and praises
that she offered up, were of a character that might have worthily led the
spirits of any. Although the words were not slavishly borrowed, the expressions
partook of the simple dignity of the liturgy to which she had been accustomed,
and were probably as worthy of the being to whom they were addressed as they
could well be made by human powers. They produced their full impression on the
hearers, for it is worthy of remark that, notwithstanding the pernicious effects
of a false taste when long submitted to, real sublimity and beauty are so
closely allied to nature, that they generally find an echo in every heart.
    But when our heroine came to touch upon the situation of the dying man, she
became the most truly persuasive, for then she was the most truly zealous and
natural. The beauty of the language was preserved, but it was sustained by the
simple power of love, and her words were warmed by a holy zeal that approached
to the grandeur of true eloquence. We might record some of her expressions, but
doubt the propriety of subjecting such sacred themes to a too familiar analysis,
and refrain.
    The effect of this singular but solemn scene, was different on the different
individuals present. Dunham himself, was soon lost in the subject of the prayer,
and he felt some such relief as one who finds himself staggering on the edge of
a precipice, under a burthen difficult to be borne, might be supposed to
experience, when he unexpectedly feels the weight removed, in order to be placed
on the shoulders of another, better able to sustain it. Cap was surprised, as
well as awed, though the effects on his mind were not very deep, or very
lasting. He wondered a little at his own sensations, and had his doubts whether
they were as manly and heroic as they ought to be, but he was far too sensible
of the influence of truth, humility, religious submission and human dependency,
to think of interposing with any of his crude objections. Jasper knelt opposite
to Mabel, covered his face, and followed her words, with an earnest wish to aid
her prayer with his own, though it may be questioned if his thoughts did not
dwell quite as much on the soft, gentle accents of the petitioner, as on the
subject of her petitions.
    The effect on Pathfinder was striking and visible; visible because he stood
erect, also opposite to Mabel, and the workings of his countenance, as usual,
betrayed the workings of the spirit within. He leaned on his rifle, and, at
moments, the sinewy fingers grasped the barrel,