melody, though in a low and suppressed voice, songs of vengeance. Here Earth remained a short time, and as bending forward, he listened more eagerly, to catch the Prophet's words; the motion of the tree which he personated was the same as if there had swept over it a gentle breeze. A few moments passed and he disappeared. There was now a rustling of the prairie grass, and Earthquake, gliding along, seated himself near Rolfe. “What tidings, Earth?” said Rolfe, in a hurried tone. “No news of the captive,” said Earth, “and moreover, the camp is quiet.” “Whose camp is it?” “The Prophet's.” “How do you know?” “From the humbug which hangs over his tent,” said Earth, “and a noise that I heard, which I suppose he intended for a prayer, but it sounded to my ears, very much like the whining of my old bitch Jupiter.” “What do you mean by humbug over his tent, Earth?” “Why, I could'nt make it out exactly, but it seemed to me that there were rags and skins strung together in curious shapes, hanging all about it.” “Did none see you?” “No, not one; there was an old squaw who came out star gazing; she mistook me for a log, and had like to have stumbled over me, but all went well.” “And you did not see the captive,” continued Rolfe. “No; and every thing seems so quiet, that I begin to doubt if these devils from the river went there. If they had, they would have been talking that thing over one half the night, and showing their scalps the other half.” “Then, if they have not,” said Rolfe, “the Prophet will aid us in our search, and even lend assistance to rescue the maiden.” “It will be to his interest to do so,” said Earth, “and if he gives us any real help, it may serve to cover over that ugly trick of his, in refusing to give up that fellow who killed the storekeeper. But, Rolfe, I don't believe in Ingens strong as I do in the Bible. I hate 'em; Ingens and 'possums are very deceitful.” “Is there no danger, however, in entering the camp in the morning, Earth?” “No; none, I reckon; we will try it all events:—come now, hush, Rolfe, let's go to sleep.” “I can't help thinking of that girl,” said Rolfe, “some how or other she seems to haunt me. I keep fancying I have seen her before.” “Seen her, indeed,” said Earth, “where did you see her?” “It seems to me,” answered Rolfe, “that she is like a girl I used to know in Petersburg. But then,” said he, pausing, “her father was rich and happy.” “And because you left him rich and happy,” said Earth, “you think she must have floated down the Ohio in a flat boat.” “No, it is that which perplexes me,” said Rolfe.