As soon as she came within sound of
his voice, she called out,--
"Oh, Charley, where's Willie?"
The poor boy trembled in every joint, as he threw himself upon her neck
and sobbed out,--
"Oh, mother! mother!"
Her face was very pale, as she asked, in low, hollow tones,--
"Is he dead?"
"No, mother; but we don't know where he is. Oh, mother, do forgive me!"
was the despairing answer.
The story was soon told. The cattle had strayed farther than they
supposed, and Willie was very tired before they came in sight of them.
It was not convenient to spare a man to convey him home, and it was
agreed that Charley should take him a short distance from their route
to a log-cabin, with whose friendly inmates they were well acquainted.
There he was to be left to rest, while his brother returned for a while
to help in bringing the cattle together. The men separated, going in
various circuitous directions, agreeing to meet at a specified point,
and wait for Charley. He had a boy's impatience to be at the place of
rendezvous. When he arrived near the cabin, and had led Willie into the
straight path to it, he charged him to go into the house, and not leave
it till he came for him; and then he ran back with all speed to Uncle
George. The transaction seemed to him so safe that it did not occur to
his honest mind that he had violated the promise given to his mother.
Pages:
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155