This dumb show lasted two or three minutes on both sides, when Mabel perceived that the bushes opposite were cautiously pushid aside, and a human face appeared at an opening.A glance sufficed to let Mabel see that it was the countenance of a red-skin, as well as that of a woman.Asecond and a better look satisfied her that it was the face of the Dew-of-June, the wife of Arrowhead.During the time she had travelled in company with this woman, Mabel had been won by the gentleness of manner, the meek simplicity, and the mingled awe and affection with which she regarded her husband.Once or twice in the course of the journey she fancied the Tuscarora had mani-fested towards herself an unpleasant degree of attention;and on those occoasions it had struck her that his wife exhibited sorrow and mortification.As Mabel, however, had more than compensated for any pain she might in this way unintentionally have caused her companion, by her own kindness of manner and attentions, the woman had shown much attachment to her, and they had parted, with a deep conviction on the mind of our heroine that in the Dew-of-June she had lost a friend.
It is useless to attempt to analyze all the ways by which the human heart is led into confidence.Such a feeling, however, had the young Tuscarora woman awakened in the breast of our heroine; and the latter, under the im-pression that this extraordinary visit was intended for her own good, felt every disposition to have a closer commu-nication.She no longer hesitated about showing herself clear of the bushes, and was not sorry to see the Dew-of-June imitate her confidence, by stepping fearlessly out of her own cover.The two girls, for the Tuscarora, though married, was even younger than Mabel, now openly ex-changed signs of friendship, and the latter beckoned to her friend to approach, though she knew not the manner herself in which this object could be effected.But the Dew-of-June was not slow in letting it be seen that it was in her power; for, disappearing in a moment, she soon showed herself again in the end of a bark canoe, the bows of which she had drawn to the edge of the bushes, and of which the body still lay in a sort of covered creek.Mabel was about to invite her to cross, when her own name was called aloud in the stentorian voice of her uncle.Making a hurried gesture for the Tuscarora girl to conceal herself, Mabel sprang from the bushes and tripped up the glade towards the sound, and perceived that the whole party had just seated themselves at breakfast; Cap having barely put his appetite under sufficient restraint to summon her to join them.That this was the most favorable instant for the interview flashed on the mind of Mabel; and, excusing herself on the plea of not being prepared for the meal, she bounded back to the thicket, and soon renewed her communications with the young Indian woman.
Dew-of-June was quick of comprehension; and with half a dozen noiseless strokes of the paddles, her canoe was concealed in the bushes of Station Island.In another minute, Mabel held her hand, and was leading her through the grove towards her own hut.Fortunately the latter was so placed as to be completely hid from the sight of those at the fire, and they both entered it unseen.Hastily explaining to her guest, in the best manner she could, the necessity of quitting her for a short time, Mabel, first plac-ing the Dew-of-June in her own room, with a full certainty that she would not quit it until told to do so, went to the fire and took her seat among the rest, with all the com-posure it was in her power to command.
