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Chapter 22
"Hehuntsthemooseto-day,withhisyoungmen;andto-morrow,asIhear,theypassfartherintotheseforests,andnighertothebordersofCanada.Theeldermaidenisconveyedtoaneighboringpeople,whoselodgesaresituatebeyondyonderblackpinnacleofrock;whiletheyoungerisdetainedamongthewomenoftheHurons,whosedwellingsarebuttwoshortmileshence,onatable-land,wherethefirehasdonetheofficeoftheaxe,andpreparedtheplacefortheirreception."
"Alice,mygentleAlice!"murmuredHeyward;"shehaslosttheconsolationofhersister’spresence!"
"Evenso.Butsofaraspraiseandthanksgivinginpsalmodycantemperthespiritinaffliction,shehasnotsuffered."
"Hasshethenaheartformusic?"
"Ofthegraverandmoresolemncharacter;thoughitmustbeacknowledgedthat,inspiteofallmyendeavors,themaidenweepsoftenerthanshesmiles.AtsuchmomentsIforbeartopresstheholysongs;buttherearemanysweetandcomfortableperiodsofsatisfactorycommunication,whentheearsofthesavagesareastoundedwiththeupliftingsofourvoices."
"Andwhyareyoupermittedtogoatlarge,unwatched?"
Davidcomposedhisfeaturesintowhatheintendedshouldexpressanairofmodesthumility,beforehemeeklyreplied—
"LittlebethepraisetosuchawormasI.But,thoughthepowerofpsalmodywassuspendedintheterriblebusinessofthatfieldofbloodthroughwhichwepassed,ithasrecovereditsinfluenceevenoverthesoulsoftheheathen,andIamsufferedtogoandcomeatwill."
