Hespentwholedays——indeed，itwashissoleoccupation——incommuningwiththeserpent。Aconversationwassustained，inwhich，asitseemed，thehiddenmonsterboreapart，thoughunintelligiblytothelisteners，andinaudibleexceptinahiss。
Singularasitmayappear，thesuffererhadnowcontractedasortofaffectionforhistormentor，mingled，however，withtheintensestloathingandhorror。Norweresuchdiscordantemotionsincompatible。Each，onthecontrary，impartedstrengthandpoignancytoitsopposite。Horriblelove——horribleantipathy——embracingoneanotherinhisbosom，andbothconcentratingthemselvesuponabeingthathadcreptintohisvitalsorbeenengenderedthere，andwhichwasnourishedwithhisfood，andliveduponhislife，andwasasintimatewithhimashisownheart，andyetwasthefoulestofallcreatedthings！Butnotthelesswasitthetruetypeofamorbidnature。
Sometimes，inhismomentsofrageandbitterhatredagainstthesnakeandhimself，Roderickdeterminedtobethedeathofhim，evenattheexpenseofhisownlife。Onceheattempteditbystarvation；but，whilethewretchedmanwasonthepointoffamishing，themonsterseemedtofeeduponhisheart，andtothriveandwaxgamesome，asifitwerehissweetestandmostcongenialdiet。Thenheprivilytookadoseofactivepoison，imaginingthatitwouldnotfailtokilleitherhimselforthedevilthatpossessedhim，orbothtogether。Anothermistake；forifRoderickhadnotyetbeendestroyedbyhisownpoisonedheartnorthesnakebygnawingit，theyhadlittletofearfromarsenicorcorrosivesublimate。Indeed，thevenomouspestappearedtooperateasanantidoteagainstallotherpoisons。Thephysicianstriedtosuffocatethefiendwithtobaccosmoke。Hebreatheditasfreelyasifitwerehisnativeatmosphere。Again，theydruggedtheirpatientwithopiumanddrenchedhimwithintoxicatingliquors，hopingthatthesnakemightthusbereducedtostuporandperhapsbeejectedfromthestomach。TheysucceededinrenderingRoderickinsensible；but，placingtheirhandsuponhisbreast，theywereinexpressiblyhorrorstrickentofeelthemonsterwriggling，twining，anddartingtoandfrowithinhisnarrowlimits，evidentlyenlivenedbytheopiumoralcohol，andincitedtounusualfeatsofactivity。Thenceforththeygaveupallattemptsatcureorpalliation。Thedoomedsufferersubmittedtohisfate，resumedhisformerloathsomeaffectionforthebosomfiend，andspentwholemiserabledaysbeforealooking-glass，withhismouthwideopen，watching，inhopeandhorror，tocatchaglimpseofthesnake\'sheadfardownwithinhisthroat。Itissupposedthathesucceeded；fortheattendantsonceheardafrenziedshout，and，rushingintotheroom，foundRodericklifelessuponthefloor。
Hewaskeptbutlittlelongerunderrestraint。Afterminuteinvestigation，themedicaldirectorsoftheasylumdecidedthathismentaldiseasedidnotamounttoinsanity，norwouldwarranthisconfinement，especiallyasitsinfluenceuponhisspiritswasunfavorable，andmightproducetheevilwhichitwasmeanttoremedy。Hiseccentricitiesweredoubtlessgreat；hehadhabituallyviolatedmanyofthecustomsandprejudicesofsociety；buttheworldwasnot，withoutsurerground，entitledtotreathimasamadman。OnthisdecisionofsuchcompetentauthorityRoderickwasreleased，andhadreturnedtohisnativecitytheverydaybeforehisencounterwithGeorgeHerkimer。
Assoonaspossibleafterlearningtheseparticularsthesculptor，togetherwithasadandtremulouscompanion，soughtEllistonathisownhouse。Itwasalarge，sombreedificeofwood，withpilastersandabalcony，andwasdividedfromoneoftheprincipalstreetsbyaterraceofthreeelevations，whichwasascendedbysuccessiveflightsofstonesteps。Someimmenseoldelmsalmostconcealedthefrontofthemansion。Thisspaciousandoncemagnificentfamilyresidencewasbuiltbyagrandeeoftheraceearlyinthepastcentury，atwhichepoch，landbeingofsmallcomparativevalue，thegardenandothergroundshadformedquiteanextensivedomain。Althoughaportionoftheancestralheritagehadbeenalienated，therewasstillashadowyenclosureintherearofthemansionwhereastudent，oradreamer，oramanofstrickenheartmightliealldayuponthegrass，amidthesolitudeofmurmuringboughs，andforgetthatacityhadgrownuparoundhim。
IntothisretirementthesculptorandhiscompanionwereusheredbyScipio，theoldblackservant，whosewrinkledvisagegrewalmostsunnywithintelligenceandjoyashepaidhishumblegreetingstooneofthetwovisitors。
“Remaininthearbor，“whisperedthesculptortothefigurethatleaneduponhisarm。“Youwillknowwhether，andwhen，tomakeyourappearance。“
“Godwillteachme，“wasthereply。“MayHesupportmetoo！“
Roderickwasrecliningonthemarginofafountainwhichgushedintothefleckeredsunshinewiththesameclearsparkleandthesamevoiceofairyquietudeaswhentreesofprimevalgrowthflungtheirshadowscrossitsbosom。Howstrangeisthelifeofafountain！——bornateverymoment，yetofanagecoevalwiththerocks，andfarsurpassingthevenerableantiquityofaforest。
“Youarecome！Ihaveexpectedyou，“saidElliston，whenhebecameawareofthesculptor\'spresence。
Hismannerwasverydifferentfromthatoftheprecedingday——quiet，courteous，and，asHerkimerthought，watchfulbothoverhisguestandhimself。Thisunnaturalrestraintwasalmosttheonlytraitthatbetokenedanythingamiss。Hehadjustthrownabookuponthegrass，whereitlayhalfopened，thusdisclosingitselftobeanaturalhistoryoftheserpenttribe，illustratedbylifelikeplates。Nearitlaythatbulkyvolume，theDuctorDubitantiumofJeremyTaylor，fullofcasesofconscience，andinwhichmostmen，possessedofaconscience，mayfindsomethingapplicabletotheirpurpose。
“Yousee，“observedElliston，pointingtothebookofserpents，whileasmilegleameduponhislips，“Iammakinganefforttobecomebetteracquaintedwithmybosomfriend；butIfindnothingsatisfactoryinthisvolume。IfImistakenot，hewillprovetobesuigeneris，andakintonootherreptileincreation。“
“Whencecamethisstrangecalamity？“inquiredthesculptor。
“MysablefriendScipiohasastory，“repliedRoderick，“ofasnakethathadlurkedinthisfountain——pureandinnocentasitlooks——eversinceitwasknowntothefirstsettlers。Thisinsinuatingpersonageoncecreptintothevitalsofmygreatgrandfatheranddwelttheremanyyears，tormentingtheoldgentlemanbeyondmortalendurance。Inshortitisafamilypeculiarity。But，totellyouthetruth，Ihavenofaithinthisideaofthesnake\'sbeinganheirloom。Heismyownsnake，andnoman\'selse。“
“Butwhatwashisorigin？“demandedHerkimer。
“Oh，thereispoisonousstuffinanyman\'sheartsufficienttogenerateabroodofserpents，“saidEllistonwithahollowlaugh。
“Youshouldhaveheardmyhomiliestothegoodtown\'s-people。
Positively，Ideemmyselffortunateinhavingbredbutasingleserpent。You，however，havenoneinyourbosom，andthereforecannotsympathizewiththerestoftheworld。Itgnawsme！Itgnawsme！“
WiththisexclamationRodericklosthisself-controlandthrewhimselfuponthegrass，testifyinghisagonybyintricatewrithings，inwhichHerkimercouldnotbutfancyaresemblancetothemotionsofasnake。Then，likewise，washeardthatfrightfulhiss，whichoftenranthroughthesufferer\'sspeech，andcreptbetweenthewordsandsyllableswithoutinterruptingtheirsuccession。
“Thisisawfulindeed！“exclaimedthesculptor——“anawfulinfliction，whetheritbeactualorimaginary。Tellme，RoderickElliston，isthereanyremedyforthisloathsomeevil？“
“Yes，butanimpossibleone，“mutteredRoderick，ashelaywallowingwithhisfaceinthegrass。“CouldIforonemomentforgetmyself，theserpentmightnotabidewithinme。Itismydiseasedself-contemplationthathasengenderedandnourishedhim。“
“Thenforgetyourself，myhusband，“saidagentlevoiceabovehim；“forgetyourselfintheideaofanother！“
Rosinahademergedfromthearbor，andwasbendingoverhimwiththeshadowofhisanguishreflectedinhercountenance，yetsomingledwithhopeandunselfishlovethatallanguishseemedbutanearthlyshadowandadream。ShetouchedRoderickwithherhand。Atremorshiveredthroughhisframe。Atthatmoment，ifreportbetrustworthy，thesculptorbeheldawavingmotionthroughthegrass，andheardatinklingsound，asifsomethinghadplungedintothefountain。Bethetruthasitmight，itiscertainthatRoderickEllistonsatuplikeamanrenewed，restoredtohisrightmind，andrescuedfromthefiendwhichhadsomiserablyovercomehiminthebattle-fieldofhisownbreast。
“Rosina！“criedhe，inbrokenandpassionatetones，butwithnothingofthewildwailthathadhauntedhisvoicesolong，“forgive！forgive！“
Herhappytearsbedewedhisface。
