Page:Elizabeth, or, The exiles of Siberia (2).pdf/6

6 perceived that her parents were unhappy, she would enquire 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 implore 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 clapsed, 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 seareh 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 man stooping, as if looking for something, she cried, "My father! is it you, my father?" The person looked up, and was surprized at seeing Elizabeth. "I know not your father," said the stranger, “But I know that, at such an hour, you ought not to be alone on this heath." "Ah!" interrupted Elizabeth, “I fear nothing in the world to the dread of not finding my father." Saying this, she raised her eyes to heaven, and their mingled