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carried still farther from their home and friends; began to dream of

escaping from their masters before they started for Canada。  It was

now winter; it would have been little short of madness to have

chosen for flight that season of bitter cold and deep snows。  Owing

to exposure and want of proper food and clothing; Isaac; the eldest

of the boys; was seized with a violent fever; from which he slowly

recovered in the course of the winter。  His Indian mistress was as

kind to him as her circumstances permitted;procuring medicinal

herbs and roots for her patient; and tenderly watching over him in

the long winter nights。  Spring came at length; the snows melted;

and the ice was broken up on the lake。  The Indians began to make

preparations for journeying to Canada; and Isaac; who had during

his sickness devised a plan of escape; saw that the time of putting it

in execution had come。  On the evening before he was to make the

attempt he for the first time informed his younger companion of his

design; and told him; if he intended to accompany him; he must be

awake at the time appointed。  The boys lay down as usual in the

wigwam in the midst of the family。  Joseph soon fell asleep; but

Isaac; fully sensible of the danger and difficulty of the enterprise

before him; lay awake; watchful for his opportunity。  About

midnight he rose; cautiously stepping over the sleeping forms of the

family; and securing; as he went; his Indian master's flint; steel; and

tinder; and a small quantity of dry moose…meat and corn…bread。  He

then carefully awakened his companion; who; starting up; forgetful

of the cause of his disturbance; asked aloud; 〃What do you want?〃 

The savages began to stir; and Isaac; trembling with fear of

detection; lay down again and pretended to be asleep。  After

waiting a while he again rose; satisfied; from the heavy breathing of

the Indians; that they were all sleeping; and fearing to awaken

Joseph a second time; lest he should again hazard all by his

thoughtlessness; he crept softly out of the wigwam。 He had

proceeded but a few rods when he heard footsteps behind him; and;

supposing himself pursued; he hurried into the woods; casting a

glance backward。  What was his joy to see his young companion

running after him!  They hastened on in a southerly direction as

nearly as they could determine; hoping to reach their distant home。 

When daylight appeared they found a large hollow log; into which

they crept for concealment; wisely judging that they would be hotly

pursued by their Indian captors。



(1) *Anathema maranatha* occurs at the close of St。 Paul's first

epistle to the Corinthians; and in the English version is made to

appear as a composite phrase。  It has so passed into common use;

*maranatha* being taken as intensifying the curse contained in

*anathema*。 The words are properly to be divided; *maranatha*

signifying 〃The Lord cometh。〃



  

Their sagacity was by no means at fault。  The Indians; missing

their prisoners in the morning; started off in pursuit with their dogs。 

As the young boys lay in the log they could hear the whistle of the

Indians and the barking of dogs upon their track。  It was a trying

moment; and even the stout heart of the elder boy sank within him

as the dogs came up to the log and set up a loud bark of discovery。 

But his presence of mind saved him。  He spoke in a low tone to the

dogs; who; recognizing his familiar voice; wagged their tails with

delight; and ceased barking。  He then threw to them the morsel of

moose…meat he had taken from the wigwam。  While the dogs were

thus diverted; the Indians made their appearance。  The boys heard

the light; stealthy sound of their moccasins on the leaves。  They

passed close to the log; and the dogs; having devoured their moose…

meat; trotted after their masters。  Through a crevice in the log the

boys looked after them; and saw them disappear in the thick woods。 

They remained in their covert until night; when they started again

on their long journey; taking a new route to avoid the Indians。  At

daybreak they again concealed themselves; but travelled the next

night and day without resting。  By this time they had consumed all

the bread which they had taken; and were fainting from hunger and

weariness。  Just at the close of the third day they were

providentially enabled to kill a pigeon and a small tortoise; a part of

which they ate raw; not daring to make a fire; which might attract

the watchful eyes of savages。  On the sixth day they struck upon an

old Indian path; and; following it until night; came suddenly upon a

camp of the enemy。  Deep in the heart of the forest; under the

shelter of a ridge of land heavily timbered; a great fire of logs and

brushwood was burning; and around it the Indians sat; eating their

moose…meat and smoking their pipes。



The poor fugitives; starving; weary; and chilled by the cold spring

blasts; gazed down upon the ample fire; and the savory meats which

the squaws were cooking by it; but felt no temptation to purchase

warmth and food by surrendering themselves to captivity。  Death in

the forest seemed preferable。  They turned and fled back upon their

track; expecting every moment to hear the yells of pursuers。  The

morning found them seated on the bank of a small stream; their feet

torn and bleeding; and their bodies emaciated。  The elder; as a last

effort; made search for roots; and fortunately discovered a few

ground…nuts (*glycine apios*); which served to refresh in some

degree himself and his still weaker companion。  As they stood

together by the stream; hesitating and almost despairing; it occurred

to Isaac that the rivulet might lead to a larger stream of water; and

that to the sea and the white settlements near it; and he resolved to

follow it。  They again began their painful march; the day passed;

and the night once more overtook them。  When the eighth morning

dawned; the younger of the boys found himself unable to rise from

his bed of leaves。  Isaac endeavored to encourage him; dug roots;

and procured water for him; but the poor lad was utterly exhausted。 

He had no longer heart or hope。  The elder boy laid him on leaves

and dry grass at the foot of a tree; and with a heavy heart bade him

farewell。  Alone he slowly and painfully proceeded down the

stream; now greatly increased in size by tributary rivulets。  On the

top of a hill he climbed with difficulty into a tree; and saw in the

distance what seemed to be a clearing and a newly…raised frame

building。  Hopeful and rejoicing; he turned back to his young

companion; told him what he had seen; and; after chafing his limbs

awhile; got him upon his feet。  Sometimes supporting him; and at

others carrying him on his back; the heroic boy staggered towards

the clearing。  On reaching it he found it deserted; and was obliged

to continue his journey。  Towards night signs of civilization began

to appear;the heavy; continuous roar of water was heard; and;

presently emerging from the forest; he saw a great river dashing in

white foam down precipitous rocks; and on its bank the gray walls

of a huge stone building; with flankers; palisades; and moat; over

which the British flag was flying。  This was the famous Saco Fort;

built by Governor Phips;(1) two years before; just below the falls of

the Saco River。  The soldiers of the garrison gave the poor fellows

a kindly welcome。  Joseph; who was scarcely alive; lay for a long

time sick in the fort; but Isaac soon regained his strength; and set

out for his home in Haverhill; which he had the good fortune to

arrive at in safety。



(1) An interesting account of Sir William Phips will be found in

Parkman's *Frontenac and New France under Louis XIV。* 

Hawthorne also tells his romantic story in *Fanshawe and Other

Pieces。*





Amidst the stirring excitements of the present day; when every

thrill of the electric wire conveys a new subject for thought or

action to a generation as eager as the ancient Athenians for some

new thing; simple legends of the past like that which we have

transcribed have undoubtedly lost in a great degree their interest。 

The lore of the fireside is becoming obsolete; and with the

octogenarian few who still linger among us will perish the unwritten

history of border life in New England。











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