The lofty watch-towers, promontories, hills,
Far off are visible; the boundless sky
Opens above, displaying all its host
Of fires; and in the shepherd's heart is joy.

Mr. Martin, when he had finished, smiled internally at his own enthusiasm:
the children were too much fatigued with the various adventures of the day
to offer any remark. They therefore continued silent till they arrived on
the green plat before the Manse, where they found Mrs. Martin waiting most
anxiously for their appearance. "Where can you have been, my dear Helen?"
asked her mother, as she assisted her to alight. "I really began to be
afraid some accident had happened to some of you." "No accident, my dear
wife, at least none of any consequence," said Mr. Martin, glancing a look
towards John, who made a hasty retreat with Bob into the stable. "But ask
no questions to-night, Helen will tell you all her adventures to-morrow
morning; at present she is too much fatigued to be kept out of her bed
longer than is necessary to eat her supper; let her have it directly, if
you please; and if you will give me a cup of tea, I think it will refresh
me. I am almost tired myself, which is not a usual thing." Helen ate her
supper, Mr. Martin had his tea; and, after a prayer by the Minister, at
which, as was customary, the whole family were present, they all retired
to bed.




CHAP. IV.


As soon as John awoke in the morning, all the occurrences of the previous