I then related his misfortune They were distressed and astonished, not comprehending the cause, which I promised to explain They wished now, however, their brother Fritz then requested, in low tone of voice, that he might go to Tent House, vessel captain had arrived Seeing his brothers listening with curiosity, it best them the affair, requesting them, however, not to name it mother at present Jack, who was now about fourteen , listened most intense interest, his eyes sparkling with joy and surprise

"A vessel ! --people from Europe ! come to seek us ? Perhaps our relations and friends "

"How glad should I be," said Francis, " good grandmamma were there; she loved me , and was always giving me sweetmeats " the mother dear wife, from whom she had parted with extreme regret; that single word child revived all her sorrows, and would in her present state be dangerous I therefore forbade him naming such thing mother, even mentioned the vessel

We ascended, and found our dear patient awake, with Ernest at her side, his hand tied up, and somewhat relieved; though, from not having applied the water immediately, there were several blisters, which he requested me to open necessary his mother he had had burn; she named several remedies, and hesitating which to use, when Fritz, giving me significant glance, said, "Don't , father, leaves karata, which cured Jack's leg , is serviceable to Ernest's hand ? "

" of it," said I; "but none here "

" where they grow," said he "Come, Jack, soon be there; little rain, but what ? be melted, and bath "

My wife was divided between her desire to relieve Ernest, and her fear boys venturing out stormy night She agreed at last, provided Jack had my cloak, and Fritz the boots, and should lantern Thus equipped, they set out; I accompanied them outside the tree; Fritz assuring me back in three hours, at most He intended along the rocks towards Tent House, what observations ; for, as me, get the poor captain vessel out head now seven o'clock; them my blessing, and left them with injunctions prudent, and returned with an anxious heart to my invalids

* * * * *

CHAPTER XXXV

On entering, Francis sitting mother's bed, telling her the story lightning, wire called conductor_, figs that going to gather for her, papa had called him--little Francis--_the preserver whole family Having briefly explained the results of Francis's fortunate device, I procured some raw potato to apply to Ernest's hand, which still gave him great pain, and bathed my wife's foot with some eau d'arquebusade_, which I procured from my medicine-chest; here I also met with some laudanum, few drops I infused lemonade, wishing her to sleep till her sons returned She soon was in sweet slumber; the boys followed her example, and left alone with my anxieties; happy, however, them at rest after such an evening of agitation The hours passed, still my children returned not continually window, listening for their steps or the sound voices; I heard only the rain falling in torrents, the waves breaking against the rocks, wind howling frightfully help thinking danger they ran, having twice to cross the river, doubtless swoln rain not alarmed for Fritz, strong, bold youth of nineteen , and determined hunter: as for poor Jack, bold even to rashness, and having neither strength nor experience to secure him, help fancying him carried away stream, brother not daring to return without him My wife occasionally awoke, but the narcotic stupified her; she perceive the absence of her sons Francis slept tranquilly; but when Ernest awoke, and heard the tempest so terribly augmented, almost distracted; all his selfishness, all his indolence disappeared He entreated me to allow him in search brothers, and with difficulty I detained him him that not the sole cause danger of Fritz and Jack, I related to him, first time, the history boat vessel, and assured him great cause anxiety over to Tent House, was to search for some traces unfortunate seamen and their vessel, exposed furious sea

"And Fritz, also, is exposed sea," cried Ernest " it; that moment canoe, struggling against the waves ! "

"And Jack, my poor Jack ! " sighed I, infected fears

"No, father," added Ernest; "be composed; Fritz so imprudent; left Jack house rock; and, probably, seeing the hopelessness undertaking, returned himself now, waiting there till the stream subsides little; do allow me , dear father; ordered me cold water burnt hand, and certainly cure it well wet "

consent to expose my third son tempest, now become frightful; the sailcloth which covered our window was torn into thousand pieces, and carried away; the rain, like deluge, forced itself into our dwelling, even bed where my wife and child were lying neither make up my mind to leave them myself perilous situation, nor to spare my boy, even be of any use brothers I commanded him to remain, succeeded in persuading him probable safety, and induced him to lie down to rest Now, in my terrible solitude, I turned to Him, "who tempers the wind shorn lamb;" who forbids us not to address Him trials he sends us, to beseech Him to soften them, or to strength to bear them Kneeling down, I dared to supplicate Him to restore me my children, submissively adding, example blessed Saviour, "Yet, not my will, but thine , O Lord "

My prayers appeared heard; the storm gradually abated, day began to break I awoke Ernest, and having dressed his wounded hand, he set out for Tent House, in search brothers I followed him with my eyes as far as I ; the whole country appeared one vast lake, road to Tent House was like the bed of river; but, protected by his good gaiters of buffalo-skin, he proceeded fearlessly, and was soon out sight

recalled window voice wife, who was awake, and anxiously inquiring for her sons

" gone," said I, "to gather the leaves karata for Ernest's burnt hand, and too "

Her deep sleep had entirely chased from her memory all the events previous evening, and glad to allow Francis to repeat his little tale burn conductor to gain time She was astonished and uneasy to hear of Ernest's accident, and was afraid get wet in searching karata, little aware hours of anguish I had endured waiting and watching she believed had only just left home moment, the dear and well-known voices were heard under the great window

"Father, bringing back my brothers," cried Ernest

"Yes, papa, all alive, and as wet as fishes," added the sweet voice of Jack

"But not without having had our troubles," said the manly voice of Fritz

I rushed down the staircase to meet them, and, embracing them, I led them, trembling with emotion, bed mother, comprehend the transport of joy I expressed

"Dear Elizabeth," said I, "here are our sons; God them second time "

"Have we then been in any danger of losing them ? " said she " the meaning ? "

They saw their mother was unconscious long absence, and assured her only the storm which had so completely wetted them, that had alarmed me I hastened them their clothes, and go to bed little while to rest themselves; as, however anxious myself, I wished my wife for their recital, and also her vessel Jack go till he had produced his bundle karata leaves

" enough for six-and-thirty thunderstorms," said he; " prepare them some experience with my own, and the best method "

He soon divided leaves knife, after cutting away the triangular thorn end, and applied it brother's hand, binding it handkerchief Having completed this dressing, he threw off his clothes, and, jumping into his bed, he brothers were sound asleep in ten minutes

I then sat down by my wife, and began my tale; from my first view vessel, and my anxious watching for intercourse with it, opportunity to return to Europe

"But why should we return to Europe ? " said she; " nothing here now, since got flax, cotton, and wheel Our children lead an active, healthy, and innocent life, and live with us_, which do For four years happy here, and what shall in Europe to compensate us for what we leave here ? --poverty, war, and none things which here abundantly "

"But find grandmamma," said little Francis; and stopped, recollecting my prohibition

He had, however, said sufficient to bring tears mother's eyes

" right, my darling," said she, " my sole regret; but my dear parent was aged and infirm, in all probability no longer find her world; and if removed to Heaven, she watches over us island, we were in Europe "

After my dear wife had subdued the agitation this remembrance caused her, I pursued the conversation as follows:--

* * * * *

CHAPTER XXXVI