“Thepunishmenthasbeensevere，“observedthesculptor。“EvenJusticemightnowforgive；howmuchmoreawoman\'stenderness！
RoderickElliston，whethertheserpentwasaphysicalreptile，orwhetherthemorbidnessofyournaturesuggestedthatsymboltoyourfancy，themoralofthestoryisnotthelesstrueandstrong。AtremendousEgotism，manifestingitselfinyourcaseintheformofjealousy，isasfearfulafiendaseverstoleintothehumanheart。Canabreast，whereithasdweltsolong，bepurified？“
“Ohyes，“saidRosinawithaheavenlysmile。“Theserpentwasbutadarkfantasy，andwhatittypifiedwasasshadowyasitself。
Thepast，dismalasitseems，shallflingnogloomuponthefuture。TogiveititsdueimportancewemustthinkofitbutasananecdoteinourEternity。“
DROWNE\'SWOODENIMAGE
Onesunshinymorning，inthegoodoldtimesofthetownofBoston，ayoungcarverinwood，wellknownbythenameofDrowne，stoodcontemplatingalargeoakenlog，whichitwashispurposetoconvertintothefigure-headofavessel。Andwhilehediscussedwithinhisownmindwhatsortofshapeorsimilitudeitwerewelltobestowuponthisexcellentpieceoftimber，therecameintoDrowne\'sworkshopacertainCaptainHunnewell，ownerandcommanderofthegoodbrigcalledtheCynosure，whichhadjustreturnedfromherfirstvoyagetoFayal。
“Ah！thatwilldo，Drowne，thatwilldo！“criedthejollycaptain，tappingthelogwithhisrattan。“Ibespeakthisverypieceofoakforthefigure-headoftheCynosure。Shehasshownherselfthesweetestcraftthateverfloated，andImeantodecorateherprowwiththehandsomestimagethattheskillofmancancutoutoftimber。And，Drowne，youarethefellowtoexecuteit。“
“YougivememorecreditthanIdeserve，CaptainHunnewell，“saidthecarver，modestly，yetasoneconsciousofeminenceinhisart。“But，forthesakeofthegoodbrig，Istandreadytodomybest。Andwhichofthesedesignsdoyouprefer？Here，“——pointingtoastaring，half-lengthfigure，inawhitewigandscarletcoat，——“hereisanexcellentmodel，thelikenessofourgraciousking。HereisthevaliantAdmiralVernon。Or，ifyoupreferafemalefigure，whatsayyoutoBritanniawiththetrident？“
“Allveryfine，Drowne；allveryfine，“answeredthemariner。
“Butasnothinglikethebrigeverswamtheocean，soIamdeterminedsheshallhavesuchafigure-headasoldNeptuneneversawinhislife。Andwhatismore，asthereisasecretinthematter，youmustpledgeyourcreditnottobetrayit。“
“Certainly，“saidDrowne，marvelling，however，whatpossiblemysterytherecouldbeinreferencetoanaffairsoopen，ofnecessity，totheinspectionofalltheworldasthefigure-headofavessel。“Youmaydepend，captain，onmybeingassecretasthenatureofthecasewillpermit。“
CaptainHunnewellthentookDrownebythebutton，andcommunicatedhiswishesinsolowatonethatitwouldbeunmannerlytorepeatwhatwasevidentlyintendedforthecarver\'sprivateear。Weshall，therefore，taketheopportunitytogivethereaderafewdesirableparticularsaboutDrownehimself。
HewasthefirstAmericanwhoisknowntohaveattempted——inaveryhumbleline，itistrue——thatartinwhichwecannowreckonsomanynamesalreadydistinguished，orrisingtodistinction。
Fromhisearliestboyhoodhehadexhibitedaknack——foritwouldbetooproudawordtocallitgenius——aknack，therefore，fortheimitationofthehumanfigureinwhatevermaterialcamemostreadilytohand。ThesnowsofaNewEnglandwinterhadoftensuppliedhimwithaspeciesofmarbleasdazzinglywhite，atleast，astheParianortheCarrara，andiflessdurable，yetsufficientlysotocorrespondwithanyclaimstopermanentexistencepossessedbytheboy\'sfrozenstatues。Yettheywonadmirationfrommaturerjudgesthanhisschool-fellows，andwereindeed，remarkablyclever，thoughdestituteofthenativewarmththatmighthavemadethesnowmeltbeneathhishand。Asheadvancedinlife，theyoungmanadoptedpineandoakaseligiblematerialsforthedisplayofhisskill，whichnowbegantobringhimareturnofsolidsilveraswellastheemptypraisethathadbeenanaptrewardenoughforhisproductionsofevanescentsnow。
Hebecamenotedforcarvingornamentalpumpheads，andwoodenurnsforgateposts，anddecorations，moregrotesquethanfanciful，formantelpieces。Noapothecarywouldhavedeemedhimselfinthewayofobtainingcustomwithoutsettingupagildedmortar，ifnotaheadofGalenorHippocrates，fromtheskilfulhandofDrowne。
Butthegreatscopeofhisbusinesslayinthemanufactureoffigure-headsforvessels。Whetheritwerethemonarchhimself，orsomefamousBritishadmiralorgeneral，orthegovernoroftheprovince，orperchancethefavoritedaughteroftheship-owner，theretheimagestoodabovetheprow，deckedoutingorgeouscolors，magnificentlygilded，andstaringthewholeworldoutofcountenance，asiffromaninnateconsciousnessofitsownsuperiority。Thesespecimensofnativesculpturehadcrossedtheseainalldirections，andbeennotignoblynoticedamongthecrowdedshippingoftheThamesandwhereverelsethehardymarinersofNewEnglandhadpushedtheiradventures。ItmustbeconfessedthatafamilylikenesspervadedtheserespectableprogenyofDrowne\'sskill；thatthebenigncountenanceofthekingresembledthoseofhissubjects，andthatMissPeggyHobart，themerchant\'sdaughter，borearemarkablesimilitudetoBritannia，Victory，andotherladiesoftheallegoricsisterhood；
and，finally，thattheyallhadakindofwoodenaspectwhichprovedanintimaterelationshipwiththeunshapedblocksoftimberinthecarver\'sworkshop。Butatleasttherewasnoinconsiderableskillofhand，noradeficiencyofanyattributetorenderthemreallyworksofart，exceptthatdeepquality，beitofsoulorintellect，whichbestowslifeuponthelifelessandwarmthuponthecold，andwhich，haditbeenpresent，wouldhavemadeDrowne\'swoodenimageinstinctwithspirit。
ThecaptainoftheCynosurehadnowfinishedhisinstructions。
“AndDrowne，“saidhe，impressively，“youmustlayasideallotherbusinessandsetaboutthisforthwith。Andastotheprice，onlydothejobinfirst-ratestyle，andyoushallsettlethatpointyourself。“
“Verywell，captain，“answeredthecarver，wholookedgraveandsomewhatperplexed，yethadasortofsmileuponhisvisage；
“dependuponit，I\'lldomyutmosttosatisfyyou。“
FromthatmomentthemenoftasteaboutLongWharfandtheTownDockwhowerewonttoshowtheirlovefortheartsbyfrequentvisitstoDrowne\'sworkshop，andadmirationofhiswoodenimages，begantobesensibleofamysteryinthecarver\'sconduct。Oftenhewasabsentinthedaytime。Sometimes，asmightbejudgedbygleamsoflightfromtheshopwindows，hewasatworkuntilalatehouroftheevening；althoughneitherknocknorvoice，onsuchoccasions，couldgainadmittanceforavisitor，orelicitanywordofresponse。Nothingremarkable，however，wasobservedintheshopatthoselatehourswhenitwasthrownopen。Afinepieceoftimber，indeed，whichDrownewasknowntohavereservedforsomeworkofespecialdignity，wasseentobegraduallyassumingshape。Whatshapeitwasdestinedultimatelytotakewasaproblemtohisfriendsandapointonwhichthecarverhimselfpreservedarigidsilence。Butdayafterday，thoughDrownewasseldomnoticedintheactofworkinguponit，thisrudeformbegantobedevelopeduntilitbecameevidenttoallobserversthatafemalefigurewasgrowingintomimiclife。Ateachnewvisittheybeheldalargerpileofwoodenchipsandanearerapproximationtosomethingbeautiful。Itseemedasifthehamadryadoftheoakhadshelteredherselffromtheunimaginativeworldwithintheheartofhernativetree，andthatitwasonlynecessarytoremovethestrangeshapelessnessthathadincrustedher，andrevealthegraceandlovelinessofadivinity。Imperfectasthedesign，theattitude，thecostume，andespeciallythefaceoftheimagestillremained，therewasalreadyaneffectthatdrewtheeyefromthewoodenclevernessofDrowne\'searlierproductionsandfixedituponthetantalizingmysteryofthisnewproject。
Copley，thecelebratedpainter，thenayoungmanandaresidentofBoston，cameonedaytovisitDrowne；forhehadrecognizedsomuchofmoderateabilityinthecarverastoinducehim，inthedearthofprofessionalsympathy，tocultivatehisacquaintance。
Onenteringtheshop，theartistglancedattheinflexibleimageofking，commander，dame，andallegory，thatstoodaround，onthebestofwhichmighthavebeenbestowedthequestionablepraisethatitlookedasifalivingmanhadherebeenchangedtowood，andthatnotonlythephysical，buttheintellectualandspiritualpart，partookofthestolidtransformation。Butinnotasingleinstancediditseemasifthewoodwereimbibingtheetherealessenceofhumanity。Whatawidedistinctionishere！
