"The feet of the Saganaw are soft as those of a young
child," she remarked, in a voice of commiseration; "but
the mocassins of Oucanasta shall protect them from the
thorns of the forest."

This was too un-European,--too much reversing the
established order of things, to be borne patiently. As
if he had felt the dignity of his manhood offended by
the proposal, the officer drew his foot hastily back,
declaring, as he sprang from the log, he did not care
for the thorns, and could not think of depriving a female,
who must be much more sensible of pain than himself.

Oucanasta, however, was not to be outdone in politeness.
She calmly reseated herself on the log, drew her right
foot over her left knee, caught one of the hands of her
companion, and placing it upon the naked sole, desired
him to feel how impervious to attack of every description
was that indurated portion of the lower limb.

This practical argument was not without its weight, and
had more effect in deciding the officer than a volume of
remonstrance. Most men love to render tribute to a delicate
and pretty foot. Some, indeed, go so far as to connect
every thing feminine with these qualities, and to believe
that nothing can be feminine without them. For our parts,
we confess, that, although no enemies to a pretty foot,
it is by no means a sine qua non in our estimate of female
perfection; being in no way disposed, where the head and
heart are gems, to undervalue these in consideration of