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A well contested game of Indian ball presented a scene of wonderful effort and excitement。 Hundreds of strong and supple braves could be seen running over the plain； darting this way and that； or struggling in a yelling； kicking； fighting mass； all in a mad scramble to get the ball。
As Isaac had his share of the Zane swiftness of foot； at times his really remarkable fleetness enabled him to get control of the ball。 In front of the band of yelling savages he would carry it down the field； and evading the guards at the goal； would throw it between the posts。 This was a feat of which any brave could be proud。
During one of these games Red Fox； a Wyandot brave； who had long been hopelessly in love with Myeerah； and who cordially hated Isaac； used this opportunity for revenge。 Red Fox； who was a swift runner； had vied with Isaac for the honors； but being defeated in the end； he had yielded to his jealous frenzy and had struck Isaac a terrible blow on the head with his bat。
It happened to be a glancing blow or Isaac's life would have been ended then and there。 As it was he had a deep gash in his head。 The Indians carried him to his lodge and the medicine men of the tribe were summoned。
When Isaac recovered consciousness he asked for Myeerah and entreated her not to punish Red Fox。 He knew that such a course would only increase his difficulties； and； on the other hand； if he saved the life of the Indian who had struck him in such a cowardly manner such an act would appeal favorably to the Indians。 His entreaties had no effect on Myeerah； who was furious； and who said that if Red Fox； who had escaped； ever returned he would pay for his unprovoked assault with his life； even if she had to kill him herself。 Isaac knew that Myeerah would keep her word。 He dreaded every morning that the old squaw who prepared his meals would bring him the new that his assailant had been slain。 Red Fox was a popular brave； and there were many Indians who believed the blow he had struck Isaac was not intentional。 Isaac worried needlessly； however； for Red Fox never came back； and nothing could be learned as to his wherabouts。
It was during his convalescence that Isaac learned really to love the Indian maiden。 She showed such distress in the first days after his injury； and such happiness when he was out of danger and on the road to recovery that Isaac wondered at her。 She attended him with anxious solicitude； when she bathed and bandaged his wound her every touch was a tender caress； she sat by him for hours； her low voice made soft melody as she sang the Huron love songs。 The moments were sweet to Isaac when in the gathering twilight she leaned her head on his shoulder while they listened to the evening carol of the whip…poor…will。 Days passed and at length Isaac was entirely well。 One day when the air was laden with the warm breath of summer Myeerah and Isaac walked by the river。
〃You are sad again；〃 said Myeerah。
〃I am homesick。 I want to see my people。 Myeerah； you have named me rightly。 The Eagle can never be happy unless he is free。〃
〃The Eagle can be happy with his mate。 And what life could be freer than a Huron's？ I hope always that you will grow content。〃
〃It has been a long time now； Myeerah； since I have spoken with you of my freedom。 Will you ever free me？ Or must I take again those awful chances of escape？ I cannot always live here in this way。 Some day I shall be killed while trying to get away； and then； if you truly love me； you will never forgive yourself。〃
〃Does not Myeerah truly love you？〃 she asked； gazing straight into his eyes； her own misty and sad。
〃I do not doubt that； but I think sometimes that it is not the right kind of love。 It is too savage。 No man should be made a prisoner for no other reason than that he is loved by a woman。 I have tried to teach you many things； the language of my people； their ways and thoughts； but I have failed to civilize you。 I cannot make you understand that it is unwomanlydo not turn away。 I am not indifferent。 I have learned to care for you。 Your beauty and tenderness have made anything else impossible。〃
〃Myeerah is proud of her beauty； if it pleases the Eagle。 Her beauty and her love are his。 Yet the Eagle's words make Myeerah sad。 She cannot tell what she feels。 The pale face's words flow swiftly and smoothly like rippling waters； but Myeerah's heart is full and her lips are dumb。〃
Myeerah and Isaac stopped under a spreading elm tree the branches of which drooped over and shaded the river。 The action of the high water had worn away the earth round the roots of the old elm； leaving them bare and dry when the stream was low。 As though Nature had been jealous in the interest of lovers； she had twisted and curled the roots into a curiously shaped bench just above the water； which was secluded enough to escape all eyes except those of the beaver and the muskrat。 The bank above was carpeted with fresh； dewy grass； blue bells and violets hid modestly under their dark green leaves； delicate ferns； like wonderful fairy lace； lifted their dainty heads to sway in the summer breeze。 In this quiet nook the lovers passed many hours。
〃Then； if my White Chief has learned to care for me； he must not try to escape；〃 whispered Myeerah； tenderly； as she crept into Isaac's arms and laid her head on his breast。 〃I love you。 I love you。 What will become of Myeerah if you leave her？ Could she ever be happy？ Could she ever forget？ No； no； I will keep my captive。〃
〃I cannot persuade you to let me go？〃
〃If I free you I will come and lie here；〃 cried Myeerah； pointing to the dark pool。
〃Then come with me to my home and live there。〃
〃Go with you to the village of the pale faces； where Myeerah would be scorned； pointed at as your captors laughed at and pitied？ No！ No！〃
〃But you would not be；〃 said Isaac； eagerly。 〃You would be my wife。 My sister and people will love you。 Come； Myeerah save me from this bondage； come home with me and I will make you happy。〃
〃It can never be；〃 she said； sadly； after a long pause。 〃How would we ever reach the fort by the big river？ Tarhe loves his daughter and will not give her up。 If we tried to get away the braves would overtake us and then even Myeerah could not save your life。 You would be killed。 I dare not try。 No； no； Myeerah loves too well for that。〃
〃You might make the attempt；〃 said Isaac； turning away in bitter disappointment。 〃If you loved me you could not see me suffer。〃
〃Never say that again；〃 cried Myeerah； pain and scorn in her dark eyes。 〃Can an Indian Princess who has the blood of great chiefs in her veins prove her love in any way that she has not？ Some day you will know that you wrong me。 I am Tarhe's daughter。 A Huron does not lie。〃
They slowly wended their way back to the camp； both miserable at heart； Isaac longing to see his home and friends； and yet with tenderness in his heart for the Indian maiden who would not free him； Myeerah with pity and love for hind and a fear that her long cherished dream could never be realized。
One dark； stormy night； when the rain beat down in torrents and the swollen river raged almost to its banks； Isaac slipped out of his lodge unobserved and under cover of the pitchy dar