University of Virginia Library

5. CHAPTER V.

“Lena was the only child and the darling of Oronta, the proudest
chief of our warlike tribe, the Saratogas. Full many a bloody
fight had seen his single feather pass in triumph, like the pestilential
blast, scathing when he came, and leaving, when he left,
the red track of his hatchet and tomahawk.

“Perhaps Oronta was the Sachem who founded Tammany
Hall,” I remarked, with my eyes full of tears.

“Alas!” she sighed, “it is too true—but you anticipate.”

“Spring followed Spring, Summer breathed on Autumn, and
Autumn prepared her glories for withering Winter's `cold embrace.”'

“Withering Winter? Ah, I've seen him at Congress Hall
frequently,” I remarked, “and he's still on the embrace.”

“Sh—! pale-face, and listen!

“Each annual round had sent an offering to the water spirit
of the weeping fountain.”