This indulgence was in accordance
with the general policy of the red man, who well knew, moreover,
that her trail could have been easily followed in the event of
flight. It will also be remembered that the Iroquois, or Hurons,
as it would be better to call them, were entirely ignorant of
the proximity of her lover, a fact, indeed, that she did not know
herself.
It is not easy to say which manifested the most self-possession
at this unexpected meeting; the pale-face, or the red girl. But,
though a little surprised, Wah-ta-Wah was the most willing to
speak, and far the readier in foreseeing consequences, as well as
in devising means to avert them. Her father, during her childhood,
had been much employed as a warrior by the authorities of the
Colony, and dwelling for several years near the forts, she had
caught a knowledge of the English tongue, which she spoke in the
usual, abbreviated manner of an Indian, but fluently, and without
any of the ordinary reluctance of her people.
"Where go? -" repeated Wah-ta-Wah, returning the smile of Hetty,
in her own gentle, winning, manner - "wicked warrior that-a-way -
good warrior, far off."
"What's your name?" asked Hetty, with the simplicity of a child.
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