Mr.Strafford made many inquiries for me, but we only heard of his having been seen shortly after he left home, and quite failed in learning where he had gone.

Time went on, and, after the first anxious and troubled feelings passed off, I allowed myself to enjoy the undisturbed quiet, and to be happy as any other mother might be with her child.

I had a whole year of such peace; you grew hardy and merry, and were the pet and plaything of the whole village, learning to talk the strangest mixed language, and showing at that time none of the terror of Indians which I have seen in you since then.
"But at the end of a year our respite ended.

One day when I had been at the school, and you with me, I was surprised on my return home to see the door of the house open, and some men sitting at my table.

I hurried on, and walked into the room before they were aware of my coming.