Page:Memoir of Elizabeth Jones, A Little Indian Girl (1838).djvu/31

 Rh beth, Elizabeth," but in vain; no voice answered to the anxious summons.

As soon as daylight dawned, all the men, women, and boys joined in the melancholy search; making the woodlands echo with her name as they went sorrowfully on, till they reached the lake; when the Indians said she must be drowned! They then went out in their boats; and at length, about nine o'clock in the morning, the little bark of mortality was found, which had floated down the deep broad stream into an eddy near the pier, but the immortal spirit was landed in the haven of eternal rest.

It was found on examination that there was a hole on the upper part of the bridge near the centre of the stream, occasioned by one of the planks having slipped out of its place; and it is supposed (for no one saw her) that the dear child, in passing over near the side-railings, must have been looking another way, and thus slipped through the hole into a watery grave. Thus, without a moment's warning, was she snatched away from the fond embraces of her mourning friends on earth to the bosom of her Saviour and her God.

As soon as the sad news reached her dear father, he hastened down; but, ah! who can enter into the feelings of a parent on such a journey?