"Come, mother, let us go into the house, that you may compose yourself a little," said Alfred,--that she might not perceive Percival among the party that followed at a distance. "Let me support you. Take my arm." Mrs. Campbell, who trembled very much, did so, and thus turned away from the group among whom Percival was walking. Emma was looking at them attentively, and was about to exclaim, when Captain Sinclair put his finger to his lips. As soon as they arrived at the house, and had gone in, Alfred, in a few words, gave them an account of what had passed--how successful they had been in their attempt, and how little they had to fear from the Indians in future. "How grateful I am!" exclaimed Mrs. Campbell. "God be praised for all his mercies! I was fearful that I should have lost you, my dear Mary, as well as my poor boy. He is lost forever--but God's will be done." "It is very strange, mother," said Alfred, "but we heard, on our journey, that the Indians had found a white boy in the woods." "Alas! not mine." "I have reason to believe that it was Percival, my dear mother, and have hopes that he is yet alive." "My dear Alfred, do not say so unless you have good cause; you little know the yearnings of a mother's heart; the very suggestion of such a hope has thrown me into a state of agitation and nervousness of which you can form no conception. I have been reconciled to the Divine will; let me not return to a state of anxiety and repining." "Do you think, my dear mother, that I would raise such hopes if I had not good reason to suppose that they would be realized? No, my dear mother, I am not so cruel." "Then you know that Percival is alive?" said Mrs. Campbell, seizing Alfred by the arm. "Calm yourself, my dear mother, I do know--I am certain that he is alive, and that it was he who was found by the Indians; and I have great hopes that we may recover him." "God grant it! God grant it in his great mercy!" said Mrs. Campbell, "my heart is almost breaking with joy: may God sustain me! Oh, where is he--my dear Alfred--where is he?" continued Mrs. Campbell, Alfred made no reply, but a flood of tears came to her relief. "I will explain it to you when you are more composed, my dear mother. Emma, you have not said one word to me." "I have been too much overjoyed to speak, Alfred," replied Emma, extending her hand to him, "but no one welcomes your return more sincerely than I do, and no one is more grateful to you for having brought Mary back." "Now, Alfred, I am calm," said Mrs. Campbell, "so let me hear at once all you know." "I see you are calm, my dear mother, and I therefore now tell you that Percival is not far off." "Alfred! he is here; I am sure he is." "He is with Malachi and the Strawberry; in a minute I will bring him."