the weight
rested in lying, yet to turn ourselves for relief was a matter of toil
and difficulty. However, during this period, and indeed all along after
the acute pains of hunger, which lasted but three or four days, had
subsided, we generally enjoyed the comfort of a few hours' sleep. The
dreams which for the most part, but not always accompanied it, were
usually (though not invariably,) of a pleasant character, being very
often about the enjoyments of feasting. In the day-time we fell into the
practice of conversing on common and light subjects, although we
sometimes discussed with seriousness and earnestness topics connected
with religion. We generally avoided speaking directly of our present
sufferings, or even of the prospect of relief. I observed, that in
proportion as our strength decayed, our minds exhibited symptoms of
weakness, evinced by a kind of unreasonable pettishness with each other.
Each of us thought the other weaker in intellect than himself, and more
in need of advice and assistance. So trifling a circumstance as a change
of place, recommended by one as being warmer and more comfortable, and
refused by the other from a dread of motion, frequently called forth
fretful expressions which were no sooner uttered than atoned for, to be
repeated perhaps in the course of a few minutes. The same thing often
occurred when we endeavoured to assist each other in carrying wood to
the fire; none of us were willing to receive assistance, although the
task was disproportioned to our strength. On one of these occasions,
Hepburn was so convinced of this waywardness that he exclaimed, "Dear
me, if we are spared to return to England, I wonder if we shall recover
our understandings."

_November 7_.--Adam had passed a restless night, being disquieted by
gloomy apprehensions of approaching death, which we tried in vain to
dispel. He was so low in the morning as to be scarcely able to speak. I
remained in bed by his side to cheer him as much as possible. The Doctor
and Hepburn went to cut wood. They had hardly begun their labour, when
they were amazed at hearing the report of a musket. They could scarcely
believe that there was really any one near, until they heard a shout,
and immediately espied three Indians close to the house. Adam and I
heard the latter noise, and I was fearful that a part of the house had
fallen upon one of my companions, a disaster which had in fact been
thought not unlikely. My alarm was only momen