The girl was sent for, that she might stand in the presence of the elders
of the nation.
No language can paint the sensation with which Content first looked upon
this adopted daughter of the savages. The years and sex were in accordance
with his wishes; but, in place of the golden hair and azure eyes of the
cherub he had lost, there appeared a girl in whose jet-black tresses and
equally dark organs of sight, he might better trace a descendant of the
French of the Canadas, than one sprung from his own Saxon lineage. The
father was not quick of mind in the ordinary occupations of life, but
nature was now big within him. There needed no second glance, to say how
cruelly his hopes had been deceived. A smothered groan struggled from his
chest, and then his self-command returned with the imposing grandeur of
Christian resignation. He arose, and, thanking the chiefs for their
indulgence, he made no secret of the mistake by which he had been led so
far on a fruitless errand. While speaking, the signs and gestures of
Dudley gave him reason to believe, that his companion had something of
importance to communicate.
Pages:
404
405
406
407
408
409
410
411
412
413
414
415
416
417
418
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428