andhowfartheslightestportionofthelattermerithaveoutvaluedtheutmostdegreeoftheformer！
“MyfriendDrowne；“saidCopley，smilingtohimself，butalludingtothemechanicalandwoodenclevernessthatsoinvariablydistinguishedtheimages，“youarereallyaremarkableperson！I
haveseldommetwithamaninyourlineofbusinessthatcoulddosomuch；foroneothertouchmightmakethisfigureofGeneralWolfe，forinstance，abreathingandintelligenthumancreature。“
“Youwouldhavemethinkthatyouarepraisingmehighly，Mr。
Copley，“answeredDrowne，turninghisbackuponWolfe\'simageinapparentdisgust。“Buttherehascomealightintomymind。I
knowwhatyouknowaswell，thattheonetouchwhichyouspeakofasdeficientistheonlyonethatwouldbetrulyvaluable，andthatwithoutittheseworksofminearenobetterthanworthlessabortions。Thereisthesamedifferencebetweenthemandtheworksofaninspiredartistasbetweenasign-postdaubandoneofyourbestpictures。“
“Thisisstrange，“criedCopley，lookinghimintheface，whichnow，asthepainterfancied，hadasingulardepthofintelligence，thoughhithertoithadnotgivenhimgreatlytheadvantageoverhisownfamilyofwoodenimages。“Whathascomeoveryou？Howisitthat，possessingtheideawhichyouhavenowuttered，youshouldproduceonlysuchworksasthese？“
Thecarversmiled，butmadenoreply。Copleyturnedagaintotheimages，conceivingthatthesenseofdeficiencywhichDrownehadjustexpressed，andwhichissorareinamerelymechanicalcharacter，mustsurelyimplyagenius，thetokensofwhichhadheretoforebeenoverlooked。Butno；therewasnotatraceofit。
Hewasabouttowithdrawwhenhiseyeschancedtofalluponahalf-developedfigurewhichlayinacorneroftheworkshop，surroundedbyscatteredchipsofoak。Itarrestedhimatonce。
“Whatishere？Whohasdonethis？“hebrokeout，aftercontemplatingitinspeechlessastonishmentforaninstant。“Hereisthedivine，thelifegivingtouch。Whatinspiredhandisbeckoningthiswoodtoariseandlive？Whoseworkisthis？“
“Noman\'swork，“repliedDrowne。“Thefigurelieswithinthatblockofoak，anditismybusinesstofindit。“
“Drowne，“saidthetrueartist，graspingthecarverferventlybythehand，“youareamanofgenius！“
AsCopleydeparted，happeningtoglancebackwardfromthethreshold，hebeheldDrownebendingoverthehalf-createdshape，andstretchingforthhisarmsasifhewouldhaveembracedanddrawnittohisheart；while，hadsuchamiraclebeenpossible，hiscountenanceexpressedpassionenoughtocommunicatewarmthandsensibilitytothelifelessoak。
“Strangeenough！“saidtheartisttohimself。“WhowouldhavelookedforamodernPygmalioninthepersonofaYankeemechanic！“
Asyet，theimagewasbutvagueinitsoutwardpresentment；sothat，asinthecloudshapesaroundthewesternsun，theobserverratherfelt，orwasledtoimagine，thanreallysawwhatwasintendedbyit。Daybyday，however，theworkassumedgreaterprecision，andsettleditsirregularandmistyoutlineintodistinctergraceandbeauty。Thegeneraldesignwasnowobvioustothecommoneye。Itwasafemalefigure，inwhatappearedtobeaforeigndress；thegownbeinglacedoverthebosom，andopeninginfrontsoastodiscloseaskirtorpetticoat，thefoldsandinequalitiesofwhichwereadmirablyrepresentedintheoakensubstance。Sheworeahatofsingulargracefulness，andabundantlyladenwithflowers，suchasnevergrewintherudesoilofNewEngland，butwhich，withalltheirfancifulluxuriance，hadanaturaltruththatitseemedimpossibleforthemostfertileimaginationtohaveattainedwithoutcopyingfromrealprototypes。Therewereseverallittleappendagestothisdress，suchasafan，apairofearrings，achainabouttheneck，awatchinthebosom，andaringuponthefinger，allofwhichwouldhavebeendeemedbeneaththedignityofsculpture。Theywereputon，however，withasmuchtasteasalovelywomanmighthaveshowninherattire，andcouldthereforehaveshockednonebutajudgmentspoiledbyartisticrules。
Thefacewasstillimperfect；butgradually，byamagictouch，intelligenceandsensibilitybrightenedthroughthefeatures，withalltheeffectoflightgleamingforthfromwithinthesolidoak。Thefacebecamealive。Itwasabeautiful，thoughnotpreciselyregularandsomewhathaughtyaspect，butwithacertainpiquancyabouttheeyesandmouth，which，ofallexpressions，wouldhaveseemedthemostimpossibletothrowoverawoodencountenance。Andnow，sofarascarvingwent，thiswonderfulproductionwascomplete。
“Drowne，“saidCopley，whohadhardlymissedasingledayinhisvisitstothecarver\'sworkshop，“ifthisworkwereinmarbleitwouldmakeyoufamousatonce；nay，Iwouldalmostaffirmthatitwouldmakeaneraintheart。Itisasidealasanantiquestatue，andyetasrealasanylovelywomanwhomonemeetsatafiresideorinthestreet。ButItrustyoudonotmeantodesecratethisexquisitecreaturewithpaint，likethosestaringkingsandadmiralsyonder？“
“Notpainther！“exclaimedCaptainHunnewell，whostoodby；“notpaintthefigure-headoftheCynosure！AndwhatsortofafigureshouldIcutinaforeignportwithsuchanunpaintedoakenstickasthisovermyprow！Shemust，andsheshall，bepaintedtothelife，fromthetopmostflowerinherhatdowntothesilverspanglesonherslippers。“
“Mr。Copley，“saidDrowne，quietly，“Iknownothingofmarblestatuary，andnothingofthesculptor\'srulesofart；butofthiswoodenimage，thisworkofmyhands，thiscreatureofmyheart，“——andherehisvoicefalteredandchokedinaverysingularmanner，——“ofthis——ofher——ImaysaythatIknowsomething。Awell-springofinwardwisdomgushedwithinmeasI
wroughtupontheoakwithmywholestrength，andsoul，andfaith。
Letothersdowhattheymaywithmarble，andadoptwhatrulestheychoose。IfIcanproducemydesiredeffectbypaintedwood，thoserulesarenotforme，andIhavearighttodisregardthem。“
“Theveryspiritofgenius，“mutteredCopleytohimself。“Howotherwiseshouldthiscarverfeelhimselfentitledtotranscendallrules，andmakemeashamedofquotingthem？“
HelookedearnestlyatDrowne，andagainsawthatexpressionofhumanlovewhich，inaspiritualsense，astheartistcouldnothelpimagining，wasthesecretofthelifethathadbeenbreathedintothisblockofwood。
Thecarver，stillinthesamesecrecythatmarkedallhisoperationsuponthismysteriousimage，proceededtopaintthehabilimentsintheirpropercolors，andthecountenancewithNature\'sredandwhite。Whenallwasfinishedhethrewopenhisworkshop，andadmittedthetownspeopletobeholdwhathehaddone。Mostpersons，attheirfirstentrance，feltimpelledtoremovetheirhats，andpaysuchreverenceaswasduetotherichly-dressedandbeautifulyoungladywhoseemedtostandinacorneroftheroom，withoakenchipsandshavingsscatteredatherfeet。Thencameasensationoffear；asif，notbeingactuallyhuman，yetsolikehumanity，shemustthereforebesomethingpreternatural。Therewas，intruth，anindefinableairandexpressionthatmightreasonablyinducethequery，Whoandfromwhatspherethisdaughteroftheoakshouldbe？Thestrange，richflowersofEdenonherhead；thecomplexion，somuchdeeperandmorebrilliantthanthoseofournativebeauties；theforeign，asitseemed，andfantasticgarb，yetnottoofantastictobeworndecorouslyinthestreet；thedelicately-wroughtembroideryoftheskirt；thebroadgoldchainaboutherneck；thecuriousringuponherfinger；thefan，soexquisitelysculpturedinopenwork，andpaintedtoresemblepearlandebony；——wherecouldDrowne，inhissoberwalkoflife，havebeheldthevisionheresomatchlesslyembodied！Andthenherface！Inthedarkeyes，andaroundthevoluptuousmouth，thereplayedalookmadeupofpride，coquetry，andagleamofmirthfulness，whichimpressedCopleywiththeideathattheimagewassecretlyenjoyingtheperplexingadmirationofhimselfandotherbeholders。
“Andwillyou，“saidhetothecarver，“permitthismasterpiecetobecomethefigure-headofavessel？GivethehonestcaptainyonderfigureofBritannia——itwillanswerhispurposefarbetter——andsendthisfairyqueentoEngland，where，foraughtI
know，itmaybringyouathousandpounds。“
“Ihavenotwroughtitformoney，“saidDrowne。
“Whatsortofafellowisthis！“thoughtCopley。“AYankee，andthrowawaythechanceofmakinghisfortune！Hehasgonemad；andthencehascomethisgleamofgenius。“
TherewasstillfurtherproofofDrowne\'slunacy，ifcreditwereduetotherumorthathehadbeenseenkneelingatthefeetoftheoakenlady，andgazingwithalover\'spassionateardorintothefacethathisownhandshadcreated。Thebigotsofthedayhintedthatitwouldbenomatterofsurpriseifanevilspiritwereallowedtoenterthisbeautifulform，andseducethecarvertodestruction。
