Part 41 (2/2)

When the mild, loving eyes of the parent gradually grew dim, they rested upon the tearful faces of the two girls; and, as he entered the land of shadows, his last memory of the world he left behind was illumined by those two yearning countenances, whose kisses were pressed upon his lips. And the dark angel, reaching out his hand, took that of the patriot, and led him through the shadowy valley into the bright realms beyond.

CHAPTER LII.

Among the most eager pursuers of the treacherous Tory and his Seneca allies, was Habakkuk McEwen, who had withdrawn to the rear of the settlers that held the Indians at their mercy during the interview between Jake Golcher and Fred G.o.dfrey.

The natural timidity of the new Englander led him to do this, but he was so infuriated by the act of the party, that he lost all thought of personal danger, and charged through the wood at the very head of the avengers.

McEwen had no rifle, but he quickly supplied himself with one. Catching sight of a Seneca who had fallen before the volley of d.i.c.k Durkee and his comrades, he s.n.a.t.c.hed the weapon from his rigid grasp and sped along like a deer.

He had ammunition, and a hasty examination showed that the gun was unloaded. With a coolness hardly to be expected, McEwen stopped in his pursuit and deliberately recharged the rifle, which seemed to be a fine weapon.

”I don't want to be catched without anything to help myself with,” he said to himself, resuming the chase.

This was conducted in such a blind, headlong fas.h.i.+on, that Habakkuk speedily found himself not only out of sight of the Indians, but of his comrades, who were thres.h.i.+ng in different directions, some of them shouting like madmen.

”I think they'll make for the river,” concluded the New Englander, after a moment's pause, ”and I'll keep on till I reach the water myself.”

As the flush of the first excitement wore off, Habakkuk began to doubt whether he was doing a prudent thing, in chasing a whole war party in this single-handed style.

”I'll take a little pains that they don't get after _me_,” he thought, beginning to use more caution in his movements.

It was a considerable distance to the Susquehanna, but he pushed on, and just as the gray light of the morning was penetrating the wilderness and spreading over the water, he caught the familiar gleam of the beautiful stream.

Looking across, he paused in silent contemplation of the familiar scene.

Naturally, he first noticed that landmark so well remembered by old settlers, which was known as the ”umbrella tree,” on account of its peculiar shape, and which was visible a long distance, standing as it did on the mountains of the western sh.o.r.e.

But he was withdrawn from viewing the general features of the landscape, by the sight of the heavy smoke that rested like a pall on the other bank. It partly shut out from sight the straggling houses, most of which were smoldering ashes, and suggested the awful desolation that had been wrought in Wyoming Valley during the few hours that had pa.s.sed since the memorable battle was fought near Forty Fort.

”I've no doubt pandemonium was let loose there last night,” muttered Habakkuk, ”and it was a good thing for us that we got across when we did, and a much better thing that d.i.c.k Durkee and his men j'ined us--h.e.l.lo!”

He was standing where his body was pretty well screened, and was wondering that he saw no one moving, when he was alarmed by a splash in the water a short distance above him.

Fearful of being discovered, Habakkuk crouched down, and c.o.c.ked his gun.

”It must be some of the scoundrels, who are everywhere; I hadn't orter been quite so rash--”

At that moment some one sprang into the river, and, wading out a short distance, began swimming for the other sh.o.r.e.

The timid patriot did not dare look out at him until he had gotten some distance away, when he peeped through the undergrowth, and scrutinized the head and shoulders that were moving rapidly across the stream.

Then, to his amazement, he recognized the man as Jake Golcher, the Tory, who had wrought all this ruin and sorrow; though Habakkuk was far from suspecting the whole result of the shot of the renegade.

”By the great Caesar! it's him,” gasped Habakkuk, trembling with excitement; ”and that gives me a chance to win some laurels with the other folks, especially with pretty Maggie.”

a.s.suming a kneeling position, he took the most careful aim of his life at the unsuspecting ingrate, and when certain there could be no miss, pulled the trigger.

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