to live. I should be a burthen and a delay to you if you attempted to take me with you. Your women and young people must be provided for. Go!"
And Ish-te-nah was left alone. Although he had made a virtue of necessity, and exhibited the characteristic stoicism of his race, in insisting upon thus being deserted, he could not repress the bitter thoughts that visited him as the last lingerers disappeared from his feeble gaze. He recalled the times when he had rallied his people to a victorious onset, or saved them from a well-laid ambush, or brought them off safely from the assault of superior numbers. He recalled his achievements in the chase, and the occasions when, by foresight and energy, he had averted calamities like the present. And after all his benefits to his tribe, here was his reward.
As he was indulging in these repining retrospections, he was startled by the sound of crackling snow, and the next moment an Indian girl stood panting before him.
"We-no-na! What brings you here?" said the old man. "Do not linger, or you will miss your people's track. Already the drifting snow may have covered it."
"I do not care. I stay here," said We-no-na, throwing some dry boughs on the fire.
"Would the young fawn perish like the old, disabled buck? What moves We-no-na to this desperate resolve?"
"Father, they would wed me to the chief Ha-o-kah; and I detest him."
"In other words, you love some younger man of the tribe."
"I love no man, young or old; unless it be you, father, from whom I have always had kindness."
"Go, foolish fawn! Ha-o-kah is as good as most husbands."
"I would sooner die than have a husband, if all are like those of the Dahcotahs," exclaimed We-no-na energetically. "How much better is a wife treated than a dog? Look at my mother! See her staggering under heavy burthens, while her husband carries no more than will keep him warm. The wife must cut the tree, peel the bark, build the hut, sew the skins, paddle the canoe, and cook the food. She must do every menial thing, while the husband looks on in idle-