Thefameoftheimagespreadfarandwide。Theinhabitantsvisiteditsouniversally，thatafterafewdaysofexhibitiontherewashardlyanoldmanorachildwhohadnotbecomeminutelyfamiliarwithitsaspect。EvenhadthestoryofDrowne\'swoodenimageendedhere，itscelebritymighthavebeenprolongedformanyyearsbythereminiscencesofthosewholookeduponitintheirchildhood，andsawnothingelsesobeautifulinafterlife。Butthetownwasnowastoundedbyanevent，thenarrativeofwhichhasformeditselfintooneofthemostsingularlegendsthatareyettobemetwithinthetraditionarychimneycornersoftheNewEnglandmetropolis，whereoldmenandwomensitdreamingofthepast，andwagtheirheadsatthedreamersofthepresentandthefuture。
Onefinemorning，justbeforethedepartureoftheCynosureonhersecondvoyagetoFayal，thecommanderofthatgallantvesselwasseentoissuefromhisresidenceinHanoverStreet。Hewasstylishlydressedinabluebroadclothcoat，withgoldlaceattheseamsandbutton-holes，anembroideredscarletwaistcoat，atriangularhat，withaloopandbroadbindingofgold，andworeasilver-hiltedhangerathisside。Butthegoodcaptainmighthavebeenarrayedintherobesofaprinceortheragsofabeggar，withoutineithercaseattractingnotice，whileobscuredbysuchacompanionasnowleanedonhisarm。Thepeopleinthestreetstarted，rubbedtheireyes，andeitherleapedasidefromtheirpath，orstoodasiftransfixedtowoodormarbleinastonishment。
“Doyouseeit？——doyouseeit？“criedone，withtremulouseagerness。“Itistheverysame！“
“Thesame？“answeredanother，whohadarrivedintownonlythenightbefore。“Whodoyoumean？Iseeonlyasea-captaininhisshoregoingclothes，andayoungladyinaforeignhabit，withabunchofbeautifulflowersinherhat。Onmyword，sheisasfairandbrightadamselasmyeyeshavelookedonthismanyaday！“
“Yes；thesame！——theverysame！“repeatedtheother。“Drowne\'swoodenimagehascometolife！“
Herewasamiracleindeed！Yet，illuminatedbythesunshine，ordarkenedbythealternateshadeofthehouses，andwithitsgarmentsflutteringlightlyinthemorningbreeze，therepassedtheimagealongthestreet。Itwasexactlyandminutelytheshape，thegarb，andthefacewhichthetowns-peoplehadsorecentlythrongedtoseeandadmire。Notarichfloweruponherhead，notasingleleaf，buthadhaditsprototypeinDrowne\'swoodenworkmanship，althoughnowtheirfragilegracehadbecomeflexible，andwasshakenbyeveryfootstepthatthewearermade。
Thebroadgoldchainupontheneckwasidenticalwiththeonerepresentedontheimage，andglistenedwiththemotionimpartedbytheriseandfallofthebosomwhichitdecorated。Arealdiamondsparkledonherfinger。Inherrighthandsheboreapearlandebonyfan，whichsheflourishedwithafantasticandbewitchingcoquetry，thatwaslikewiseexpressedinallhermovementsaswellasinthestyleofherbeautyandtheattirethatsowellharmonizedwithit。Thefacewithitsbrilliantdepthofcomplexionhadthesamepiquancyofmirthfulmischiefthatwasfixeduponthecountenanceoftheimage，butwhichwasherevariedandcontinuallyshifting，yetalwaysessentiallythesame，likethesunnygleamuponabubblingfountain。Onthewhole，therewassomethingsoairyandyetsorealinthefigure，andwithalsoperfectlydiditrepresentDrowne\'simage，thatpeopleknewnotwhethertosupposethemagicwoodetherealizedintoaspiritorwarmedandsoftenedintoanactualwoman。
“Onethingiscertain，“mutteredaPuritanoftheoldstamp，“Drownehassoldhimselftothedevil；anddoubtlessthisgayCaptainHunnewellisapartytothebargain。“
“AndI，“saidayoungmanwhooverheardhim，“wouldalmostconsenttobethethirdvictim，forthelibertyofsalutingthoselovelylips。“
“AndsowouldI，“saidCopley，thepainter，“fortheprivilegeoftakingherpicture。“
Theimage，ortheapparition，whicheveritmightbe，stillescortedbytheboldcaptain，proceededfromHanoverStreetthroughsomeofthecrosslanesthatmakethisportionofthetownsointricate，toAnnStreet，thenceintoDockSquare，andsodownwardtoDrowne\'sshop，whichstoodjustonthewater\'sedge。
Thecrowdstillfollowed，gatheringvolumeasitrolledalong。
Neverhadamodernmiracleoccurredinsuchbroaddaylight，norinthepresenceofsuchamultitudeofwitnesses。Theairyimage，asifconsciousthatshewastheobjectofthemurmursanddisturbancethatswelledbehindher，appearedslightlyvexedandflustered，yetstillinamannerconsistentwiththelightvivacityandsportivemischiefthatwerewritteninhercountenance。Shewasobservedtoflutterherfanwithsuchvehementrapiditythattheelaboratedelicacyofitsworkmanshipgaveway，anditremainedbrokeninherhand。
ArrivingatDrowne\'sdoor，whilethecaptainthrewitopen，themarvellousapparitionpausedaninstantonthethreshold，assumingtheveryattitudeoftheimage，andcastingoverthecrowdthatglanceofsunnycoquetrywhichallrememberedonthefaceoftheoakenlady。Sheandhercavalierthendisappeared。
“Ah！“murmuredthecrowd，drawingadeepbreath，aswithonevastpairoflungs。
“Theworldlooksdarkernowthatshehasvanished，“saidsomeoftheyoungmen。
Buttheaged，whoserecollectionsdatedasfarbackaswitchtimes，shooktheirheads，andhintedthatourforefatherswouldhavethoughtitapiousdeedtoburnthedaughteroftheoakwithfire。
“Ifshebeotherthanabubbleoftheelements，“exclaimedCopley，“Imustlookuponherfaceagain。“
Heaccordinglyenteredtheshop；andthere，inherusualcorner，stoodtheimage，gazingathim，asitmightseem，withtheverysameexpressionofmirthfulmischiefthathadbeenthefarewelllookoftheapparitionwhen，butamomentbefore，sheturnedherfacetowardsthecrowd。Thecarverstoodbesidehiscreationmendingthebeautifulfan，whichbysomeaccidentwasbrokeninherhand。Buttherewasnolongeranymotioninthelifelikeimage，noranyrealwomanintheworkshop，noreventhewitchcraftofasunnyshadow，thatmighthavedeludedpeople\'seyesasitflittedalongthestreet。CaptainHunnewell，too，hadvanished。Hishoarsesea-breezytones，however，wereaudibleontheothersideofadoorthatopeneduponthewater。
“Sitdowninthesternsheets，mylady，“saidthegallantcaptain。“Come，bearahand，youlubbers，andsetusonboardintheturningofaminute-glass。“
Andthenwasheardthestrokeofoars。
“Drowne，“saidCopleywithasmileofintelligence，“youhavebeenatrulyfortunateman。Whatpainterorstatuaryeverhadsuchasubject！Nowonderthatsheinspiredageniusintoyou，andfirstcreatedtheartistwhoafterwardscreatedherimage。“
Drownelookedathimwithavisagethatborethetracesoftears，butfromwhichthelightofimaginationandsensibility，sorecentlyilluminatingit，haddeparted。Hewasagainthemechanicalcarverthathehadbeenknowntobeallhislifetime。
“Ihardlyunderstandwhatyoumean，Mr。Copley，“saidhe，puttinghishandtohisbrow。“Thisimage！Canithavebeenmywork？
Well，Ihavewroughtitinakindofdream；andnowthatIambroadawakeImustsetaboutfinishingyonderfigureofAdmiralVernon。“
Andforthwithheemployedhimselfonthestolidcountenanceofoneofhiswoodenprogeny，andcompleteditinhisownmechanicalstyle，fromwhichhewasneverknownafterwardstodeviate。Hefollowedhisbusinessindustriouslyformanyyears，acquiredacompetence，andinthelatterpartofhislifeattainedtoadignifiedstationinthechurch，beingrememberedinrecordsandtraditionsasDeaconDrowne，thecarver。Oneofhisproductions，anIndianchief，gildedallover，stoodduringthebetterpartofacenturyonthecupolaoftheProvinceHouse，bedazzlingtheeyesofthosewholookedupward，likeanangelofthesun。
Anotherworkofthegooddeacon\'shand——areducedlikenessofhisfriendCaptainHunnewell，holdingatelescopeandquadrant——maybeseentothisday，atthecornerofBroadandStatestreets，servingintheusefulcapacityofsigntotheshopofanauticalinstrumentmaker。Weknownothowtoaccountfortheinferiorityofthisquaintoldfigure，ascomparedwiththerecordedexcellenceoftheOakenLady，unlessonthesuppositionthatineveryhumanspiritthereisimagination，sensibility，creativepower，genius，which，accordingtocircumstances，mayeitherbedevelopedinthisworld，orshroudedinamaskofdulnessuntilanotherstateofbeing。ToourfriendDrownetherecameabriefseasonofexcitement，kindledbylove。Itrenderedhimageniusforthatoneoccasion，but，quenchedindisappointment，lefthimagainthemechanicalcarverinwood，withoutthepowerevenofappreciatingtheworkthathisownhandshadwrought。Yetwhocandoubtthattheveryhigheststatetowhichahumanspiritcanattain，initsloftiestaspirations，isitstruestandmostnaturalstate，andthatDrownewasmoreconsistentwithhimselfwhenhewroughttheadmirablefigureofthemysteriouslady，thanwhenheperpetratedawholeprogenyofblockheads？
