294 TRAVEL, ADVENTURE, AXD SPORT. 



evidently startled. Her step, at first quick and con- 

 fident, began to falter, and Avith an involuntary shud- 

 der she approached her husband, who had resumed 

 his seat. A minute passed in gloomy silence. Then 

 the Indian again raised his head, but without looking 

 up, and spoke in a harsh, severe tone. 



"Listen, woman," said he, "to the words of a 

 great warrior, whose hand is open, and who will fill 

 his brother's wigwam, with many deer -skins. In 

 return he asks but little of his sister, and that little 

 she may easily give. Has my sister," continued he, 

 raising his voice and glancing at the woman, " milk 

 for a little daughter ] " 



The backwoodsman's wife stared at her interlocutor 

 in great astonishment. 



" Will she," continued the redskin, " give a share 

 of her milk to a little daughter, who must else die of 

 hunger ? " 



The countenance of the woman brightened as she 

 discerned that the Indian wanted something of her, 

 and that it was in her power to grant or refuse a 

 favour. She took a step towards him, and impa- 

 tiently awaited further explanation of his singular 

 demand. The Indian, without deigning to look at 

 her, opened the ample folds of his blanket, and drew 

 forth a lovely infant, wrapped in a pelisse of costly 

 furs. For a few seconds the woman stood in mute 

 surprise ; but curiosity to obtain a nearer view of the 

 beautiful child, and perhaps also a feeling of compas- 



