Page:The Mysterious Warning - Parsons (1796, volume 1).djvu/175

 middle of the hill, where he saw a small cottage, a deep hanging brow of the mountain seemed suspended over it, and appeared as if every moment it would fall, and crush the humble dwelling into dust. He shuddered as he beheld it; but advancing to the cottage, saw a venerable looking man sitting to enjoy the breezes that played over the hills.

The old man viewed him with evident surprise; Ferdinand related the direction he had obtained from the shepherdess, and appeared so very much spent with toil, that the shepherd desired he would walk in, gave him his own stool as being the best, brought him some milk, and a cake, he said, of his Maria's baking. Never was repast more delicious than this milk, when almost choked with thirst; Ferdinand drank the wholesome beverage, looked at the simple shepherd, and his humble dwelling clean and comfortable, though unadorned, with delight. "My good father (said he) I thank your hospitality, you have revived my fainting spirits."