in motion, and the little fellows were borne away, that cold night, and would have inevitably perished, but for Mr. Larkin's espying them as they were sweeping out to sea. 21. "How do you feel, Mr. Larkin ?" I said to the mate, the morning after this adventure. "A little stiff in the arms, captain," the noble fellow replied, while the big tears of grateful happiness gathered in his eyes," a little stiff in the arms, captain, but very easy here," laying his hand on the rough chest, in which beat a true and manly heart. My quaint down-easter, He who lashes the seas into fury, and lets loose the tempest, will care for thee! The storms may rage without, but in thy bosom peace and sunshine abide always. QUESTIONS.-1. Describe the condition of the vessel as she lay at anchor inside Sandy Hook. 2. What did the captain say to Mr. Larkin, as he retired to rest? 3. Why did Mr. Larkin wake up the captain? 4. What did they discover on a cake of ice, floating out to sea? 5. Who went to their rescue? 6. What did the captain say to the rowers of the boat? 7. What did Mr. Larkin say to them? 8. Did they finally succeed in rescuing the children? 9. How came the two boys to be on that cake of ice? 10. What did Mr. Larkin say, when the captain asked him how he felt ? LESSON XXXIII. A DORN' ED, decorated; embellished. HEATH, place overgrown with SPOIL$, booty; prey. LIEGE, lord; sovereign. [shrubs. FE AL TY, loyalty; fidelity. REC OG NIZ ED, knew; recollected. ROBERT BRUCE AND THE SCOTCH WOMAN. ANON. 1. MANY years ago, an old Scotch woman sat alone, spinning by the kitchen fire, in her little cottage. The room was adorned with the spoils of the chase, and many implements of war and hunting. There were spears, bows and arrows, swords and shields, and, against the side of the room, hung a pair of huge antlers, once reared on the lordly brow of a "stag of ten,"* on which were suspended skins, plaids, bonnets and one or two ponderous battle-axes. 2. The table, in the middle of the floor, was spread for supper, and some oatmeal cakes were baking before the fire. But the dame was not thinking of any of these things, nor of her two manly sons, who, in an adjoining room, were busily preparing for the next day's sport. 3. She was thinking of the distracted state of her native land, and of the good king, Robert Bruce, a fugitive in his own kingdom, beset, on every hand, by open enemies and secret traitors. "Alas!" thought she, "to-night I dwell here in peace, while to-morrow may see me driven out into the heath; and even now our king is a wanderer, with no shelter for his weary limbs." 4. A loud knock at the door broke in upon her musings. She rose, trembling with fear, to unbar the entrance, and beheld a man closely muffled in a cloak. "My good woman,' said he, "will you grant a poor traveler the shelter of your roof to-night'?" 5. " Right willingly will I," said she; "for the love of one, for whose sake all travelers are welcome here.” * That is, a stag ten years old. The age of the animal is known by the number of prongs or tines, each year one new prong being added. 6. "For whose sake is it that you make all wanderers welcome?" asked the stranger. 7. For the sake of our good king, Robert Bruce, who, though he is now hunted like a wild beast, with horn and hound, I trust yet to see on the throne of Scotland !” 8. "Nay, then, my good woman," replied the man, "since you love him so well, know that you see him now. Robert Bruce." I am 9. "You'!—are you our king'?" she inquired, sinking on her knees, and reverently kissing his hand; "where, then, are your followers, and why are you thus alone?" 10. "I have no followers now," replied Bruce, "and am, therefore, compelled to travel alone.” 11. "Nay, my liege," exclaimed the loyal dame, "that you shall do no longer; for here are my two sons, whom I give to you, and may they long live to serve and defend your majesty !" 12. The Scottish youths bent their knees, and took the oath of fealty, and then, sitting beside the fire, the king entered into conversation with his new retainers, while their mother was busied in preparing the evening meal. 13. Suddenly, they were startled by the tramp of horses' hoofs, and the voices of men. "Tis the English!" shouted the matron, "fight to the last, my sons, and defend your king!" But, at this moment, the king recognized the voices. of lord James, of Douglas, and of Edward Bruce, and bade them have no fear. 14. Bruce was overjoyed at meeting with his brother, and his faithful friend Douglas, who had with them a band of one hundred and fifty men. He bade farewell to the brave and loyal woman, and, taking with him her two sons, left the place. 15. The two young Scots served Bruce well and faith fully, and were high officers in his service when, at the head of a conquering army, he drove the English invaders from the soil of Scotland, and rendered her again a free and independent kingdom. QUESTIONS.-1. Describe the room in which the Scotch woman resided. 2. What is meant by a "stag of ten?" 3. Who did the stranger prove to be? 4. Who joined Bruce? 5. What did Bryce and his men then do? The sterling worth which, viewed aright, Most dignifies the man. Favored at once by wind and tide, The skillful pilot well may guide The bark in safety on; Yet, when his harbor he has gained, No meed has fairly won. 2. But in adversity's dark hour Of peril and of fear, When clouds above the vessel lower, When winds are loud, and waves are high, Appears the seaman's grave; 3. For Scotland and her freedom's right A hut's lone shelter sought. 4. And cheerless was that resting-place From couch of eider-down; Through darksome night to dawn of day, Of Scotland and her crown. |