The life was most fascinating to Hallie, who enjoyed every minute of it,
and had seemingly forgotten the unpleasant features of her start with
the party.
Singing Bird rode in the wagon, with Mrs. Graham, waiting on that lady
in the capacity of maid. Stella had undertaken to teach her the duty of
maid, and the girl soon did for Mrs. Graham what had taken a great deal
of Stella's time.
The Indian girl was devoted to Stella, and whenever she was near,
followed the pretty white girl with eyes in which shone devotion and
affection.
She had made herself so useful, and was so self-effacing that every one
wondered how they had ever been able to get along without her.
Stella had conceived a real affection for her, she was so gentle and
sweet of manner.
They had long talks together in the evenings, sitting away from the
fire, the Indian girl telling her white friend all about the life led by
the Indians, their wrongs at the hands of the white men, their religious
beliefs, their songs, and their folklore.
And, more important than all, she taught Stella the language of the
Blackfeet and the Sioux. Stella was a good scholar, and it was
surprising how rapidly she picked up the Indian tongues. Later she was
to feel gratitude to the Indian girl for this knowledge.
For several days Stella had noticed that Singing Bird was uneasy and
apparently unhappy, and it worried her.
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