Page 79 - A Hero of Ticonderoga

quietude as it might have been lapped, if all the turmoil of war and strife
were a thousand miles removed. As Nathan’s eyes ran over the familiar

fields in which he had spent so many hours in the companionship of his
father, his heart was softened with the sad and solemn memory. Then it

hardened in a fire of wrath that flamed up at the remembrance of what he
had suffered from his father’s successor, and he felt if he should meet the
wretch he would wreak summary vengeance upon him.

Soon they were at the open door and looking in upon the homely kitchen. It

was empty but for the figure of a man slouching inertly in an armchair
before the fireplace. There was no mistaking the shock of grizzled red hair,
nor the brawny shoulders, though they were stooped and curved together.

The light tread of Nathan’s moccasined feet did not disturb the melancholy

figure, with its drooping head and vacant eyes staring into the fire, nor did
it move till he laid his hand on its shoulder. Then the face turned upon him
a slow, dazed stare, that as slowly kindled into recognition, then froze into

a rigid glare of inexpressible terror. An inarticulate cry came from the white
lips, while the helpless form strove to arouse itself from the living death of

palsy.

Nathan cast upon Job a look of appalled, beseeching inquiry. As he met its

answer in the awed face of his friend, resentment of past injuries faded out
of his heart, as he realized that a mighty hand had forestalled his revenge,

and he felt nothing but pity for the abject being that crouched before him.

"It’s come out about as I told you," said Job, "but I wan’t expectin’ nothin’

like this, poor critter. He thinks you’re a spirit come to haunt him." Then he
called loudly to the figure, "It’s the boy. It’s Nathan, alive and well. Don’t

be afeared, he won’t hurt ye."

There were footsteps at the threshold, and Ruth and Martha entered,

pausing a moment with wondering faces, which presently kindled with joy,
and Nathan was clasped in their arms. When the first flush of joyful

meeting was spent, Ruth explained in answer to her son’s whispered
question and his nod toward the dumb figure: