On arriving within six paces of the heads of our horses, the Indian paused, as if hesitating to advance. Up to this time, she had not spoken a word. Neither had my companion--beyond a phrase or two that had involuntarily escaped him, on first discovering her presence in the glade. "She here? an' at this time o' night!" I had heard him mutter to himself; but nothing more, until the girl had stopped, as described. Then, in a low voice, and with a slightly trembling accent, he pronounced interrogatively, the words "Su-wa-nee?" It was the name of the Indian maiden; but there was no reply. "Su-wa-nee!" repeated he, in a louder tone, "is it you?" The answer was also given interrogatively, "Has the White Eagle lost his eyes, by gazing too long on the pale-faced fair ones of Swampville? There is light in the sky, and the face of Su-wa-nee is turned to it. Let him look on it: it is not lovely like that of the _half-blood_, but the White Eagle will never see that face again." This declaration had a visible effect on the young hunter: the shade of sadness deepened upon his features: and I could hear a sigh, with difficulty suppressed--while, at the same time, he appeared desirous of terminating the interview. "It's late, girl," rejoined he, after a pause: "what for are ye here?" "Su-wa-nee is here for a purpose. For hours she has been waiting to see the White Eagle. The soft hands of the pale-faced maidens have held him long." "Waitin' to see me! What do you want wi' me?" "Let the White Eagle send the stranger aside. Su-wa-nee must speak to him alone." "Thar's no need o' that: it's a friend that's wi' me." "Would the White Eagle have his secrets known? There are some he may not wish even a friend to hear. Su-wa-nee can tell him one that will crimson his cheeks like the flowers of the red maple." "I have no saycrets, girl--none as I'm afraid o' bein' heerd by anybody." "What of the half-blood?" "I don't care to hear o' her." "The White Eagle speaks falsely! He does care to hear. He longs to know what has become of his lost Marian. Su-wa-nee can tell him." The last words produced an instantaneous change in the bearing of the young hunter. Instead of the repelling attitude, he had hitherto observed towards the Indian girl, I saw him bend eagerly forward--as if desirous of hearing what she had to say. Seeing that she had drawn his attention, the Indian again pointed to me, and inquired: "Is the pale-faced stranger to know the love-secrets of the White Eagle?"