The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1874-11-06

terrible calamity Fl. ing, rather than walk
ing, she reached the house and sprang to
the cradle; it was empty, and TIE child no
where to be seen! With frantic eagerne-s
she rushed to the back door of the dwelling,
which she had left closed, and now found
was open. She was just in time to sea n
party of Indians rapidly making for the
woods Her heart whispered the terrible as
surance that they were bearing away its
treasure.
Here was trying situation for helpless
woman, her husband far off, perhaps in
peril. her child-her first-born and only one
torn away by the rude grasp of a savage
dread night approaching, and no earthly
arm to aid
Without pausing for reflection, the mother
flew along the path taken by the Indians;
now and then she caught glimpse of their
forms as they moved rapidly through the
forest, but as twilight deepened, and sur
rounding objects became more indistinct,
even that slight comfort was denied her, and
she traced her gloomy pathway without
knowing whether or not it would bring her
nearer to her object of pursuit. Yet she
paused not a moment in indecision, but
fastened onward through the Increasing
darkness, unconscious Of the uncertainty of
her search and tie wildness Of her expedi-
ton. She had but one oueht-One hope
and that was to be near her c'iid-to save it
if it could be saved, or perish with it if it
must perish. Strong in this determination
she pushed forward, thoughtess OF fatigue
and fearless Of peril. As the night advanced,
the wind rose and sighed among the trees
with mournful and heart-chii.irg sound.
The stars which had hitherto shed faint
light through the branches, were now yelled
in black clouds that seemed to presage
storm and ever and anon the shriil croak-
ing of a night-bird, or the prolonged howl
of some beast of prey. was borne to the ear
of the unhappy waEderer, making fearful
thoughts and warning her of the dangers
which surrounded her
Those who have never roamed in the for
est at midnight can scarcely realize how
much that is terrifying is connected with
such journey. At one time the howl Of
the hungry wolf vii! burst so suddenly and
clearly on the ear that we can scarcely pur-
suade ourselves that the monster i not close
at our side-at another, the falling of de-
cayed branch, viii produce such loud and
fearful sonnd that we deem ii the fatal plunge
which must doom US to destruction. Now
the wind will come with a fitful and mourn
ful cadence, 50 like the human voice that
we, for an instant, believe it the wall of an
agonized being, and again it VIII sweep by
with a rushing sound like troop Of en-
ragged monsters bent on Il mission of death.
Sometimes an unseen, low-drooping branch
will softly touch the shoulder, congeaiing
the warm current of life with the idea that
a spectral hand has suddenly arrested our
progress, and again a LACK and blasted
tree, with one two sere branches prOtrud-
ing from its side, VIII, for an instant. still
the pul~ation Of the heart. as we behold in
it a frightful phantom. stretching forth its
arms TO grasp our shrinking form.
All this and more must one feel and fear
in a lonely midnight pilgrimage through the
forest; and all this the mother endured as
she pursued her almost hopeless enterprise.
She had Travelled far, very far, for the dark
ness Of the night and the intricacies Of the
road had scarcely lesSened the speed with
which she commenced her walk, and she had
been many hours on the way. WEAKNESS
was beginning to overcome her-hope was
departing from her heart and despair chill
ing all her energieS-when she discovered,
al;lr of through the trees, light 1t was
bat a feeble giimmer, yet oh how ii irradi-
ated the path Of the wanderer! The in
stant she discovered it, hope sprang back to
the heart, and strength invigorated her
frame That faint and far off way seemed
the light of returning happiness, and she
watched it as eagerly "a the mariner watch
es the star that guides him over oceans
stormy waves.
She now hastenei forward with redoub;ed
energy, and though her step sometimes falt-
ered and her heart sank within her as the
light disappeared behind some intervening
object, she still kept her eye steadily on the
beacon, and soon gained position where it
shone brightly before her, and she could
approach without losing sight OF it again.
As she drew near, she gazed upon the scene
which that light revealed with mingled feel
ings of astonishment, hope, and fear. There
was n large nre DullG OF Une uIieu DFdncHeS
of trees, and around it lay the dusky forms
of FIVE or six Indians reposing on the ground.
Their appearance was savage and fearful IN
the extreme; each with his painted features
lighted by the fitful glare of the fire, and his
towabawk and scalping-knife cleaning at
his side. Near them were implements of
hunting. and around the fire lay the scat
tered bones and fragments OF a rude and
haSty repast.
The whole scene was calculated to strike
terror to the heart Of the delicate being who
razed upon it. But she scarcely saw the
rude savages or theft implements OF death,
for her whole soul was absorbed in contem-
plating portion of the scene we have not
vet described, and which riveted her atten-
tion with a thrilling and magic power.
Bonnd to n tree was the form of her hus-
band, and at his feet, on the cold ground,
Law her child The fathers face was pale,
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