ophron, who led them a
considerable way up into the mountains, and when he thought them out of
the immediate danger of pursuit, they sheltered themselves in a rocky
cavern, and determined there to wait for the light of the morning.

"When they were thus in a place of safety, the venerable old man seized
the hand of Sophron, and bedewing it with tears, gave way to the strong
emotions of gratitude which overwhelmed his mind. 'Generous youth,' said
he, 'I know not by what extraordinary fortune you have thus been able to
effect our deliverance, when we imagined ourselves out of the reach of
human succour; but if the uniform gratitude and affection of two human
beings, who perhaps are not entirely unworthy your regard, can be any
recompense for such a distinguished act of virtue, you may command our
lives, and employ them in your service.'

"'Father,' answered Sophron, 'you infinitely over-rate the merits of the
service which chance has enabled me to perform. I am but little
acquainted with my fellow-creatures, as having always inhabited these
mountains; but I cannot conceive that any other man, who had been
witness to your distress, would have refused to attempt your rescue; and
as to all the rest, the obscurity of the night, and peculiarity of the
situation, rendered it a work of little difficulty or danger.' Sophron
then recounted to his new friends the accident which had brought him to
that unfrequented spot, and made him an unperceived witness of their
captivity; he also explained the nature of the stratagem by which, alone
and unsupported, he had been enabled to disperse their enemies. He added
that, 'if he appeared to have any little merit in their eyes, he should
be amply recompensed by being admitted to their friendship and
confidence.'

"With these mutual professions of esteem they thought it prudent to
terminate a conversation, which, however agreeable, was not entirely
free from danger, as some of their late oppressors might happen to
distinguish their voices, and thus directed to their lurking place,
exact a severe revenge for the terrors they had undergone.

"With the first ray of morning the three companions arose, and Sophron,
leading them along the skirts of the mountains where bushes and
brushwood concealed them from observation, and still following the
windings of a river as a guide, they at length came to a cultivated
spot, though deserted by its inhabitants from the fear of the party they
had lately