"He attacked the wagon," explained she. "He was killed at the first fire. His servant's body is down there"—pointing with her finger—"with the body of one of the travelers, who was killed."
"Come away, mother," said Tommy. "I'll return and bury the bodies."
"What are we to do now?" demanded Tommy's mother. "The future seems such a blank to me. Oh! thank God that you are spared to me, Tommy."
"Mother," said Tommy, "while I was burying the bodies, a man came along on horseback. He was looking for me. His name is Maj. Allston. He was Mr. Smithers' partner, and he gave me a roll of bills, which he said was Smithers' share of the profits of the game they played. It is over two thousand dollars. Let us go back to New York. We will start in business, and we shall not want."
Mrs. Smithers drew him to her bosom, and embraced him tenderly.
"God bless you, Tommy. I will live for your sake, but I had very dark thoughts in my mind just now—oh! so bad and wicked; may I be forgiven for them."
The next day they went to the depot, and the swift locomotive conveyed two travel-stained passengers back to the East.
They started in a little business, and Tommy, no longer the fool of the family, showed such industry and smartness that he prospered.
The mother and son were very happy together, and soon the checkered and eventful past was forgotten.