At the spot where he and Esther had conferred, he reached the boundary
of the visible horizon from the rock. Here he stopped, and ventured a
glance in the direction of the place he had just quitted. The sun was
near dipping into the plains beyond, and its last rays lighted the
naked branches of the willow. He saw the ragged outline of the whole
drawn against the glowing heavens, and he even traced the still
upright form of the being he had left to his misery. Turning the roll
of the swell, he proceeded with the feelings of one, who had been
suddenly and violently separated from a recent confederate, for ever.
Within a mile, the squatter overtook his teams. His sons had found a
place suited to the encampment for the night, and merely awaited his
approach to confirm their choice. Few words were necessary to express
his acquiescence. Every thing passed in a silence more general and
remarkable than ever. The chidings of Esther were not heard among her
young, or if heard, they were more in the tones of softened
admonition, than in her usual, upbraiding, key.
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