p, Skoke? Get up, I tell thee."

At this ungracious speech--for Skoke[13]means snake--the figure
started slightly, but did not obey. After some silence she spoke
again, "Wa-ain (white soul) get up and eat, our people will soon be
here." Still no motion nor reply. At length the woman, in a sharper
accent, resumed,

"Bridget Vines, I bid thee arise!" and she laughed in an under tone.

The figure slowly lifted itself up and looked upon the speaker.
"Ascashe,[14] I will answer only to my own name."

"As you like," retorted the other. "Skoke is as good a name as
Ascashe." A truism which the other did not seem disposed to
question--the one meaning a snake, the other a spider, or
"net-weaver."

Contrary to what might have been expected from the color of the hair,
the figure from the mat seemed a mere child in aspect, and yet the
eye, the mouth, and the grasp of the hand, indicated not only maturity
of years, but the presence of deep and intense passions. Her size was
that of a girl of thirteen years in our northern climate, yet the fine
bust, the distinct and slender waist, and the firm pressure of the
arched foot, revealed maturity as well as individualism of character.

[Footnote 13: I do not know how general is the use of this word
amongst the Indians. The writer found it in use amongst the Penobscot
tribe.]

[Footnote 14: As-nob-a-ca-she, contracted to Ascashe, is literally a
net-weaver, the name for spider. This term is from Schoolcraft.]

Rising from her recumbent posture, she approached the water at the
entrance of the cave till the spray mingled with her long, white
locks, and the light falling upon her brow, revealed a sharp beautiful
outline of face scarcely touched by years, white, even teeth, and eyes
of blue, yet so deeply and sadly kindling into intensity, that they
grew momentarily darker and darker as you gazed upon them.

"Water, still water, forever water," she murmured. Suddenly turning
round, she darted away into the recesses of the cave, leaping and
flying, as it were, with her long hair tossed to and fro about her
person. Presently she emerged, followed by a pet panther, which leaped
and bounded in concert with his mistress. Seizing a bow, she sent the
arrow away into the black roof of the cavern, waited for its return,
and then discharged it again and again, watching its progress with
eager and impatient delight. This done, she cast herself again upon
the skins, spread her long hair over her f