Page:Elizabeth, or, The exiles of Siberia (1).pdf/5

                                     5 and when their blossoms opened, he would say to his daughter, “ Elizabeth, deck thyself with flowers of thy native land, which resemble thee, and are beautiful even in exile !” Frequently would he take her in his arms, and, pressing her to his heart, exclaim, “ Take away this child, Phedora, her distress and thine will destroy me ! ’ ’ When the Sabbath came, however, it was the practice of Phedora (who most regretted that she was deprived of participating in the offices of her church), to pass some portion of this holy day in prayer, before an image of St. Bazil, whose character she much venerated. Educated in these savage wilds since her fourth year, Elizabeth knew no other country. She felt amused in ascending the rocks which bordered the lake to search after the eggs of the sparrow-hawk and white vulture ; sometimes she ensnared the wood-pigeon in her net, or angled for the fish in the lake, whose purple scales had the appearance of fire, covered with liquid silver. Her growth was accelerated by the exercise she took, while every day, on her lovely and innocent face some new charm was developed. At times, when she perceived that her parents were unhappy, she would inquire the cause of their grief, when they told her they sorrowed for their country, but never uttered the name of that country, or the rank they occupied in it. She often ruminated on her parents’ grief, and implored the assistance of Omnipotence to find a way for their relief, and resolved to tear herself from them, and go on foot to St. Petersburgh, to intercede for her father’s liberation ; her confidence in God animated her heart, and assured her of final success. Some years were elapsed since, during a winter’s chase, upon the summit of some rocks by the Tobol, Springer had been delivered from great danger by the intrepidity of Smoloff, son of the governor of Tobolsk, who came in the winter to combat the bears, and hunt the elks and martins among the heaths of Ischim, and the Ural mountains near Saimka. From this time the name of Smoloff was always held in high esteem by the family. Three years passed when, one morning in December, Springer took his musket, and proceeded to hunt in the Stepp, promising to return before the close of day ; but when night approached, he was not returned. In a state of anxiety and grief Phedora and her daughter set out in search of him ; approaching towards the plain, Phedora was unable to proceed, and leant against a tree till Elizabeth made further research. Elizabeth soon reached the plain of tombs, but could not find her father; the darkness began to mingle heaven and earth, when she heard the report of a musket not far off, which revived her spirits,—she hastened, to the spot, and perceiving a