Page:Salem - a tale of the seventeenth century (IA taleseventeenth00derbrich).pdf/90

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had gained rapidly upon her, and was just in her wake.

Springing lightly on shore, Alice proceeded to fasten her little bark at its usual mooring-place, heedless of the approach of the stranger, until, as she turned round, she suddenly found herself face to face with a stalwart Indian warrior, decked out in all the imposing pomp of his feathers, arms, and war-paint.

For one moment Alice was startled, and doubtless most modern young ladies would have shrieked or fainted at such an appalling encounter—but Alice did neither. She was aware of no enmities, and consequently felt no fear, and she had grown up in friendly acquaintance with many of the better and most civilized of their Indian neighbors; so, although the color did indeed deepen on her transparent cheek, it was less from fear than surprise and maiden modesty at finding herself thus suddenly confronted by a young stranger of the other sex; but, before she had time to analyze her own feelings, the young warrior had spoken.

"Are the memories of the pale faces