only required something to rouse me to action, and you see I am well! I shall go after breakfast to Peru, (unless I hear intelligence which will render it necessary to take you with me,) and engage rooms for our reception. Should I neglect to do so, it is very possible our situation may be uncomfortable there, as so many people are crowding into that little place at once and without warning." Mrs. Stanley trembled with apprehension; she knew this sudden change was unnatural, yet what could she do? "I must risk the consequences," said she, as he went out of the street door. In a few minutes he returned, saying the British were still encamped at Chazy-their movements could only be conjectured; he however did not apprehend an immediate attack-they certainly would not move until to-morrow-he would mount his horse, ride to Peru, secure comfortable apartments, and bring her tidings of the children. The morning was fine, his resolution taken, and she yielded a reluctant consent. To be left alone at this juncture was dreadful! With a quivering lip and tearful eye she bade him farewell, after receiving his promise to return by two o'clock in the afternoon. When the little gate closed upon him, the desolation of her feelings beggared all description. She threw herself into a chair, and her overcharged heart found relief in a flood of tears; she wept long and violently; her memory reverted to the days of her childhood and youth, when she was the pride and hope of a widowed mother's heart, when every rational wish was gratified the moment it escaped her lips, and the slightest indication of pain or distress was soothed by that mother's fond caress. Now! she was alonethat dear, that honoured mother slept in the silent grave. Her own health had received a severe shock, and now desolate, though she trusted not friendless, she was trembling for the life of her husband. His instantaneous recovery could not be real; there was a quickness of motion, a strange wildness in the flash She of his eye, which to her alarmed imagination betokened the existence of fever. Where would it end? or what could it be? she thought of delirium from an over-heated brain. A relapse after so much fatigue and anxiety must prove fatal! She had parted from her children; true, she expected to join them at evening, but how many circumstances might arise to separate them for ever! the thought was agonizing! She arose and paced the room in a state of mind not easy to be described; another flood of tears came to her relief-she remembered the many dangers through which she had been preserved, and her confidence in Him who had hitherto sustained her, returned. She once more commended her husband and her babes to His care, and felt happy in the consciousness that she had a Friend at the helm, who could guide her little barque in safety through this perilous sea. resolved she would not again suffer herself to be so depressed, but would seek in active employment an antidote for her distress and axiety. While engaged in some domestic arrangements, a knock at the door startled her. A knock at the door was a common occurrence, yet at that time it was unexpected. She came down stairs as fast as her weak limbs would permit, and on opening the door, was surprised and delighted at the sight of a young friend from camp, an officer under Gen. Macomb; his surprise at finding her still in town was only equalled by his fears for her safety. He urged upon her the necessity of despatch, and on inquiring for his little favourites, was rejoiced to learn they were safe in Peru. "You have been wise in this, my dear madam, and I hope the gude man will return soon and in safety." Mrs. Stanley urged him to come in, but he refused to dismount. The officers, by strict orders were confined within the camp; he, anxious for the safety of Dr. Stanley's family, had not asked the boon which he knew would be denied, but had stolen a few moments when he thought himself unobserved, and rode across the bridge with all speed to ascertain the situation of his friends; fearing, as he did, that the first gun fired might prove fatal to some of the family, he could not rest until he knew they were gone; he entreated Mrs. Stanley to lose no time, then extending his hand, bade her farewell with the tone and air of a man who feels he is taking his leave of friends he may never meet again. Mrs. Stanley watched his receding form as he rode out of the yard, and put up a silent and heartfelt prayer that the God of battles would protect him. While standing at the door, a low peal of thunder alarmed her; she turned to observe the sky; to her surprise (for the morning was beautiful), it was now overspread, and a black thunder-cloud was rapidly rising. Oh! where was Dr. Stanley? was he in the woods? or had he not left Peru on his return? The storm rose rapidly as if to bid defiance to the approaching enemy-near, and more near the thunder rolled, and the livid lightning streamed along the heavens. At