The maiden felt the tacit reproach conveyed in this covert question,
and for a moment she remained in an embarrassed silence. But catching
a glimpse of the mild and serious features of her companion, as he
continued to gaze on her with a look of interest, she replied, firmly,
and in a manner that left no doubt she comprehended his meaning:

"Heaven forbid that any such as you have seen, should be a brother of
mine, or any thing else near or dear to me! But, tell me, do you then
actually live alone, in this desert district, old man; is there really
none here besides yourself?"

"There are hundreds, nay, thousands of the rightful owners of the
country, roving about the plains; but few of our own colour."

"And have you then met none who are white, but us?" interrupted the
girl, like one too impatient to await the tardy explanations of age
and deliberation.

"Not in many days--Hush, Hector, hush," he added in reply to a low,
and nearly inaudible, growl from his hound. "The dog scents mischief
in the wind! The black bears from the mountains sometimes make their
way, even lower than this. The pup is not apt to complain of the
harmless game. I am not so ready and true with the piece as I
used-to-could-be, yet I have struck even the fiercest animals of the
prairie in my time; so, you have little reason for fear, young woman."

The girl raised her eyes, in that peculiar manner which is so often
practised by her sex, when they commence their glances, by examining
the earth at their feet, and terminate them by noting every thing