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

saw that one oil tneSe nad slipped from us
place, and lay on the ground by its owner,
so near that his hand almost touchedthe hilt.
A pang of intense fear shot through her
frame when she thought of approaching
so close to the terrible form of the saw
age but another look upon the pale face
of the prisoner treasured her, and she
determined to rescue him or perish in the at
tempt. She could not approach the Indians
without revealing herself to the eyes of her
husband, and she feared in that case, an ex-
clamaion of surprise would follow her APP
pearance, and rouse the foe from their sunl-
Der. After bordering moment upon the
best mode of proceeding, she determined TO
steal softly back of the tree, place her hand
on the lip of the captive, whisper few
words of explanation, to.implore him not by
the slightest murmur to Illustrate her plans.
With tl,robbng heart she commenced her
perilous undertaking. Noiselessly she made
her way TO the tree, and accomplished her
purpose.
There was no time for delay, yet one in
slant the mother turned to look upon her
child, yearning to clasp it to her bosom, but
not daring to lift the cloth which concealed
its features, and assure herself whether or
not it lived. A little while before she would
have given worlds to be able to do this, but
now she felt that TO behold it wrapped in the
slumbcr of death, would unnerve her arm,
and render her unfit for the prosecution of
her trying task. With lirmness that would
have done honor to stole, she conquered
the promptings of natural love, and fastened
away. With step as noiselcss as the fall
ling dew, she glided towards the slumbering
savages; as she drew near, her frame tremb-
led so violently, that she could scarcely sup
port herself 4; and when she put forth her
hand to take the knife, the beating of her
heart was so audible. she feared it would
awake the sleepers, and she pressed her hand
convulsively upon it TO still its tumutuous
throbbngs. One terrible instant she thought
the eyes Of the Indian opened, and glared
upon her with fierce and malignant expires.
sion, but this was mere fancy, for he slept
f and the next moment she was gliding away
, with the knife firmly grasped in her hand
, With few rapid strokes she liberated he
husband, and then bent down and uncovered
the child. To her nnspcakablc Joy, sh,
found it in slunlber as sweet and peaceful
, as though it had been hushed to rest upon it.
mothor's bosom. With prayer of graft
tude upon her lips she lifted it from its rud,
resting place, turned to her companion, an,
motloncd the way to their home. With rap
r id and noiseless steps they hurried away
| speeding onward with tremuons yet hopeful
| hearts. Not a moment did the fond mothe
, spare to caress her infant-not word di,
| she utter to greet her husband. The spell
of new found uncertain happiness had set
tied upon her spirit, and she feared to bfeal
its thrilling charm. For time, they tray
/, elled thus in silence and darkness, movin!
as near as they could Judge, in the direction
of their home, and anxious to be farther, still
| farther irOmther enemies. AT length wear
mess compelled them to rest awhile and a
the dawnng day began to shed trembling
light abroad, they crcpt into Ticket ant
sought repose.
The beams of the rising sun lighted In,
wanderers on their home ward pathway ant
when that sun was sinking to reposc, its part
ing rays fell over the woodman's humble
home, revealing scene of bliss such as sci
dom visits the ode of man. How radien
with grateful joy was the face of the fon'
; mother, as she clasped her recovered treas
ure to her bosom ; how full of udoring low
was the rescued husbands, as it rested upo
; its fair prcscrvcr and oh how warm AM
u iervent was the prayer brcatheI in that hou
of safety, bearing up to heaven The deep dc
notion of thankful and happy hearts.