TherewasarumorinBoston，aboutthisperiod，thatayoungPortugueseladyofrank，onsomeoccasionofpoliticalordomesticdisquietude，hadfledfromherhomeinFayalandputherselfundertheprotectionofCaptainHunnewell，onboardofwhosevessel，andatwhoseresidence，shewassheltereduntilachangeofaffairs。ThisfairstrangermusthavebeentheoriginalofDrowne\'sWoodenImage。
ROGERMALVIN\'SBURIAL
OneofthefewincidentsofIndianwarfarenaturallysusceptibleofthemoonlightofromancewasthatexpeditionundertakenforthedefenceofthefrontiersintheyear1725，whichresultedinthewell-remembered“Lovell\'sFight。“Imagination，bycastingcertaincircumstancesjudiciallyintotheshade，mayseemuchtoadmireintheheroismofalittlebandwhogavebattletotwicetheirnumberintheheartoftheenemy\'scountry。Theopenbraverydisplayedbybothpartieswasinaccordancewithcivilizedideasofvalor；andchivalryitselfmightnotblushtorecordthedeedsofoneortwoindividuals。Thebattle，thoughsofataltothosewhofought，wasnotunfortunateinitsconsequencestothecountry；foritbrokethestrengthofatribeandconducedtothepeacewhichsubsistedduringseveralensuingyears。Historyandtraditionareunusuallyminuteintheirmemorialsoftheiraffair；andthecaptainofascoutingpartyoffrontiermenhasacquiredasactualamilitaryrenownasmanyavictoriousleaderofthousands。Someoftheincidentscontainedinthefollowingpageswillberecognized，notwithstandingthesubstitutionoffictitiousnames，bysuchashaveheard，fromoldmen\'slips，thefateofthefewcombatantswhowereinaconditiontoretreatafter“Lovell\'sFight。“……
Theearlysunbeamshoveredcheerfullyuponthetree-tops，beneathwhichtwowearyandwoundedmenhadstretchedtheirlimbsthenightbefore。Theirbedofwitheredoakleaveswasstrewnuponthesmalllevelspace，atthefootofarock，situatednearthesummitofoneofthegentleswellsbywhichthefaceofthecountryistherediversified。Themassofgranite，rearingitssmooth，flatsurfacefifteenortwentyfeetabovetheirheads，wasnotunlikeagiganticgravestone，uponwhichtheveinsseemedtoformaninscriptioninforgottencharacters。Onatractofseveralacresaroundthisrock，oaksandotherhard-woodtreeshadsuppliedtheplaceofthepines，whichweretheusualgrowthoftheland；andayoungandvigoroussaplingstoodclosebesidethetravellers。
Theseverewoundoftheeldermanhadprobablydeprivedhimofsleep；for，sosoonasthefirstrayofsunshinerestedonthetopofthehighesttree，herearedhimselfpainfullyfromhisrecumbentpostureandsaterect。Thedeeplinesofhiscountenanceandthescatteredgrayofhishairmarkedhimaspastthemiddleage；buthismuscularframewould，butfortheeffectofhiswound，havebeenascapableofsustainingfatigueasintheearlyvigoroflife。Languorandexhaustionnowsatuponhishaggardfeatures；andthedespairingglancewhichhesentforwardthroughthedepthsoftheforestprovedhisownconvictionthathispilgrimagewasatanend。Henextturnedhiseyestothecompanionwhoreclinedbyhisside。Theyouth——forhehadscarcelyattainedtheyearsofmanhood——lay，withhisheaduponhisarm，intheembraceofanunquietsleep，whichathrillofpainfromhiswoundsseemedeachmomentonthepointofbreaking。
Hisrighthandgraspedamusket；and，tojudgefromtheviolentactionofhisfeatures，hisslumberswerebringingbackavisionoftheconflictofwhichhewasoneofthefewsurvivors。A
shoutdeepandloudinhisdreamingfancy——founditswayinanimperfectmurmurtohislips；and，startingevenattheslightsoundofhisownvoice，hesuddenlyawoke。Thefirstactofrevivingrecollectionwastomakeanxiousinquiriesrespectingtheconditionofhiswoundedfellow-traveller。Thelattershookhishead。
“Reuben，myboy，“saidhe，“thisrockbeneathwhichwesitwillserveforanoldhunter\'sgravestone。Thereismanyandmanyalongmileofhowlingwildernessbeforeusyet；norwoulditavailmeanythingifthesmokeofmyownchimneywerebutontheothersideofthatswellofland。TheIndianbulletwasdeadlierthanI
thought。“
“Youarewearywithourthreedays\'travel，“repliedtheyouth，“andalittlelongerrestwillrecruityou。SityouherewhileI
searchthewoodsfortheherbsandrootsthatmustbeoursustenance；and，havingeaten，youshallleanonme，andwewillturnourfaceshomeward。Idoubtnotthat，withmyhelp，youcanattaintosomeoneofthefrontiergarrisons。“
“Thereisnottwodays\'lifeinme，Reuben，“saidtheother，calmly，“andIwillnolongerburdenyouwithmyuselessbody，whenyoucanscarcelysupportyourown。Yourwoundsaredeepandyourstrengthisfailingfast；yet，ifyouhastenonwardalone，youmaybepreserved。Formethereisnohope，andIwillawaitdeathhere。“
“Ifitmustbeso，Iwillremainandwatchbyyou，“saidReuben，resolutely“No，myson，no，“rejoinedhiscompanion。“Letthewishofadyingmanhaveweightwithyou；givemeonegraspofyourhand，andgetyouhence。ThinkyouthatmylastmomentswillbeeasedbythethoughtthatIleaveyoutodieamorelingeringdeath？I
havelovedyoulikeafather，Reuben；andatatimelikethisI
shouldhavesomethingofafather\'sauthority。IchargeyoutobegonethatImaydieinpeace。“
“Andbecauseyouhavebeenafathertome，shouldIthereforeleaveyoutoperishandtolieunburiedinthewilderness？“
exclaimedtheyouth。“No；ifyourendbeintruthapproaching，I
willwatchbyyouandreceiveyourpartingwords。Iwilldigagraveherebytherock，inwhich，ifmyweaknessovercomeme，wewillresttogether；or，ifHeavengivesmestrength，Iwillseekmywayhome。“
“Inthecitiesandwherevermendwell，“repliedtheother，“theyburytheirdeadintheearth；theyhidethemfromthesightoftheliving；buthere，wherenostepmaypassperhapsforahundredyears，whereforeshouldInotrestbeneaththeopensky，coveredonlybytheoakleaveswhentheautumnwindsshallstrewthem？Andforamonument，hereisthisgrayrock，onwhichmydyinghandshallcarvethenameofRogerMalvin，andthetravellerindaystocomewillknowthatheresleepsahunterandawarrior。Tarrynot，then，forafollylikethis，buthastenaway，ifnotforyourownsake，forherswhowillelsebedesolate。\'
Malvinspokethelastfewwordsinafalteringvoice，andtheireffectuponhiscompanionwasstronglyvisible。Theyremindedhimthattherewereotherandlessquestionabledutiesthanthatofsharingthefateofamanwhomhisdeathcouldnotbenefit。NorcanitbeaffirmedthatnoselfishfeelingstrovetoenterReuben\'sheart，thoughtheconsciousnessmadehimmoreearnestlyresisthiscompanion\'sentreaties。
“Howterribletowaittheslowapproachofdeathinthissolitude！“exclaimedhe。“Abravemandoesnotshrinkinthebattle；and，whenfriendsstandroundthebed，evenwomenmaydiecomposedly；buthere——“
“Ishallnotshrinkevenhere，ReubenBourne，“interruptedMalvin。“Iamamanofnoweakheart，and，ifIwere，thereisasurersupportthanthatofearthlyfriends。Youareyoung，andlifeisdeartoyou。Yourlastmomentswillneedcomfortfarmorethanmine；andwhenyouhavelaidmeintheearth，andarealone，andnightissettlingontheforest，youwillfeelallthebitternessofthedeaththatmaynowbeescaped。ButIwillurgenoselfishmotivetoyourgenerousnature。Leavemeformysake，that，havingsaidaprayerforyoursafety，Imayhavespacetosettlemyaccountundisturbedbyworldlysorrows。“
“Andyourdaughter，——howshallIdaretomeethereye？“exclaimedReuben。“Shewillaskthefateofherfather，whoselifeIvowedtodefendwithmyown。MustItellherthathetravelledthreedays\'marchwithmefromthefieldofbattleandthatthenIlefthimtoperishinthewilderness？WereitnotbettertoliedownanddiebyyoursidethantoreturnsafeandsaythistoDorcas？“
“Tellmydaughter，“saidRogerMalvin，“that，thoughyourselfsorewounded，andweak，andweary，youledmytotteringfootstepsmanyamile，andleftmeonlyatmyearnestentreaty，becauseI
wouldnothaveyourblooduponmysoul。Tellherthatthroughpainanddangeryouwerefaithful，andthat，ifyourlifebloodcouldhavesavedme，itwouldhaveflowedtoitslastdrop；andtellherthatyouwillbesomethingdearerthanafather，andthatmyblessingiswithyouboth，andthatmydyingeyescanseealongandpleasantpathinwhichyouwilljourneytogether。“
AsMalvinspokehealmostraisedhimselffromtheground，andtheenergyofhisconcludingwordsseemedtofillthewildandlonelyforestwithavisionofhappiness；but，whenhesankexhausteduponhisbedofoakleaves，thelightwhichhadkindledinReuben\'seyewasquenched。Hefeltasifitwerebothsinandfollytothinkofhappinessatsuchamoment。Hiscompanionwatchedhischangingcountenance，andsoughtwithgenerousarttowilehimtohisowngood。
