ition. He now
uttered with earnest tenderness the endearing terms of "sister" and
"father," when he addressed Mary and Roughgrove. He spoke freely of
the many things he had witnessed while living with the Indians,
expressing his abhorrence of their habits and nature, and declared it
was his intention never to have any further intercourse with them. He
promised, when he should be able to leave his bed, to read and study
with Mary and Glenn, until he had made amends for the neglect of his
education. These symptoms, and the tractable disposition accompanying
them, caused Mary and Roughgrove to rejoice over the return of the
long-lost youth, and to bow in humble thankfulness to the Disposer of
events for the singular and providential circumstances attending his
restoration.

Joe had arrived in due course of time, (which was brief,) after his
almost miraculous escape from the savages and the flames, and told his
story with various embellishments. The Indians were hunted the next
day by Sneak and a few of the neighbours, but they had doubtless
abandoned the settlement, for no traces of them remained after their
mysterious flight from the grove.

A few mild days, during which frequent showers had fallen, had in a
great measure removed the snow from the earth. And Joe having soon
forgotten his late perilous adventure, amused himself with the horses.
He resolved to make some amends for their long confinement in the
stable, and to effect it he galloped them several hours each day over
the grounds in the vicinity. The hounds, too, seemed delighted to
place their feet once more on the bare earth, and they were permitted
to accompany the horses in all their excursions.

One night, when William, Mary, and Joe were all quietly sleeping,
Roughgrove took occasion to express his gratitude to Glenn for the
many and important services rendered his family.

"Whatever good may have attended my efforts," said Glenn, "you may
rest assured that I have been amply repaid in the satisfaction enjoyed
myself."

"I am sure of it!" exclaimed Roughgrove; "and it was a conviction that
you harboured such sentiments that induced me to confide in you, and
to disclose things which I intended should remain for ever locked
within my own breast."

"Your confidence shall not be abused," said Glenn; and to prove that I
am not averse to an exchange of secrets, if you will listen to my
recital, I will endeavour briefly to give you a sketch of _my_
history