I spoke only for your safety and not for myself. Could--I again
repeat--could this deed be undone--could you be free from the reproach
and the punishment, I would be content, though the strings of my heart
cracked with its own doom, to forego all claim upon you--to give you
up--to give up my own hope of happiness for ever."
Her words were passionate, and at their close her head sunk upon his
shoulder, while her tears gushed forth without restraint, and in
defiance of all her efforts. The heart of the woodman was deeply and
painfully affected, and the words refused to leave his lips, while a
kindred anguish shook his manly frame, and rendered it almost a
difficulty with him to sustain the slight fabric of hers. With a stern
effort, however, he recovered himself, and reseating her upon the bank
from which, in the agitation of the moment, they had both arisen, he
endeavored to soothe her spirit, by unfolding his plan of future life.
"My present aim is the nation--I shall cross the Chestatee river
to-morrow, and shall push at once for the forest of Etowee, and beyond
the Etowee river.
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