threw over my shoulder my buffalo-skin
coat, and stood prepared for flight. "Whither shall I fly? How can I
escape from my swift-heeled enemies with all this weight of things to
carry? Need I fly?" A dreadful thought came into my head. "They
intended to kill me. There they lie utterly helpless. A few
well-directed blows from one of their own tomahawks which they hurled at
my head, and not one of them can harm me more. I may dispose of them as
I disposed of their two brethren who tried to kill me. I have a right
to do so. Surely I have a right to destroy them." If I did not say, I
thought all these things. Whence did the suggestion come? "Oh, may I
be guided to do what is right," I mentally ejaculated. I gazed at the
helpless beings scattered around. "They are human. `Forgive us our
trespasses, as we forgive them who trespass against us.' What does that
mean?" I asked myself. "Oh, no, I dare not injure them. Never mind
what the rough backwoodsman would say to my conduct. I am sure it is
braver to refrain than to kill. Certainly, as a Christian, I cannot
kill them--I dare not. To His guidance and protection who formed the
world and all living creatures, I commit myself." With these words, not
daring to look behind me, I rushed from the tent.

I took a westerly course, for I thought that I should more likely fall
in with Obed in that direction, should he have reached a fort in safety,
and succeeded in obtaining help to come and rescue me. On I went as
fast as I could move, but my limbs were stiff, and the weight I carried
was considerable. I tried to turn my thoughts from the savages, but I
could not help calculating how long they might continue in their state
of stupor. There was still some brandy left in the cask; when they
recovered their senses, rather than pursue me they might be tempted to
drink again. It was a question which was the strongest passion, whether
the love of drink or the desire for revenge would prevail. On I went,
the snow was now tolerably hard, so I made pretty good progress, yet the
red-skins would go twice as fast when once they began to pursue me.

I went a mile before I stopped. Then, on reaching an elevation, whence
I could have a clear view over the white glittering plain, I looked back
at the spot where I had spent so many days and nights of pain and
suffering, and where also I owned that I had been most mercifully
preserved from so many dangers. The tent stood