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behind him； and； supposing himself pursued； he hurried into the woods；
casting a glance backward。 What was his joy to see his young
companion running after him！ They hastened on in a southerly direction
as nearly as they could determine； hoping to reach their distant home。
When daylight appeared they found a large hollow log； into which they
crept for concealment； wisely judging that they would be hotly pursued by
their Indian captors。
（1） *Anathema maranatha* occurs at the close of St。 Paul's first epistle
to the Corinthians； and in the English version is made to appear as a
composite phrase。 It has so passed into common use； *maranatha* being
taken as intensifying the curse contained in *anathema*。 The words are
properly to be divided； *maranatha* signifying 〃The Lord cometh。〃
Their sagacity was by no means at fault。 The Indians； missing
their prisoners in the morning； started off in pursuit with their dogs。 As
the young boys lay in the log they could hear the whistle of the Indians
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The Boy Captives An Incident of the Indian War of 1695
and the barking of dogs upon their track。 It was a trying moment； and
even the stout heart of the elder boy sank within him as the dogs came up
to the log and set up a loud bark of discovery。 But his presence of mind
saved him。 He spoke in a low tone to the dogs； who； recognizing his
familiar voice； wagged their tails with delight； and ceased barking。 He
then threw to them the morsel of moose…meat he had taken from the
wigwam。 While the dogs were thus diverted； the Indians made their
appearance。 The boys heard the light； stealthy sound of their moccasins
on the leaves。 They passed close to the log； and the dogs； having
devoured their moose… meat； trotted after their masters。 Through a
crevice in the log the boys looked after them； and saw them disappear in
the thick woods。 They remained in their covert until night； when they
started again on their long journey； taking a new route to avoid the Indians。
At daybreak they again concealed themselves； but travelled the next night
and day without resting。 By this time they had consumed all the bread
which they had taken； and were fainting from hunger and weariness。 Just
at the close of the third day they were providentially enabled to kill a
pigeon and a small tortoise； a part of which they ate raw； not daring to
make a fire； which might attract the watchful eyes of savages。 On the
sixth day they struck upon an old Indian path； and； following it until night；
came suddenly upon a camp of the enemy。 Deep in the heart of the forest；
under the shelter of a ridge of land heavily timbered； a great fire of logs
and brushwood was burning； and around it the Indians sat； eating their
moose…meat and smoking their pipes。
The poor fugitives； starving； weary； and chilled by the cold spring
blasts； gazed down upon the ample fire； and the savory meats which the
squaws were cooking by it； but felt no temptation to purchase warmth and
food by surrendering themselves to captivity。 Death in the forest seemed
preferable。 They turned and fled back upon their track； expecting every
moment to hear the yells of pursuers。 The morning found them seated on
the bank of a small stream； their feet torn and bleeding； and their bodies
emaciated。 The elder； as a last effort； made search for roots； and
fortunately discovered a few ground…nuts （*glycine apios*）； which served
to refresh in some degree himself and his still weaker companion。 As
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The Boy Captives An Incident of the Indian War of 1695
they stood together by the stream； hesitating and almost despairing； it
occurred to Isaac that the rivulet might lead to a larger stream of water；
and that to the sea and the white settlements near it； and he resolved to
follow it。 They again began their painful march； the day passed； and the
night once more overtook them。 When the eighth morning dawned； the
younger of the boys found himself unable to rise from his bed of leaves。
Isaac endeavored to encourage him； dug roots； and procured water for him；
but the poor lad was utterly exhausted。 He had no longer heart or hope。
The elder boy laid him on leaves and dry grass at the foot of a tree； and
with a heavy heart bade him farewell。 Alone he slowly and painfully
proceeded down the stream； now greatly increased in size by tributary
rivulets。 On the top of a hill he climbed with difficulty into a tree； and
saw in the distance what seemed to be a clearing and a newly…raised frame
building。 Hopeful and rejoicing； he turned back to his young companion；
told him what he had seen； and； after chafing his limbs awhile； got him
upon his feet。 Sometimes supporting him； and at others carrying him on
his back； the heroic boy staggered towards the clearing。 On reaching it
he found it deserted； and was obliged to continue his journey。 Towards
night signs of civilization began to appear；the heavy； continuous roar of
water was heard； and； presently emerging from the forest； he saw a great
river dashing in white foam down precipitous rocks； and on its bank the
gray walls of a huge stone building； with flankers； palisades； and moat；
over which the British flag was flying。 This was the famous Saco Fort；
built by Governor Phips；（1） two years before； just below the falls of the
Saco River。 The soldiers of the garrison gave the poor fellows a kindly
welcome。 Joseph； who was scarcely alive； lay for a long time sick in the
fort； but Isaac soon regained his strength； and set out for his home in
Haverhill； which he had the good fortune to arrive at in safety。
（1） An interesting account of Sir William Phips will be found in
Parkman's *Frontenac and New France under Louis XIV。* Hawthorne
also tells his romantic story in *Fanshawe and Other Pieces。*
Amidst the sti