Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1857-05-07


should be our first meeting, Archie, after
50 many years Of separation; just when
my cup of JOY was so full to have it snatch
ed away from me. But while my life lasts
let me talk of other things rather than
waste the few precious moments that re.
main in useless regrets. Our father and
mother are dead, my brother and YOU.
when am gone, will be the last Of our
race. Unless You return to Scotland the
estates (there being no heir, must escheat
to the crown. |, as you already know.
came out to Montreal with my regiment:
and now that | am about to die and leave
my wife alone in this world far away
from her kindred, to you Archie, I confde
her; guard and watch over her, keep her
safe from all harm. For my sake, broth
er, love and cherish this tender plant.
part not from her during life."
81 PROMISE" | whispered.
"Then / shall die in peace. You, nv
Emma, whom | have loved so deeply
said he, turning to the beautiful girl,
mourn not for me, let smiles beam again
upon your brow, we shall be Joined in
heaven though parted on earth" He
stopped and gasped for breath. Raise me
up, brother! Give me water-more water!
Emma! Archie! FAREWELL" So murmur-
ing our names his spirit departed.
"Onr grief was too Geep find vent in
any outward manifestation. Long did
we remain gazing on the calm placid face
before us; it was scarce possible to be,
lieve the soul had fed.
THAT night we buried him. Taking
the canoe in which they had come up the
river, we carried the body out on the still
lake, and sunk it in the cold, cold water
A solemn sight that was, the funeral Of {
loved brother and husband. Not will
waving plHme8, or trains of hired mour
ners, to msek the solamnitY. bit il. an IN
uroneh wlfaeTTess at Tie uead The nfgIr
the moonbeams shining on us, the pin,
trees waving a requium, by the glare o
our torches we two-his brother and hi
wife-left him to slumber in the deel
lake. Slowly we foated to the encamp
ment, both too fully occupied with oul
thoughts to speak. The shore reached,
directed my steps to the spot where Mac
kenzie lay; but what was my astonish
ment to find that he was gone. I took 6
torch and searched for his trail, which
could easily be followed. He had evi
IDENTIFY On recovering from his swoon, anC
perceiving 10 one near, rolled himself tt
the fire, and burnt the withes from hi
hands, as they lay there even Their smoul
dering in the ashes. I was too much ia
tigued, and bowed down with grief, te
care much whether my prisoner had es
capped or not, and indeed it would have
been useless to have attempted to pursue
him, so | seated myselfin the hut with the
rifles by my side-for he had not been
able to carry off his, as most OPPORTUNITY
| had taken them both in the canoe with
me, and resolved to watch all through
the night, as he was in all probability
close to me at that very moment. | knew
the mar too well to suppose for a moment
that he would attempt an open attack
against a we'll armed man. WhatI most
feared was lest | should fall asleep. How
ever, there was no danger of that, as | af-
forwards discovered. There through the
long night. | sat in that little hut, watch
ing the stairs as they moved slowly to the
west, eagerly waiting for the approach Of
day, my new found sister sleeping peace
fully at my side.
Il could not have slept, even had |
wished 1t. That night was the most aw-
ful period in mysslife; it seemed as though
it never would end. | had faced death in
every form, and sooner would [ endure. a
thousand deaths, rather than undergo the
sutferings, the almost madness of that sin
gle night.
81 arose heartily thankful for the re.
turn of day, from my cramped position
for | had not stirred, lest / should awak.
en- my precious charge. We ate but a
scanty meal, and proceeded on our jour
ney to Toronto, which I thought could be
easily accomplished in a day and a half;
so | did my best to encourage my compan.
ion. We crossed the lake in the canoe
stopping to bid farewell to the dead-foI
l had marked the spot. We travelled
easily during the day. and when we en-,
camped for the night, | discovered from
certain land marks, that we were only ter
miles from our destination.
"That night | passed watching as the
previous one, and again at the first streak
of day in the sky, set forth. Toronto was
soon reached, and our story told. My
statements were c~orroborated by the let
ter, which l had received, and a posse Of
men were sent out to search for Macken
zie; and also to recover the body of my
brother from the lake, for burial in holy
ground. In two days a party returned
with the body, which was inferred in the
c%hurchyard; and shortly after, the other
portion came back with..Mackenzie in Gus.
tody. He was committed to Jail, to await
his trial for murder at the next assizes.-
| had procured lodgings for myself and
my sister in the town, where we were
obliged to wait about q month before the
court could be held. Each day she grew
weaker and weaker; physicians were con.
suited, but to no purpose. They could
assign no cause, yet to me it was very ev'
ident that she was kept alive only by the