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blasts； gazed down upon the ample fire； and the savory meats which
the squaws were cooking by it； but felt no temptation to purchase
warmth and food by surrendering themselves to captivity。 Death in
the forest seemed preferable。 They turned and fled back upon their
track； expecting every moment to hear the yells of pursuers。 The
morning found them seated on the bank of a small stream； their feet
torn and bleeding； and their bodies emaciated。 The elder； as a last
effort； made search for roots； and fortunately discovered a few
ground…nuts （*glycine apios*）； which served to refresh in some
degree himself and his still weaker companion。 As they stood
together by the stream； hesitating and almost despairing； it occurred
to Isaac that the rivulet might lead to a larger stream of water； and
that to the sea and the white settlements near it； and he resolved to
follow it。 They again began their painful march； the day passed；
and the night once more overtook them。 When the eighth morning
dawned； the younger of the boys found himself unable to rise from
his bed of leaves。 Isaac endeavored to encourage him； dug roots；
and procured water for him； but the poor lad was utterly exhausted。
He had no longer heart or hope。 The elder boy laid him on leaves
and dry grass at the foot of a tree； and with a heavy heart bade him
farewell。 Alone he slowly and painfully proceeded down the
stream； now greatly increased in size by tributary rivulets。 On the
top of a hill he climbed with difficulty into a tree； and saw in the
distance what seemed to be a clearing and a newly…raised frame
building。 Hopeful and rejoicing； he turned back to his young
companion； told him what he had seen； and； after chafing his limbs
awhile； got him upon his feet。 Sometimes supporting him； and at
others carrying him on his back； the heroic boy staggered towards
the clearing。 On reaching it he found it deserted； and was obliged
to continue his journey。 Towards night signs of civilization began
to appear；the heavy； continuous roar of water was heard； and；
presently emerging from the forest； he saw a great river dashing in
white foam down precipitous rocks； and on its bank the gray walls
of a huge stone building； with flankers； palisades； and moat； over
which the British flag was flying。 This was the famous Saco Fort；
built by Governor Phips；（1） two years before； just below the falls of
the Saco River。 The soldiers of the garrison gave the poor fellows
a kindly welcome。 Joseph； who was scarcely alive； lay for a long
time sick in the fort； but Isaac soon regained his strength； and set
out for his home in Haverhill； which he had the good fortune to
arrive at in safety。
（1） An interesting account of Sir William Phips will be found in
Parkman's *Frontenac and New France under Louis XIV。*
Hawthorne also tells his romantic story in *Fanshawe and Other
Pieces。*
Amidst the stirring excitements of the present day； when every
thrill of the electric wire conveys a new subject for thought or
action to a generation as eager as the ancient Athenians for some
new thing； simple legends of the past like that which we have
transcribed have undoubtedly lost in a great degree their interest。
The lore of the fireside is becoming obsolete； and with the
octogenarian few who still linger among us will perish the unwritten
history of border life in New England。
End