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 ters on, as you did when I first saw you?"

"No; but I work on willow a little. It has been a long time since you were here last. Have you been hunting ever since then?"

"The young man hesitated and smiled, but finally answered, Yes."

"Did you see any white folks where you went?"

"I saw many," he returned. "They used to be your people, I infer, from the color of your skin. Why are you living among Indians now?"

Nattie colored. She dared not tell her questioner that she had been stolen from her home and brought to the forest, so she said, evasively:

"I have been here what seems to me a long time, and am pretty well contented."

"That is strange," said the young man, thoughtfully.

"Why, you associate with red men, and enjoy it, though you are not of their race any more than I am," said Nattie.