n stood at the door
of his cabin, on the second occasion we choose to intrude upon his
devotions. Not a cloud was to be seen, and the pearly hue which
overspreads a clear summer sky, just stealing out of the shades of
night, had not disappeared, except in the eastern quarter of the
heavens, where a faint suffusion heralded, like a distant banner, the
approach of the sun, welcomed, at first, by the low twittering of the
birds, which gradually increased in frequency and loudness, until they
swelled into bold strains, and rose melodiously into the air.

The Solitary stood, as before, with eyes fixed steadfastly upon the
kindling east. Could it be possible that an expectation, which
had been so often disappointed, should still be cherished; that no
experience, no arguments could dissipate the delusion? It would seem
so. By that subtle process, whereby minds possessed by an engrossing
idea convert facts, and language, and any circumstances, however
trifling, and which, to well-balanced intellects, would seem but
little adapted to the purpose, into proofs incontrovertible of their
opinions, had he, by dwelling upon certain texts of Scripture, which,
with a mad shrewdness, he had collated, imparted to them gigantic
proportions, and a peculiar coloring, which dominated and threw light
upon the context, but received no qualification or disparagement in
return. Without the necessity of repetition, various passages will
occur to the reader, which, taken out of connection with what precedes
and follows, may easily be made to support a theory of the kind he had
adopted.

Holden stood as before, obedient to the command to watch, and verily
do we believe, that had he, indeed, seen the Son of Man in the clouds
of heaven, the magnificent vision would have impressed him with as
much joy as solemnity. But in vain he looked, and having waited until
the yellow sunshine, like a shower of gold, fell all around him, he
retired into his hut. Not unobserved, however. The Indian, Ohquamehud,
with his rifle by his side, from his place of concealment, on the
right shore, had been watching all his motions. There had he lain in
ambush ever since the stars had deserted the sky. Patiently he lay,
with his eyes fixed on the little island. The sun mounted higher; hour
after hour passed away, and yet he moved not. The time for the noonday
meal arrived, but he heeded it not. The hut of Peena was scarcely
more than a couple of miles distant, and he might