Part 29 (1/2)
The position of the tas still one of danger A false step, the separating of the ice, the yielding of a cake ht precipitate both into the torrent But the heart of the man had never felt the emotion of fear He cast his eyes deliberately round, and with a pro the rescued child in his arms, he started in the direction of the wharf, built just below the narrow opening Springing with great agility and strength over the blocks, selecting for footing those cakes which seemed thickest and fastened in firmest, he made his way over the barrier and bounded safely on the land The spectators, seeing the direction he was taking, had run down,to receive the the first to welcome Holden, ”if it ain't little Ji”
”Yes,” said the boy, carelessly, as if he had been engaged in a frolic, ”I wet my shoes some, and the lower part of h the crowd, for whom all made way It was Mr Davenport He had been, like the rest, a witness of the danger and the rescue, but knew not that it was his own son who hadas if by ic from one to another, had reached his ears, and he was now hurrying to discover its truth It was, indeed, his son, and Holden was his preserver
He advanced to the boy, and examined him from head to foot, as if to assure hiitation, he then turned to Holden, and grasping his hand, wrung it convulsively
”May God forget et this service,” and taking the boy by the hand he led hi on, ”Jiood”
Holden, according to his custom, seemed indisposed to enter into conversation with those around him, or to accept the civilities tendered, and started off as soon as possible, upon his solitary way
As he eures of Faith and of her coreet theratulations showered upon hih he disclaimed all merit for hiiven to Hi to the purpose of his oill, maketh and destroyeth The insensible block of ice and I were only instru rapidly was soon out of sight
Constable Basset, as present, had just sense enough to understand that this was no occasion for his interference, and although he followed the retreating figure of the Solitary with longing eyes, while his hands clutched at the writ, ventured on no attempt to exercise his authority
CHAPTER XXIV
We talk of love and pleasure--but 'tis all A tale of falsehood Life's loom: The fairest scenes are clad in ruin's pall, The loveliest pathway leads but to the tomb
PERCIVAL
After the event just recorded, it ainst the Recluse were abandoned They had been coratify the wounded pride of Davenport, and since the preservation of the life of his son by Holden, the community would have cried shame on him had the matter been pursued further But no such public sentiive the justice and Basset a hint to do nothingno co himself that it had been prompted by a love of justice, and a desire to protect the interests of religion
Holden could, therefore, without fear of the consequences, resue Of late they had been , by whom he seemed almost as much attracted as by Faith With the fory that every day appeared to assu deeper importance, with the latter on the effects produced by the teachings of Holden a the Indians For since his exile at the Pated the attention of the Solitary, to which with characteristic energy he had devoted the powers of his soul--the conversion of the poor wretches who had kindly harbored and protected hiuine expectations, expressed in the ie of Scripture he loved to use, the enthusiastic girl would listen, with the warn every event to an overruling Providence, she thought she no clearly the hand of a superior Power in the occurrences which had compelled Holden, in the first instance, to take up his te them
Temporary residence, we say, because the Solitary had since returned to his hut, which was at the distance of only two or three miles from the cabins of his former protectors Solitude he found was necessary in order to enable him the better to perforht to interpose any serious obstacle, or even inconvenience
Such was the state of things, when so acquainted his daughter, at the breakfast-table, with his intention to visit Holden that day
”It is a long time,” he said (four days had elapsed), ”since we have seen hiladly speak about”
A few months before, such a declaration froarded it as quite natural The intimacy between the fa character of the latter had acquired so great an influence over both its e in the deference paid him She, therefore, acquiesced with so to be rely, after breakfast, Mr Arht find soht be left at the island, intending, should he not find the Solitary there, to go to the Indian settle preparations to cast off his boat, who cheerfully consented to convey hi ju, they rapidly scudded down the stream
The fishere, to who ell known, at least, by reputation, although the recognition was not e hi politely any questions, he uished for want ofhis social qualities not appreciated, soon hi what could induce his co his reserve in so the silence not altogether agreeable, Josiah finally burst out with ”Yankee Doodle,” which he aether with some other favorite tunes, until they reached the island As they approached they caught a gli the house, and Josiah landed his passenger, proh Ar
”If you ain't here, there won't be no harood-natured fellow, ”and it won't take athanked him and wished him success, advanced to the cabin
He found Holden in the outer roo baskets A large quantity of prepared saplings, split very thin, lay scattered around him, while bundles of walnut poles, the crude material of his manufacture, were piled up in the corners ready for use With a quick and dexterous hand the Solitary wove in the ribbon-like pieces, showing great fa from his labor, he expressed pleasure at the visit of his friend, and requested him to be seated
”I am honored,” he said, ”this day To what shall I ascribe the notice of the wealthy Mr Arht tone of irony in the words It probably was observed by Mr Ar, he replied: