imagination with the qualities of a "great medicine." But, though
to Holden's high-wrought fancies, the recovery of the boy had seemed
miraculous, and he could not avoid connecting his prayers with it,
yet he shrank from directly claiming so great a power as the Indian
ascribed to him.

"The issues of life and death are with the Great Spirit," he said. "At
his pleasure he breathes into our nostrils, and we live; or he turns
away his face, and we die. Let not my brother give too much credit to
a worm."

The wily Indian, from the other's altered tone and manner, perceived
his advantage, and was not slow to use it.

"Because my white brother loved his red brethren, he sought them in
their lodges, and there they taught him their language. So when the
boy was departing for the happy hunting grounds, my brother remembered
their kindness, and held the child by the hand, and would not let him
go."

The face of the Solitary worked with emotion while the other was
speaking.

"Would that I could explain," he said. "But thou art unable to
understand. How canst thou know a Christian heart?"

"The heart of Ohquamehud is a man's."

"Aye; but a savage knows not, and despises forgiveness. I was a
stately pine, whose branches mingled with the clouds, and the birds