to her new friend, as soon as the latter might be at liberty
to partake of it. While thus occupied, however, the ready girl in no degree
relaxed in her watchfulness, noting every change of countenance among the
chiefs, every movement of Hetty's, and the smallest occurrence that could be
likely to affect her own interests, or that of her new friend.
    As Hetty approached the chiefs, they opened their little circle, with an
ease and deference of manner, that would have done credit to men of more courtly
origin. A fallen tree lay near, and the oldest of the warriors made a quiet sign
for the girl to be seated on it, taking his place at her side, with the
gentleness of a father. The others arranged themselves around the two, with
grave dignity, and then the girl, who had sufficient observation to perceive
that such a course was expected of her, began to reveal the object of her visit.
The moment she opened her mouth to speak, however, the old chief gave a gentle
sign for her to forbear, said a few words to one of his juniors, and then waited
in silent patience until the latter had summoned Hist to the party. This
interruption proceeded from the chief's having discovered that there existed a
necessity for an interpreter, few of the Hurons present understanding the
English language, and they but imperfectly.
    Wah-ta!-Wah was not sorry to be called upon to be present at the interview,
and least of all in the character in which she was now wanted. She was aware of
the hazards she run in attempting to deceive one or two of the party, but was
none the less resolved to use every means that offered, and to practice every
artifice that an Indian education could supply, to conceal the facts of the
vicinity of her betrothed, and of the errand on which he had come. One
unpractised in the expedients and opinions of savage life, would not have
suspected the readiness of invention, the wariness of action, the high
resolution, the noble impulses, the deep self-devotion, and the feminine
disregard of self when the affections were concerned, that lay concealed beneath
the demure looks, the mild eyes, and the sunny smiles of this young Indian
beauty. As she approached them, the grim old warriors regarded her with
pleasure, for they had a secret pride in the hope of engrafting so rare a scion
on the stock of their own nation; adoption being as regularly practised, and as
distinctly recognized among the tribes of America, as it ever had been among
those