desperate resistance of the master of the cabin, who, at the time, was
supposed to have perished in the flames, but was afterwards known by
the name of Onontio--as the scourge and terror of the tribe which
had destroyed his family. She had shortly afterwards started with her
husband, taking with them the little boy, for the east, but they found
the innumerable questions and suspicions occasioned by the possession
of the white child so annoying, and dreaded so the inquiries and
investigation that would be made upon their return home, that they
determined to get rid of him upon the first opportunity. As their
route lay through New York, the streets of a populous city furnished
the very chance they desired. It was with great reluctance Esther
felt herself compelled to this course, and she was unwilling the child
should fall into unkind hands. While reflecting upon what was to be
done, she remembered a family which had come from that part of the
country whence she came, and whom she had known as worthy people,
and determined to entrust to them the boy. She dared not to do
this openly. So one night she placed the child on their door-step,
enjoining him not to stir until some one took him into the house,
while she herself watched close by, until she saw him taken in. Since
then, not daring to make inquiries, for fear of bringing on herself
some unknown punishment, she had not heard of the boy. She remembered
the name of the people with whom he was left, and also the street, and
the number, and gave them to Holden.

Upon this foundation it was the Recluse built up the hope that his son
was yet alive.

"I am Onontio," he said. "The Being who touched the heart of the
ferocious savage to spare the life of the child, hath preserved him.
Mine eyes shall yet behold him."