Year: 1867

the Indians wore at their sides. Looking


more intently, she saw that ono Of these


had slipped from its place, and lay on the


ground by it's owner, 20 near, that his hand


almost touched the hilt A pang Of in.


tense fear shot through her frame, when


she thought Of approaching so close to the


terrific form of the savage, but anothe,


look upon the pale face Of the prisoner, re-


assured her, and she determined to rescue


him, or perish in the attempt She could


not approach the Indians without revealing


herself to the eyes Of her husband, and she


feared, in that case, On exclamation Of sur.


prise would follow her appearance, and


rouse the foe from their slumbcr. After


pondering moment upon the best mode Of


proceeding, she determined to steal softly to


the back Of the tree, place her hand upon
the lip Of the captive, whisper few words


Of explanation, and implore him, not by
the slightest murmur, to frustrate her plans.


With throbbing heart, she commenced


her perilous undertaking. Noiselessly she


made her way to the tree, and accomplished


her purpose. There was no time to delay,
yet one instant the mother turned to look
upon her child, yearning to clasp il to her
bosom, but not daring to lift the cloth
which concealed its features, and assure
herself whether or not it lived. A little
while before, she would have given worlds
to be able to do this, but now she felt that
to behold it wrapped in the slumber of death
would unnerve her arm, and render her unfit
for the further prosecution Of her trying
task. With frmness that would have
done honor to a stole, she conquered the
promptings Of natural love, and hastened
away. With step as noiseless as the fall.
ing dew, she glidcd towards the slumbering
savages; as she drew near, her frame trem.
bled SO violently, she could lcarcely support
herself; and when she put forth her hand
to take the knife, the beating Of heart was
80 audible, she feared it would awake. the
sleepers, and Suppressed hI hand cod kul:
sivs|DRpoV ! to,still its tumutuous thtob-
bif 9S tel loble: instant shes thought
the eyes i Indian opened, glared upon
herwith a fierce and malignant expression;
but this was mere fancy for he still slept,
and the next moment she was gliding away
with the knife firmly graspcd in her hand.
With few rapid strokes she liberated her
husband, and then bent down and uncover
cd the child.


To her unspeakable joy, she found it in
slumbcr as sweet and peaceful as though it
had been hushed to rest upon its mothers
bosom. With prayer Of gratitude upon
her lips, she lifted it from its resting place,
turned to her companion, and motioned the
way to their home. With rapid and noise
less steps they hurried away, speeding on
ward with the tremulous yet hopeful hearts.
Not moment did the fond mother spare to
caress her infant-nota word did she utter
to greet her husband The spell Of new
found uncertain happiness had settled upon
her spirit, and she feared to break its thrill
ing 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, still farther
away from their enemies: At length wcari-
ness compelled them to rest awhile, and, as
the dawning day began to shed trembling
light abroad, they crcpt into thicket and
sought repose.


The beams Of the rising sun lighted the
wanderers on their homeward pathway ; and
when that sun was sinking to reposc, its
parting rays fell calmly over the woodman's
humble home, revealing scene of bliss
such as seldom visit the abode Of man. How
radiant with greatfal joy was the face Of
the fond mother, as she clasped her recov-
cred treasure closer to her bosom; how full
of admiring love was the eye Of the rescued
husband, as it rested upon its fair preserver;
and OH how warm and fervcnt was the
prayer, breathed in that hour Of safety bear
Ing up to Heaven the deep devotion Of
thankful and happy hearts.