cended from the forecastle and paced proudly across the deck. There was one who saw her from the shore; it was the governor, who had returned from the council, and was strolling along the beach. The maiden he saw was Nahwista. She held in her hand a piece of wampum, with which she waved an adieu to her master, until she was out of sight.

The shallop arrived safely in the Delaware bay; but had no sooner landed than a body of Narragansets, who were lying in wait for plunder, attacked her, murdering the crew and rifling the vessel of everything on board. Nahwista, being a native, of comely appearance, was suffered to escape. She wandered for several miles until she came to a Swedish settlement, where she was hospitably received. The language of her native tongue was entirely unknown in this part of the country, but falling in with some Dutch from Manhattoes, the language she had learned at the governor's house was of great service to her. Her ultimate object, in leaving New Amsterdam, was to join Carle, and she was much chagrined and vexed on finding she was left at so great a distance from Hartford.

She remained here several months, until a marauding party was about to be started against the English, at Red Mounte. She embraced the first opportunity of conferring with the Swedish governor, and entreated that she might accompany the party. Her desire was granted, and she set out on foot through the forest, with the expedition. She experienced great fatigue and trials during their long marches, having been for nearly two years unaccustomed to such hardships.

The party arrived on the banks of the Quinnepiack, when they fell in with a small company of English, who had previously received intelligence of their progress towards their territory. A conflict ensued, which resulted in the defeat of the Swedes, and the taking of three prisoners, together with Nahwista. The Indian girl had borne a bow and quiver, which she used most skilfully during the contest, killing one of the colonists, and wounding another. Her enemies were much enraged, and would have put her to death instantly, had the usages of warfare sanctioned such a course. The party of colonists, being composed of New Haven and Connecticut volunteers, and by far the greater portion belonging in Hartford, the captives were taken to the latter place, and put in confinement.

Nahwista was truly in a disagreeable and dangerous situation, having committed a crime against the laws of the colonies, by which she must suffer death, unless released by the Dutch, who were secret enemies to the English settlers.

It was the custom in Hartford, in those days, to keep the prisoners confined in a sort

of barrack or out-house, surrounded by a high wall, and guarded without by a watch or patrol guard. A young man by the name of Pierpont, an adventurer and trader, had been chosen captain of the watch. He had especially noticed the beautiful Nahwista, upon her arrival; and at times, when he was not engaged in his occupation of trading, or in his duties as watch, he would pass his moments with her, and as far as possible learned her history. Her peculiar manner of conversation in the Dutch language, together with her goodness of temper, and simplicity of behavior, interested him in her welfare. He ascertained from her, her parentage, her former connection with the Dutch governor's family, and her unfortunate acquaintance with the Swedes, and resolved to use his influence in obtaining her release from captivity, or putting off her punishment, until some change in the affairs of the colonies took place. He succeeded so far, as to have her made his slave; but she was not allowed to depart from the barracks, during the night time; and during the day, only in company with Pierpont, or some of the guard.

The arrival of the prisoners from New Haven, created considerable excitement; and it was not long ere Carle ascertained that Nahwista was one of the captives. He had made several ineffectual attemps to see her; but the jealousy of the English toward the Dutch settlers, led them to keep a close watch upon their movements; particularly of the Dutch Agent. Nahwista, with all the characteristic archness and cunning of her tribe, concealed from her master any knowledge she had of Carle; and her affability towards him, and the mock delight she manifested on meeting him, led Pierpont vainly to hope that she loved him.

Months passed on, and the confidence strengthened between the master and slave. Nahwista was allowed to perambulate, unattended, the yards within the inner wickets, and occasionally to repair to the mossy bank of the river, under the eyes of the watch. Hours, she sat upon the turf, watching the bright water below. Carle had observed her habits, and could easily discern her, while at her retreat, from the door of his habitation. He was not long in planning a way of speaking with her; and on a cloudy morning, when but a solitary watch was in sight, he descended to the water's edge, and followed the river up, until opposite the barrack. Here he remained until the loved form of Nahwista made its appearance on the bank. Her eyes fell upon the object of her attachinent, and she clapped her hands with joy, and the love-lit smile played upon her cheek. She sat down upon the sward, and, bending forward, she gazed eagerly upon her lover, pushing with both her hands the dark locks

from before her eyes. Carle ascended the bank, and in a moment was at her feet. "I am happy," he said, "to see my Nahwista again. I did not prize thy love until I had left thee. I had heard you had left Manhattoes, and I shed a tear, as I thought I had lost thee for ever."

