“It was wrong,” said the conjurer; “he should have died at the stake. The Great Spirit calls for a sacrifice. The missionary and his daughter must die.” “No!” said Tamaque, “it is impossible.” “It must be so,” replied the conjurer; “they must die before sunset.” “It cannot be,” said Tamaque firmly; “command me to do any thing but that.” “I command you to do that,” replied the conjurer, “or I will call down confusion on your war-party.” “I tell you,” said Tamaque fiercely, “they shall not die. Say no more about it.” “Obstinate man!” said the conjurer, “you dare not disobey me. They shall die, and you shall kindle the fire beneath them.” Tamaque now sprang forward and seized the conjurer by the throat. “Villain!” he exclaimed, “I warned you to speak of that no more. Name it again, and I will toss you headlong down the mountain.” Finding that Tamaque could not be overawed, the wily conjurer now changed his tactics. “You might safely spare them,” he said, “on one condition; but I dare not name it.” “Go on,” said Tamaque, “you have nothing to fear, if you do not speak of their death.” “The anger of Tamaque is dangerous,” continued the conjurer; “and who can tell what words will rouse it?” “No, no!” said Tamaque mildly, “I will hear you patiently; and if you require me even to leap down this dizzy precipice, I’ll obey you.” “Listen, then,” said the conjurer; “and if my words sound harsh in your ears,” said the old hypocrite, “let not your anger be kindled. They shall live if you choose, but then the white maiden must become Tamaque’s wife.” I was looking over, at the moment, from the rock above, full at Tamaque. He started convulsively; his whole frame shook with emotion; whilst a gleam of joy absolutely lighted up his dark features. My own sensations were not less violent, perhaps, though somewhat different in their character. After a pause Tamaque asked, in a tone of affected indifference: “If I consent to this, do you promise success to our expedition?” “Yes,” said the conjurer, “you will conquer all your foes, and reestablish the power and glory of the red man. Behold! a vision of the future rises up before me. I see Tamaque great and powerful, the ruler over many nations; and far off, for many generations, I see his children’s children walking in his footsteps.” “Your words are good,” said Tamaque. “So will be your deeds,” said the conjurer. “Strike boldly, and fear nothing.” “Tamaque knows no fear,” replied the haughty chief. “To-morrow he will go forth with his warriors, and thus will he rush upon the foe.” As he spoke he heaved from its resting place a huge fragment of rock, which bounded down the mountain roaring and smoking, and crushing all before it, until, with a loud plunge, it disappeared beneath the bubbling waters.