of sunlight on her paddle showed how quick and dexterous were its
movements as she steered straight for the landing in front of the
farmhouse.

"Look here, Percy," said Mr. Bellairs; "I don't believe you have seen a
squaw yet. Get up and quote appropriate poetry on the occasion."

"'Hiawatha' I suppose? I don't know any," and Mr. Percy rose lazily.
"She is an odd figure. How do you know it's a woman at all?"

"Don't you see the papoose lying in the canoe?"

"Conclusive evidence, certainly; but upon my word the lady's costume is
not particularly feminine."

They were all standing up now, watching the canoe which had drawn quite
near the bank. In a minute or two longer it touched the land, and the
woman rose. She was of small size, but rather squarely built; her long
jet black hair, without ornament or attempt at dressing, hung loosely
down over her shoulders; she wore mocassins of soft yellow leather
ornamented with beads; trousers of black cloth, with a border of the
same kind of work, reached her ankles; a cloth skirt, almost without
fulness, came a little below the knee, and was covered, to within three
or four inches of its edge, by an equally scanty one of red and white
cotton, with a kind of loose bodice and sleeves, attached to it; a
blanket, fastened round her shoulders in such a manner that it could be
drawn over her head like a monk's cowl, completed her dress. A little
brown baby, tightly swathed in an old shawl, lay at her feet, exposed,
seemingly without discomfort, to the hot glare of the sun. She stood a
moment, as if examining the house, and the group of figures in front of