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carried still farther from their home and friends； began to dream of
escaping from their masters before they started for Canada。 It was
now winter； it would have been little short of madness to have
chosen for flight that season of bitter cold and deep snows。 Owing
to exposure and want of proper food and clothing； Isaac； the eldest
of the boys； was seized with a violent fever； from which he slowly
recovered in the course of the winter。 His Indian mistress was as
kind to him as her circumstances permitted；procuring medicinal
herbs and roots for her patient； and tenderly watching over him in
the long winter nights。 Spring came at length； the snows melted；
and the ice was broken up on the lake。 The Indians began to make
preparations for journeying to Canada； and Isaac； who had during
his sickness devised a plan of escape； saw that the time of putting it
in execution had come。 On the evening before he was to make the
attempt he for the first time informed his younger companion of his
design； and told him； if he intended to accompany him； he must be
awake at the time appointed。 The boys lay down as usual in the
wigwam in the midst of the family。 Joseph soon fell asleep； but
Isaac； fully sensible of the danger and difficulty of the enterprise
before him； lay awake； watchful for his opportunity。 About
midnight he rose； cautiously stepping over the sleeping forms of the
family； and securing； as he went； his Indian master's flint； steel； and
tinder； and a small quantity of dry moose…meat and corn…bread。 He
then carefully awakened his companion； who； starting up； forgetful
of the cause of his disturbance； asked aloud； 〃What do you want？〃
The savages began to stir； and Isaac； trembling with fear of
detection； lay down again and pretended to be asleep。 After
waiting a while he again rose； satisfied； from the heavy breathing of
the Indians； that they were all sleeping； and fearing to awaken
Joseph a second time； lest he should again hazard all by his
thoughtlessness； he crept softly out of the wigwam。 He had
proceeded but a few rods when he heard footsteps behind him； and；
supposing himself pursued； he hurried into the woods； casting a
glance backward。 What was his joy to see his young companion
running after him！ They hastened on in a southerly direction as
nearly as they could determine； hoping to reach their distant home。
When daylight appeared they found a large hollow log； into which
they crept for concealment； wisely judging that they would be hotly
pursued by their Indian captors。
（1） *Anathema maranatha* occurs at the close of St。 Paul's first
epistle to the Corinthians； and in the English version is made to
appear as a composite phrase。 It has so passed into common use；
*maranatha* being taken as intensifying the curse contained in
*anathema*。 The words are properly to be divided； *maranatha*
signifying 〃The Lord cometh。〃
Their sagacity was by no means at fault。 The Indians； missing
their prisoners in the morning； started off in pursuit with their dogs。
As the young boys lay in the log they could hear the whistle of the
Indians and the barking of dogs upon their track。 It was a trying
moment； and even the stout heart of the elder boy sank within him
as the dogs came up to the log and set up a loud bark of discovery。
But his presence of mind saved him。 He spoke in a low tone to the
dogs； who； recognizing his familiar voice； wagged their tails with
delight； and ceased barking。 He then threw to them the morsel of
moose…meat he had taken from the wigwam。 While the dogs were
thus diverted； the Indians made their appearance。 The boys heard
the light； stealthy sound of their moccasins on the leaves。 They
passed close to the log； and the dogs； having devoured their moose…
meat； trotted after their masters。 Through a crevice in the log the
boys looked after them； and saw them disappear in the thick woods。
They remained in their covert until night； when they started again
on their long journey； taking a new route to avoid the Indians。 At
daybreak they again concealed themselves； but travelled the next
night and day without resting。 By this time they had consumed all
the bread which they had taken； and were fainting from hunger and
weariness。 Just at the close of the third day they were
providentially enabled to kill a pigeon and a small tortoise； a part of
which they ate raw； not daring to make a fire； which might attract
the watchful eyes of savages。 On the sixth day they struck upon an
old Indian path； and； following it until night； came suddenly upon a
camp of the enemy。 Deep in the heart of the forest； under the
shelter of a ridge of land heavily timbered； a great fire of logs and
brushwood was burning； and around it the Indians sat； eating their
moose…meat and smoking their pipes。
The poor fugitives； starving； weary； and chilled by the cold spring
blasts； gazed down upon the ample fire； and the savory meats which
the squaws were cooking by it； but felt no temptation to purchase
warmth and food by surrendering themselves to captivity。 Death in
the forest seemed preferable。 They turned and fled back upon their
track； expecting every moment to hear the yells of pursuers。 The
morning found them seated on 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 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 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。
End