Page:A New England Tale.djvu/147

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A NEW-ENGLAND TALE.

seal in the forehead' to keep you from all harm. Foolish girl! sit down—I say, she will not rise yet."

Jane obeyed her command, and rallying her spirits, replied, "No, Bet, I am not afraid she will rise. I believe the dead lie very quiet in their graves."

"Yes, those may that die in their beds and are buried by the tolling of the bell, and lie with a merry company about them in the church yard; but, I tell you, those that row themselves over the dark river, never have a quiet night's rest in their cold beds."

"Come," said Jane, impatiently rising, "for mercy's sake, let us go."

"I cannot stir from this spot," replied Bet, "till the moon gets above that tree; and so be quiet, while I tell you Lucy's story. Why, child, I sit here watching by her many a night, till her hour comes, and then I always go away, for the dead don't love to be seen rising from their beds."

"Well, Bet, tell me Lucy's story, and then I hope you will not keep me any longer here; and you need not tell me much, for, you know, I have heard it a thousand times."

"Ah! but you did not see her as I did, when Ashley's men went out, and she followed them, and begged them on her knees, for the love of God, not to fire upon the prisoners; for the story had come, that Shay's men would cover their front with the captives; and you did not see her when he was brought to her shot through the heart, and