Among this jealous group of inveterate gazers and admirers was always, though most coy and least noticed, the sweet little "black-eyed maiden" of whom I have said Daniel gave some account to the good lady who has gone to the country, as having "kissed her hand and thrown bouquets of flowers" to the "_Strong Wind_" from the back windows of her father's house in George-street. The whole soul of the "_Strong Wind_," which, until now, had been unchained and as free as the mountain breeze, was completely enveloped in the soft and silken web which the languishing black eyes, the cherry and pulpy lips, and rosy cheeks of this devouring little maid had spun and entwined about it. He trembled when he straightened his tall and elegant figure above the platform, not that he was before the gazing world, but because _her_ soft black eyes were upon him. His voice faltered and his throat was not clear when he brandished his glistening tomahawk and sounded the shrill war-whoop. This was not that the ears of hundreds, but that the ears of ONE, were open to catch the sound. His heart was now free, for a few days at least, from the dangers of the first siege, the guns of which for the time were all silent. The glances of his eyes and his occasional smiles were less scrupulously watched; and now and then they could be welcomed by sweet returns. He had now but one _real_ enemy in the field, and _his_ shafts, though they went to his inmost soul, were every one of them welcome messengers of peace and love. Thus besieged, thus pierced and transfixed, the "_Strong Wind_" did as much as he could to continue his natural existence, to eat his accustomed meals, and to act his customary parts in the dance; but efforts all seemed in vain. The sweet and balmy-sleep that had been the pleasure of his untaught youth had fled; roast beef and plum-puddings, his favourite bits, had ceased to please him; sighs and long breaths had taken all the place of peaceful and equal respiration; the paleness of his face showed there was trouble within; his noble frame and giant strength were giving way; and save the devouring pleasure that was consuming him, nothing was acceptable to him but seclusion and his occasional mugs of _chickabobboo_.