"I served him faithfully; and what was my reward? A
cloud was always on his brow, and sharp lightning on his
tongue. I was his dog; and not his wife.

"Who was it that scarred and bruised me? It was he. My
brother saw how I was treated. His heart was big for me.
He begged me to leave my tyrant and fly. Where could I go?
If retaken, who would protect me? My brother was not a
chief; he could not save me from blows and wounds, perhaps
death. At length I was persuaded. I followed my brother
from the village. He pointed away to the Nez Percés, and bade
me go and live in peace among them. We parted. On the third
day I saw the lodges of the Nez Percés before me. I paused
for a moment, and had no heart to go on; but my horse
neighed, and I took it as a good sign, and suffered him to
gallop forward. In a little while I was in the midst of the
lodges. As I sat silent on my horse, the people gathered
round me, and inquired whence I came. I told my story. A
chief now wrapped his blanket close around him, and bade me
dismount. I obeyed. He took my horse to lead him away.
My heart grew small within me. I felt, on parting with my
horse, as if my last friend was gone. I had no words, and my
eyes were dry. As he led off my horse a young brave stepped
forward. 'Are you a chief of the people?' cried he. 'Do we
listen to you in council, and follow you in battle? Behold! a
stranger flies to our camp from the dogs of Blackfeet, and asks
protection. Let shame cover your face! The stranger is a
woman, and alone. If she were a warrior, or had a warrior
by her side, your heart would not be big enough to take her
horse. But he is yours. By the right of war you may claim
him; but look!' -- his bow was drawn, and the arrow ready! --
'you never shall cross his back!' The arrow pierced the heart
of the horse, and he fell dead.

"An old woman said she would be my mother. She led me
to her lodge; my heart was thawed by her kindness, and
my eyes burst forth with tears; like the frozen fountains in
springtime. She never changed; but as the days passed
away, was still a mother to me. The people were loud in
praise of the young brave, and the chief was ashamed. I
lived in peace.

"A party of trappers came to the village, and one of them
took me for his wife. This is he. I am very happy; he treats
me with kindness, and I have taught him the language of my
people. As we were travelling this way, some of the Black:

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