The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1854-06-22


locket; suspended from his neck by hair
chain, which had escaped their seareh.-
I opened it. 1t contained his mothers
portrait--(he was her only son, and she
was widow
"Thank God,, l again calculated; "that
mothers curse will not light on me-
What to with my patient, after having
dressed his wounds, was what puzzled me-
To remove him myself was impossible; to
leave him there exposed to wild beasts,
and to the burning rays Of the sun, after
having partially restored him to life, seem
ed cruel, however, there was no alterna-
tive. Before leaving him, half dragged
him into the shade of a tree about hund-
red yards distant. 1t would be impossible
to describe my sensation when I found
myself with my deadly enemy in my arms
two hearts SO lately boiling over with
malice and revenge, and all the darkest
passions of our nature, now throbbing
peaceful against each other; his, fellow!
with motion SO faint and low as to scar
cely preceptible.
Well, hurried to the encampment for
assistance, and soon had him conveyed
thither in safety. For many weeks he lay,
lowering between life and death; for the
pain of his wounds, which were very
severe, the loss of blood, and the exposure
of the sun, brought ON brain fever, and
nothing but the most unremitting care and
attention saved his life. He bore his
sufferings with thatnoble endurance which
is true heroism, and which, let me tell you
is much rarer article than mere courage
in the field. In fact he displayed during
his sickness so many admirable qualities
that it was a mystery to me how [ coulc
have mistaken his character so completely
Whether it was owing to this, or to my
having done him service, I cannot tell
but nscnsible the hatred all melted from
my heart, and in its stead sprang up /;
strong feeling of regard for him. Curious
wasn't it?''
But whether this feeling was reciprocal
ed or not; for although his manner towarl
me was peculiarly soft and gentle, and hi
eyes would light when I approached thu
couch, he remained as taciturn and re
served ever, and never made any alIusiol
to the subject of our quarrel. I felt
little piquid at his silence; for l could no
help thinking that my having saved hin
from a miserable death deserved few
words Of acknowledgement. More thar
once he seemed on the point of broachin!
the subject; but he waiting for me to be
gin it, and I, of course waited for him.
At last he was SO far recovered that m,
prof essional services Were no longer n
quired. AS rose to take leave at my las
visit, Isignifed as much to him & added
cam to understand, Captain Elliott
that we return to the same footing as w
were on before?''
The same footing as before? God for
bid!'' he exclaimed, with asudden earnest
ness that surprised me-
Because" continued I, elf you wish t.
finish the quarrel SO inopportunately in
terrupted, you will find me ready at an,
| time"
"Do you wish to renew that unhapp,
quarrel?'' asked he, an expression of dee,
disappointment overspreading his eounten
ance.
"Who, I? Most certainty not" said !
''but you demanded satisfaction, Captai
Elliott, and until that demand is with
drawn, I must, of course, hold myself i
readiness to grant it.''
Il withdraw it now," said he, speaking
very quick. Il ask your pardon from m.
rash and injurious words. Ifthat will nc
satisfy you, will bare my bosom to you
sword, but I will never" said he, wit
emoton, "rise my hand against the noble
the magnimous preserver of my life!''
Those were his very words. Aftera pause
he added: Dr. c., we have all GU
lives misunderstood each other: believe me
had known your worth sooner, I woul
have acknowledgedit. We have been en-
emies long enough-let US now be friends
Will you try to overlook what is past?-
Will you be my friend?"
"My dear Captain Elliott, )" cried I, deer
1y touched by this generous speech, 81 al
your friend. Since I carried you in m
arms in that lonely glade in the chappare
I have become so much attached to 20
that would as soon shoot my own brothe
as lift finger against you"
I held out my hand to him, but he thre
himself on my breast, and bust into tear
for his nerves were weak with his recel
illness.
There was no more coldness after tha
no more reserve-all was open and abov
board between us; and I am proud to sa
that the more we unfolded our hearts
each other, the more highly did we esteer
each other.