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Roger Malvin's Burial
Andfirst,thoughcontrarytoMalvin’swishes,hecollectedastockofrootsandherbs,whichhadbeentheironlyfoodduringthelasttwodays.Thisuselesssupplyheplacedwithinreachofthedyingman,forwhom,also,heswepttogetherabedofdryoakleaves.Thenclimbingtothesummitoftherock,whichononesidewasroughandbroken,hebenttheoaksaplingdownward,andboundhishandkerchieftothetopmostbranch.ThisprecautionwasnotunnecessarytodirectanywhomightcomeinsearchofMalvin;foreverypartoftherock,exceptitsbroad,smoothfront,wasconcealedatalittledistancebythedenseundergrowthoftheforest.ThehandkerchiefhadbeenthebandageofawounduponReuben’sarm;and,asheboundittothetree,hevowedbythebloodthatstaineditthathewouldreturn,eithertosavehiscompanion’slifeortolayhisbodyinthegrave.Hethendescended,andstood,withdowncasteyes,toreceiveRogerMalvin’spartingwords.
Theexperienceofthelattersuggestedmuchandminuteadvicerespectingtheyouth’sjourneythroughthetracklessforest.Uponthissubjecthespokewithcalmearnestness,asifheweresendingReubentothebattleorthechasewhilehehimselfremainedsecureathome,andnotasifthehumancountenancethatwasabouttoleavehimwerethelasthewouldeverbehold.Buthisfirmnesswasshakenbeforeheconcluded.
"CarrymyblessingtoDorcas,andsaythatmylastprayershallbeforherandyou.
