University of Virginia Library

6. CHAPTER VI.

“Oronta danced in pride and triumph at many a holy feast
which followed the sacrificial gift that our rejoicing tribe had in
their turn given. But Oronta felt not for the fathers whose precious
jewels were thus taken from their wigwams and committed
to the grave of the boiling fountain. Oronta thought not that
they had earthly feelings which the ardor of religion could not
always quite subdue. Oronta had lost his fair wife Calma; but
it was by a foeman's arrow, and terribly had he avenged his
bereavement.

“Since that event his motherless child had felt the glow of
fifteen summers—'till like a rose she opened all her beauties to
the maturing breath of Nature.

---

167

“The day of sacrifice came. It belonged to the Saratogas, and
Lena is the only offering fitting the occasion!

“Can the proud Oronta show his weakness? Can he let the
father's bursting bosom be seen to tremble? Can he give ear to
Nature lest she blend his love and pity in a tear, that may fall
down a blot upon his name?