morning, found the woman that he had brought to
live with him was missing. After searching the tent, and finding
nothing of her, concluded she had fled. He accordingly armed himself,
together with John Oliver and Thomas Lilliston, (with muskets,) and
set out for the nearest village, for the purpose of searching her out.
They arrived at the village before it was light, and secreted
themselves near an Indian hut, where they awaited the approach of day,
in hopes of seeing her. Accordingly at the approach of day-light, they
discovered the hut literally thronged with natives, and among the
number, they discovered the woman they were in search of. At this
moment one of them fired a blank cartridge over their heads, and then
presented themselves to their view, which frightened the natives in
such a manner that they left the hut and fled. Payne then pursued
after, firing over their heads till he caught the one he wanted, and
then left the village for his own tent.--On arriving at the tent, he
took her, gave her a severe flogging and then put her in irons, and
carried on in this kind of style until he was by them killed, and
called to render up his accounts to his offended Judge.

This severity on the part of Payne, irritated the natives, and was
undoubtedly the cause of their committing depredations and theft, and
finally murdering all our remaining crew, excepting myself and Hussey.

Early on the succeeding morning, it was discovered that the tool chest
had been broken open, and a hatchet, chisel, and some other articles,
purloined by the natives. Payne worked himself into a passion, and
said he would be revenged. During the day he informed a number of the
natives of what had been done, (who signified much regret at the
circumstance,) and vowing vengeance if the articles were not returned.
During this day the natives frequented the tent more than they had
ever done before; and at night one of them came running with _one
half_ of the chisel which had been stolen, it having been broken in
two.

Payne told them it was but half of what he required, and put the
Indian in irons, signifying to him, that in the morning he must go
with him to the village, and produce the rest of the articles, and
also point out the persons engaged in breaking open the chest. The
poor native seemed much chagrined at his confinement; yet his
companions who remained near the tent during the night, manifested no
dissatisfaction, which we could observe.