The long and fruitless
march which they had made under the direction of Abiram, the discovery
of the body, and its subsequent interment, had so far consumed the
day, that by the time their steps were retraced across the broad track
of waste which lay between the grave of Asa and the rock, the sun had
fallen far below his meridian altitude. The hill had gradually risen
as they approached, like some tower emerging from the bosom of the
sea, and when within a mile, the minuter objects that crowned its
height came dimly into view.
"It will be a sad meeting for the girls!" said Ishmael, who, from time
to time, did not cease to utter something which he intended should be
consolatory to the bruised spirit of his partner. "Asa was much
regarded by all the young; and seldom failed to bring in from his
hunts something that they loved."
"He did, he did," murmured Esther; "the boy was the pride of the
family. My other children are as nothing to him!"
"Say not so, good woman," returned the father, glancing his eye a
little proudly at the athletic train which followed, at no great
distance, in the rear".
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