those who could tread blindfold every bayou and deer path of these intricate defiles. On the other hand, disguised as she was, she did not deem it possible that the Indians would suspect any stratagem, and, consequently, the pursuit being drawn upon her, Alama, though wounded, might in a few hours be beyond the fear of danger.

So far all had succeeded; and the prisoner left the scene of his sufferings unmolested, and with new sentiments of admiration and affection for the devoted maid. Divesting himself of his incumbrances, he was soon buried in the recesses of the forest, and turned his yet feeble steps to the point designated by her.

In the mean time the lovely Fawn, impelled less by fear for herself than anxiety and affection for him, fled before her pursuers. Her light and symmetrical form, borne along as if by the breeze, seemed to flit onward like some bird of night on its noiseless wing. The Indians, in the outset, were in no doubt of overtaking the wounded prisoner, and laughed in scorn at the shallow attempt made to escape, where cunning had not been resorted to, and where physical power or personal bravery could not avail. They were, however, speedily undeceived, and derision turned into utter astonishment at the spectacle of a wounded and emaciated prisoner, with the speed of a deer, setting at defiance their fleetest runners. With every inducement, therefore, to urge them on, they encouraged one another to new efforts and redoubled exertions.

They now rapidly approached the rugged and uneven ground which marks the line of the Ellis Cliffs.' The continual abrasion of the Mississippi undermines huge banks of earth, overhanging here the margin of the precipitous shore, leaving frightful chasms and deep bayous running on a level with the river, and at various angles to its course, far up into the heights. This, together with the springs, bursting out at various altitudes, and passing through sandy or decaying strata, produces, particularly in the rainy season, a melting and sinking of the soil, and a waving, uneven surface. On the return of the summer suns the soil becomes baked, and extremely rigid and disagreeable to the feet. It was here that Xalissa, struggling against difficulties and dangers, and beset by enemies active and persevering, found her strength beginning to yield.

From the operation of causes just detailed, the pass to the river, formerly used by the Natchez, had been cut off, and another was now resorted to, though farther and more circuitous. The former ran along a narrow ridge between two deep ravines. Across this a rain gutter had been formed, which, gradually widening, had become a deep and dangerous gulf, deemed impassable by the foot of man. It was the spot recognized by my old Indian friend.

The object of those in pursuit was, therefore, to cut off the retreat of Xalissa by the new route, should she attempt it, and drive her upon one of which they sup

posed her ignorant, being that abandoned as impassable by reason of the 'break.' Xalissa, however, knew them both. She strained every nerve to reach the new and safe descent. It was in vain. The poor girl, nearly exhausted, found, as daylight approached, that her brother, the fleetest of the Indians, was gaining upon her, and that, in fact, escape by mortal means was almost hopeless. She, therefore, ceased her flight, and paused as if collecting her powers for some desperate resource. Upon this the Indians, secure of their victim, sent forth a yell of triumph.

Xalissa now turned suddenly and went directly down the deserted pass. In this attempt no interference was offered by the Natchez. On the contrary, when they reached its entrance, and saw her pent up between the highlands and the chasm, without hope of escape either to the right or the left, their joy was uncontrolled, and a savage and exulting cry rang ominously among the cliffs.

The enthusiastic girl felt that a moment had arrived, involving her own fate and that of her wounded lover; for her capture must expose the stratagem, and place his fate beyond the reach of hope. Between these probabilities and personal danger there was, in her mind, no hesitation. She hastily threw off the hunting shirt taken from Alama, tightened the belt that clasped her person, and, with a fearless bound, cleared the appalling gulf, now spreading forth its terrors between her and the astonished and baffled savages!

Pausing for a moment to recover from the stunning effect of the leap, she raised her beautiful eyes in adoration to her divinity, whose warm rays were just emerging from the east. To her his rising seemed invested with new glories; perhaps she believed that he contemplated her enterprize with favour, and thus benignly smiled on its success. Be it, however, as it may, she offered to Heaven the purest of all sacrifices -the tribute of an innocent and grateful heart; then plunging forward into the forest, she sought the shores of the Mississippi.

Every common emotion, which might be supposed to influence the pursuers on such an occasion, was merged in utter astonishment; and they stood lingering on the edge of the precipice, wrapt in silent admiration. They were unwilling, however, to follow the example of courage they had witnessed; and turning their course to the adjoining pass, rushed tumultuously down. They repaired to the outlet, where Xalissa must gain the level, trusting that the intricacies of the path would impede her flight. But they were too late: a light impression on the waving sand, disappearing almost as soon as seen, was an unequivocal indication of her having passed there on her way to the river. Hopeless of success, but impelled by curiosity, they followed to the margin, and there, on the prostrate body of a noble oak, whose gigantic limbs lay far out into the stream, they beheld her standing calm, secure, and unconcerned. Collecting herself for a last

effort, she gave the shout expressive of victory, waved her hand in token of defiance, and plunged into the dark and angry stream! The waters closed over her, and they saw her no more!

The Natchez returned disappointed and ashamed. Fortunately for themselves, as they conceived, they brought with them the hunting shirt of Alama as evidence of their story. This circumstance, the situation of their bowstrings, discoloured, rotten, and useless, the sudden restoration of their prisoner, his great speed, and unaccountable knowledge of the defiles, and finally, his prodigious leap and sudden disappearance, afforded ample ground for attributing the whole to demoniacal interference and supernatural agency. This construction soothed their own vanity, and for the moment satisfied the nation; but so soon as it was discovered that Xalissa had disappeared, no doubt existed that she was privy to the escape; in what way, however, it remained for time to develope,

Alama, in the meanwhile, unobstructed and unpursued, reached the mouth of the Humachitto; and there upon the bank, trembling with anxiety for his safety, sat his beloved girl! She sprang forward, in her artlessness and affection, and, clasped in the arms of the wounded chief, hid her face, radiant with joy, in his manly bosom.

They speedily reached the native forests of Alama, where the exalted virtues of Xalissa received additional lustre from this distinguished act of heroism, and