ts in a healthful and an
enervated constitution. This knowledge gradually dawned on them as day
after day went by without exhibiting the least derangement in his
system. From the first, he had been docile and obedient to Jane, and
when in the most violent paroxysms, if she spoke to him, his anger
vanished and his countenance assumed a pleasing expression. He had eyes
of clear, deep blue, large, quick and varying as the emotion in his
heart. They could see the passion that held sway over him by his eye;
for he had not, like his brothers, learned to dissemble and hide the
workings of the soul within. Howe had also become a great favorite with
him; but he feared the chief, always cowering and uttering a shrill cry
of fear if he came near him. Edward was also a favorite and spent much
of his time in learning him to pronounce words in which he was quite
successful, his powers of imitation seeming to be boundless. After he
had pronounced the first the difficulty seemed to vanish, and he was
never tired of repeating words after others. The greatest trouble they
experienced with him was during his fits of passion. Then he was
furious, tore his fur garments in shreds, and threw down every thing in
his reach. They had not dared to liberate him on account of these
paroxysms of anger, over which he did not seem to have the least
control. He evidently pined to be free again; for if left to himself he
uttered a low moan, while tears chased each other down his
weather-beaten cheeks.

Chapter Fourteenth.

The return of spring. Their thoughts of home. Preparations to continue
their journey. The chief insists upon their course being wrong. Escape
of the Wild Man. They discover a borough of Prairie Dogs. Traces of
Buffalo observable. They suffer from want of water. A party of Indians.
A beautiful landscape. A terrific storm. The chief rendered insensible
by a stroke of lightning. He recovers and returns to the camp.

The warm south wind now began to stir the air, while the lengthened
days, swelling buds, and melting snows, assured them the patiently
waited for and much desired spring had come.

"Home--father, mother, brothers, sister; for, where they are, there is
home. Shall we indeed see you and once more be folded in your arms?
Shall these wanderings ever cease, of which our souls are weary, and
our hearts are sick? Oh! home; thou hope of the weary, and haven of
rest, though thy place be the tomb, when shall we see thee!" t