LOST IN THE WOODS.
As Leroy was too young to drive the cows home in the evening, Bessie
enjoyed many a long walk in search of them. One evening she had some
difficulty in finding them. It was one of those evenings when everything
is quiet and sound travels a long distance. After listening carefully
for the tinkling of the cow-bells, Bessie was bewildered, for she could
seemingly hear them in every direction. At last, thinking she had
located the sound, she set out in that direction. When she had walked
about two miles, she stopped to listen again. The bells were still
tinkling, but they seemed to be just as far away. She knew, though, that
the cows sometimes went a long distance. She had been following the
road, but thinking the sound came from the woods, she started off in
that direction. She saw that the sun was just going down behind the
trees; that she was on an unfamiliar path, and was getting farther and
farther from home. But she must get the cows, and on she went, stopping
now and then to locate the sound of the bells.
She suddenly found herself standing upon a point of land where a deep,
wide ravine extended on either side. The distance across the ravine she
could not see on account of the shadow and the trees. What should she
do? A few minutes previously she had thought about its being late, but
had hoped to find the cows and to make them guide her home. This hope
failing, she did not know what to do. The bells were still tinkling
ahead of her; but she did not dare to try to cross the ravine in the
darkness, now fast gathering around her, and how could she return
through those dense woods! She thought of calling for help, but as
quickly realized how useless the effort would be, since there were no
houses near.
As she stood wondering what to do, these words from a psalm she had
committed to memory a short time before, came to her mind: "If I say,
Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about
me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the
day; the darkness and the light are both alike to thee." Two more
precious promises came to her mind: "I will guide thee with mine eye"
and "He leadeth me beside still waters." Oh, what encouragement those
words were to Bessie! Surely God would guide her home. With a thankful
heart, Bessie started to return. As she had passed through several
clearings in her search for the cows, she had no little difficulty in
finding her way; but the moon rose early and gave her considerable
light, and as she neared home, she began to recognize some familiar
objects.
But, in the meantime, how were her parents feeling? The cows returned
early and were milked. Mrs. Worthington wondered why Bessie did not come
with them, but thought she might have been delayed and would come soon.
She prepared supper; but when she got it ready, Bessie was still absent.
"What can be keeping Bessie tonight?" Mrs. Worthington said anxiously to
her husband. "She should have come home an hour ago."
"Oh, I suppose she has stopped somewhere to play," said Mr. Worthington
carelessly.
"No; I don't think so," replied his wife. "Bessie always tries to be
prompt, and I'm afraid something has happened. If she doesn't come soon,
you had better go to look for her."
"Well, wait until dark," said Mr. Worthington; "and, if she isn't here
then, I'll get some men and we'll search in different directions. Did
you notice which way she went!"
"No," answered his wife, "but I think she went east."
At dark Mr. Worthington started out with the searching party. Mrs.
Worthington tried not to worry; but when nine o'clock passed and
half-past nine came, she felt a great anxiety creeping into her heart.
Many times she offered an earnest prayer for Bessie's protection. After
putting Leroy to bed she stationed herself in front of the house to
watch.
About ten o'clock some one returned to say that he could find no trace
of Bessie.
With straining eyes, Mrs. Worthington looked in the direction in which
Bessie had gone, and at last thought that she could see some one
approaching. As the figure drew nearer, she could see that it was her
child, and with a glad cry ran to meet her. "O Bessie," cried the
mother, "what has happened to detain you? Your father and a company of
men are out searching the woods for you. Dear child, where have you
been?"
Bessie was very tired and hungry; but she related all that had happened
and said: "I'm sorry I couldn't go farther; for I believe the cows were
just a short distance beyond the point where I turned back. But I did
not dare to cross the swampy place and go into the woods on the other
side."
"Why, the cows have been home a long, long time, Bessie; and that is
what had made your delay seem so strange," said her mother. "But were
you not afraid, dear, when you found that you were so far from home!"
Bessie explained how she had felt and how the Lord had encouraged her
and helped her to be brave.
"What time was that?" asked her mother; and when she learned, she said,
"Bessie, that was when I was so earnestly praying for you. Surely our
God is a mighty God and one who is ever faithful."
When the searching party returned, they were all glad to know that
Bessie was safe at home.