d them not to go far from the
cabin, as they would run great danger.

They inquired of me where I had seen the Indians, and I pointed out
the spot in the wood, after which they went away. I was certain that
the attack would be on this night, as there was no moon till three
hours before daybreak; and as it was very dark, it would probably take
place in the early part of the night. I had made up my mind what I
would do, which was not in any way to defend the cabin while chained,
but, when I was freed, I would fight to the last, so that I might be
killed where I stood, and not be taken alive and tortured.

I did not go out from home all that day, and, to my surprise, I was
not molested by my mistress. At dark she called the convicts, but they
did not answer; she came out to look for them, and asked me whether I
had seen them.

I told her that I had not seen them for two hours, and I had thought
that they were in the house.

"Did you tell them about the Indians?"

"Yes, I did," I replied, "and stated my opinion that they would attack
us this night, and I advised them not to go far from the cabin, or
they might be cut off."

"Then the cowardly sneaks have run off to the woods, and left us to
defend ourselves how we can."

"I shall not defend myself," replied I. "I shall stay here where I am.
I wait for death, and will not avoid it."

"Come into the house," said she, abruptly.

"No," replied I, "I will not."

"You will not," said she, and catching up the chain and ball in one
hand, with her other arm she caught me round the waist, and carried me
into the house.

"Well," replied I, "it is only deferring it a little longer; they will
force their way in it at last, and I will die here."

"Wait until they arrive," replied my mistress. "But do you mean to say
that you will not help to defend the house?"

"Certainly not, as long as I am chained as a slave," replied I.

My mistress made no reply, but busied herself with barring the door
and window. She then placed the table and stools so that she might
stand upon them and fire out of the upper loop-holes; pulled the moss
out of the loop-holes; took down the muskets--of which there were
six--from their rests, examined the priming of those which were
loaded, and loaded those which were not. She then got out a supply of
powder and ball, which she put ready on the table, brought the axes
out, that they might be at hand, examined the water-jars to ascertain
whether the