All in Vain

The first thrill of hope came to the young child when she recognised
the one that had killed the bear. He was Red Wolf, a member of
her own tribe, who often had been in her father's wigwam, and was
therefore well known to his child. The others were of the Seneca
tribe, one of those composing the Iroquois, or Six Nations, the
most powerful confederation of Indians that ever existed on the
American continent.

The three looked at the little girl in amazement, as she came running
between the trees. She dropped to a rapid walk, and did not stop
until she was among them.

"Where do you come from?" asked Red Wolf, in the Delaware tongue.

"My father, the great Omas, brought me to see my friend Alice. He
left me with her people, and you must not harm them."

"Why did Omas leave you with them?"

"They are my friends."

It should be said the Senecas, who calmly listened to the conversation,
understood all that was said.

"Where are you going?"

"A long way through the wood."

"Why does Omas leave you with the palefaces? You should be in your
own wigwam many miles away."

"He knows I am safe with them. He led us through the woods until
he could leave us; then he went back to the great river between
the mountains to help the other warriors fight."

None of the three could doubt that the child was speaking the truth.
They held the prowess of Omas in high respect; but they were not
the ones to surrender such a prize as was already theirs.