Page:Traits and Trials.pdf/183

Rh the necessity of immediate burial; and this the boy was preparing to effect—for the life had now been departed twelve hours—and he himself wished to avoid leaving any gloomy impressions on the mind of such an infant as Marion: for himself he had no fear; he knew God was as much present with the dead as with the living.

It was almost beyond his strength; but by lowering the hammock, as Michael had directed, on a frame which was below, and which, running on four rudely constructed wheels, had been used to drag whatever they had wanted from the store at the palm-knoll, he contrived to convey the body from their dwelling. He took the way he had been told; and the burden was easily drawn, for it was on a descending slope the whole way.

He soon reached the palm the old sailor had indicated, and there saw what had been the last employment of his more than kind protector—the grave was ready dug. Frank sat down by its side; and sobbed as if his heart were breaking; at length he tightened the ropes of the hammock till it closed, like a shroud, round the body: he turned over the frame, and it fell with a heavy sound into the deep grave. Frank paused for a moment, and