 given up her own life to save that of
Hetty. As the last, however, was beyond the reach of human power, she felt there
was nothing left her but sorrow. At this moment Warley returned to the cabin,
drawn by a secret impulse he could not withstand, though he felt, just then, as
if he would gladly abandon the American continent for ever, were it practicable.
Instead of pausing at the door, he now advanced so near the pallet of the
sufferer as to come more plainly within her gaze. Hetty could still distinguish
large objects, and her look soon fastened on him.
    »Are you the officer that came with Hurry?« she asked - »If you are, we
ought all to thank you, for, though I am hurt, the rest have saved their lives.
Did Harry March tell you, where to find us, and how much need there was for your
services?«
    »The news of the party reached us by means of a friendly runner,« returned
the Captain, glad to relieve his feelings by this appearance of a friendly
communication, »and I was immediately sent out to cut it off. It was fortunate,
certainly, that we met Hurry Harry, as you call him, for he acted as a guide,
and it was not less fortunate, that we heard a firing, which I now understand
was merely a shooting at the mark, for it not only quickened our march, but
called us to the right side of the lake. The Delaware saw us on the shore, with
the glass it would seem, and he and Hist, as I find his squaw is named, did us
excellent service. It was really altogether, a fortunate concurrence of
circumstances, Judith?«
    »Talk not to me of any thing fortunate, sir,« returned the girl huskily,
again concealing her face. »To me the world is full of misery. I wish never to
hear of marks, or rifles, or soldiers, or men, again!«
    »Do you know my sister?« asked Hetty, ere the rebuked soldier had time to
rally for an answer. »How came you to know that her name is Judith? You are
right, for that is her name; and I am Hetty, Thomas Hutter's daughters.«
    »For heaven's sake, dearest sister, - for my sake, beloved Hetty,«
interposed Judith, imploringly, »say no more of this!«
    Hetty looked surprised, but accustomed to comply, she ceased her awkward and
painful interrogations of Warley
