Page:History of Duncan Campbell, and his dog Oscar (3).pdf/23

were fallen into a kind of stupor, but the window being up, a sight appeared that quickly thrilled every heart with the keenest sensation of anguish. Two men came riding sharply up by the back of the old school house. Yonder are the officers of justice now, said my mother, what shall we do? We hurried to the window, and all of us soon discerned that they were no other than some attorney, accompanied by a sheriff’s officer. My mother entreated of my father to escape and hide himself until this first storm was overblown, but he would in nowise consent, assuring us that he had done nothing of which he was ashamed, and was determined to meet every one face to face, and let them do their worst: so finding all our entreaties vain, we could do nothing but sit down and weep. At length we heard the noise of their horses at the door. You had better take the men’s horses, James, said my father, as their is no other man at hand. We will stay till they rap, if you please, said I. Tho cautious officer did not however rap, but afraid lest his debtor should make his escape, he jumped lightly from his horse, and hasted into the house. When we heard him open the outer door, and his footsteps approaching along the entry, our hearts fainted within us—he opened the door and stepped into the room—it was Duncan! our own dearly beloved Duncan. The women uttered an involuntary scream of surprise, but my father ran and got hold of one hand and I of the other—my mother too, soon had him in her arms, but our embrace was short, for his eyes fixed on Mary, who stood trembling with joy and wonder in a corner of the room, changing her colour every moment—he snatched her up in his arms and kissed her lips, and were ever she was aware, her arms had encircled his