"Welcome, Esther," he said, "goest thou to the town?"
A silent nod of the head was the reply.
"Wilt thou carry me a message?"
A nod of acquiescence answered as before.
"Go, then, quickly, and tell John Elmer, that a man, wounded by a gun, is lying in my hut, and I desire him to come instantly."
The squaw again nodded, and, without making an inquiry, with the natural apathy of her race, she said—
"What Father Holden say, I do."
The Indian, who, until now, had been silent, here addressed her in his own tongue.
"Can the Partridge," he said, "use her wings to no better purpose than to fly upon the errands of her white master?"
"Ohquamehud," said the squaw, "is a wise warrior, and his eyes are sharp, but they see not into the heart of a woman. If the sunshine and the rain fall upon the ground, shall it bring forth no fruit?"