Page:Nattie Nesmith (1870).pdf/279

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and I shudder to think what a bad girl I have always been, and how I have thought it was so much for me to be hurt a very little, but nothing for others to endure ever so great pain. I don't believe I shall be so any more, for I think how great is God's goodness in sparing so guilty a wretch, and I pray to Him to forgive my sins, and keep me from doing wrong again."

Augustus Reid looked surprised to hear such words from the little girl, and thought that sickness and calamity had preyed deeply upon her mind.

"Do not think too meanly of yourself," he said. "You have suffered much wrong, but will soon be restored to all your friends."

"What has become of the Frenchmen that burned our home?" Nattie asked, quickly.

"They have fled," was the answer; "probably because they feared that their crime would be discovered, and they be brought to justice."

"When the old chief, North Wind, gets back