There upon mats and skins they reposed, and on cakes of the maize-ear

Feasted, and slaked their thirst from the water-gourd of the teacher.

Soon was their story told; and the priest with sol emnity answered:

"Not six suns have risen and set since Gabriel,

seated

On this mat by my side, where now the maiden re

poses,

Told me this same sad tale; then arose and continued his journey!"

Soft was the voice of the priest, and he spake with an accent of kindness;

But on Evangeline's heart fell his words as in winter the snow-flakes

Fall into some lone nest from which the birds have

departed.

"Far to the north he has gone," continued the priest; "but in autumn,

When the chase is done, will return again to the Mission."

Then Evangeline said, and her voice was meek and submissive."

"Let me remain with thee, for my soul is sad and afflicted."

So seemed it wise and well unto all; and betimes on

the morrow,

Mounting his Mexican steed, with his Indian guides and companions,

Homeward Basil returned, and Evangeline staid at the Mission,

2. Slowly, slowly, slowly the days succeeded each

other,

Days and weeks and months; and the fields of maize that were springing

Green from the ground when a stranger she came, now waving above her,

Lifted their slender shafts, with leaves interlacing, and forming

Cloisters for mendicant crows and granaries pillaged by squirrels.

1 BUʼ-SUR-RUS, a gentle humming sound; a whisper

XLI (b).-EVANGELINE.-CONTINUED.

1. "Patience!" the priest would say; "have faith and thy prayer will be answered!

Look at this delicate plant that lifts its head from the

meadow,

See how its leaves are turned to the north, as true to the magnet;

This is the compass flower that the finger of God has

planted

Here in the household wild, to direct the traveler's

journey

Over the sea-like, pathless, limitless waste of the

desert.

Such in the soul of man is faith. The blossoms of

passion,

Gay and luxuriant flowers, are brighter and fuller of

fragrance,

But they beguile us, and lead us astray, and their odor is deadly.

Only this humble plant can guide us here, and hereafter Crown us with asphodel flowers, that are wet with the dews of nepenthe."

2. So came the autumn, and passed, and the winter yet Gabriel came rɔt;

Blossomed the opening spring, and the notes of the robin and bluebird

Sounded sweet upon wold' and in wood, yet Gabriel

came not.

But on the breath of the summer winds a rumor was

wafted

Sweeter than song of bird, or hue or odor of blossom. Far to the north and east, it said, in the Michigan

forests,

Gabriel had his lodge by the banks of the Saginaw

River.

And, with returning guides, that sought the lakes of St. Lawrence,

Saying a sad farewell, Evangeline went from the Mission.

When over weary ways, by long and perilous marches, She had attained at length the depths of the Michigan

forests,

Found she the hunter's lodge deserted and fallen to ruins!

3. Thus did the long sad years glide on, and in

seasons and places

Divers and distant far was seen the wandering maiden ;

Now in the tents of Grace of the meek Moravian

Missions,

Now in the noisy camps and the battle-fields of the

army,

Now in secluded hamlets, in towns and populous

cities.

Like a phantom she came, and passed away unremem

bered.

Fair was she and young, when in hope began the long

journey;

Faded was she and old, when in dissappointment it

ended.

Each succeeding year stole something from her

beauty,

Leaving behind it, broader and deeper, the gloom and the shadow.

Then there appeared and spread faint streaks of gray o'er her forehead,

Dawn of another life that broke o'er her earthly horizon,

As in the eastern sky the first faint streaks of the morning.

1 WOLD, a plain or lawn.

XLII.-EVANGELINE.-CONTINUED.

1. In that delightful land which is washed by the Delaware's waters,

Guarding in sylvan shades the name of Penn the apostle,