THE AMERICANS AND THE ABORIGINES. 303 



eyes had an arch, almost a roguish, glance, her finely 

 cut lips, and the whole contour of her physiognomy, 

 betrayed a frank and joyous disposition, whilst the 

 slight curve of her Eoman nose gave her an air of 

 decision and self-reliance, with which her bearing and 

 costume corresponded. This costume was far superior 

 to the usual dress of Indian girls, and as remarkable 

 for simplicity as for good taste. She wore a sleeveless 

 calico gown, reaching to the ankles, and her hair, in- 

 stead of hanging long and straight down her back, as 

 is customary with Indian women, was twisted into a 

 knot, and held together on the crown of the head by 

 an elegant comb. A pair of gold ear-rings, bracelets 

 of the same metal, and half-boots of alligator's skin 

 and scarlet cloth, completed her graceful exterior. 

 From her girdle was suspended a pocket-knife of 

 considerable length, and in her hand she carried an 

 empty basket. Her step could be called neither 

 walking nor running ; it was an odd sort of frisking 

 springing movement. After each ten or twelve paces 

 she stopped, looked back along the path, and then 

 again sprang forward, again to stop and look behind 

 her. 



" But, Eosa ! " cried she at last, as she leaned pant- 

 ing against the sycamore ; " but, Eosa ! " she repeated 

 in the Indian tongue, and in a tone of slight impa- 

 tience, retracing her steps, and hurrying to meet 

 another young girl who now advanced along the 

 winding path, " why do you remain behind, Eosa 1 " 



VOL. III. U 



