Not so much this friendly assurance as a resolution the girl had come to, decided her. She stretched forth her hand and took the package. This done, she essayed once more to move past the negro in order to return to the hill. Crookleg, however, still blocking up the path, made no movement to give way to her. He had evidently something more to say. "Lookee hyar," he continued, "I war bid to tell the lubbly Injun lady that the gen'l'm'n wud be at dis berry spot to-morrow mornin' early to meet her, and I war 'tickler told say dat it war private, and not to be told no 'quisitive folks wat might want to know. Now I think," here Crookleg took off his tattered hat and scratched his wool. "Yes! dats all dis nigga war tole to say--yes, dats all." Without waiting for a reply, the monstrosity made a pirouette, then a bound, and disappeared so suddenly, that he was gone before Sansuta could recover from her surprise. Once assured that she was alone, the maiden hastened to untie the bead-string around the package, and lay bare its contents. Her glance fell upon a pair of showy ear-rings, and affixed to them a small slip of paper. Though but an Indian maiden, the chief's daughter had learnt to read. By the last glimpse of departing twilight she read what was written on the paper. There were but two words-- "From Warren." CHAPTER ELEVEN. THE COUNCIL. Oluski's entrance into the council-house was the signal for all eyes to turn towards him. Slowly and with dignity he traversed the space between the door and the seat reserved for him, at the upper end of the hall. Once there he turned around, bowed gravely to the assembled warriors, and then took his seat. Pipes were now lighted, and gourds filled with honey and water handed around. Oluski declined the latter, but lighted one of the pipes, and for some time watched, as if in reverie, the circling of the smoke. The silence that ensued upon the old chief's entrance continued for several minutes. At length a young warrior, opposite to him, rose and spoke-- "Will our chief tell his brothers why they are called together, and what is it that makes him thoughtful and silent? We will hear and advise-- let Oluski speak!" After this brief address, the young man resumed his seat, while those around the circle murmured their assent to what he had said. Thus solicited, Oluski arose, and spoke as follows:-- "It is not unknown to many of our warriors now present that I was deputed by the elder brothers and themselves many years since to go to the pale-faces in Georgia to settle some old disputes about lands sold by our people to them, and about which wicked men of both races had caused quarrels and bloodshed. I departed on my errand, went to the great town where their council-house stands, spoke truth, and made new treaties with them. All this I did, and our people were pleased!" A chorus of voices ratified the chief's statement.