interests of her race. Moreover, as he had approached
the encampment unnoticed while the chiefs were yet awake
to every thing around them, how little probability was
there of his return being detected while all lay wrapped
in the most profound repose. It is true that, for a
moment, his confidence deserted him as he recurred to
the earnest dialogue of the two Indians, and the sudden
display of the rope and boot, the latter of which articles
he had at once recognised to be one of those he had so
recently worn; but his apprehensions on that score were
again speedily set to rest, when he reflected, had any
suspicion existed in the minds of these men that an enemy
was lurking near them, a general alarm would have been
spread, and hundreds of warriors despatched to scour the
forest.

The night was now rapidly waning away, and already the
cold damp air of an autumnal morning was beginning to
make itself felt. More than half an hour had elapsed
since the departure of Ponteac and his companion, and
yet Oucanasta came not. With a sense of the approach of
day came new and discouraging thoughts, and, for some
minutes, the mind of the young officer became petrified
with horror, as he reflected on the bare possibility of
his escape being intercepted. The more he lingered on
this apprehension, the more bewildered were his ideas;
and already, in horrible perspective, he beheld the
destruction of his nearest and dearest friends, and the
host of those who were humbler followers, and partakers
in the same destiny. Absolutely terrified with the