Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1841-08-12
NO, 90

TO my mind, what II the Indians had Deen there
and killed them all =
"And did you dream they were all killed p
"No, sir, only little Esther; [ thought the rest
were all carried off into the woods, where we
couldn't find EN-. But don't think it's true
it only made me feel bad when | walked up, to
think what lift might be So
"Ah well, well, Ellec, it's only dream; you
shouldn mind any thing about ii. Come, take
the helm awhile am in hopes we shall see the
folks all we'll yet before sunset. Don't think any
more about that foolish dream, Ellec, there's
nothing in dreams"
Robert walked the deck, but with all his reso-
luton he could not put his philosophy in prac-
tice. The Indians, thought he, surely viii not
come any the more for the dream but then it
occurred to him again that they might have come,
even if there had been no dream. He looked
upon the dream itself nothing, and yet some
how or other he wished the boy had not dream
ed it. Towards night the wind began to grow
more languid, aud Robert grew more impatient.
1t had been blowing in one direction several days,
and he now fearful it would not hold out to
carry him home. lie walked the deck with a
quicker step he looked off upon the water and
anxiously watched the signs of the wind and
then he would examine the sails one by one, and
see that every inch ofcanvass was made TO draw
The breeze continued light, but steady, the re-
mainder of the day, and just the last rays of
the setting resting upon the masthead
they doubled the southern cape of Fisherman
Island, which gave them once more distant view
of home The house was about four miles dis
tant, and plainly discernible Roberts
heart grew lighter as he beheld it, Still, it was
but the house that he saw-perhaps all might not
be we'll within, and chill crept through his heart
at the thought.
ssThere is our house" said Ellec, as he brought
it fall in view
81 see it," said Robert, and he kept his eyes
fixed upon it, as they drifted moderately in to.
wards the harbour. The wind continued to die
away, and they moved along with a tantalizing
slowness The twilight shades grew deeper and
deeper,and when they had arrived within couple
of miles of their habtation it was almost lost in
darkness. Suddenly light darted from the
house and cleaned upon the water like brilliant
star in the horizon
oThe folks at home, . said Eec, ''for they
have just lit candle
They gazed moment in silence
''That light appears to me too large for can.
die, said Robert
I'm thinking" said William, ''that mother
has seen the vessel and has kindled bark brisk
fire to get us a good supper by the time we get
home"
Robert watched the light for minute or two
with increasing uneasness. Did his eyes de-
ceve him, or did it grow larger and brighter
every moment? His strained eyeballs were rvet-
ted, and he stood motionless and almost breath
less, when red column of flame suddenly burst
through the roof of the cottage, streaming high
into the air, and casting long reflection upor
the water, like fallen pillar of fire. that reached
quite to the vessels side.
"Oh, heavens" exclaimed Robert, 'sit's all a
fire. o God, protect them
For moment he seemed to faint, and almost
sunk upon the deck. Then suddenly rousng him.
self again he directed the boys to lower the yavl
into the water. They all jumped into the boat
and William and Elec selling the oars stretched
their nerves for the Shore with all the vgour that
youth and fearful anxiety could supply, while
their father steered the boat, and at the same
tame urged on its speed with his utmost might
by means of an extra paddle They shot over
the water like an arrow but the flames spread
over the dwelling with such rapidity TO leave
no hope of arriving in season to arrest their pro
gress. Already the fire was streaming from every
window, and had spread from one end of the root
to the other They had arrived within fifty rods
of the shore,
"The house mist 60, thought Robert, ''bui
where is my dear family Why do | not hear
the least sound from them :"
The cold sweat stood in heavy drops upon his
face, as these thoughts passed through his mind
At length, that horrd stiffness was broken bya
loud shrek from the shore, that pierced then
hearts like dagger.
cts mothers voice. said William, and
springng with adesperate effortto quicken then
speed his snapped in two, and he fell back
ward into the boat. Elec, starting TO save hi
brothers fall lost his hold of mis- oar, which fell
into the WATER and the boat being under quick
way, it was soon several rods astern There they
were, left at thus painful moment without the
power of moving, except with small single pad
die at a very slow rate Robert whose decisions