now an empty vessel."

"Considering that Strongbow has just filled himself with venison, he can
hardly call himself an empty vessel," responded the hunter, with intense
gravity.

Strongbow turned his head quickly and gazed at the speaker. His
solemnity deepened. Could his white brother be jesting? The white
brother's gravity forbade the idea. In order to convey more strongly
the fact that he had no news to give the Indian touched his
forehead--"Strongbow is empty _here_."

"That may well be," remarked Hendrick quietly.

Again the Indian glared. Solemnity is but a feeble word after all! He
said nothing, but was evidently puzzled.

"Has our Bethuck brother seen no enemies from the setting sun? Is all
quiet and peaceful