"For once the spirits are guiding my for-
tunes! It may seem strange to you, when we
meet thus by accident, that I should speak im-
mediately of my love for you; but we live in
a world where one must speak when the oppor-
tunity offers. I have thought much of you
since I saw you at the maidens' feast. . . . Is
Taluta willing to become the wife of Tatoka?
The moccasins of her making will cause his
feet to be swift in pursuit of the game, and
on the trail of the enemy. . . . I beg of you,
maiden, let our meeting be known only to the
birds of the air, while you consider my pro-
posal!"
All this while the maiden stood demurely
at his side, playing with the lariat of her pony
in her brown, fine hands. Her doeskin gown
with profuse fringes hung gracefully as the
drooping long leaves of the willow, and her
two heavy braids of black hair, mingled with
strings of deers' hoofs and wampum, fell upon
her bosom. There was a faint glow under-
neath her brown skin, and her black eyes were
calm and soft, yet full of native fire.
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