“PerhapsIdeceivemyselfinregardtothetimeIhavetolive，“
heresumed。“Itmaybethat，withspeedyassistance，Imightrecoverofmywound。Theforemostfugitivesmust，erethis，havecarriedtidingsofourfatalbattletothefrontiers，andpartieswillbeouttosuccorthoseinlikeconditionwithourselves。
Shouldyoumeetoneoftheseandguidethemhither，whocantellbutthatImaysitbymyownfiresideagain？“
Amournfulsmilestrayedacrossthefeaturesofthedyingmanasheinsinuatedthatunfoundedhope，——which，however，wasnotwithoutitseffectonReuben。Nomerelyselfishmotive，noreventhedesolateconditionofDorcas，couldhaveinducedhimtodeserthiscompanionatsuchamoment——buthiswishesseizedonthethoughtthatMalvin\'slifemightbepreserved，andhissanguinenatureheightenedalmosttocertaintytheremotepossibilityofprocuringhumanaid。
“Surelythereisreason，weightyreason，tohopethatfriendsarenotfardistant，“hesaid，halfaloud。“Therefledonecoward，unwounded，inthebeginningofthefight，andmostprobablyhemadegoodspeed。Everytruemanonthefrontierwouldshoulderhismusketatthenews；and，thoughnopartymayrangesofarintothewoodsasthis，Ishallperhapsencountertheminoneday\'smarch。Counselmefaithfully，“headded，turningtoMalvin，indistrustofhisownmotives。“Wereyoursituationmine，wouldyoudesertmewhileliferemained？“
“Itisnowtwentyyears，“repliedRogerMalvin，——sighing，however，ashesecretlyacknowledgedthewidedissimilaritybetweenthetwocases，-“itisnowtwentyyearssinceIescapedwithonedearfriendfromIndiancaptivitynearMontreal。Wejourneyedmanydaysthroughthewoods，tillatlengthovercomewithhungerandweariness，myfriendlaydownandbesoughtmetoleavehim；forheknewthat，ifIremained，webothmustperish；
and，withbutlittlehopeofobtainingsuccor，Iheapedapillowofdryleavesbeneathhisheadandhastenedon。“
“Anddidyoureturnintimetosavehim？“askedReuben，hangingonMalvin\'swordsasiftheyweretobepropheticofhisownsuccess。
“Idid，“answeredtheother。“Icameuponthecampofahuntingpartybeforesunsetofthesameday。Iguidedthemtothespotwheremycomradewasexpectingdeath；andheisnowahaleandheartymanuponhisownfarm，farwithinthefrontiers，whileI
liewoundedhereinthedepthsofthewilderness。“
Thisexample，powerfulinaffectingReuben\'sdecision，wasaided，unconsciouslytohimself，bythehiddenstrengthofmanyanothermotive。RogerMalvinperceivedthatthevictorywasnearlywon。
“Now，go，myson，andHeavenprosperyou！“hesaid。“Turnnotbackwithyourfriendswhenyoumeetthem，lestyourwoundsandwearinessovercomeyou；butsendhitherwardtwoorthree，thatmaybespared，tosearchforme；andbelieveme，Reuben，myheartwillbelighterwitheverystepyoutaketowardshome。“Yettherewas，perhaps，achangebothinhiscountenanceandvoiceashespokethus；for，afterall，itwasaghastlyfatetobeleftexpiringinthewilderness。
ReubenBourne，buthalfconvincedthathewasactingrightly，atlengthraisedhimselffromthegroundandpreparedhimselfforhisdeparture。Andfirst，thoughcontrarytoMalvin\'swishes，hecollectedastockofrootsandherbs，whichhadbeentheironlyfoodduringthelasttwodays。Thisuselesssupplyheplacedwithinreachofthedyingman，forwhom，also，heswepttogetherabedofdryoakleaves。Thenclimbingtothesummitoftherock，whichononesidewasroughandbroken，hebenttheoaksaplingdownward，andboundhishandkerchieftothetopmostbranch。ThisprecautionwasnotunnecessarytodirectanywhomightcomeinsearchofMalvin；foreverypartoftherock，exceptitsbroad，smoothfront，wasconcealedatalittledistancebythedenseundergrowthoftheforest。ThehandkerchiefhadbeenthebandageofawounduponReuben\'sarm；and，asheboundittothetree，hevowedbythebloodthatstaineditthathewouldreturn，eithertosavehiscompanion\'slifeortolayhisbodyinthegrave。Hethendescended，andstood，withdowncasteyes，toreceiveRogerMalvin\'spartingwords。
Theexperienceofthelattersuggestedmuchandminuteadvicerespectingtheyouth\'sjourneythroughthetracklessforest。Uponthissubjecthespokewithcalmearnestness，asifheweresendingReubentothebattleorthechasewhilehehimselfremainedsecureathome，andnotasifthehumancountenancethatwasabouttoleavehimwerethelasthewouldeverbehold。Buthisfirmnesswasshakenbeforeheconcluded。
“CarrymyblessingtoDorcas，andsaythatmylastprayershallbeforherandyou。Bidhertohavenohardthoughtsbecauseyouleftmehere，“——Reuben\'sheartsmotehim，——“forthatyourlifewouldnothaveweighedwithyouifitssacrificecouldhavedonemegood。Shewillmarryyouaftershehasmournedalittlewhileforherfather；andHeavengrantyoulongandhappydays，andmayyourchildren\'schildrenstandroundyourdeathbed！And，Reuben，“addedhe，astheweaknessofmortalitymadeitswayatlast，“return，whenyourwoundsarehealedandyourwearinessrefreshed，——returntothiswildrock，andlaymybonesinthegrave，andsayaprayeroverthem。“
Analmostsuperstitiousregard，arisingperhapsfromthecustomsoftheIndians，whosewarwaswiththedeadaswellastheliving，waspaidbythefrontierinhabitantstotheritesofsepulture；andtherearemanyinstancesofthesacrificeoflifeintheattempttoburythosewhohadfallenbythe“swordofthewilderness。“Reuben，therefore，feltthefullimportanceofthepromisewhichhemostsolemnlymadetoreturnandperformRogerMalvin\'sobsequies。Itwasremarkablethatthelatter，speakinghiswholeheartinhispartingwords，nolongerendeavoredtopersuadetheyouththateventhespeediestsuccormightavailtothepreservationofhislife。ReubenwasinternallyconvincedthatheshouldseeMalvin\'slivingfacenomore。Hisgenerousnaturewouldfainhavedelayedhim，atwhateverrisk，tillthedyingscenewerepast；butthedesireofexistenceandthehopeofhappinesshadstrengthenedinhisheart，andhewasunabletoresistthem。
“Itisenough，“saidRogerMalvin，havinglistenedtoReuben\'spromise。“Go，andGodspeedyou！“
Theyouthpressedhishandinsilence，turned，andwasdeparting。
Hisslowandfalteringsteps，however，hadbornehimbutalittlewaybeforeMalvin\'svoicerecalledhim。
“Reuben，Reuben，“saidhe，faintly；andReubenreturnedandkneltdownbythedyingman。
“Raiseme，andletmeleanagainsttherock，“washislastrequest。“Myfacewillbeturnedtowardshome，andIshallseeyouamomentlongerasyoupassamongthetrees。“
Reuben，havingmadethedesiredalterationinhiscompanion\'sposture，againbeganhissolitarypilgrimage。Hewalkedmorehastilyatfirstthanwasconsistentwithhisstrength；forasortofguiltyfeeling，whichsometimestormentsmenintheirmostjustifiableacts，causedhimtoseekconcealmentfromMalvin\'seyes；butafterhehadtroddenfarupontherustlingforestleaveshecreptback，impelledbyawildandpainfulcuriosity，and，shelteredbytheearthyrootsofanuptorntree，gazedearnestlyatthedesolateman。Themorningsunwasunclouded，andthetreesandshrubsimbibedthesweetairofthemonthofMay；yetthereseemedagloomonNature\'sface，asifshesympathizedwithmortalpainandsorrowRogerMalvin\'shandswereupliftedinaferventprayer，someofthewordsofwhichstolethroughthestillnessofthewoodsandenteredReuben\'sheart，torturingitwithanunutterablepang。TheywerethebrokenaccentsofapetitionforhisownhappinessandthatofDorcas；and，astheyouthlistened，conscience，orsomethinginitssimilitude，pleadedstronglywithhimtoreturnandliedownagainbytherock。Hefelthowhardwasthedoomofthekindandgenerousbeingwhomhehaddesertedinhisextremity。Deathwouldcomeliketheslowapproachofacorpse，stealinggraduallytowardshimthroughtheforest，andshowingitsghastlyandmotionlessfeaturesfrombehindanearerandyetanearertree。
ButsuchmusthavebeenReuben\'sownfatehadhetarriedanothersunset；andwhoshallimputeblametohimifheshrinkfromsouselessasacrifice？Ashegaveapartinglook，abreezewavedthelittlebanneruponthesaplingoakandremindedReubenofhisvow……
Manycircumstancescombinedtoretardthewoundedtravellerinhiswaytothefrontiers。Ontheseconddaytheclouds，gatheringdenselyoverthesky，precludedthepossibilityofregulatinghiscoursebythepositionofthesun；andheknewnotbutthateveryeffortofhisalmostexhaustedstrengthwasremovinghimfartherfromthehomehesought。Hisscantysustenancewassuppliedbytheberriesandotherspontaneousproductsoftheforest。Herdsofdeer，itistrue，sometimesboundedpasthim，andpartridgesfrequentlywhirredupbeforehisfootsteps；buthisammunitionhadbeenexpendedinthefight，andhehadnomeansofslayingthem。Hiswounds，irritatedbytheconstantexertioninwhichlaytheonlyhopeoflife，woreawayhisstrengthandatintervalsconfusedhisreason。But，eveninthewanderingsofintellect，Reuben\'syoungheartclungstronglytoexistence；anditwasonlythroughabsoluteincapacityofmotionthatheatlastsankdownbeneathatree，compelledtheretoawaitdeath。
