whose presence the leading chief was unwilling the
conference should begin. The period of the officer's
concealment had just been long enough to enable him to
fix all these particulars in his mind, when suddenly the
faint report of a distant rifle was heard echoing throughout
the wood. This was instantly succeeded by a second, that
sounded more sharply on the ear; and then followed a long
and piercing cry, that brought every warrior, even of
those who slept, quickly to his feet.

An anxious interval of some minutes passed away in the
fixed and listening attitudes, which the chiefs especially
had assumed, when a noise resembling that of some animal
forcing its way rapidly through the rustling branches,
was faintly heard in the direction in which the shots
had been fired. This gradually increased as it evidently
approached the encampment, and then, distinctly, could
be heard the light yet unguarded boundings of a human
foot. At every moment the rustling of the underwood,
rapidly divided by the approaching form, became more
audible; and so closely did the intruder press upon the
point in which Captain de Haldimar was concealed, that
that officer, fancying he had been betrayed, turned
hastily round, and, grasping one of the pistols he had
secreted in his chest, prepared himself for a last and
deadly encounter. An instant or two was sufficient to
re-assure him. The form glided hastily past, brushing
the tree with its garments in its course, and clearing,
at a single bound, the belt of underwood that divided
the encampment from the tall forest, stood suddenly among