He shall not perish , neither in body nor , if prayer and instruction may avail for him , in soul . '' He then spoke aloud and kindly to Ilbrahim , who had again hid his face in the cold earth of the grave : `` Was every door in the land shut against you , my child , that you have wandered to this unhallowed spot ? '' `` They drove me forth from the prison when they took my father thence , '' said the boy , `` and I stood afar off watching the crowd of people ; and when they were gone , I came hither , and found only this grave . I knew that my father was sleeping here , and I said , ` This shall be my home . ' '' `` No , child , no , not while I have a roof over my head or a morsel to share with you , '' exclaimed the Puritan , whose sympathies were now fully excited . `` Rise up and come with me , and fear not any harm . '' The boy wept afresh , and clung to the heap of earth as if the cold heart beneath it were warmer to him than any in a living breast . The traveller , however , continued to entreat him tenderly , and , seeming to acquire some degree of confidence , he at length arose ; but his slender limbs tottered with weakness , his little head grew dizzy , and he leaned against the tree of death for support . `` My poor boy , are you so feeble ? '' said the Puritan . `` When did you taste food last ? '' `` I ate of bread and water with my father in the prison , '' replied Ilbrahim , `` but they brought him none neither yesterday nor to-day , saying that he had eaten enough to bear him to his journey 's end . Trouble not thyself for my hunger , kind friend , for I have lacked food many times ere now . '' The traveller took the child in his arms and wrapped his cloak about him , while his heart stirred with shame and anger against the gratuitous cruelty of the instruments in this persecution . In the awakened warmth of his feelings he resolved that at whatever risk he would not forsake the poor little defenceless being whom Heaven had confided to his care . With this determination he left the accursed field and resumed the homeward path from which the wailing of the boy had called him . The light and motionless burden scarcely impeded his progress , and he soon beheld the fire-rays from the windows of the cottage which he , a native of a distant clime , had built in the Western wilderness . It was surrounded by a considerable extent of cultivated ground , and the dwelling was situated in the nook of a wood-covered hill , whither it seemed to have crept for protection . `` Look up , child , '' said the Puritan to Ilbrahim , whose faint head had sunk upon his shoulder ; `` there is our home . '' At the word `` home '' a thrill passed through the child 's frame , but he continued silent .
A few moments XXXXX them to the cottage door , at which the owner knocked ; for at that early period , when savages were wandering everywhere among the settlers , bolt and bar were indispensable to the security of a dwelling .
ate brought called clung cultivated knew shut sleeping wailing wrapped