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HE mail was due at five o’clock Pp.

M. in the border town of Parrisville ;
: so it was not strange that half the
male population of the place turned out a little
before that time on Tuesdays and Fridays, and
congregated about the little building used « as a post-
office.

Joe Fanshaw was rarely late, but on his power-
ul great iron-gray horse would dash gayly up-to
ithe door of the office, fling down his heavy leathern
ag, and dismount, answering goodmaniredly the
waiting crowd,
| It was a thriving little village, this Parrisville,
and many of its inhabitants were getting into quite

grain East in summer, and their furs and skins in
winter.

Their relations with the Indians of the neigh-

CAMP HAMPERFORD.

_comfortable circumstances, sending their stock and

145

CAMP HAMPERFORD.

 

By Mrs. Harriet A, CHEEVER,

boring forests had been chiefly friendly. It is true,
a marauding band had occasionally appeared, mak-
ing some mischief and disturbance, but the decided
and united action of citizens in dealing with such
visitors had usually brought about a speedy dis-
appearance.

One midsummer afternoon just after haying, three
boys of about fourteen or fifteen were standing near
the post-office, while a fourth, a little fellow, was
sitting on the broad low steps. i

Joe Fanshaw had been and gone, the mail had
been distributed, but many still lingered, discuss-
ing the news in papers and letters.

All at once a strange figure was noticed emerg-
ing from the woods at a little distance ; grotesque
enough of itself, it was splendidly mounted on a
snow-white pony elegantly equipped, the saddle of
wampum skilfully embroidered. a

“ Halloo,” shouted Phil Hamlin, one of the larger
boys, “here comes old Nomantic on one of those
magnificent white ponies! How would ¢#at suit you,
Davy boy?”

He turned as he spoke to the child on the steps,
with a glance at the crutches beside him. It was a
very longing, pitiful look which Phil cast at his lame
little brother; but the latter replied cheerfully —
enough :

“Wish we could buy that little white beauty, Phil.
We'll see what the letter from uncle Philip says when
we get home.”

‘Horses were scarce among these settlers. Oxen
were stronger for labor, and could both draw and
plough, and any superfluous property was not thought
of.

By this time Nomantic had approached the group
before the office door, and at once began trying to
sell the beautiful animal with its richly-wrought
saddle. The Indian was chief of a tribe whose wig-
wams were three miles away in the forest from which
the tawny tradesman had just'emerged. He, as well
as many of his tribe, squaws included, used often to
visit Parrisville, trading off baskets, game, fish; and
once in a great while, one of the more prominent