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Roger Malvin's Burial
"Yourfatherwassorewoundedinthebattle,Dorcas;andhebademenotburdenmyselfwithhim,butonlytoleadhimtothelakeside,thathemightquenchhisthirstanddie.ButIwouldnotdeserttheoldmaninhisextremity,and,thoughbleedingmyself,Isupportedhim;Igavehimhalfmystrength,andledhimawaywithme.Forthreedayswejourneyedontogether,andyourfatherwassustainedbeyondmyhopes,but,awakingatsunriseonthefourthday,Ifoundhimfaintandexhausted;hewasunabletoproceed;hislifehadebbedawayfast;and—"
"Hedied!"exclaimedDorcas,faintly.
Reubenfeltitimpossibletoacknowledgethathisselfishloveoflifehadhurriedhimawaybeforeherfather’sfatewasdecided.Hespokenot;heonlybowedhishead;and,betweenshameandexhaustion,sankbackandhidhisfaceinthepillow.Dorcasweptwhenherfearswerethusconfirmed;buttheshock,asithadbeenlonganticipated,wasonthataccountthelessviolent.
"Youdugagraveformypoorfatherinthewilderness,Reuben?"wasthequestionbywhichherfilialpietymanifesteditself.
"Myhandswereweak;butIdidwhatIcould,"repliedtheyouthinasmotheredtone."Therestandsanobletombstoneabovehishead;andIwouldtoHeavenIsleptassoundlyashe!"
Dorcas,perceivingthewildnessofhislatterwords,inquirednofurtheratthetime;butherheartfoundeaseinthethoughtthatRogerMalvinhadnotlackedsuchfuneralritesasitwaspossibletobestow.
