Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1905-12-09


3 b forest one autumn after
4 noon as the sun was going
E04R down. They were nearly
of the same age, and in
the very prime of life.
Their garments were of similar
make, such as are worn by the early
settlers Of the country.
Each was armed with long rife
and knife.
Upon their faces was mingled
look of sorrow, and stern determine
ton, which plainly showed that some
i'll fortune had come to them, and that
their minds were made up to avenge
it If possible
And, indeed, i'll luck had come to
one of them. All that he possessed
in this world which was dear to him
had fallen beneath the hand of the red
destroyer.
His wife and children had that very
morning been slain by the savages,
and the cabin which had been their
happy home given to the flames.
He had been hunting in the forest
at the time, and knew nothing of the
terrible misfortune which had befallen
him until he stood upon the edge of
the clearing, and saw the work of de-
vastation which the red hands had
done.
The friend who now stood by his
side had been with him, and as soon as
they had recovered from the spell
which the sight cast upon them, they
hurried to the spot where the ashes
of the cabin smoldered, only to find
their worst fears confirmed.
Wife and children were gone, slain
by the red fiends, or perhaps cast into
the flames of the cabin while yet
alive.
Simon Hart looked upon the scene, and
his brain turned as though his reason
was about to fOrsake him. One thing
alone seemed to prevent it, and that
was thought of vengeance. He would
live and work for that while life and
strength lasted.
Dick White, his friend, stood by and
cheered him as well as he could in
this, his hour of need. He seemed to
divine what was passing in Harris
mind, and he said:
1--WE cannot help them. They are
past our aid now. But there is one
thing Simon, that we can do. We can
live and work for vengeance. Let us
follow the murderers, and not give
over the search until they are wiped
from the earth, or we have fred our
last shot"
"YOu are right, Dick" answered the
settler, grasping him by the hand. II
will live for vengeance. When that
has been had, there will be time enough
for me to think what my fate will be.
A moment ago had more than half
mind to end my days on this spot l.
my own hand. Oh, my wife! my chill
dren! shall I never see you again"
For the space of q minute he gave
way to his anguish, then he exclaimed,
suddenly:
Come, the trail is plain before us.
Let lis take it and follow on at once.
never before thirsted for the blood
of a redskin. Now would wipe out
the whole accursed race at one blow If
but had the power to do it."
They lost no more time about the
ruins of the cabin, but started off at
once. The trail was easy to follow,
and they had gone on until they had
reached the point where we see them
standing in the heart of the great silent
forest. with the sun going down be-
fore them.
For a few minutes they had been
standing motionless, without a word
passing between them; but now Dick
White broke the silence by exclalm-
ing
simon, we are almost upon them"
what makes you think So Dick?"
Look. Do you not see how fresh
the trail is? 1t cannot have been made
half hour ago. There! Did you see
that twig spring up there? 1t would
not have done so had it not just been
pressed down. They are not mile
away now, and I'll bet they're going
to camp about the Hollow Oak. 1t is
one OF their camping grounds, you
konw."
hOpS budl yOu may De TIS0I. L
long to be dealing blows of vengeance
upon them. 1t does seem as though
could not content myself much longer"
but you must be patient, Simon.
Our hour of vengeance will surely
come. 1t cannot now be long delayed.
The savages are near at hand. Be-
fore midnight comes we will be strik-
ing blows for your dead ones. Come
on and let us get as near to them as
we can while the daylight lasts. We
cannot follow them when the darkness
has hid the trail"
Simon Hart made no reply. but the
stern, determined look upon his coun.
tenance deepened, telling of the feel
ings which animated his breast, and
now he longed to commence the work
or avenglng his lost ones.
Swiftly. yet cautiously. they glided
along the trail, while the sun went
down behind the western treetops
and the shadows Of the evening began
to gather thickly about them.
Growing an eminence, they could