ave labored hard. Can we get out of this place? Are not
these Mr. Dumont's friends? Have they come to fill up the pit you have
dug?"

"No, dearest, they are _our_ friends," said Dalhousie, pained by the
wandering, wild state of her mind, and fearful that it might end in
insanity. "We will leave this place as soon as you have eaten some of
these figs and melons. I am almost restored by the joy of this moment,
dearest; and you must strive to be of good cheer."

Dalhousie and his wife ate freely of the fruit, while Uncle Nathan and
Pat gazed in silence upon the scene. But Delia was not so easily
restored. Her mental and physical sufferings appeared to have given her
constitution a shock from which it would take time to recover.

A conference took place between the parties, to decide upon the best
means of removing the lady, who was utterly incapable of moving a step,
and scarcely of lifting her form on her rude couch. Uncle Nathan was not
long in devising a method; and, directing Pat to enlarge the aperture
through which the captives were to escape, he went in search of some
canes, with which to construct a litter. Pat applied himself vigorously
to his task, tumbling over the huge stones like playthings, and handling
the shovel with all that dexterity for which the Celtic race is so
distinguished.

A rude litter was constructed, on which were laid the coats of the
party, so as to render it as comfortable as possible to the sufferer.
Uncle Nathan and Dalhousie, with much tenderness, though not without
pain to the invalid, succeeded in getting her through the aperture into
the open air, where she was placed upon the litter.

It was decided to carry her to the house of Mr. Faxon, upon whose active
sympathies they relied for shelter and assistance; and they went with
the more confidence, because Uncle Nathan had heard from Emily the
interest he took in her affairs. The litter was borne by Uncle Nathan
and Pat, while Dalhousie walked by its side, to cheer the heart of his
wife by promises of future joy, which the uncertain future might never
redeem.

Mr. Faxon received the party with scarcely an inquiry as to the nature
of the misfortune which brought them to his door. There was a person in
distress, and this was all his great, sympathetic heart needed to bid
him open wide his doors.

Delia Dalhousie was placed upon a bed, a negro was despatched for a
physician, and every effort used to alleviate her physical and mental