Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1853-01-13
t you can't find him join me in the gorge"
He wouldn't go to the gorge, Hannah"
"He would 90 anywhere"

t you can't find him join me in the gorge"
He wouldn't go to the gorge, Hannah"
"He would 60 anywhere. /"
She knew not why, but strong. present.nent
that he boy had followed the course of the stream
dwelt strongly on her mind
"I can't find him, Hannah" saidthe husband.
as he joined her a. the mouth Of the gorge.
An eagle flew past the mother as she entered
the ravine. She thought 10 herself, the dread
full birds are tearingmy child to pieces" and
frantic she fastened on, making the wall of the
ravne echo back her screams for her offspring.
The only answer was the etarnal thunder of
the boiling cataract, as if in mockery of her
woe, as it threw It's cold spray upon her hot and
throbbng temple.
She strained her eyes along the Dizzy. height
that peered through the mist, till se could no
longer see, and her eyes filed fears.
Who bul a woman Ga 4, II; fs5s'iusa- 0f-a
woman's heaFt' Fear came thee Ncnd fast upon
the reeling brain of Hannah. ,
| The terrified husband threw water upon her
pale face, and strive, by all the arts he knew, to
win her back to he. At last she openeas her
languid eyes, stared wildly around, anl tose
trembling to her feet. As she stood like heart
broken Nobe, all tears" a fragment Of rock
came tumbng down the opposite bank. She
looked up She was herself again; for halt up
the ascent stood her own dear boy.
But even while the glad cry was issuing from
lips it turned into note of horror.
"Oh, mercy-mercy ~
The crag on which the boy stood projected
from the rock in such way as to hang about
twelve feet over the bank. Right below one of
the edges of the crag, partly concealed among
some bushes, crouched panther. The bold
J outh was aware of the proximity of his parents.
and the presence Of his dangerous enemy at
about the same tlme
He had rolled down the stone in expltation,
to convince his parents of the high station he
had attained, and he now stood with another in
his hand drawing it back, and looking at them
as if to ask wether he would throw it at the
terrible animal before him. Til then the mother
seemed immoveab|e in her suspense but con.
scous of the danger of her son, if he irrtated
the beast, she rushed some distance up the
rock. Yet with the fearless mind of childhood,
and temper little used to control, he fearlessy
threw the fragment with his might at the fero-
cious animal. 1t struck one of his feet. He
gave sudden growl, Iashed his tail with fury,
and seemed about to spring.
"Get your rifle, Josiah !"
The poor man stirred not. His glazed eyes
was fixed with look of death upon the panther,
and he appeared paralyzed with fear. His wife
leaped from the stand, and, placing her hands
upon her husbands shoaLlas. ..ed sa.as- his
face ss261 ,fs.s. q a; :, asl :! r., VI =
your chid?" -
He started as if from sleep,and ran with furi-
GUS haste from the ravne.
Again the mother looked towards her son.
He had fallen upon his knees, and was whisper
ing the little prayers which she had taught him,
not in cowardly fear, but thought came across
his mind that he must die. The distracted moth
er could keep still no longer. Sic rushed up
the steep ascent with the energy of despair,
reckless of danger, thinking only Of her SON.
The rocks crumbled and slipped beneath hel
feet, yet she fell not On, on she struggled in
ner agony.
The ferocious creature paused moment
when he heard the wretched mother approach
True to his nature, he sprung at the boy lie
barely touched the crag, and fell Backward as
Hannah asccnded the opposite side.
"Ah!" said she, laughing delirously, " the
panther must try it again before he parts u.s. my
boy, but we won't part" And sinking on he'
knees before him. she fondly folded him to he'
breast, bathing his young forehead with he'
tears.
Unaterable in his ferocity and his manner
gratifying it, the panther again sPTang from hi'
situation. This time he was more successful
His fore foot struck the edge of the crag. " h
will kill US, mother, he will kill us!" and the boz
nestled close to his mothers bosom. The AMI
NAL struggled to bring his body 10 the cFag-
, his savage features but step from the molher'
, face
$50 away, 90 away" shrieked the mothe
hoarse with horror. "you shant have my child
Closer-sti closer he came-hs red eye
flashing fury, and the thick paintings OF hl
!, breath came in her very face. At this awir
moment she hears the sharp reroft Of fireai'n
: coming from the gulf below--the panther's foo
bold fais, his sharp claws loosen from the rock
and the baffled beast rolls down the precpice {
the feet of Josiah Eaton
. The suns last rays CLEANED on the little srou
at the mouth of the gorge. They were on the
A knees-,he mothers hands raised over the hea
of son, and the voice Of prayer going to the
4 Guardian for His mercy in thwartng the par
:. theirs leap.
n Horrors of the Slave Trade.