Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-02-04

Ice, Ihe slsJer leaning on Ine DrOIIier arm, anu
each anticipating an carly accomplishment of
their journey, trode lightly the path in which
David led. Ignorant Of the difficulties which
even experienced woodsmen many times encoun-
ter, though aided by the sun, in determining
their true course, these children, with light
hearts, had penetrated the deep, and for many
miles, unbroken forest. The wilderness seemed
to them like a crowded mart, and each stately
tree they passed was like some merchant prince,
.ostling his fellow, and striving for the ascen-
dency, yet where these trees were then many of
them stood hundreds of years before, and had
ever since maintained the same mute rivalry
the same eternal silence. And they might more
strongly remind one of our conceptions of the
awful presence, and the awful silence, that shall
pervade the earth when it shall be thronged
with the risen dead men of high and low es-
tate; the rich, the poor; the young and old;
the prince and subject; all animate with life,
yet all speechless, motionless as DEATH
These persons were three solitary wanderers in
that mute Presence-and as their fancies aided
them in personifying each tree and shrub, the
gnarled oak and slender sapling the towering
pine and lowly alder the cragged elm or the
weeping willow; they beheld the world in its
worst and better phases and forgot the pursuit on
which their steps were bent. On, on, they
wandered long past the angles at which they
should have turned, and were plungng deeper
and deeper in the untrodden wilderness. Fears
came upon them,-their minds were confused.
Misty clouds were gathering about the sum-
and their guide shallow-pated at BEST was per-
picked, bewildered, crazed with overburdened
care.
Like the mariner at sea without chart, com
pass, or pole star, for a guide, they were lost
If the reader has never explored the wilderness
he knows not how difficult it is, without the
aid of a compass to determine ones true course.
The Hunter and the Savage will be guided by
the Sun, or when that is obscured, they will be
aided by observing collections of moss and scurt,
which often form on parts of trees facing the
North-but this affords no infallible guide, since
in thickly shaded places these substances will
collect on different parts of the same tree-or
for more unerring indication of their true
course, they will observe the tops of the hem
lock, which invariably incline toward the East
yet our party were ignorant even of these
rules fordetermining the cardinal points; though
David had some vague notions of such law,
but he was SO confused that he did not think of
it, or could not give to it an Ineligible expla-
nation. Had he been able to do so it would
have availed them little, since they were nearly
ignorant of the relative position of the point
they left and the point they aimed at.
They travelled for hours during which time
they supposed themselves making successful
headway, when in fact, their course had more
nearly described a circle of half mile or SO in
diameter, within which their feet had pressed
nearly or quite identical spots of earth again
and again. Alice was weary, and the party
sat down to rest themselves and satisfy their
sharpened appetites. Reflection convinced them
they were lost, yet their courage did not fail
them and least of all, hers whose heart is like
the fawns when inferior dangers threaten, and
like the lions when more serious ones impend !!
David, believing he might find some marked
trees or other indications for determining their
position and course, set out with that purpose.
Hours passed away, yet he came not. The ut
most power of his companions lungs was en-
ployed to recall him, yet no answer but the dis
tant echo of their own voices was returned
David was again lost, and as is said to be the
won't of distinguished Statesman of the pres
ent day, he was taking u walk solitary and
alone
The day was wearing late,-the prospect Of
David's return was faint, and his companions,
if possible, must attain some human habtation
ere nightfall set in. They accordngly ly started
in direction which they believed most certain
to lead them to the settlement of honest folk,
and though they were steering directly from it
and plunging deeper into the forest, yet an in
visible Hand, an unerring Guide to those who
follow Him, was leading them on to their des
tiny
As they journeyed they employed their voices
in frequent and unanswered calls to David. Al
length, when fatigue had nearly weighed then
down, and the hope of meeting David or reach
ing local habtation :" was turning to des
pair, shrill whistle, resembling that of the
hen hawk, was heard as the last faint echo o.
Herbert's voice, calling for David, died away.
/" What was that, Brother?" said Alice start
ing up.
Thought heard the voice of some persona
thing,-the first except your own sweet voice
Sister, that have heard in the many weary
hours since David left us. But it was 50 indis
tinct that | could not determine if it was the
, voice of living thing, or the whistling of tht
, wind, or the creaking of some of these huge
trees chatting one against another as currents Of
air move them"
, +" 1t was the voice of living thing, an
! sure, Herbert"
, !" | fear your imagination strongly helps you
to believe SO, Alice.''
" Nay, but | am quite sure. Call again
Herbert"
Herbert again called at the top of his voicC
to David. The echo had scarcely ceased wher
the hawks whistle was again heard much NOR,
distinctly than before.
There, Herbert, what was that?"
; " 1t seemed to me like a hawk" said he
J looking up to see if the bird were visible. q
do not see it, but let us take courage, Alice, fol
it would not be SO far in these dark woods if |
/ settlement were not near"