The Hillsborough Recorder

From the N.Y. Gazette.

A LOST CHILD.

A circumstance of intense interest occurred recently in the neighborhood of Laurel Hill, N. C. A son of Mr. Murdoch Gillis, we are informed, about five years old, wandered from his father's house on the morning of Wednesday week. The distressed parents with their immediate neighbors instantly commenced a vigorous search for him, but without effect. On the succeeding Thursday and Friday, the woods, including a section called Gum Swamp, was scoured to an extent of from ten to fifteen miles by the whole neighborhood. Some traces of the little sufferer were occasionally seen. The impression of his footsteps, broken bushes, where he had apparently endeavored to relieve his extreme hunger by eating the green buds and twigs—a half demolished May-apple, &c. with appearances of having soon disemburdened his stomach of its nauseous contents—were the various means by which he was followed no less than three times across Gum Swamp run—passing over on logs not at all used for crossing, being dangerous and difficult of access: one person, in attempting to pass over one of these logs, fell into the water. Friday evening came, three days of unremitting exertions had passed, and the agonized parents had yet no tidings of their child! There remained now little hope of finding him alive. On Saturday morning the search was renewed with increased energy. Between two and three hundred persons had collected, many coming from ten to fifteen miles. They were resolved to make one more faithful effort, to leave not a rod of ground untrodden, which promised the least hope of success. The exertions were continued with no better success until nearly sunset on the evening of the fourth day of the child's wanderings. His father was the foremost to descry him, in an old field, ten miles from home, having walked probably not less than twenty-five miles, without a mouthful of food during the whole four days. His frame was so emaciated and weakened that he could scarcely drag his little limbs along; still he was walking on, looking for his father's house. On seeing his parent, the child burst into a hearty laugh, and fell into his arms, excessively delighted to see him. Some one presented him a biscuit, which he devoured instantly, but it caused sickness and vomiting. The boy was conveyed home by his rejoiced parent, and though very feeble, was doing well.