The Daughter of the Sun

"Prisoners, can any among you interpret my speech?"

I caught my breath in glad surprise, struggling to my feet, and making haste to answer.

"If you speak slowly," I said, "I shall be able to understand."

"'Tis well, as it is a tongue unknown to these Indians," her eyes lighting up with cunning. "Then, Señor, mark with care what I say, and, if the meaning of any escape your ears, bid me speak again, so no mistake be made."

"It will give me great pleasure, O Queen."

"I am the Daughter of the Sun," she interposed proudly, as if correcting my mode of address. "These are my children, given unto me by the great Sun-god. For what purpose have you of white skin dared invade the land of the Sun?"

"We knew nothing of your presence here, merely seeking a passage through these mountains northward."

"But you killed the warriors of our nation; you have stricken the people of the Sun."

"True, Daughter of the Sun; yet it was done only in self-defence. When attacked we struck hard blows."

Her eyes glowed angrily, her face becoming cruelly hard.

"None of white blood may set foot in this valley and live. It is the land of the Sun," she said haughtily. "None have ever before ventured to do so, and found safe way back to their own. Are you French?"

"Not all,--the lady and yonder cavalier are of French blood, I am a hunter of the Ohio country, while he who crouches beyond also calls himself American."