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

ing, by mighty effort. the shrek of agony
that arose to her lips, and conquering, by
tie strength Of heroic soul, the almost IL
r r>sisiiJle desire to rush forward and clasp
those dear ones to her aching heart. she
stood gazing upon the scene with feelings
that cannot he described. She saw, with
Sudden throb Of joy. that her husband lived;
but her heart grew cold gain rs she watched
the motion e-s form of her child. She long
ed to fiy to its side. and ascertain the truth,
for the Suspense that preyed upon her was
terrible; but again her resolute mind re-
strained her, and she began to deliberate
upon the situation of her husband, and d..
wise means for releasing him.
The vivid light cast by the FIRE upon all
things near it enabled the wife to note the
scene distinctly. She saw, with a thankful
heart, that tho savageS all slept, and that
she could reach the side of her husband
without passing near enough to awake them;
but she also saw that he was bound with
strong deer-thongs, which she could not
hope. in her wearied state. to unfasten, and
she looked about for something with which
to sever them. There was nothing, save
their knives, which the Indians wore at
their sides. Looking more intently, she
saw that one of them had slipped from its
place, and lay on the ground by its owner,
so near that his hand almost touched the
hilt. \ pang of intense fear shot through
her frame when she thought of approaching
the terrific form Of the savage. bat another
look upon the pale face of the prisoner reas-
sured her, and she determined to rescue
him, or perish in the attempt. She could
not approach the Indians without revealing
herself to tie eyes of her husband, and she
feared in that case. that an exclamation Of
surprise would follow her appearance and
arouse the foe from their slumber.
After pondering n moment upon the best
mode of proceeding, she determined to steal
softly to the back of the tree, place her hand
on the lips of the captive, whisper few
words Of explanation, and iInplo-e him lot
by the slightest murner t. frustTate her
plans.
With a throb6ing heart she commenced
her periouS undertaking. Noi~eleS>ly She
made her way to the tree, and accomplished
her purpose. There was no time f,r delay,
yet one moment the mother turned 10 look
upon her child, ycarning to clasp it to her
bosom, but not daring to lift tie cloth lh
Concealed its features, and assure herself
whether or not it lived. a little while before
she would have given worlds to he able 70
Do this, but now she felt that to behold it
wrapped in the slumbcr Of death would un-
nerve her arm, and render her unfit for the
farther prosecution Of her task.
With a frmnesS which would have done
honor to a stole, she conquered the prompt
ings Of natural love and ha~tencl away.
With step "a nDiseless rs the falling dew,
she giiled toward the SlImbering savlgeS
as she drew near. her frame tremblei 80
violently that she could S,a 'cely Up ,rt her
self; and when she put forth her hand TO
take the knife, the beating of her heart was
so audible that she feared it would awake
the slenperS, ami she pressed her hand con-
yu,sively upon it to stop its tumnltuous
throb1ingS. One terrible instant she thought
the eyes Of the Indian opened, and giared
upon her with a fierce and malignant ex-
preston, bat this was mere fancy, for he
still slept, and the next moment she was
in her hand.
With few rapid strokes she liberated her
husband. and then bent down and uncovered
the child. To her unspeakable joy, she folnd
it in slumber as. sweet and peaceful as
though it had been hushed to rest upon its
mothers 10 som. With prayer Of gratitude
upon her lips she lifted it from its rude rest
ing place, turnel to her companion, and
motioned the way to their home. With
rapid and noiSeleSS steps they hurried away,
speeding onward with tremIlous yet hopeful
hearts Not a moment did the fond m Jther
spare 10 careSs her iniant-nOt word did
she utter to greet her husband. The spell
of new-f1un1, unc rtain happiue iai
settled upon her spirit, and she feared to
break its thrilling charm.
For time they Travelled thus in silence
and darkness, moving, as near as they could
Judge. in the direction Of their home, and
anxious to be farther. sill further, away
from their enemies. At length weariness
compelled them to rest awhile, and, as the
dawning day began to shed trembling light
abroad, they crept into thicket and 'ught
repose The beams of the rising sun light
ened the wanderers on their hom .ward
iodrney, and when that sun was sinking to
repoee, its parting rays fell ca'my over the
woodman's humble home, reyea ing sceIe e
of bliss such as seldom visits the abode OF
man. How radiant with grateful joy was
the face of that fond mother, as she clas. ped
her recovered treasure close to her bosom,
How full of admiring love was the eye of the
rescued husband, a. it rested upon its fair
preserverl And oh how warm and feryent
was the prayer, breathed in that hour OF
safety, bearing up 10 heaven that deep de-
votion of thankful, happy hearts
And in after years, when, instead of one
child. there were six healthy, hearty, r)mp-
ING boys and girls. nothing delighted them
more than, after supper, in the coy sitting
room, to gather around their fathers knee,
and have him relate to them the story of
their mothers heroism.