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the bank of a small stream； their feet torn and bleeding； and their bodies
emaciated。 The elder； as a last effort； made search for roots； and
fortunately discovered a few ground…nuts （*glycine apios*）； which served
to refresh in some degree himself and his still weaker companion。 As
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The Boy Captives An Incident of the Indian War of 1695
they stood together by the stream； hesitating and almost despairing； it
occurred to Isaac that the rivulet might lead to a larger stream of water；
and that to the sea and the white settlements near it； and he resolved to
follow it。 They again began their painful march； the day passed； and the
night once more overtook them。 When the eighth morning dawned； the
younger of the boys found himself unable to rise from his bed of leaves。
Isaac endeavored to encourage him； dug roots； and procured water for him；
but the poor lad was utterly exhausted。 He had no longer heart or hope。
The elder boy laid him on leaves and dry grass at the foot of a tree； and
with a heavy heart bade him farewell。 Alone he slowly and painfully
proceeded down the stream； now greatly increased in size by tributary
rivulets。 On the top of a hill he climbed with difficulty into a tree； and
saw in the distance what seemed to be a clearing and a newly…raised frame
building。 Hopeful and rejoicing； he turned back to his young companion；
told him what he had seen； and； after chafing his limbs awhile； got him
upon his feet。 Sometimes supporting him； and at others carrying him on
his back； the heroic boy staggered towards the clearing。 On reaching it
he found it deserted； and was obliged to continue his journey。 Towards
night signs of civilization began to appear；the heavy； continuous roar of
water was heard； and； presently emerging from the forest； he saw a great
river dashing in white foam down precipitous rocks； and on its bank the
gray walls of a huge stone building； with flankers； palisades； and moat；
over which the British flag was flying。 This was the famous Saco Fort；
built by Governor Phips；（1） two years before； just below the falls of the
Saco River。 The soldiers of the garrison gave the poor fellows a kindly
welcome。 Joseph； who was scarcely alive； lay for a long time sick in the
fort； but Isaac soon regained his strength； and set out for his home in
Haverhill； which he had the good fortune to arrive at in safety。
（1） An interesting account of Sir William Phips will be found in
Parkman's *Frontenac and New France under Louis XIV。* Hawthorne
also tells his romantic story in *Fanshawe and Other Pieces。*
Amidst the stirring excitements of the present day； when every thrill of
the electric wire conveys a new subject for thought or action to a
generation as eager as the ancient Athenians for some new thing； simple
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The Boy Captives An Incident of the Indian War of 1695
legends of the past like that which we have transcribed have undoubtedly
lost in a great degree their interest。 The lore of the fireside is becoming
obsolete； and with the octogenarian few who still linger among us will
perish the unwritten history of border life in New England。
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