Would you leave me, my brother?’ said Oriana, in reply to this unconscious utterance of his feelings; ’would you leave me again alone, to mourn the brother I have lost?’ The Sachem loves you, and I love you, too; and you may be happy in our lodge, and become a brave like our young men.’

’Yes, Oriana, you and your father are kind to me; and I had never known any other mode of life, I might be happy in your lodge.  But I cannot forget my parents, and me dear Edith who loved me so fondly, and my little brother also.  And then I had a friend—­a kind friend, and full of wisdom and goodness—­who used to teach me all kinds of knowledge; and, above all, the knowledge of the way to heaven.  How can I think that I may, perhaps, never see all these again, and not be sad?’ And Henrich buried his face in his hands and wept without restraint.

Oriana gazed at him affectionately, and tears of sympathy filled her large eyes also.  But she drew away Henrich’s hand, and kissed it, and tried to cheer him in the best way that her simple mind could suggest.

‘My brother must not weep,’ she said; ’for he is not a child, and our Indian youths are ashamed of tears.  Henrich will be a brave some day, and he will delight in hunting, and in war, as our red warriors do; and he will, I know, excel them all in strength and courage.  What can he desire more than to be a Nausett warrior?’

‘Oh, Oriana,’ replied the boy—­as he wiped away his tears, and almost smiled at her attempts to console him by such a future prospect—­’ I desire to return to my home, and my friends, and the worship of my God.  Among your people none know anything of the true God, and none believe in His Son.  I have no one to speak to me as my parents, and my venerable teacher, used to do; and no one to kneel with me in prayer to the Almighty.’

’Do not you worship the Great Mahneto—­the Mighty Spirit from whom every good gift comes?’ asked Oriana, with surprise.  ’He is the one true God, and all the red men know and worship him.’

’Yes, Oriana, I do worship the one Great Spirit; the God and Father of all men of every color and of every clime.  But the Christian’s God is far more wise, and good, and merciful than the Indian’s Mahneto:  and He has told his servants what He is, and how they ought to serve Him.’

‘Does your Mahneto speak to you?’ asked the Indian girl.  ’Could I hear him speak?’

‘He has spoken to our fathers long ages ago,’ replied Henrich; ’and we have His words written in a book.  Oh, that I had that blessed book with me!  How it would comfort me to read it now!’

’And you would read it to me, my brother?  But tell me some of your Mahneto’s words; and tell me why you say He is greater and better than the Good Spirit who protects the red men.’

’I will gladly tell you all I know of the God whom I have been taught to love and worship ever since I was a little child.  I wish I could make you love Him too, Oriana, and teach you to pray to Him, and to believe in His Son as your friend and Savior.’