rude violin, and began to play an old air of the border, accompanying
the tune with a low chant, in the Indian fashion.

The old woman looked at him for some moments with great affection, a
sad smile lighting up her aged features; then saying in a low tone, as
if to herself, "good Verty!" went into the house.

Verty played for some time longer. Tired at last of his violin, he
laid it down, and with his eyes fixed upon the sand at his feet, began
to dream. As he mused, his large twilight eyes slowly drooped their
long lashes, which rested finally on the ruddy cheek.

For some moments, Verty amused himself tracing figures on the sand
near Longears' nose, causing that intelligent animal to growl in his
sleep, and fight imaginary foes with his paws.

From the window, the old Indian woman watched the young man with great
affection, her lips moving, and her eyes, at times, raised toward the
sky.

Verty reclined more and more in his wicker seat; the scenes and images
of the day were mingled together in his mind, and became a dim wrack
of cloud; his tangled hair shaded his face from the sun; and, overcome
by weariness, the boy sank back, smiling even in his sleep. As he did
so, the long-stemmed Indian pipe fell from his hand across Longears'
nose, half covering the letters he had traced with it on the sand.

Those letters were, in rude tracing:

REDBUD.