the answer to the question she had asked at every camp.”

“Good God!” said I, “did you, then know the answer all the while? And never told her?” But at the same moment I understood how perfectly characteristic of an Indian had been his conduct.

“I knew,” he said tranquilly, “but I did not know why this maiden wished to know. Therefore was I silent.”

“Why did you not ask her?” But before he spake I knew why too.

“Does a Sagamore ask idle questions of a woman?” he said coldly. “Do the Siwanois babble?”

“No. And yet — and yet — — ”

“Birds sing, maidens chatter. A Mohican considers ere his tongue is loosed.”