“It is well to do so; but, Earth, did you ever know so many sad events to occur in so short a time? The scene last night, I shall never forget.—Yet, what can be more startling than the one this morning?”
“I have witnessed many sad scenes, Rolfe, and so must every one who lives as long as I have in these woods. I have seen the suffering of years packed into a few short minutes, and yet I must confess, nothing has ever come over me with more icy coldness than the fate of that gal.”
“She is young and beautiful,” said Rolfe, “and, oh! the intense anguish she must have suffered! Did you see how her feet were torn, and bruised by travel? and it seemed to me, that in addition to her other sufferings, she died of hunger. But who is she? and where did she come from?”
“Even the mother can't tell that,” said Earth. “She has been taken captive by the Ingens, and made her escape, or else wandering off from some emigrant family, was lost.”
“Then she is gone,” said Rolfe, “and there is no possible clue by which we can trace her history; and I was about to say, she died, and there was no friend to see her buried; but, though strangers to her, Earth, we are friends in misfortune, and her last sad rites shall be performed by us, as brothers would do it over an affectionate sister.”
Earth's eyes filled with tears,—he spoke not.
“Come, we must perform the last duty,” said Rolfe, “let us select a spot for her grave.”
“I hate,” said Earth, “to leave one so young alone in a wilderness, and among strangers;—even her little spirit will be afraid to go abroad, lest it should meet a red skin.”
“Her spirit, I hope, is in heaven,” said Rolfe, “and though I regret the duty we are now to perform, still, since it must be done, let us begin.”
The preparations were soon made, and the hunters returned to the wigwam, explained to the mother the course they were about to pursue, and demanded the body of the maiden. She gave it up, but was dissatisfied that the burial was to be a silent one, and, in her kindness, suggested the propriety of hiring some Indians to come and weep over the dead.