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First there had been a marriage that very morning on the "Flying Star," the pretty boat of Louis Marsac, and Owaissa was the bride. There had been a feast given to the men, and the young mistress had stood before them to have her health drunk and receive the good wishes and a belt of wampum, with a lovely white doeskin cloak that was like velvet. Then they had set sail for Lake Superior.
I shall teach my people to love the white man's God, for then we should not have wars and quarrels," said the girl. So she taught the little children; she told stories to the squaws and she won the confidence of the young men of the tribe who would soon be in the council fires. And all the tribe loved Litahni, the beautiful daughter of Black Hawk and Owaissa.
There was a step after a long while. A plate was pushed partly aside and a voice said through the grating: "What is it?" "It is I, Wanita, Loudac. I have some one who has been in danger, a little maid from Detroit, stolen away by Indians. My mistress Owaissa begs shelter for her until she can be returned. It was late when she was rescued from her enemies and we stole away by night."
The girls of your Indian tribes are not given half a chance to see the helpers all about them. Teach her to see, as I have taught you to see, what a woman can do." And the words of the missionary had burned into the very soul of Owaissa. Her child should have a chance.
Her heart was filled with gratitude and wonder, yet she could hardly believe. "You must take my blanket," and Owaissa began draping it about her. "But Noko?" said the French girl. "Noko is soundly asleep. And the sailors are throwing dice or drinking rum. Their master cannot be back until dark. Go your way proudly, as if you had the blood of a hundred braves in your veins.
Often they sat by the lakeside for their midday meal. Sometimes it was rough and sometimes calm. "See, daughter," said Owaissa. "The little lake is very rough to-day. Sometimes our lives are like the little lake. Not always are they calm. Storms sweep over the life. But take the lesson from the lake. Be beautiful through it all.
Down beneath the surface, the water is calm and untroubled even though the white caps are above." Once they were caught in the mountains in a terrific storm. Litahni crept close to the mother when the thunder rolled loud and long, but she loved to see the long streaks of lightning flash across the sky. Then Owaissa said, "The thunder cannot hurt you, dear.
Jeanne was very glad of the friendly twilight. She felt her face grow red and cold by turns. "And the maiden Owaissa will be very happy," she said half in assertion, half inquiry. "He is smart and handsome, but tricky at times, and overfond of brandy. But if a girl gets the man she wants all is well for a time, at least."
But Madame flung out one little arrow that missed its mark. "Your old lover soon consoled himself it seems. It is said he married a handsome Indian girl up at the Strait. I dare say he was pledged to her." "Yes. It was Owaissa who freed me from captivity. She came down to Bois Blanc and heard the story and sent me away in her own canoe with her favorite servant. Louis Marsac was up at St.
Three years before, the good missionary who was leaving the encampment had said to Owaissa, "Soon there will come to your tepee a little child. Should it be a little girl, teach her to see herself in the things about her, so that the birds, and the trees, and the flowers, and the winds may all help her to grow true and fine, even as they help the young braves to grow brave and strong.
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