Insult and contumely were, indeed, no longer to be dreaded by the unresisting wanderer, after the extraordinary proofs of courage which he had that day given.

But, apparently, he now found as little to relish in encomiums passed on his valour as in the invectives to which he had been formerly exposed.

He stole away, therefore, into the woods, abandoning the army altogether, and was no more seen during the march.
But Roland did not doubt be should behold him again at Bruce's Station, where he soon found himself, with his kinswoman, in safety; and where,--now happily able to return to the land of his birth and the home of his ancestors,--he remained during a space of two or three weeks, waiting the arrival of a strong band of Virginia rangers, who (their term of military service on the frontier having expired) were on the eve of returning to Virginia, and with whom he designed seeking protection for his own little party.

During all this period he impatiently awaited the re-appearance of Nathan, but in vain; and as he was informed, and indeed, from Nathan's own admissions, knew, that the latter had no fixed place of abode, he saw that it was equally vain to attempt hunting him up in the forest.

In short, he was compelled to depart on his homeward journey,--a journey happily accomplished in safety,--without again seeing him; but not until he had left with the commander of the Station a goodly store of such articles of comfort and necessity as he thought would prove acceptable to his solitary friend.
Nor did he take leave without making others of his late associates acquainted with his bounty.