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THE ESCAPE. - 45
. It was the Indian woman, Malaeska, with a forced smile on her
face and looking wildly strange. She scemed larger and more state-
ly than when he had seen her last. In her hand she held a light
bow tufted with yellow and crimson feathers. When sho saw his
eyes brighten at the sight of the bow, Malacska took an arrow from
the sheaf which she carried under’ her cloak, and fitted it to the
string. .
‘See, this is what we learn in the woods.’? Wd
The two birds were wheeling to and fro across the garden’ and ‘out
into the open space; their plumage flashed in the sunshine and gush-
es of musical triumph floated back as one shot ahead’ of the other.
Malaeska lifted her bow with something of. her old forest graceful-
ness — a, faint twang of the bowstring — a sharp whiz of the arrow,
and one of the birds fluttered downward, with a sad little cry, and
fell upon the ground, trembling like a broken poplar flower.
The boy started up — hiseye brightened and his thin nostrils di-
lated, the'savage instincts of his nature broke out in all his ‘fea-
tures, a .
‘* And you learned to do this in the woods, Malacska? ’’ he’said,
eagerly. ,
‘© Yes; will you learn too? ””
‘* Oh, yes — give hold here — quick — quick!” .
** Not here; we learn these things in the woods; come with me,
and I will show you all about it.” :
Malaeska, grew palo as she spoke, and trembled in all her limbs,
What if the boy refused to go with her?
** What ! over the river-to the woods that look so bright and so
brown when the nuts fall? Will you take me there, Malaeska ?’?.
‘* Yos, over the river where it shines like silver.” /
‘You will? oh my !— but how?”? ,
‘* Hush ! not so loud. In a beautiful little boat.”
‘* With white sails, Malaeska?”?
** No — with paddles.” soe
**Ah, me !—butI can’t make them go in the water;, once grand-
father let me try, but I had to give it up.” Loo
** But [can make them go.” on
** You! why, that isn’t a woman's work.’?
** No, but everybody learns it in the woods.’
ce Can 1? 73
*© Yes! ?
“Then come along before grandfather comes to say we shan’t;
come along, I say; I want to shoot and run and live in the woods
— come along Malaeska. Quick, or somebody will shut the gate.”’
Malaeska Jooked warily around —on the windows of the house,
_ through the thickets, and along the gravel walks. No one was in
sight. Shesand her boy were allalone. She breathed heavily and
lingered, thinking of the poor lady within.
‘** Come!’’ cried the boy, eagerly; ‘*I tvant to go—come along
to the woods.”’
eo acai, rr een oe os
meat
AONE renee Speen