at a still greater distance from the fire.

My observation of all these features of the scene did not occupy ten
seconds of time--just so long as my eyes were getting accustomed to the
light.

At the end of that interval, my glance rested upon Isolina, and there
became fixed.

My fingers trembled among the leaves; my heart rose and fell; I could
feel within my breast its strokes, rapid and irregular; I could hear its
sonorous vibration.

In the chain of Indians that encircled the fire, there was a break--an
interval of ten or a dozen feet. It was directly in front of the lodge,
and _above_ the fire; for the ground gently sloped from the tent towards
the stream.

In this spot the captive was seated. Her situation was exactly between
the lodge and the fire, and a little retired behind the circle of the
council. The tent intervening between her and my position, had
prevented me from seeing her at first.

She was half-seated, half-reclining upon a robe of wolfskins. I saw
that her arms were free; I saw that her limbs were bound. Her back was
to the tent, her face turned towards the council. I could not see it.

To recognise my betrothed, I did not need to look upon her face; her
matchless form, outlined against the red embers, was easily identified.
The full round curve of the neck--the oval lines of the head--the
majestic sweep of the shoulders--the arms smooth and symmetrical--all
these were familiar to my eyes, for oft had they dwelt on them in
admiration. I could not be mistaken; the form before me was that graven
upon my heart--it was Isolina's.

There was another salient point in this singular tableau, that could not
escape observation. Beyond the fire, and directly opposite to where
Isolina was placed, I saw another well-known object--the white steed!

He was not staked there, but haltered and held in hand by one of the
Indians. He must have been lately brought upon the ground, for from
neither of my former points of observation had I noticed him. He, like
his mistress, was "on trial"--his ownership was also matter of dispute.

There was in sight one more object that interested me--not with friendly
interest did I regard it--but with disgust and indignation.

Not seated in the council ring, nor standing among the idle groups, but
apart from all, I beheld Hissoo-royo the renegade. Savage as were the
red warriors, fiend-like as they appeared with their paint-smeared
visages, not one looked so s