Page:ONCE A WEEK JUL TO DEC 1860.pdf/246

238 a sheltering pair of hands roars and rages among the tree-logs of the camp fire, round which a whole tribe finds warmth through the longest night.

Some practice is required to produce fire in this way; but every child can do it where the method is in constant use. When the materials are in a favourable state, five minutes will suffice to obtain the flame. In rude places, where cart wheels are mere wooden disks set upon wooden axletrees, the driver knows too well how soon fire is produced, on any quickening of the pace. Steady continuous friction will kindle dry wood in a longer or shorter time, under any circumstances; but the shortest seems to be by the rapid twirling of a sharpened stick in a hole which just contains it, with room to turn freely. 2em

Helen has heard the fatal order, Her English lover must banish’d be, For Gordon, Chief on the Scottish border, Comes hither to bend the wooer’s knee.

She wildly vows to the heavens above her She’ll wed young Nevill, whate’er betide; But her father has banish’d her landless lover, And the haughty chieftain claims his bride.

In after days they have met: far better That parted lovers should meet no more, When one is bound by that golden fetter, With the love still warm at each true heart’s core.

So sadly he touch’d her lily finger, Weeping she look’d on her ring of gold: Ah, fatal thus by his side to linger! Fatal to sigh for the days of old!

“I saw thee kneeling before the altar, My haughty rival was by thy side, But I could not hear thy dear voice falter When vowing to be his faithful bride!”

“What, Nevill! can’st thou be cruel-hearted? A father’s blessing I could not win, Unless we two for aye were parted,— But, O, I have wept for that deadly sin!