NEW ENGLAND STORIES.



said. " We shall not die," replied Isaac bravely: "i if
we go as fast as we can, we shall get home before
starvation overtakes us, and then our dear fathers
and mothers will give us good food. Be brave, Jo-
seph, for I will take care of you until then. We may
chance to kill a deer, or, at any rate, -rap a few
rabbits."
  With a courage and perseverance which would
have done credit to the oldest adventurer, Isaac con-
tinued to push forward in spite of all discouragements.
He was now no longer afraid of Indians, and scarcely
regarded the difficulties of the march, and the bruised
and swollen condition of his own and his companion's
limbs, for his sole thought was to reach a settlement be-
fore starvation should oblige them to succumb. Joseph
often begged him with tears in his eyes to permit him
to stop and rest, but he was unyielding. After their
bread had given out, they ate nothing for three days
but a pigeon and a small turtle, which Isaac succeeded
in catching, and both of which they consumed raw. For
two days afterward their only food was roots and buds.
On the seventh day Joseph often fell to the ground.
Isaac brought him roots to eat and water to drink, gen-
erously disregarding his own necessities.
  On the eighth day Joseph gave up altogether, but
Isaac was still resolved not to desert him. He carried
him in his arms for several miles. and did not leave
him until he saw that he was too near his end for any
assistance to avail, when he laid him on the ground,
and told him that he would go forward alone and see
if he could not find help.



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