the
graceful form of Mamalis just leaving the house. In the conversation
which ensued we must beg the reader to imagine the broken English in
which the young Indian expressed herself, while we endeavor to give it a
free and more polite translation.

"Mamalis, you are not going home already, are you," said Virginia, in a
gentle voice.

"Yes," replied the girl, with a sigh.

"Why do you sigh, Mamalis? Are you unhappy, my poor girl?"

"It is very sad to be alone in my poor wigwam," she replied.

"Then stay with us, Manteo is away, and will probably not be back for
some days."

"He would be angry if he came home and found me away."

"Oh, my poor girl," said Virginia, taking her tenderly by the hand, "I
wish you could stay with me, and let me teach you as I used to about God
and heaven. Oh, think of these things, Mamalis, and they will make you
happy even when alone. Wouldn't you like to have a friend always near
you when Manteo is away?"

"Oh yes," said the girl earnestly.

"Well, there is just such a Friend who will never desert you; who is
ever near to protect you in danger, and to comfort you in distress.
Whose eye is never closed in sleep, and whose thoughts are never
wandering from his charge."

"That cannot be," said the young Indian, incredulously.

"Yes, it both can be and is so," returned her friend. "One who has
promised, that if we trust in him he will never leave us nor forsake us.
That friend is the powerful Son of God, and the loving Brother of simple
man. One who died to show his love, and who lives to show his power to
protect. It is Jesus Christ."

"You told me about him long ago," said Mamalis, shaking her head, "but I
never saw him. He never comes to Manteo's wigwam."

"Nay, but He is still your friend," urged Virginia earnestly. "When you
left the room this morning on that work of mercy to save us all, I did
not see you, and yet I told my father that I knew you would do us good.
Were you less my friend because I didn't see you?

"No."

"No," continued Virginia, "you were more my friend, for if you had
remained with me, we might all have been lost. And so Jesus has but
withdrawn Himself from our eyes that He may intercede with his offended
father, as you did with Manteo."

"Does he tell lies for us?" said the girl with artless simplicity, and
still remembering her interview with her brother. Virginia felt a thrill
of horror pass through her heart as she heard such language, but
reme