Inthissituationhewasdiscoveredbyapartywho，uponthefirstintelligenceofthefight，hadbeendespatchedtothereliefofthesurvivors。Theyconveyedhimtothenearestsettlement，whichchancedtobethatofhisownresidence。
Dorcas，inthesimplicityoftheoldentime，watchedbythebedsideofherwoundedlover，andadministeredallthosecomfortsthatareinthesolegiftofwoman\'sheartandhand。DuringseveraldaysReuben\'srecollectionstrayeddrowsilyamongtheperilsandhardshipsthroughwhichhehadpassed，andhewasincapableofreturningdefiniteanswerstotheinquirieswithwhichmanywereeagertoharasshim。Noauthenticparticularsofthebattlehadyetbeencirculated；norcouldmothers，wives，andchildrentellwhethertheirlovedonesweredetainedbycaptivityorbythestrongerchainofdeath。DorcasnourishedherapprehensionsinsilencetilloneafternoonwhenReubenawokefromanunquietsleep，andseemedtorecognizehermoreperfectlythanatanyprevioustime。Shesawthathisintellecthadbecomecomposed，andshecouldnolongerrestrainherfilialanxiety。
“Myfather，Reuben？“shebegan；butthechangeinherlover\'scountenancemadeherpause。
Theyouthshrankasifwithabitterpain，andthebloodgushedvividlyintohiswanandhollowcheeks。Hisfirstimpulsewastocoverhisface；but，apparentlywithadesperateeffort，hehalfraisedhimselfandspokevehemently，defendinghimselfagainstanimaginaryaccusation。
“Yourfatherwassorewoundedinthebattle，Dorcas；andhebademenotburdenmyselfwithhim，butonlytoleadhimtothelakeside，thathemightquenchhisthirstanddie。ButIwouldnotdeserttheoldmaninhisextremity，and，thoughbleedingmyself，Isupportedhim；Igavehimhalfmystrength，andledhimawaywithme。Forthreedayswejourneyedontogether，andyourfatherwassustainedbeyondmyhopes，but，awakingatsunriseonthefourthday，Ifoundhimfaintandexhausted；hewasunabletoproceed；hislifehadebbedawayfast；and——“
“Hedied！“exclaimedDorcas，faintly。
Reubenfeltitimpossibletoacknowledgethathisselfishloveoflifehadhurriedhimawaybeforeherfather\'sfatewasdecided。
Hespokenot；heonlybowedhishead；and，betweenshameandexhaustion，sankbackandhidhisfaceinthepillow。Dorcasweptwhenherfearswerethusconfirmed；buttheshock，asithadbeenlonganticipated。wasonthataccountthelessviolent。
“Youdugagraveformypoorfatherinthewilderness，Reuben？“
wasthequestionbywhichherfilialpietymanifesteditself。
“Myhandswereweak；butIdidwhatIcould，“repliedtheyouthinasmotheredtone。“Therestandsanobletombstoneabovehishead；andIwouldtoHeavenIsleptassoundlyashe！“
Dorcas，perceivingthewildnessofhislatterwords，inquirednofurtheratthetime；butherheartfoundeaseinthethoughtthatRogerMalvinhadnotlackedsuchfuneralritesasitwaspossibletobestow。ThetaleofReuben\'scourageandfidelitylostnothingwhenshecommunicatedittoherfriends；andthepooryouth，totteringfromhissickchambertobreathethesunnyair，experiencedfromeverytonguethemiserableandhumiliatingtortureofunmeritedpraise。Allacknowledgedthathemightworthilydemandthehandofthefairmaidentowhosefatherhehadbeen“faithfuluntodeath；“and，asmytaleisnotoflove，itshallsufficetosaythatinthespaceofafewmonthsReubenbecamethehusbandofDorcasMalvin。Duringthemarriageceremonythebridewascoveredwithblushes，butthebridegroom\'sfacewaspale。
TherewasnowinthebreastofReubenBourneanincommunicablethought——somethingwhichhewastoconcealmostheedfullyfromherwhomhemostlovedandtrusted。Heregretted，deeplyandbitterly，themoralcowardicethathadrestrainedhiswordswhenhewasabouttodisclosethetruthtoDorcas；butpride，thefearoflosingheraffection，thedreadofuniversalscorn，forbadehimtorectifythisfalsehood。HefeltthatforleavingRogerMalvinhedeservednocensure。Hispresence，thegratuitoussacrificeofhisownlife，wouldhaveaddedonlyanotherandaneedlessagonytothelastmomentsofthedyingman；butconcealmenthadimpartedtoajustifiableactmuchofthesecreteffectofguilt；andReuben，whilereasontoldhimthathehaddoneright，experiencedinnosmalldegreethementalhorrorswhichpunishtheperpetratorofundiscoveredcrime。Byacertainassociationofideas，heattimesalmostimaginedhimselfamurderer。Foryears，also，athoughtwouldoccasionallyrecur，which，thoughheperceivedallitsfollyandextravagance，hehadnotpowertobanishfromhismind。Itwasahauntingandtorturingfancythathisfather-in-lawwasyetsittingatthefootoftherock，onthewitheredforestleaves，alive，andawaitinghispledgedassistance。Thesementaldeceptions，however，cameandwent，nordidheevermistakethemforrealities:butinthecalmestandclearestmoodsofhismindhewasconsciousthathehadadeepvowunredeemed，andthatanunburiedcorpsewascallingtohimoutofthewilderness。Yetsuchwastheconsequenceofhisprevaricationthathecouldnotobeythecall。ItwasnowtoolatetorequiretheassistanceofRogerMalvin\'sfriendsinperforminghislong-deferredsepulture；
andsuperstitiousfears，ofwhichnoneweremoresusceptiblethanthepeopleoftheoutwardsettlements，forbadeReubentogoalone。Neitherdidheknowwhereinthepathlessandillimitableforesttoseekthatsmoothandletteredrockatthebaseofwhichthebodylay:hisremembranceofeveryportionofhistravelthencewasindistinct，andthelatterparthadleftnoimpressionuponhismind。Therewas，however，acontinualimpulse，avoiceaudibleonlytohimself，commandinghimtogoforthandredeemhisvow；andhehadastrangeimpressionthat，werehetomakethetrial，hewouldbeledstraighttoMalvin\'sbones。Butyearafteryearthatsummons，unheardbutfelt，wasdisobeyed。Hisonesecretthoughtbecamelikeachainbindingdownhisspiritandlikeaserpentgnawingintohisheart；andhewastransformedintoasadanddowncastyetirritableman。
InthecourseofafewyearsaftertheirmarriagechangesbegantobevisibleintheexternalprosperityofReubenandDorcas。
Theonlyrichesoftheformerhadbeenhisstoutheartandstrongarm；butthelatter，herfather\'ssoleheiress，hadmadeherhusbandmasterofafarm，underoldercultivation，larger，andbetterstockedthanmostofthefrontierestablishments。ReubenBourne，however，wasaneglectfulhusbandman；and，whilethelandsoftheothersettlersbecameannuallymorefruitful，hisdeterioratedinthesameproportion。ThediscouragementstoagricultureweregreatlylessenedbythecessationofIndianwar，duringwhichmenheldtheploughinonehandandthemusketintheother，andwerefortunateiftheproductsoftheirdangerouslaborwerenotdestroyed，eitherinthefieldorinthebarn，bythesavageenemy。ButReubendidnotprofitbythealteredconditionofthecountry；norcanitbedeniedthathisintervalsofindustriousattentiontohisaffairswerebutscantilyrewardedwithsuccess。Theirritabilitybywhichhehadrecentlybecomedistinguishedwasanothercauseofhisdecliningprosperity，asitoccasionedfrequentquarrelsinhisunavoidableintercoursewiththeneighboringsettlers。Theresultsofthesewereinnumerablelawsuits；forthepeopleofNewEngland，intheearlieststagesandwildestcircumstancesofthecountry，adopted，wheneverattainable，thelegalmodeofdecidingtheirdifferences。Tobebrief，theworlddidnotgowellwithReubenBourne；and，thoughnottillmanyyearsafterhismarriage，hewasfinallyaruinedman，withbutoneremainingexpedientagainsttheevilfatethathadpursuedhim。Hewastothrowsunlightintosomedeeprecessoftheforest，andseeksubsistencefromthevirginbosomofthewilderness。
