334 TRAVEL, ADVENTUKE, AND SPORT. 



" Are you the Miko ? " cried Hodges " the Miko 

 of the Oconees 1 " 



The old man fixed his calm and penetrating look 

 upon his interrogator, and replied Avith much dignity, 

 " My young brother has said it. He has nothing to 

 fear; the Miko stretches out to him his hand in 

 peace and friendship." 



" You the Miko of the Oconees ! " repeated Hodges, 

 grasping the Indian's hand, and heartily shaking it. 

 " I am delighted to see you ; and, to say the truth, 

 I was on my way to your village." 



"The maidens," said the chief, "told the Miko 

 that the son of the great father who owns the two 

 Canadas, had escaped from the chief of the Salt 

 Lake, and sought shelter in his wigwam. My eyes 

 have seen, and my soul believes what is true. But 

 my brother has travelled very little of the path lead- 

 ing to his people." 



" I will tell you why," said the young man. " You 

 have an excellent girl for a daughter Heaven bless 

 her ! and she and that angel, Rosa, were like sisters 

 to me. I would gladly have remained longer, had 

 not the voice of duty called me away. But when 

 your daughter left me upon the other side of the 

 river, something escaped her that made it my first 

 duty to return to your wigwam." 



The chief had listened with much attention. 

 " What did my daughter whisper in the ear of my 

 young brother 1 " said he. 



