The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction - Volume 20, No. 580, Supplemental Number by Various
page 36 of 50 (72%)
page 36 of 50 (72%)
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she perceived three men rapidly approaching from the opposite path. As
they drew nearer, she saw that one of them was her husband; but where was her son? Silently she lay among the heather, fearing she knew not what--yet knowing she had much to fear. The chimney that rose from the sheeling had, she thought, effectually concealed her from their view, but in this she was mistaken; for, while Huntley and one of the Smiths entered the abode, the other climbed up the mound. She saw his hat within a foot of where she rested, and fancied she could feel his breath upon her cheek as she crouched, like a frightened hare, more closely in her form. However, he surveyed the spot without ascending further, and then retreated muttering something about corbies and ravens, and, almost instantly, she heard the door of the hut close. Cautiously she crept down from her hiding-place; and, crawling along the ground with stealth and silence, knelt before the little window, so as to observe, through the broken shutter, the occupation of the inmates. The dog alone was conscious of her approach; but the men were too seriously engaged to heed his intimations of danger. [She sees all that the three are about, is convinced that her son will be lost, and forms her resolution:] "Then there is hope for my poor child!" she thought, "and I can--I _will_ save him!" With this resolve, she stole away as softly and as quickly as her trembling limbs would permit. The depredators revelled in their fancied security. The old creaking table groaned under the weight of pheasant, hare, and ardent spirits; and the chorus of a wild drinking-song broke upon her ear as returning strength enabled her to hasten along the rude path leading to Craythorpe. The first grey uncertain light of morning was visible through the old |
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