THE AMERICANS AND THE ABORIGINES. 307 



The Indian girl placed one hand upon the lips of 

 her friend, whilst with the other she playfully men- 

 aced her. 



"Yes," said she, "El Sol is a great chief, and 

 Canondah owes him her life. She will cook his 

 venison, and sew his hunting-shirts, and follow him 

 with a light heart. Let the White Rose listen to the 

 words of her sister. Soon will El Sol visit the wig- 

 Avam of the Oconees, and then will Canondah whisper 

 softly in his ear. He is a great warrior, and the Miko 

 will hear his words, and return the presents to the 

 chief of the Salt Lake, and the White Eose shall 

 never see his wigwam." 



Rosa shook her head doubtingly. 



" Does Canondah know her father so little 1 The 

 storm may bow the feeble reed, but not the silver 

 stem of the mighty tree. It may be uprooted, and 

 broken in its fall, but never bent. The Miko," con- 

 tinued she with a desponding sigh, "sees the chief 

 of the Salt Lake with the eye of a warrior, not of 

 a maiden. He has promised him Rosa for his wife, 

 but Rosa would rather die than " 



" No, no," interrupted Canondah, " Rosa must not 

 die. El Sol loves Canondah, and the Miko of the 

 Oconees knows that he is a far greater warrior than 

 the chief of the Salt Lake. But listen! what is 

 that 1 " cried she, turning her head in the direction 

 of the swamp, whence a loud splashing was now 

 audible. 



