Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-07-15

cecdng homeward, sudden fear for her
child, whom size had lett alone, crossed her
mind, and caused her to hasten forward.
Drawing nearer to the dwelling, this fear be-
came so intense, that il amounted almost TO
convection of some terrible calamity. Fly
ing rather than walking she reached the
house, and sprang to the cradle, it was emp
ty, and the child nowhere to be seen! With
frantic eagerness she rushed to the back door
of the dwelling, which she had left closed,
and which she now found open. She was
Just in time to see party of Indians making
rapidly to the woods. Her heart whispered
the fearful assurance that they bore away its
treasure. Here was trying situation for
timid and helpless woman-her husband aiar
of-perhaps in peril-her child-her first
born, and only one, torn away by the rude
hand of a savage-dread night approaching,
and no earthly arm to aid
Without pausing for reflection, the moth
er flew along the path which the Indians
had taken. Now and then she caught "A
glimpse of their forms, as they moved rap
idly through the trees, but as the twilight
deepencd, and surrounding objects became
more indistinct, even that slight comfort was
denied her, and she traced her gloomy path
way without knowing whether or not it would
bring her nearer the object. of her pursuit.
Yet she paused not moment in indeclsion,
but FASTENED onward through the increasing
darkness, unconscious of the uncertainty of
her search, and the wildness of her expcdi-
ton. She had but one thought-one hope
and that was to be near her chid-to save
it, if ii could he saved, or perish with it, if
perish it must Strong in this determna-
ton she pushed forward thoughtless of fa-
tgue and fearless ofperiI. As the night adj
vanced the wind rose and sighed among the
trees with moutnful and heart chilling
sound. The stars, that hitherto shed faint
light through the branches, were now yelled
IN black clouds, that seemed to prcsage "A
storm and ever and anon the shrilI croak-
ing of a night-bird, or the prolonged howl of
beast of prey was borne to the ear of the
unhappy wandcrer. waking fearful thoughts
and warning her of the dangers by which
she was surrounded.
Those who have never roamcd in forest
at midnight, can scarcely realize how much
that is terrifying is connected with such a
Journey. At one time, the howl of the hun
cry wolf will burst SO suddenly and clearly
on the ear, that we can scarcely persuade
ourselves that the monster is not close at our
side-at another, the falling of dccaved
branch will produce sucI, a loud and fearful
sound that we deem it the fatal plunge which
must doom us to destruction. Now the wind
will come with fittul and moaning cadence,
SO like the human voice, that we for an in
LET bnlinvn IL tn H., iIo Il ,,c
nizcd being-and again it will sweep by
with "A rushing sound like troop of enragcd
monsters, bent on IA mission of death. Some
times an unseen low-drooping branch will
softly touch the shoulder, congcaIng the
warm current of life with the idea that a
spectral hand had suddenly arrested our pro-
gress and again black and blasted tree,
with one or two sere branches protrudinc
from It's side, will for an instant still the pull
saion of the heart, us we behold in it a
trightful phantom, stretching forth its arm to
grasp our shrinking forms.
All this, and more, must one feel and fcal
in lonely midnight walk through the iorcst
and all tins the mother endured as she pur-
sued her almost hopeless enterprise. Sh,
had travelled far, very far, for the darkness,
of night and the intrcaclcs of the wood llat
scarcely lcsscncd the speed with which sIs
commenced her walk, and she had been ma.
ny hours on her way. WEAKNESS was be.
ginning to overcome her-hope was depart,
ing from her heart and despair chilling al
her energies, when she discovered afar OF
through the trees light. 1t was but fcebl
glimmer, yet oh how it rradiatcd the pat,
of the wanderer. The instant she bchcld
hope sprang back to her heart, and strcnet
invigora,cd her frame. That faint and far
-, off ray seemed the light of returning happi
ness, and she watched it as eagerly as til
mariner watches the star which guides hir
, over the oceans stormy wave. She no,
FASTENED onward with rodoublcd energy, an
though her steps sometimes ialtcred, and he
heart sunk within her as the light disappear
ed behind some intervening object, she sti
!, kept her eyes steadily in the direction of ii,
beacon, and soon gained position where
1 shone brightly before her, and she could ar
proach without looslng sight fit again.
> she drew near she gazcd upon the seen
j which that light revealed, with mingled fee
$ ings of establishment, hope and fear.
y There was large fire built of dried branc
es of trees, and around it lay the dusky form
G of five or six Indians reposlng upon 4,
9 ground. Their appearance was savage an
: fearful in the extreme each with his pain
d ed feathers lighted by the filful glare of ii
n fire, and his tomahawk and scaIping kni
II cleaning at his side. Near them were in
d plements of hunting, and around the fire la
!. scattered bones and fragments of recel
n rude and hasly repast. The whole seer
d was calculated TO strike terror into the hea
"A of the delicate being who gazed upon it.
l. But she scarcely saw the rude Savagcs ,
n their implements of death, for her own so
is was absorbed in contemplating a portion
ID the scene which we have not yet describe
j. which rvited her attention with IA tlrlir
.r and magic power. Bound to tree was ii
&c form of her husband and at his feet on ii
=; cold ground, lay her child. The father
n face was pale and stained with blood Il
IS infants was covered with its dress, and
,r form was moiionless as if chilled by the co
Is hand of death. How felt the fond wife an
Al. ,l,,, al,