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64 MALAESKA. OF
*“©T don’t know —Idcn’t want to know. Weshall never ~ never
go there again,”’ said the Indian, passionately. ‘* You are mine, all
mine.’” !
The boy struggled in her embrace, restively. fe ‘
8 ‘But won't stay in the woods. I want to be in a real house,
and sleep in a soft bed, and —and—there, now, it is going to rain;
I hear it thunder. Oh, how I want to go home !?9
There -was in truth a storm mustering over them; the wind rose
and moaned hoarsely through the pines. Malaeska was greatly dis- |
tressed, and gathered the tired boy lovingly to her bosom for shelter. pee
‘* Wave patience, William; nothing shall hurt you. ‘I'o-morrow
we will row the boat all day. You shall pull the oars yourself.’’
* Shall I, though? ”’ said the boy, brightening a little; ** but will
it be on the way home???
** We shall go across the mountains where the Indians live. The
brave warriors who will make William their king.??
ja, ** But I don’t want to be a king, Malaeska ! a |
4 » A chief, —a great chief— who shall go to the war-patn and fight
“ - battles.
" “ « Ah, I should like that, with your pretty bow and arrow, Mala-
me eska; Ww ouldn’t I shoot the ‘wicked red-skins ? ”?
a ‘© Ah, my boy, don’t say that.’’ oO
ss Oh,” said the child, shivering, ‘¢ the wind is cold; how it sobs an
in the pine boughs. Don’t you: wish we were at home now?”
“ Don’t be afraid of the cold,’’ said Malaeska, in a troubled voice;
**see, [ will wrap this cloak about. you, and no rain can come
through the fur blanket. We are brave, you and I— what do we
care tor a little thunder and rain—it makes me feel brave.’
4 ‘* But you don’t care for home; you love the woods and the rain.
The thunder and lightning makes your eyes bright, but I don’t like
“it; so take me home, please, and then you may go to the woods; I
wont tell.” :
‘*Oh, don’t— don’t. It breaks my heart, ”? cried the poor mother.
ss Listen, William; the Indians —my people — the brave Indians “
4 want you forachief. In a few years you shall lead them to war.”
** But I hate the Indians.” -
** No, no.”’
ss They’ are fierce and cruel.”’
‘* Not to you— not to you!’
© IT won’t live with the Indians!”
‘** They are a brave people — you shall be their chief.”
. ‘They killed my father.”?
; ‘* But Iam of those people. Isaved you and brought you among
1 the white pcople.’’
as . Yes, 1 know; grandmother told me that. ”
{ . And [ Lclonged to the woods.’
: ‘© Among the Indians???
“Yes. Your father loved these Indians, William.’?
| } ‘Did he —but they killed him.” .
feet SR oe Pere TES es Et
po.