"
"Alas! and alas!" she said, covering her face with her hands.
"Do not grieve, Nanea, a hedge is never so tall and thick but that it
cannot be climbed or crept through."
She let fall her hands and looked at him eagerly, but he did not pursue
the subject.
"Tell me, how did I come here, Nanea?"
"Nahoon and his companions carried you, _Inkoos_."
"Indeed, I begin to be thankful to the leopard that struck me down.
Well, Nahoon is a brave man, and he has done me a great service. I trust
that I may be able to repay it--to you, Nanea."
*****
This was the first meeting of Nanea and Hadden; but, although she did
not seek them, the necessities of his sickness and of the situation
brought about many another. Never for a moment did the white man waver
in his determination to get into his keeping the native girl who had
captivated him, and to attain his end he brought to bear all his powers
and charm to detach her from Nahoon, and win her affections for himself.
He was no rough wooer, however, but proceeded warily, weaving her about
with a web of flattery and attention that must, he thought, produce the
desired effect upon her mind.
Pages:
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69