"Then you still love Nahwista?" she said, gazing intently into his face, while the tears dropped fast upon her moccasons.

"Love thee! ay, I never loved thee till now; or if I did, the past is but a mirror, whereby I see my love reflected. Here, there are many fair forms and bright faces, and each morning brings wooingly to me some beautiful maiden; but I regard them not. My thoughts have been bent on thee, and the loved retreats we used to frequent, have arisen in my fancy, like fairy isles in the midst of an ocean of darkness and gloom."

The lustrous eye of the Indian girl spoke her reply, and Carle knew too well her heart to doubt that he was beloved.

"But we must part," she said, "the watch approaches. When shall we meet again?"

Ere long. You must be rescued. The difficulty is great, for know that thy master loves thee, and will use all precaution in keeping thee. I have resolved upon a plan to attack the guard; and this must be done tonight, and be you upon the look-out to escape by the northern gate, which will be opened for you. Fly immediately to my house and you will be safe. Farewell, Nahwista, we shall meet to-morrow." The maiden rose and returned to her prison house.

Pierpont had returned from an hunting excursion, and held in his hand a beautiful bird, a native of the forest, which he presented to Nahwista as she entered. She spread its crimson wings upon her lap, while she forced a smile, and her master seated himself beside her. "You are sad this morning, Nahwista," he at length said.

"I am in captivity, and a great way from my father and sisters."

"But are you not happy with me, Nahwista?"

"The Indian girl likes not to be a slave. Nahwista likes her father and sisters, and prefers to roam free among the hills of her native forests."

"True, but if I will set thee free, and make you my wife

"Wilt make me free?" she asked vehemently, clasping his hand in both of hers.

"I will, if you will be my wife." Nahwista relaxed from his embrace, and turned her eyes sorrowfully to the ground.

"Dost doubt that I love thee, Nahwista? I will cherish thee forever, and make you happy. Why then not accept my offer?"

It was past midnight, and the wakeful Nahwista was seated upon her pallet of boughs, when the report of a gun was heard. She bounded to her feet like a fawn, and went towards the northern gate. The gate was yet fast, and she listened for a moment. Presently the alarm was given among the watch, and immediately succeeded the clash of rapiers. There was a running hither and thither, and a firing of muskets, and a clashing of steel. There appeared at intervals an engagement between two, then between three or four, and then all seemed closed in a general meleé. The drums beat the reveillé, and the soldiers and citizens were heard collecting in masses, and the Indians whooping and yelling in every direction. The noise and confusion increased, and Nahwista began to be alarmed for the fate of her lover, when the ponderous gate came tumbling down at her feet. She leaped over the fragments and was in the arms of Carle.

"Fly," he said, "I have broken the rapier of your master, and have disarmed two of his guard, and we must now escape. Your release was all that I desired, and I have no disposition to pursue the conflict further. I have ordered my men away; and when we are no longer to be found, the town will be quiet again.

Pierpont was picked up wounded, with the hilt of his rapier in his hand, and was assisted home. But had he known that night that Nahwista was lodged in the house of Carle, no circumstance would have stayed his vengeance.

The next day he reported the affair to the governor, and informed him of the escape of the Indian captive. It was thought expedient to make it a subject of correspondence between the commissioners and the Dutch governor. Nahwista was demanded by the magistrates, but Carle regarded not their authority. He subsequently made proffers of marriage to her, and made known his intentions to her adopted father. The Dutch governor made a virtue of necessity, and consented to the union, so soon as Nahwista should be lawfully baptized.

Carle continued to remain in Hartford until Stuyvesant came into power, when he repaired to New Amsterdam. In the meantime Nahwista's father had died, and her adopted father having sailed to a foreign land, was cast away; and being no longer inclined to join her sisters, she settled down in quiet life with her husband, and lived many years, an ornament to society and her sex. Boston, September, 1842.