A sudden and an uncontrollable gleam of delight flashed on the dark
features of the captive, when Ruth was about to place in his hands the bow
of her own son, and, by signs and words, she gave him to understand that
he was to be permitted to use it in the free air of the forest. But the
exhibition of pleasure disappeared as quickly as it had been betrayed.
When the lad received the weapons, it was rather with the manner of a
hunter accustomed to their use, than of one to whose hands they had so
long been strangers. As he left the gates of Wish-Ton-Wish, the
handmaidens of Ruth clustered about him, in wondering interest; for it was
strange to see a youth so long guarded with jealous care, again free and
unwatched. Notwithstanding their ordinary dependence on the secret lights
and great wisdom of the Puritan, there was a very general impression that
the lad, around whose presence there was so much that was mysterious and
of interest to their own security, was now to be gazed upon for the last
time. The boy himself was unmoved to the last. Still he paused, with his
foot on the threshold of the dwelling; and appeared to regard Ruth and
her young offspring with momentary concern.
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