American fiction -- 19th century; Historical fiction; Indians of North America -- Fiction
Le Bourdon was not left long in doubt. Peter arrived about half-an-hour
after Pigeonswing had gone to seek his rest; and from the instant he
came in sight, our hero discerned the thoughtful eye and melancholy
manner. These signs were still more obvious when the tribeless Indian
came nearer; so obvious, indeed, as to strike more than one of those who
were interested observers of all that this extraordinary being said and
did. Among others, Margery was the first to see this change, and the
first to let it influence her own manner. This she did, notwithstanding
le Bourdon had said nothing to her on the subject, and in defiance of
the bashful feelings of a bride; which, under circumstances less marked,
might have induced her to keep more in the background. As Peter stopped
at the spring to quench his thirst, Margery was, in truth, the first to
approach and to speak to him.
“You seem weary, Peter,” said the young wife, somewhat timidly as to
voice and air, but with a decided and honest manifestation of interest
in what she was about. Nor had Margery gone empty-handed. She took with
her a savory dish, one of those that the men of the woods love--meat
cooked in its own juices, and garnished with several little additions,
that her skill in the arts of civilized life enabled her to supply.
“You seem tired, Peter, and if I did not fear to say it, I should tell
you that you also seem sad,” said Margery, as she placed her dish on a
rude table that was kept at the spot, for the convenience of those who
seldom respected hours, or regularity of any sort in their meals. “Here
is food that you like, which I have cooked with my own hands.”
The Indian looked intently at the timid and charming young creature,
who came forward thus to contribute to his comforts, and the saddened
expression of his countenance deepened. He was fatigued and hungry,
and he ate for some time without speaking, beyond uttering a brief
expression of his thanks. When his appetite was appeased, however, and
she who had so sedulously attended to his wants was about to remove the
remains of the dish, he signed with his finger for her to draw nearer,
intimating that he had something to say. Margery obeyed without
hesitation, though the color flitted in her face like the changes in
an evening sky. But so much good will and confidence had been awakened
between these two, that a daughter would not have drawn near to a father
with more confidence than Margery stood before Peter.
“Medicine-man do what I tell him, young squaw, eh?” demanded Peter,
smiling slightly, and for the first time since they had met.
“By medicine-man do you mean Mr. Amen, or Bourdon?” the bride asked in
her turn, her whole face reflecting the confusion she felt, scarcely
knowing why.
“Bot'. One medicine-man say his prayer; t'odder medicine-man take young
squaw's hand, and lead her into his wigwam. Dat what I mean.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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