Indian here, (pointing to his own ear,) you kill him dead. Squaw lose
husband--want another--take you--stead of him."

They led me to the council-house before the chiefs. The old woman whom
I had kicked was there. It was her husband that I had killed by the
blow behind the ear, and she had claimed me in his stead, and, according
to the custom of the country, her claim was allowed, and I was made over
to her, and received into the tribe. Strange custom for a woman to
marry the murderer of her husband, but still such it was, and thus did I
find myself freed from the stake when I least expected it. The
principal chief made me a speech, which was interpreted, in which he
told me that I was now the husband of Manou, and was one of their own
tribe; that I must be strong in war, and must hunt and procure venison
for my family.

They then washed off the black paint, and after a few more speeches and
ceremonies I was handed over to the hideous old hag, whose neck was
still decorated with the two ears of my companion. To say that I would
have preferred the torture would be saying too much, but that I loathed
the creature to excess was certain. However, I said nothing, but
allowed her to take me by the hand and lead me to her wigwam. As soon
as we were in she brought me some venison, which I ate greedily, for I
had had nothing for thirty-six hours. She then offered me the leggings,
as they call them, which the Indians wear, and the other portions of the
Indian dress, which probably belonged to her late husband. I put them
on, as I was glad to cover my nakedness, and, worn out with walking and
exertion, I first thanked God for my miraculous preservation, and then
lay down and fell into a deep sleep.

It was not until the next day that I awoke, and I then perceived the old
woman rubbing oil upon the deep cuts made in my wrists and shoulders by
the leather thongs. She again set meat before me, and I ate heartily,
but I looked upon her with abhorrence, and when she attempted to fondle
me I turned away and spit with disgust, at which she retired, grumbling.
I now had leisure to reflect. I passed over with a shudder the scenes
that had passed, and again returned thanks to God for my deliverance. I
called to mind how often I had been preserved and delivered. From my
bondage in Africa, from my imprisonment in the Tower, from my hopeless
slavery in the mines, from our wreck on the island, and now, after
passing through suc