“And Ohquamehud is not a rabbit to be tracked by a little dog wherever he goes. Ahque! (beware).  He will strike the little dog if he presses too close upon his heels.”  So saying, and as if to give emphasis to his words, the Indian lightly touched the shoulders of the boy, with a small stick which he held in his hand.

It was like lightning falling in a powder-magazine, so suddenly blazed up the anger of Quadaquina, when he felt the touch of the rod.  He jumped back as though bitten by a snake, and snatching up a stone, hurled it with all his strength at Ohquamehud.  It was well that the Indian leaped behind a tree near which he stood, else the missile, with such true aim and vindictive force was it sent, might have proved fatal.  As soon as the stone was thrown, the Indian stepped up to the boy, who stood trembling with passion, but observing no intention on the part of the latter to renew his violence, he passed close by him, with a contemptuous laugh, and pursued his way, Quadaquina following, though at some distance, in his steps.  The boy came into the hut of Peena within a short time after the entrance of the Indian, nor could the most jealous eye have detected in either a trace of what had happened.  Ohquamehud moved with a grave dignity to the seat he usually occupied, and his pipe presently sent grateful volumes of smoke through the cabin.  He noticed, however, that when Quadaquina came in, his mother made no inquiry into the cause which had detained him beyond the hour of the evening meal, and this confirmed the suspicions that were floating in his mind.  They were indeed vague, and he fancied that if for any reason he had been watched by Quadaquina, the lesson he had just given would intimidate the boy, and satisfy him there would be danger in dogging the steps of one so vigilant as himself, and who had avowed his intention to punish the offender, if he were caught again.

Quadaquina, when they were by themselves, related to his mother what he had witnessed at the Falls, but made no allusion to the quarrel betwixt Ohquamehud and himself, nor of the threats of the former.  He could give no account of the address to the Manito, the distance having been too great to allow him to hear the words.  His story caused no alarm to Peena, inasmuch as acquainted with the superstitions of the Indians, she ascribed the sacrifice to a desire to propitiate the Manito, in order to secure a fortunate journey to the western tribe.

CHAPTER XXXVI.

  But love itself could never pant
  For all that beauty sighs to grant,
  With half the fervor hate bestows
  Upon the last embrace of foes,
  When grappling in the fight, they fold
  Those arms that ne’er shall lose their hold;
  Friends meet to part; love laughs at faith: 
  True foes, once met, are joined till death!

  BYRON’S Giaour.