mpses of the blue sky through the quivering
upper leaves; the shining of the sun; the singing of the birds; the
fragrance of the flowers.

To him the waving trees seemed bending in worship, the birds trilling
hymns of joy, and the flowers wafting offerings of incense! There are
times when earth seems heaven and all nature worshipers. Ishmael was
divinely happy; even the lost image of Claudia reappeared now surrounded
with a halo of hope, for to-day aspirations seemed prophecies, will
seemed power, and all things possible. And not on Ishmael alone beamed
the blessed influence of the spring weather. Even Hannah's care-worn
face was softened into contentment and enjoyment. As for Reuben's honest
phiz, it was a sight to behold in its perfect satisfaction. Even the
negro driver of the heavy wagon let his horses take their time as he
raised his ear to catch some very delicate trill in a bird's song, or
turned his head to inhale the perfume from some bank of flowers.

Onward they journeyed at their leisure through all that glad morning
landscape.

At noon they stopped at a clearing around a cool spring in the woods,
and while the negro fed and watered the horses, they rested and
refreshed themselves with a substantial luncheon, and then strolled
about through the shades until "Sam" had eaten his dinner, re-packed the
hamper, and put the horses to the wagons again. And then they all
returned to their seats and recommenced their journey.

On and on they journeyed through the afternoon; deeper and deeper they
descended into the forest as the sun declined in the west. When it was
on the edge of the horizon, striking long golden lines through the
interstices of the woods, Hannah grew rather anxious, and she spoke up:

"It seems to me, Reuben, that we have come ten miles since we saw a
house or a farm."

"Yes, my dear. We are now in the midst of the old forest of Prince
George's, and our home is yet about five miles off. But don't be afraid,
Hannah, woman; you have got me with you, and we will get home before
midnight."

"I am only thinking of the runaway negroes, Reuben; they all take refuge
in these thick woods, you know; and they are a very desperate gang;
their hands against everybody and everybody's hands against them, you
may say."

"True, Hannah; they are desperate enough, for they have everything to
fear and nothing to hope, in a meeting with most of the whites; but
there is no danger to us, child."

"I don't kno