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ourns. She did not lift her head, or give any sign of welcome till the chief had crossed to her side, and in a tone of command bade her:
"Arise and listen, my sister, for I bring you joy."
"There is no joy," answered the woman, obediently lifting her tall figure to a rigidly erect posture; by long habit compelled to outward respect, though her heart remained indifferent.
"Put back the hair from your eyes. Behold. For the dead son I give you the living daughter. In that land to which both have gone will her lost mother care for your lost child as you now care for her."
Slowly, a pair of lean, brown hands came out from the swathing blanket and parted the long locks that served as a veil to hide a haggard, sorrowful face. After the deep gloom the sudden firelight dazzled the woman's sight, and she blinked curiously toward the burden upon her brother's breast. Then the small eyes began to see more clearly and to evince the amazement that filled her.
"Dreams have been with me. They were many and strange. Is this another?"
"This a glad reality. It is the Sun Maid. She has no parents. You have no child. She is yours. Take her and learn to laugh once more as in the days that are gone."
Then he held the little creature toward her; and still amazed, but still obedient, the heart-broken squaw extended her arms and received the unconscious foundling. As the warm, soft flesh touched her own a thrill passed through her desolate heart, and all the tenderness of motherhood returned.
"Who is she? Whence did she come? Where will she go?"
"She is the Sun Maid. From the Fort by the great lake, where are still white men enough to die--as die they must. For there is treachery afoot, and they who were first treacherous must bear their own punishment. Only she shall be saved; and where she will go is in the power of the Woman-Who-Mourns, and of her alone."
Without another word, and leaving the still blazing fagot lying on the earthen floor, the chief went swiftly away.
But he had brought fresh air and light and comfort with him, as he had prophesied. The small Sun Maid was already brightening the dusky lodge as might an actual ray from her glorious namesake.
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