The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1882-04-07

idea as to the distance to which the little
wanderers had rambled. Fires were built
and men watched by them all night, and
were ready to resume the search early
next morning.
The morning dawned clear and cold
The lost children were awake at the first
break Of day. Their one idea was to has
ten onto find home if possible, and to do
so they must bend every effort. Over
trees and logs through brars and brush
they never knew what course they took,
or how far they wandered. They had not
tasted food since the morning before, and
had put forth exertions that would have
tried the strongest man, yet they new
er felt hunger or WEAKNESS, 80 great
was their excitement. They never once
stopped to rest or set down to murmur.
The previous day the two had kept up
a steady conversation, but to-day they
pressed on in an almost unbroken silence.
The forenoon passed without Incident
There was the same monotonous stretch
of woods, the silence unbroken save by
the fall OF nuts or acorns, the tread of
their own feet on the dry leaves, the
breaking Of dry stick now and then,
which lay in their path, and the occasion
al barking of the dogs when they sighted
wild game. The sun mounted higher and
higher in the sky. About noon they
reached large stream Of water As was
afterward learned, this was the head wa
tiers of the Yellow River, stream which
flows into the Mississippi. A large tree
had fallen across this stream, and formed
bridge, upon which the boys crossed
over to the opposite side. They were
plunging deeper and deeper into the for
est, and their case now seemed hopeless
indeed, for no one would suppose it posi-
BILE for such children to cross so large q
stream, (unless they had come upon this
particular spot,) or would think of looking
for them on the opposite side.
An hour or two Of rapid travelling, and
our little wanderers began to ascend a
steep bridge, covered with wild grape vines,
from which the luscious fruit hung in great
purple clusters. This was indeed good
fortune. Never did fruit taste more deli
cious than did those grapes to the almost
famished children. The tangled masses
of vines made it difficult for the children
to climb, 30 that although they never
stopped or wasted time in their journey
their appetites were well satisfied with
the feast of fruit which they had gathered
and ate in their ascent. But with strange
improvidence, for which it is not easy to
account, they took not one of the thousands
of dropping clusters with them for future
use. Just over the hill the loud barking
Of the two dogs denoted that game of an
unusual kind had been sighted. Upon
nearer approach, it was found that they
were barking at the foot Of tree, in
the branches of which, the animal, what
ever it was, had taken refuge. Curiosity
led the boys to approach, and upon getting
a good view they knew the animal to be O
large lynx, one Of the most dangerous an
imals Of the forest.
Willie cautioned his younger brother not
down upon him, but with the fearlessness
of his boy-nature, he himself went direct
ly to the foot OF the tree for closer view.
The fierce animal was, however, too much
intimidated by the dogs to venture an at
tack, and thus, for the second time, did
they, in wonderful manner, escape FROM
a dangerous encounter with wild beasts
Not long did they lingcr here, for a new
hope had taken possession Of them, born,
perhaps, as much Of the refreshing fruit
of which they had partaken, as Of any
outward surroundings, but be that as it
might, they now fancied themselves on ia
miliar ground, and thought that short
walk would soon bring them out to a
neighbours field where they had often been
so, with this thought to cheer them,
they kept bravely on, and the evening
= shadows had again began to darken be-
fore this hope entirely forsook them.
Tonight an overhanging ledge Of rock
was found which offered them shelter, and
again the knife and flint were produced,
and fire kindled for the night. AS be-
fore, the younger was blissfully forgetful
of his troubles, and slept n sound, refresh
ing sleep. With Willie it was different
His young mind, half-bewildered and
crazed though it was, was away with the
home and friends whom, perhaps, he was
never to see again. Most Of oil did he
think of his mothers anxiety concerning
the fate OF her lost boys. Was he never
to sec her againl Never to look upon her
dear face, or TO hear her voice again7 And
was he never to bring her darling John
ME, her "pet," back to her, and to have
her praise him for his manliness and his
courage.
At home that mother was almost wild
with grief. Once she had been found in
the woods by party Of searchers, herself
lost, and not knowing which way to go,
but calling wildly the names of her lost
children. She had been taken back and
guard left to prevent her again wander
ing away. Tonight mothers true in
stinct told her that her boys were still
alive, and she was weeping and praying,
as only mother can weep and pray for
her darlings. And who shall say that her
prayers were not answered, and in blind,
uncertain way, still, as it seemed, in the
only possible way, means of rescue was
providedY