210 MARTIN RATTLER,

Barney had filled his heart to bursting ; so that the
sweet evening sunshine and the beautiful vale over
which his eyes wandered, instead of affording him
pleasure, seemed but to mock his misery. It was a
lesson that all must learn sooner or later, and one we
would do well to think upon before we learn it, that
sunshine in the soul is not dependent on the sunshine
of this world; and when once the clouds descend, the
brightest beams of all that earth contains cannot
pierce them. God alone can touch these dark clouds
with the finger of love and mercy, and say again, as
he said of old, “ Let there be light.”

A firm purpose, formed with heart and will, is
cheering and invigorating to a depressed mind. No
sooner did the firm determination to escape or die
enter into Martin’s heart, than he sprang from his
seat, and, falling on his knees, prayed to God, in the
name of our Redeemer, for help and guidance. He
had not the least idea of how he was to effect his
escape, or of what he intended to do. All he knew
was that he had made up his mind to do so, if God
would help him. And under the strength of that
resolve he soon recovered much of his former cheer-
fulness of disposition, and did his work among the
savages with a degree of energy that filled them with

surprise and respect. From that day forth he never