n give way,
would still afford me support, and there were many on either side. The
bough bent with my weight, and as I reached the further end I every
moment expected that it would break. I felt it giving way, cracking
horribly. It broke! I endeavoured to seize another bough--in vain. With
a crash, down I came, but it was to find myself on the opposite bank,
and by making a few springs I reached the upper ground.

On looking back to ascertain if the Indians had found out the way by
which I had crossed, I could see no one, but I caught sight in the
distance of a bright glare, which I was too certain was caused by our
burning house, every part of which by this time must have been in
flames. I did not stop, however, to contemplate the sad scene, but
pushed on as fast as I was able. I could not trust to the Indians not
pursuing me, for I know, when intent on an object, that they will run
every danger rather than abandon it, and the death of their companion
would make them still more eager to kill me than might otherwise have
been the case. On, therefore, I sprang. I could still hear them,
although I believed they had not seen me cross by the tree, or perhaps
even had not discovered the tree itself, as it was concealed by an
intervening rock. I hoped that they would fancy I had taken the way
further up the canon, and would pursue in that direction. I might
therefore proceed at a less furious pace than I had hitherto been going.
Still, I resolved to leave nothing to chance, but to follow my course
until the Indians had given up the pursuit.

Stopping to listen a moment, I could hear their voices. Again I went on
as fast as before. Now I had a mountain to scale; now to make my way
along its steep side; now to descend into a valley; now to wade across a
stream which threatened to carry me off my legs; now to climb another
height: and so on I went, until I was conscious that my strength was
failing me. At length, completely exhausted, I sank down beneath an
overhanging rock. It afforded me some shelter from the fiery rays of the
sun, which had now risen high in the sky.

I had drunk at a spring on my way, but I again felt painfully thirsty.
Could I obtain some water, I should be greatly relieved; but I was not
likely to find it without further exertion, and of that I was incapable.
I had brought a little food in my wallet, according to Uncle Jeff's
advice before we left the house, and this I believe was the means of
saving my