"
"I trust I shall soon be with them, and oh! I pray----"
"I's gettin' shleepy," suddenly exclaimed Hans Vanderbum.
"Take gum?"
"Yaw; took much as Keewaygooshturkumkankangewock."
"Git sleep soon--go back--don't wake up."
"Yaw, I will." And before any one could speak, Hans was lumbering
through the bushes and woods on his way back to his lodge, fearful that
if he delayed he would fall asleep. It was the wish of Lieutenant
Canfield to thank him for his kindness to his betrothed, and the
latter, very grateful for his honest friendship, intended to assure him
of it, but his hasty exit prevented.
The gum of which Hans Vanderbum had partaken, began soon to have a
perceptible effect. He stumbled forward against the bushes and trees,
blinking and careless of what he did, until he reached the door of his
wigwam. Here he summoned all his energies, and, stepping carefully
over his wife, lay down beside her, and almost immediately was asleep.
As might be expected, the wife was the first to awaken. So profound
had been her sleep that the forenoon of the next day was fully half
gone before she opened her eyes, and then it required a few minutes to
regain entire possession of her faculties. Looking around, she saw the
inanimate forms of her children, and close beside her the unconscious
Hans Vanderbum, and, horror of horrors, the captive was gone! She was
now thoroughly awakened. With a shrill scream she sprung to her feet.
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