that moment a flash, followed instantly by a tremendous crash, so shocked the nerves of the lonely sufferer, that she sunk powerless from her chair; the poor frightened girl threw a glass of water in her face, and bathed her hands and temples in cold water; returning consciousness soon rewarded her exertions. Mrs. Stanley had not yet entirely recovered from this shock, when a man on horseback rode furiously into the yard inquiring for Dr. Stanley-a neighbouring physician had been struck by the same flash which prostrated Mrs. Stanley, but not like her did he revive-poor man! he was perfectly paralyzed, and for several weeks his life was in jeopardy. I repeat these circumstances to show how every thing combined to increase the horrors of this poor lady's situation. This proved indeed an awful day to her, replete with the most painful suspense she had ever endured; its recollections will never be effaced from her memory. The rain which had poured in torrents, now began to abate; the lightning was less vivid, and the distant rolling thunder gave some reason to hope the storm was nearly over. But not so shower after shower arose in quick succession, and the rain continued to pour in torrents. The hour which had been named for the return of the husband had long since past; the streets were still filled with loaded waggons and carriages; families were flying in order to keep before the enemy. The inhabitants of Chazy and Cumberland-Head were pouring along-foot passengerspersons on horseback-boats plying on the lake laden with the frightened country people, but no tidings from Dr. Stanley. There sat the young and unprotected wife-the agonized mother, with every nerve strained to discover in the dim and clouded distance some trace of him on whom her every hope depended. Perhaps exhausted by fatigue, he had fallen from his horse! and even now lay exposed to the pitiless storm-perhaps the same flash of lightning which had prostrated her for the moment, had levelled her husband with the earth; alone in the forest, no friend at hand to assist him, perhaps at this very moment his lifeless form was stretched upon the plain! Overcome with these imaginings her heart palpitated, her eyes seemed bursting from their sockets, her brain reeled, she could no longer bear the presence of the servant girl who stood watching the changing emotions of her face with amazement, she rushed into her own room, and prostrating herself before the throne of mercy, poured forth her sorrows to that God who had never turned a deaf ear to her petitions. The Comforter descended with healing upon his wings-she arose composed and submissive -her trust was in Him who had promised that his grace should be sufficient for her, and she left her room reposing on the strong arm of her Redeemer. Mrs. Stanley no sooner entered the solitary parlour, than her attention was arrested by the rapid tramp of the express, and this timid sensitive woman, who at any other time would have shrunk from encountering a stranger, now flew out and hailed the courier; the man, struck probably with her pale and grief-worn features, and apparently unprotected situation, checked the mad speed of his horse, while in a trembling voice she asked, " what intelligence from the enemy?" The man, in terms of respect told her," they had struck their tents, and as far as he could judge, were making preparations to march immediately to Plattsburgh; they were now four miles back on the lake road; on the Beekmantown road, he thought they might be seven, the party by the lake would probably be upon us in two hours!" and he plunged his rowels in the sides of his horse and dashed forward. What could she do in this extremity? She would quietly await the issue. But, had she the right, or if she had, would it be just to expose the young creature who had staid so patiently and faithfully by her, during the last few perilous hours? No! her heart-her conscience told her it would not. As long as she had the power she would protect her, but it was probable the time was rapidly approaching when she would require protection herself. A thought occurred to her; she instantly called Polly, and after telling her it was possible Dr. Stanley might not return in time for them to leave the place, in that case she (Mrs. Stanley) might not be able to give her the care which every female required in such a state of confusion-left it to her own choice whether to remain and risk all with her, or to take a seat, in case she could procure one, on some one of the many wagons which were constantly passing. Once in Peru, she could join Cynthia and the children without delay. The girl with a degree of levity which surprised Mrs. Stanley, hastily replied, -" No marm, I'd ruther stay with you and see the fun." Shocked at this thoughtless answer, Mrs. Stanley explained to her the probable situation in which they would find themselves, should the enemy arrive before they could get away. The girl raised her head, |