She opened her eyes after a prolonged spasm of pain and gave him a look of melting tenderness.
"Make the biggest tent ready, boys!" he called, holding her close. "Fetch the feather bed and the buffalo robe. Get hot water, Sally. Get everything, everybody," he exclaimed, carrying her in his arms and pacing excitedly to and fro.
"Oh, why did I bring you out here into this wilderness?" he sobbed, as he laid her on the bed and chafed her stiffening fingers. "Only live, and the remainder of your days shall be as free from care as a bird's!"
"But I shall not live, John," she whispered during a brief lucid interval, her eyes beaming with love and devotion. "Or, rather, I shall not die, but awake into newness of life. This body is worn out, but that is all. The life that animates it will never die, though I am going away."
No effort that circumstances permitted was spared to retain the vital spark. Not a man, woman, or child in the company would have hesitated at any possible sacrifice to keep her spirit within the body, or to give her ease and comfort in passing to the land of souls.
The afternoon was wellnigh spent when she grew easier. A prolonged interval of consciousness followed. Where's Bobbie?" she asked in a whisper. Here, mother!" cried the child, who had been a dazed and silent watcher all the day.
"Bless his little life!" she whispered with a look of unutterable love.
"Come, Bobbie dear," said Jean, "let's go out and see if we can't find heaven, where God is. Mother is going there to live with the angels. Let's see if there'll be any room for us."
"There'll be room for me, Jeanie; there'll have to be, for I 'm going to die before long."
"Why do you think so, Bobbie?"
