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THE CELTIC MA.GAZINE. 211try to refresh their weary limbs and await to see what hick the followingmorn had in store. Fortunately for them the climate Avas warm, tooninch so indeed, as they had found, to their great discomfort, during theday that was now past. In their present homeless situation, however, itwas rather opportune ; and there was nothing to fear, unless from theeffects of heavy dew, or the expected invasion of snakes and musketeers.But for these there was a counteracting remedy. The thick foliage of astately tree afforded ample protection from dew, while a blazing fire, struckfrom the musket flint, defied the approach of any infesting vermia orcrawling reptiles, and also answered the needed purpose of settuig torights their hosiery department which had suffered so much during theday. Here they are snug and cosy, under the arching canopy, whichnature had provided, and prepared to do fair justice to the scanty viandsand refreshments in their possession, before betaking themselves to theirnocturnal slumbers which nature so much craved. But can Ave take leaveof our pilgrims for the night Avithout taking a glance at the innocent babeas it lay upon the folded plaid iii blissful ignorance of the cares andanxieties Avhich racked the parental breast. The very thought of itssweet face and throbbing little heart as it breathed in unconscious reposeunder the open canopy of heaven, was enough to entwine a thousand neAVchords of affection around the heart of its keepers, like the clasping ivyaround the tree wliicli gave them shelter, and to nerve them ancAv, for itssake, for the rough and perilous journey upon Avliich they had entered.The fond mother imprints a kiss upon its cheek, and moistens it withtears of mingled joy and giief, and clasping it to her bosom is instantlyabsorbed in the sweet embrace of j\Iorpheus. The hardy sire, it Avasagreed, Avould keep the first watch and take his rest in turn, the latterpart of the night. He is now virtually alone, in deep and pensivemeditation. H e siu'veys Avith tender solicitude his precious charge, AvliichAvas dearer to him than his oaa^i life, and for whose sake he would riskten lives. He paces the sward during the night Avatches. He meditateshis plans for the foUoAving day. He deliberates and schemes hoAV he cantake advantage of the floAving sheet of Avater before liim, for the more easyconveyance of his precious belongings. The mode of travel hithertoadopted, he saAA', to be simply impossible. The delay involved might beruinous to his hopes. With these cogitations he sat doAvn, Avithout bringingany plan to maturity. He gazed at the burning embers as if in areverie, and as he gazed he thought he had seen, either by actual visionor by "the second sight," in which he was a firm believer, the form of acanoe AA-ith a single sable steersman coming to his rescue. He felt temptedto communicate the A-ision to his sleeping partner ; but, thinking it unkindto disturb her slumbers, he desists from his resolution, reclines on theground, and without intending it, he falls fast asleep. But imagine hisastonishment and alann when he came to consciousness, to find that hehad slept for three full hours without interruption. He could hardlyrealize it, the inten-al seemed like an instant. However, all was wellhis Avife and babe Avere still enjoying unbroken rest, and no foe had discoveredtheir retreat; and Avithal, the gladsome light of day is nowbreaking in. aromid them and eclipsing the glare of the smoulderingembers. Up starts our hero much refreshed and inAdgorated, and exultp