Amongst its ruins they would seat themselves in silence, each busy with her own thoughts.
And thus was their time tranquilly passed, while war was raging around them.
But the first storm of conflict had been passed, and was succeeded by a temporary calm.
The pale-faces had abandoned the smaller settlements and detached plantations, and in the neighbouring towns awaited the arrival of the Government troops on their way to prosecute the campaign throughout the whole peninsula.
The Indians had sought their respective rendezvous, there to mature plans for a more perfect organisation.
Nelatu and Wacora had returned home, for such was the title Wacora now gave to the place where Oluski’s tribe had their permanent residence.
The exigencies of the contest had compelled the withdrawal of his own warriors from his father’s town, and the two tribes, Oluski and his own, had become fused into one powerful community.
The chief’s views towards his captive had undergone a marked change.
He no longer wished to harm her, and had she demanded from him her liberty, he would have granted it freely.
Of what use is liberty to the homeless?