heads of their unconscious helpmates, while they occupied
themselves, by the firelight, in parting the long black
matted hair, and maintaining a destructive warfare against
the pigmy inhabitants of that dark region. These signs
of life and activity in the body of the camp generally
were, however, but few and occasional; but, at the spot
where Captain de Haldimar stood concealed, the scene was
different. At a few yards from the tree stood a sort of
shed, composed of tall poles placed upright in the earth,
and supporting a roof formed simply of rude boughs, the
foliage of which had been withered by time. This simple
edifice might be about fifty feet in circumference. In
the centre blazed a large fire that had been newly fed,
and around this were assembled a band of swarthy warriors,
some twenty or thirty in number, who, by their proud,
calm, and thoughtful bearing, might at once be known to
be chiefs.

The faces of most of these were familiar to the young
officer, who speedily recognised them for the principals
of the various tribes Ponteac had leagued in arms against
his enemies. That chief himself, ever remarkable for
his haughty eye and commanding gesture, was of the number
of those present; and, a little aloof from his inferiors,
sat, with his feet stretched towards the fire, and half
reclining on his side in an attitude of indolence; yet
with his mind evidently engrossed by deep and absorbing
thought. From some observations that distinctly met his
ear, Captain de Haldimar gathered, the party were only
awaiting the arrival of an important character, without