r knees, and fitted closely round the
waist with a belt of wampum. Her long black hair was bound by a simple
riband, and fell thickly over her shoulders in dark profusion. In her
left hand she held a lamp, and it was fearful to mark, by its faint,
glimmering light, the intense earnestness of her countenance. There were
some traces of tears upon her cheek, but these were nearly dried. Her
bright black eyes were lighted by a strange, unnatural fire, which they
never knew before. It seemed as though you might see them in the dark.
In her right hand she held a small dagger, which _he_ had given her as a
pledge of a brother's love. Fit instrument to avenge a brother's death!

She seemed to be listening and watching to hear or see the slightest
movement from the slumbering maiden. But all was still!

"I slept not thus," she murmured, "the night I heard him vow his
vengeance against your father. Before the birds had sung their morning
song I came to warn you. Now all I loved, my country, my friends, my
brother, have gone forever, and none shares the tears of the Indian
maiden."

She turned away with a sigh from the bedside of Virginia, and carefully
replaced the dagger in her belt. She then took a key which was lying on
the table and clutched it with an air of triumph. That key she had
stolen from the pocket of Alfred Bernard while he slept--for what will
not revenge, and woman's revenge, dare to do. Then taking up a water
pitcher, and extinguishing the light, she softly left the room.

As she endeavoured to pass the outer door she was accosted by the hoarse
voice of the sentinel--"Who comes there?" he cried.

"A friend," she answered, timidly.

"You cannot pass, friend, without a permit from the Governor. Them's his
orders."

"I go to bring some water for the sick maiden," she said earnestly,
showing him the pitcher. "She is far from well. Let her not suffer for a
draught of water."

"Well," said the pliant soldier, yielding; "you are a good pleader,
pretty one. That dark face of yours looks devilish well by moonlight.
What say you; if I let you pass, will you come and sit with me when you
get back? It's damned lonesome out here by myself."

"I will do any thing you wish when I return," said the girl.

"Easily won, by Wenus," said the gallant soldier, as he permitted
Mamalis to pass on her supposed errand.

Freed from this obstruction, she glided rapidly through the yard, and
soon stood before the door of the sma