The mountain Democrat., 1864-05-28

God trust, will put it in my power to
testify my gratitude in manner worthy
ofyou."
"Your safety will be our recompense,
and we desire no other," said the fisher,
and the honest face Of his wife, lighted
with placid joy, bore testimony that she
joined in the sentiment
"Tell me, my friends" the lady asked
after pause-"on what coast has this
misfortune thrown us?"
''On that of Denmark"
The mother wrung her hands in despair
-" Denmark !" she cried, "then are my
children still lost, though they have sur
vived the perils Of the ocean |" ,.--..
"While Finn and his wife live" said
the fisher in an effort to console their un-
fortunate guest, "you have nothing to
fear, madam, for yourself. or for your chill
dren."
but you know not, my friends, that
price is on my head and on those of my
children. We were flying from the soil Of
Denmark, when the storm forced US back
upon it. lam"
keep your secret-do not tell it to
me :" cried the fisherman, abruptly check
ing the revelation she was about to make.
" All that have need to know is that you
came here in distress, and that you are in
worse distress while you remain. The
storm will soon abate-the coast of the
Low Countries is not far distant-to-mor
row, perhaps this very evening, | will
conduct you in safety from this kingdom,
to place where the persecution Of your
enemies, whoever they are, shall not reach
you. Snatch some repose, meanwhile,
aud contde in my hospitality"
The good but humble couple FASTENED
to prepare, near the hearth, a pallet Of
straw, upon which the beautiful unknown
did not hesitate an instant 10 place herself
with her children. With an arm round
each she was in a moment wrapped in
sleep. The good man Finn stood breath
lessly attentive, when his guest claSped
her children convulsivcly a moment, and
struggled almost from the bed to the floor.
Then "a change came DER the spirit Of
her dream"-an eloquent expression Of
joy passed over her pale featurcs-her lips
moved in earnest thanksgiving, and her
countenance settled into placid and smil-
ing repose, betokening the consciousness
of safety. The fisherman and his wife
conversed with quick, intelligent glances
over their sleeping guest They both
knew that she had again passed through
her perils in that vision; they both felt
happy and thankful for the calm slumber
which spoke 50 well the sense of safety.
In this calm rest she passed many
hours. At length her stunt or was dis
turbed by coarse voices outside the hut
they were roughly intcrrogating the fish
erman. The questions she needed not to
hear distinctly to understandable answer
of Finn she did catch, for it was spoken
for her ears as well as for the soldiers who
had visited the cabin.
A hundred pieces of gold" cried the
fisher" truly, captain, sum like that
would be worth striving for. BE assured
| vii, take good care Of the runaways if
they fall into my hands. \ hundred pieces
Of gold Not soul shall escape ship
wreck, from this day forth for twelve.
month, that will not bring to your quar-
terS. \ hundred pieces of gold! But,
Ca; tain, added Finn, with the character
i>;.c cJ2lnc>s Of a Danish peasant, But,
Captain, will you not enter my humble
cottage moment for repose and refresh
mput!'
The mother Shu !dcrcd, lest the invita-
ton, given in bravado, might be accepted
in earnest, and then-she was u mother,
and tie lives of her children were at stake
- for an instant She trcmbled at the pos
sibIiity that her host might intend to be-
tray her. The voice Of the Captain, as
he dcclincd the proffercd civility, and
renewed his promises to the fisherman,
reaSsurcd her, as its tones died in the dis
tance. In moment more Finn entered
the cabin:
"LoSe not a moment, madam :" said
he. 1.-The storm has abated-the waves
are more worthy Of trust than man, and
We must embark on the instant :"
All the strength of the mother returned
at this new cXigence, and hushing her
children into silence by a sign, she follow
ed Finn, as he took a circuitOus path
among the rocks, known only to himself
and in few moments, without the ex
change of a word, they were embarked
in the tiSherman's skff-the fasts were
cast Oft, the honest peasant worked at his
oars with will and, in ten hours, the
dawning light showed him the coasts of
the Low Countries. Through the night
he had been guided by his familiar pilots,
the stars; and labor was so much his ha-
bitual custom in his hardy calling-he had
SO often endured it as a matter Of course
and Of habit that, with such a stake in
success, he did not once think Of fatigue.
Suddenly a new danger caught his eye.
Two armed boats we're pursuing him; and
Notwithstanding that they were crowded
with soldiers, awkward ahoat as q crow
on stills, they rapidly gained upon him.
1t was evident that they had been lying
in wait near the coast, to intercept the
very precious burthcn which he carried.
lie uttered no cry of surprise.
"Down, madam" he said, without any
appearance OF being disconnected, down
in the bottom Of the boat, for it needs bal
last"
The mother, unconscious Of the threat
ened danger, obeyed mechanically. In
the next instant musket balls whiStled
past the ears of the intrepid fisherman
had they sped an instant before, the moth
er would have escaped the perils of the
sea, but to have been murdered by the
hireingS. .-.-.
Finn examined with his eye the distance
vet between his boat and the shore and
he saw that it was impossible to reach it
before his pursuers would overtake him.
He formed sudden and desperate resolu-
tion-he ceased to fly, He even turned
his boats head toward his pursuers, and
making'a trumpet with his hands, shout
ed
"Boats ahoy! What do you wish ?"
d" You are not alone !" answered his
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