TheonlychildofReubenandDorcaswasason，nowarrivedattheageoffifteenyears，beautifulinyouth，andgivingpromiseofagloriousmanhood。Hewaspeculiarlyqualifiedfor，andalreadybegantoexcelin，thewildaccomplishmentsoffrontierlife。Hisfootwasfleet，hisaimtrue，hisapprehensionquick，hisheartgladandhigh；andallwhoanticipatedthereturnofIndianwarspokeofCyrusBourneasafutureleaderintheland。Theboywaslovedbyhisfatherwithadeepandsilentstrength，asifwhateverwasgoodandhappyinhisownnaturehadbeentransferredtohischild，carryinghisaffectionswithit。EvenDorcas，thoughlovingandbeloved，wasfarlessdeartohim；forReuben\'ssecretthoughtsandinsulatedemotionshadgraduallymadehimaselfishman，andhecouldnolongerlovedeeplyexceptwherehesaworimaginedsomereflectionorlikenessofhisownmind。InCyrusherecognizedwhathehadhimselfbeeninotherdays；andatintervalsheseemedtopartakeoftheboy\'sspirit，andtoberevivedwithafreshandhappylife。Reubenwasaccompaniedbyhissonintheexpedition，forthepurposeofselectingatractoflandandfellingandburningthetimber，whichnecessarilyprecededtheremovalofthehouseholdgods。Twomonthsofautumnwerethusoccupied，afterwhichReubenBourneandhisyounghunterreturnedtospendtheirlastwinterinthesettlements……
ItwasearlyinthemonthofMaythatthelittlefamilysnappedasunderwhatevertendrilsofaffectionshadclungtoinanimateobjects，andbadefarewelltothefewwho，intheblightoffortune，calledthemselvestheirfriends。Thesadnessofthepartingmomenthad，toeachofthepilgrims，itspeculiaralleviations。Reuben，amoodyman，andmisanthropicbecauseunhappy，strodeonwardwithhisusualsternbrowanddowncasteye，feelingfewregretsanddisdainingtoacknowledgeany。
Dorcas，whilesheweptabundantlyoverthebrokentiesbywhichhersimpleandaffectionatenaturehadbounditselftoeverything，feltthattheinhabitantsofherinmostheartmovedonwithher，andthatallelsewouldbesuppliedwherevershemightgo。Andtheboydashedonetear-dropfromhiseye，andthoughtoftheadventurouspleasuresoftheuntroddenforest。
Oh，who，intheenthusiasmofadaydream，hasnotwishedthathewereawandererinaworldofsummerwilderness，withonefairandgentlebeinghanginglightlyonhisarm？Inyouthhisfreeandexultingstepwouldknownobarrierbuttherollingoceanorthesnow-toppedmountains；calmermanhoodwouldchooseahomewhereNaturehadstrewnadoublewealthinthevaleofsometransparentstream；andwhenhoaryage，afterlong，longyearsofthatpurelife，stoleonandfoundhimthere，itwouldfindhimthefatherofarace，thepatriarchofapeople，thefounderofamightynationyettobe。Whendeath，likethesweetsleepwhichwewelcomeafteradayofhappiness，cameoverhim，hisfardescendantswouldmournoverthevenerateddust。Envelopedbytraditioninmysteriousattributes，themenoffuturegenerationswouldcallhimgodlike；andremoteposteritywouldseehimstanding，dimlyglorious，farupthevalleyofahundredcenturies。
Thetangledandgloomyforestthroughwhichthepersonagesofmytalewerewanderingdifferedwidelyfromthedreamer\'slandoffantasy；yettherewassomethingintheirwayoflifethatNatureassertedasherown，andthegnawingcareswhichwentwiththemfromtheworldwereallthatnowobstructedtheirhappiness。Onestoutandshaggysteed，thebearerofalltheirwealth，didnotshrinkfromtheaddedweightofDorcas；althoughherhardybreedingsustainedher，duringthelatterpartofeachday\'sjourney，byherhusband\'sside。Reubenandhisson，theirmusketsontheirshouldersandtheiraxesslungbehindthem，keptanunweariedpace，eachwatchingwithahunter\'seyeforthegamethatsuppliedtheirfood。Whenhungerbade，theyhaltedandpreparedtheirmealonthebankofsomeunpollutedforestbrook，which，astheykneltdownwiththirstylipstodrink，murmuredasweetunwillingness，likeamaidenatlove\'sfirstkiss。Theysleptbeneathahutofbranches，andawokeatpeepoflightrefreshedforthetoilsofanotherday。Dorcasandtheboywentonjoyously，andevenReuben\'sspiritshoneatintervalswithanoutwardgladness；butinwardlytherewasacoldcoldsorrow，whichhecomparedtothesnowdriftslyingdeepintheglensandhollowsoftherivuletswhiletheleaveswerebrightlygreenabove。
CyrusBournewassufficientlyskilledinthetravelofthewoodstoobservethathisfatherdidnotadheretothecoursetheyhadpursuedintheirexpeditionoftheprecedingautumn。Theywerenowkeepingfarthertothenorth，strikingoutmoredirectlyfromthesettlements，andintoaregionofwhichsavagebeastsandsavagemenwereasyetthesolepossessors。Theboysometimeshintedhisopinionsuponthesubject，andReubenlistenedattentively，andonceortwicealteredthedirectionoftheirmarchinaccordancewithhisson\'scounsel；but，havingsodone，heseemedillatease。Hisquickandwanderingglancesweresentforwardapparentlyinsearchofenemieslurkingbehindthetreetrunks，and，seeingnothingthere，hewouldcasthiseyesbackwardsasifinfearofsomepursuer。Cyrus，perceivingthathisfathergraduallyresumedtheolddirection，forboretointerfere；nor，thoughsomethingbegantoweighuponhisheart，didhisadventurousnaturepermithimtoregrettheincreasedlengthandthemysteryoftheirway。
Ontheafternoonofthefifthdaytheyhalted，andmadetheirsimpleencampmentnearlyanhourbeforesunset。Thefaceofthecountry，forthelastfewmiles，hadbeendiversifiedbyswellsoflandresemblinghugewavesofapetrifiedsea；andinoneofthecorrespondinghollows，awildandromanticspot，hadthefamilyrearedtheirhutandkindledtheirfire。Thereissomethingchilling，andyetheart-warming，inthethoughtofthesethree，unitedbystrongbandsofloveandinsulatedfromallthatbreathebeside。Thedarkandgloomypineslookeddownuponthem，and，asthewindsweptthroughtheirtops，apityingsoundwasheardintheforest；ordidthoseoldtreesgroaninfearthatmenwerecometolaytheaxetotheirrootsatlast？
Reubenandhisson，whileDorcasmadereadytheirmeal，proposedtowanderoutinsearchofgame，ofwhichthatday\'smarchhadaffordednosupply。Theboy，promisingnottoquitthevicinityoftheencampment，boundedoffwithastepaslightandelasticasthatofthedeerhehopedtoslay；whilehisfather，feelingatransienthappinessashegazedafterhim，wasabouttopursueanoppositedirection。Dorcasinthemeanwhile，hadseatedherselfneartheirfireoffallenbranchesuponthemossgrownandmoulderingtrunkofatreeuprootedyearsbefore。Heremployment，diversifiedbyanoccasionalglanceatthepot，nowbeginningtosimmerovertheblaze，wastheperusalofthecurrentyear\'sMassachusettsAlmanac，which，withtheexceptionofanoldblack-letterBible，comprisedalltheliterarywealthofthefamily。Nonepayagreaterregardtoarbitrarydivisionsoftimethanthosewhoareexcludedfromsociety；andDorcasmentioned，asiftheinformationwereofimportance，thatitwasnowthetwelfthofMay。Herhusbandstarted。
“ThetwelfthofMay！Ishouldrememberitwell，“mutteredhe，whilemanythoughtsoccasionedamomentaryconfusioninhismind。
“WhereamI？WhitheramIwandering？WheredidIleavehim？“
Dorcas，toowellaccustomedtoherhusband\'swaywardmoodstonoteanypeculiarityofdemeanor，nowlaidasidethealmanacandaddressedhiminthatmournfultonewhichthetenderheartedappropriatetogriefslongcoldanddead。
“Itwasnearthistimeofthemonth，eighteenyearsago，thatmypoorfatherleftthisworldforabetter。Hehadakindarmtoholdhisheadandakindvoicetocheerhim，Reuben，inhislastmoments；andthethoughtofthefaithfulcareyoutookofhimhascomfortedmemanyatimesince。Oh，deathwouldhavebeenawfultoasolitarymaninawildplacelikethis！“
“PrayHeaven，Dorcas，“saidReuben，inabrokenvoice，——“prayHeaventhatneitherofusthreediessolitaryandliesunburiedinthishowlingwilderness！“Andhehastenedaway，leavinghertowatchthefirebeneaththegloomypines。
ReubenBourne\'srapidpacegraduallyslackenedasthepang，unintentionallyinflictedbythewordsofDorcas，becamelessacute。Manystrangereflections，however，throngeduponhim；and，strayingonwardratherlikeasleepwalkerthanahunter，itwasattributabletonocareofhisownthathisdeviouscoursekepthiminthevicinityoftheencampment。Hisstepswereimperceptiblyledalmostinacircle；nordidheobservethathewasonthevergeofatractoflandheavilytimbered，butnotwithpine-trees。Theplaceofthelatterwasheresuppliedbyoaksandotheroftheharderwoods；andaroundtheirrootsclusteredadenseandbushyunder-growth，leaving，however，barrenspacesbetweenthetrees，thickstrewnwithwitheredleaves。Whenevertherustlingofthebranchesorthecreakingofthetrunksmadeasound，asiftheforestwerewakingfromslumber，Reubeninstinctivelyraisedthemusketthatrestedonhisarm，andcastaquick，sharpglanceoneveryside；but，convincedbyapartialobservationthatnoanimalwasnear，hewouldagaingivehimselfuptohisthoughts。Hewasmusingonthestrangeinfluencethathadledhimawayfromhispremeditatedcourse，andsofarintothedepthsofthewilderness。Unabletopenetratetothesecretplaceofhissoulwherehismotiveslayhidden，hebelievedthatasupernaturalvoicehadcalledhimonward，andthatasupernaturalpowerhadobstructedhisretreat。
