Nor dared depart, lest e’er again

Was found this treasure he had hid,

Some sudden treacherous gust had slid

Beneath that rugged counterpane.

He knew not name or face of one.

He saved them. It was nobly done.

Day dawned at last. The storm had lulled;

And these were happy, sleeping yet.

A few fresh hands of moss he pulled,

Then traced with trembling steps the track

Of many footprints deeply set;

And pressing forward, early met

These children’s parents hasting back,

And filled their hearts with boundless joy,

As with blanched lips and chattering teeth

He told them of his night’s employ;

Feigned, too, he was not much distressed,

Although his dying heart, beneath

His icy-frozen shirt and vest,

[Pg 23]

 Prev. P 10/118 next