THE TEXAN HUNTRESS. 817 
preportioned to his physical strength, that his recovery must 
be very slow, if it come at all. Young man, I have dedi- 
cated my life without stint or reservation to him, and although 
it is impossible for me yet to tell the extent of the injuries I 
have received, yet I must not stop to regard them—I must 
win that glorious mind back to the world again, cost what it 
will to me. I count myself as nothing weighed in the scale 
with his usefulness. He must be saved at any rate, to finish 
his great work! I saved your life—a lost wanderer, beaten 
down by the tempest—helpless, bewildered, wounded and for- 
lorn—and now all that I ask of you is, help to save him! 
Make no remonstrances !”—as I was proceeding to deprecate 
the disregard of self she spoke of, —“ make no remonstrances, 
my son!” she said mournfully—‘TI must require it of you 
not to interfere with—but obey me—for the time. I cannot 
be moved—I will nurse him—you must provide us with food 
and water in the meanwhile. I want no farther assistance. 
I know him best—you can render no assistance to him per- 
sonally. God only knows how far this ugly hurt of mine 
may prove injurious. I will be careful of it for his sake, at 
least !’” 
“T promise to obey you. I feel that I owe my life to you, 
and I will cheerfully resign it to serve you or your husband!” 
“JT knew as much, my child!—I knew as much—an7 
was selfish of me to remind you of obligation when you had 
already more than trebly repaid whatever there might be, by 
saving that dear body which lies so placid there, from the 
defacing hands of those murderous brutes—who, as with those 
who stcned the Prophet of old—knew not what they did!— 
But it is ao selfish anxiety for self that has thus made me 
forget wlat was due to hospitality—it was for him /—for his 
dear life!—I spoke so eagerly, forgetting all things else !— 
come, let us place him on the poor bed!” . 
We immediately removed him to his place upon a raised 
couch of dried moss and leaves, covered with skins, which had 
