登陆注册
38862700000003

第3章

(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, ****** 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.

End

同类推荐
热门推荐
  • 既然无缘,愿你安好

    既然无缘,愿你安好

    苏悦兮是孤儿,大学期间喜欢上帮助过她、给她安慰、日夜守护她的莫轩泽,但是后来才发现原来他是她同父异母的哥哥。而宫辰亦是宫氏集团总裁,更是万人仰慕的王子,却意外的喜欢上了灰姑娘——苏悦兮。却没想到这一爱便无法自拔!当苏悦兮在偶然中发现原来自己并非是灰姑娘而是公主,并且生父告诉她是宫辰亦的父亲宫祁害死了自己的母亲时!她便暗自毁掉宫家,但是不知道的宫辰亦却还在计划他期待已久的婚礼!而她却只能在婚礼现场说“既然无缘,愿你安好,辰亦,对不起,再见!”
  • 穿书之我的医生

    穿书之我的医生

    南风知我意,既梦遇承桢25岁的南知意从没想过,自己会对一个男人如此迷恋。30岁的江承桢规划好的人生中从没有那股南风,而那场时空穿梭使最不可能的两个人相遇……
  • 我来种仙草

    我来种仙草

    一个前半生不如意的中国人,应聘支教,意外开挂,开启修仙热血新生
  • 怨魔世界

    怨魔世界

    每个人心里面都有怨,或者无数的怨,被怨充昏头脑,化而为魔。然后人类为什么会有怨,怨魔和人类到底哪个是对的?哪个是错的?
  • 我,不需要守护

    我,不需要守护

    莫名其妙的转入贵族学院,入学第一天即得罪冷酷的恶魔。被逼在全校面前进行“爱”的告白,我,从人名郑嫒变成了名人郑嫒!组建啦啦队、给可爱的双胞胎当妈妈、再到黑帮大姐……生活可不可以不要这么“精彩”啊?
  • 啜饮年少

    啜饮年少

    黄昏下,少年温暖的笑容,那些被吓跑的混混……少年的身上被打上枫树的影子,抱着一幅油画少女的发梢被微风吹过,在那个小巷子里的二人仿佛就是从画里走出来的一样…… 因为改了笔名,书封上的是原来的笔名,还没有来的急换
  • 嗜血的王:磨叽王妃跑不动

    嗜血的王:磨叽王妃跑不动

    他,嗜血的魔王,至高无上的主宰者,却身患疾病。她,来自25世纪云阑军校的上校,对上他,她只会:你说一,我说二。你说东,我说西。你说左,我说右........可撒娇,可卖萌,可绝厉。会吃,会闹,会打,就是不会烧饭,肿么办?新人奥。。求看。。。
  • 初恋点点酸

    初恋点点酸

    初恋是一场冒险。冒险的勇士们总是斗志昂扬。在寻找爱的路上,风光有一百种模样。但是在离开的时候,会有人欢笑,会有人悲伤。乐笑笑的初恋多灾又多难,不是她自己表错情,就是被别人陷害栽赃。为什么别人的恋情甜如蜜糖,而乐笑笑的初恋却有点儿酸?没关系,酸过之后,糖会更甜,酸味和甜味本来就是一对伙伴。就在前方,初恋之神已经张开了翅膀。
  • 穿书后我带反派大佬重新做人

    穿书后我带反派大佬重新做人

    甄甜好难,莫名其妙就穿成炮灰女配。在书中,这个角色的存在,就是为了给反派大佬虐的……甄甜坐地痛哭。她不服!既然改变不了嫁给反派大佬的命运,那就带大佬从良。大佬被忽视?她治愈!大佬被冤枉?她保护!大佬……大佬要开始复仇计划了,她、她捣乱!“你到底想做什么?”裴荆冷眸微眯,用手捏起甄甜的下巴。眼前的女孩像是受惊的小白兔,却强撑着反驳,“这样做是不对的,我不许!”“哦?”裴荆饶有兴趣靠近,低头吻甄甜,“那这样呢?”“可……可以。”【治愈系小白兔X面冷心黑大灰狼】
  • 至尊蛊王

    至尊蛊王

    湘西土司王朝是一个很神秘的部落,他的起伏长达几百年,很多巫术,蛊毒就由此而来,神秘蛊王的传说由此开始……朱立伟原本是一代王的后裔,那段古老的传说在湘西是人人皆知的故事。就在他爷爷遭遇凶祸即将死亡那刻,他爷爷交给他一张人皮图,从而引发出诸多的怪事。面对宝藏的发现,更显隐藏在人的内心的贪婪,毁灭将他送回明朝,让他亲历土司王朝起伏波澜,手执宝剑镇压四方,降伏各路神魔,穿越成天尊的蛊王,看他如何豪强争雄,搅风动云。这方天地谁能坐上至尊王座?有木有搞错?一个军人穿越成一个鸟人?然后成了一个威震三方的蛊毒王?天上掉馅饼,我也想!故事情节跌宕起伏,波澜壮阔、动人心弦!求围观!