138 THE LOST CHILDREN. 



US, as soon as we are missed ; let us keep on 

 and perhaps we may find some other path." 



The poor children proceeded on their course, 

 unconscious that every step was taking them deep- 

 er into the forest, until, completely bewildered by 

 the thick darkness, and overcome with fatigue, they 

 could go no further. " Let us pray to God, and 

 then we can he down, and die in peace," said 

 Geor2;e ; and the innocent children knelt down on 

 the fallen leaves, and Hsped their simple prayers, 

 as they were accustomed to do at their mother's 

 side. 



"We must try to find some shelter, George," 

 said Kate, as they arose from their knees, " this 

 chill air will kill you, even if we escape the wild 

 beasts." As she spoke, the light of a young 

 moon which faintly illumined the depths of the 

 wood, enabled her to discover a hollow log lying 

 near. Tearing off some branches from the brittle 

 hemlock tree, she piled them around the log, in 

 such a manner, as to form a sort of penthouse ; 

 and, placing George within the more effectual 

 shelter of the log, she lay down by his side. Worn 

 with fatigue, notwithstanding their fears, the chil- 

 dren soon fell into a profound sleep ; and the 

 beams of the morning sun, shining through the 

 branches which formed their covering, first awoke 

 them from their peaceful slumbers. 



Their little hearts swelled with gratitude to the 

 merciful God, who had preserved them through 

 the perils of the night, and the morning hymn which 

 was wont to resound within the walls of their 



