idas knew his home and place of rest, but at present they were his
friends; but how should he escape these western savage tribes, that
delighted in kindling the terror-awakening fire, and causing the
midnight to glitter with the blaze of some solitary dwelling, whilst
they stood at the door with the scalping-knife and tomahawk, to deal the
death-blow to the inmates, and triumph with savage glee over their
untimely death? Such were the reflections of Mayall, solitary and alone
in his mountain bed, when the wild beasts of the forest were in motion,
and no human being within twelve miles of his mountain camp. At length
the morning dawned; the sun arose in all his glory, throwing a rosy
blush, as it touched one peak and then another along the Catskill
mountains, which he could see clothed in all their autumnal glory above
the intervening hills. Long lines of clouds lay along the highest peaks
of these mountains, painted with all the hues of vermilion and gold, but
soon faded to a leaden hue, as they began to veil the sun.

Mayall was now aware of the approaching storm, which he considered a
stroke of good luck. He took the Indian's rifle, which he had brought
thus far with him, and secreted it in a hollow log, lest it might be a
tell-tale of what had happened. He then took a general survey with his
practiced eye, to see if there was any smoke rising from the valleys. He
could see none but his own in the distance. He then hurried down from
the mountain, and took the nearest path to his home with rapid and
hurried steps, in order to get as near home as possible, that the rain
might wash out all traces behind, and took special care to avoid soft
ground, as he well knew the shrewdness of the Indians on the track if
they should miss their tribesmen. He reached home before the rain began
to descend, and had hardly closed the door before the wind began to blow
and the rain fell in torrents.

His family were surprised to see him return, after three days' absence,
with nothing but his gun and ammunition, and appearing careworn, weary
and hungry. He walked to the door and looked out, and said, "Nature
weeps for me!"

Mayall was a bold, daring man, and none was found more brave; but when
he looked upon his little prattling children and lovely wife, he thought
of the three Indian warriors lying at the bottom of the dark, deep
stream, and he wept, thinking they might have wives and fatherless
children, who would look out evening and m