But, as he came into the Clearing, his heart gave a great bound, as he saw his child lying upon the ground some distance from the house.

His anxiety was so distressing that he dashed by it into the cabin.
"Cora, Cora, what is the matter?
Where have you concealed yourself?
Why this untimely pleasantry ?" He came out again, caught up the infant and attempted to soothe it, all the time looking wildly about in the hope of seeing the returning mother.
"CORA! CORA!" he again called in agonized tones, but the woods gave back only the hollow echo.

For a few moments he was fairly beside himself; but, at the end of that time, he began to reason more calmly.
He attempted to persuade himself that she might return, but it was useless; and with a sort of resigned despair, he looked about him for signs of the manner in which she was taken away.
The most convincing evidence was not wanting.

The ground was trampled and torn, as if there had been a violent struggle; and, inexperienced as were his eyes, he detected the unmistakable impress of a moccasin upon the soft earth, and in the grass.

The settle, too, was overturned and the baby lay in the grass as if tossed there by the act of some other arm, than a mother's..