j-J^l» ^zahia. a taJe. iSj 



quois ; aitd this evening I give to onr warriors tlie custo- 

 'Hiary feast. Partake of this amusement, dear Celario." 

 " I am equally A\illing to partake of your dangers and la. 

 •hours," said St Ca?tins, interrupting him ; " I ihall accom- 

 pany you in this new expedition." " Thy strength v.ould 

 betray thy courage," replied the Huron chief j " it is no 

 ■great matter to know how to fjce death j thou fhouidst be 

 able to deal death among the enemy ; thou Ihouldst be 

 able to pursue the enemy, if they are put to flight •, and 

 thou (houldst be able to fly thyself, if they be an over 

 match. Such were at all times our warlike maxims. 

 Think now, therefore, only of getting thyself cured, and 

 tsking care of this habitation during my absence, which I 

 confide to thee." It was in vain for St Cajtins to make a 

 reply. The warriors soon afsemble, and the feast begins. It 

 is scarce over, when the troops march off, and St Castins 

 remains more than ever exposed to the charms of Azakia. 

 It is certain that this young savage loved her guest j and 

 loved him with a love purely ideal, without doubting that 

 it was such a love. She even took a resolution, which 

 others who loved as fhe did, certainly would not have 

 taken, which was to procure for St Castins the opportu- 

 nity of obtaining from another, what herself had obstinate- 

 ly refused him. The charms of the rival (he gave herself, 

 were well calculated to attract his regards. She was but 

 eighteen years old, was very handsome, and v.-hich was 

 not lefs necefsary, was still a virgin. It has been before 

 observed, that a maiden enjoys full liberty among the North 

 American Indians. St Castins, encouraged -Ly Azakia, 

 had divers conferences with Zisma, which was the name 

 of this young Huron lady, and in a few days he could read 

 in her eyes that llie would be lefs Severe than his friend. 

 It is not known whether he prcSfited of the discovery : 

 At least it did not make him forget Azakia, who, on her 

 >Vde, seemed to have no inclination to be forgotten. St 

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