.

"They are all safe and close at hand," said he speaking rapidly,
anticipating her inquiry, "and I have come to claim the antelope. Will
she not now go with her chief?"

"I cannot tell you yet; my mother! father! let me see them," cried the
bewildered girl.

"They will be here very soon. The hill yonder is all that now hides
them from view," replied the chief, releasing her from his embrace.

"We will go to meet them," said Sidney who, in gratitude to the chief
for safely conducting his more than father and mother over the dreary
wilds, forgot to evince jealousy at the embrace to which the chief had
so unceremoniously treated himself.

"Yes, yes; let us go to meet them," responded Jane, eagerly.

"The white mother longs for her children," said the chief; "you shall
go to meet her. The antelope can ride,--will you?" he continued,
pointing to his horse, and before she had time to speak he caught her
in his arms, and with the agility of a chamois, sprang on the horse's
back, placing the half terrified girl before him, and then galloped
away to the forest in the direction whence he came, with the rest,
including the curate, following after them. Turning the curve of the
hill, they came suddenly upon the emigrants, who at sight of their
children, uttered an exclamation of joy, and ran forward, catching Jane
who was the first to come up, from the chief's arms, and who, with a
glad cry, sprang to meet a long embrace from her father and mother.

"Mother! father! Jane!" was all they could say, for their hearts were
too full to speak.

"I come! father! mother--I come!" cried Edward, rushing into their
arms, which were glad to hold him there again.

"Oh, God! I thank _Thee_, that _Thou_ hast restored me these lost
ones!" cried the mother fervently, still holding her recovered children
in her arms.

"Amen!" responded the curate, gently.

"Joy, for your arrival--joy for our escape and re-union," cried Sidney,
returning the warm embrace with which he was greeted.

"These children make children of us," said Howe, shaking Mr. and Mrs.
Duncan by the hand, while endeavoring to keep his joy at again seeing
them in becoming bounds, for the children's volubility was becoming
contagious.

Lewis, Martin, Annie, and Benjamin were not behind the rest in their
greeting. Indeed they were extravagant in their joy.

The emigrants were now conducted to the dwelling prepared for them,
which gave them a pleasant surprise, for they