She turned rapidly into the narrow path, and pursued her way with a firmness and decision, of which, at any other time, when she was trusting to the arm and guidance of Rodolph, she would have believed herself incapable.  She knew the direction in which the Indian village lay, and the slanting rays of the declining sun occasionally penetrated the thick wood, and cast bright streaks of light on the mossy ground, and the boles of the giant trees around; but soon they faded away, and a deep gloom overspread her path.

‘Mother,’ said the trembling little Edith, as she clung to Helen’s hand, and exerted her utmost strength to keep up with her rapid steps; ’Mother, do you not fear to pass through this forest now?  Shall we not meet more of those dreadful savages who have taken away my brother?  Oh, Henrich!  Henrich!’ she cried—­while tears burst afresh from her eyes at the recollection of her brother’s fate—­’why did you venture into this wood to seek plants for my bower?’ and the child sobbed convulsively, from mingled grief and fear.

‘Cease, Edith, cease!’ replied the deeply distressed, but now firm and courageous Helen:  ’I fear nothing while I am seeking aid for Henrich.  God will protect us, my child!’ she added:  and she raised her glistening eyes to heaven, and gazed, hopefully and trustingly, on one bright star that shone upon her between the summits of the lofty trees.  Her heart was strengthened by her pious confidence in her heavenly Father.  She remembered also that Edith looked to her for protection; and all personal fears were absorbed by that generous and elevating feeling of self-devotion, which is shared even by the lower and weaker animals when their offspring are in danger.  So Helen forgot herself, and felt strong to guard her child, and strong to seek and obtain aid for him whose peril was more real and urgent.

Onward she pressed in silence but her soul was pleading eloquently with God.  Soon Edith checked her suddenly, and exclaimed, as she stumbled over something in the pathway, ’Oh mother, here are Henrich’s tools; and there I see Ludovico’s basket full of moss!  This is the spot to which my brothers were coming; and yonder is the old tree, with the white flowers hanging on it, that Henrich wished to plant by my bower.  It must have been here that the Indians seized him while he was at work.’

That part of the wood was more light and open than the rest of their way had been; and Helen hastily surveyed it, that she might be able to guide the Wampanoges thither, and point out to them where to commence the pursuit.  Again she resumed her way; and, regardless of fatigue, she never paused again until she reached the border of the quiet and lonely lake, on which the rising moon was now shining in all her silvery splendor.  The huts of the friendly natives stood out, clear and dark, on the level shore of the lake, and Helen and her weary child soon reached them, and hastened to Mooanam’s lodge.  There they found the Chief, and his interesting young wife and children, sitting on the matted floor, listening with deep attention to the words of life and salvation which Brewster was reading and interpreting to them from the Holy Scriptures.  The hurried entrance of Helen startled and alarmed them; for her countenance plainly told them, that some calamity had occasioned her unlooked-for appearance at such an unwonted time.