stable, and
outhouses, where I had about two hundred bushels of wheat, and cows,
sheep, and horses. My agony as I watched all this havoc it is impossible
to describe.

When the terrible business was over, one of the monsters came to me, a
tomahawk in his hand, threatening me with a cruel death if I would not
consent to go with them. I was forced to agree, promising to do all that
was in my power for them, and trusting to Providence to deliver me out
of their hands. On this they untied me, and gave me a great load to
carry on my back, under which I travelled all that night with them, full
of the most terrible fear lest my unhappy wife should likewise have
fallen into their clutches. At daybreak my master ordered me to lay down
my load, when, tying my hands round a tree with a small cord, they
forced the blood out of my finger ends. They then kindled a fire near
the tree to which I was bound, which redoubled my agony, for I thought
they were going to sacrifice me there.

[Illustration: 'ANOTHER PARTY OF INDIANS ARRIVED, BRINGING TWENTY SCALPS
AND THREE PRISONERS']

When the fire was made, they danced round me after their manner, with
all kinds of antics, whooping and crying out in the most horrible
fashion. Then they took the burning coals and sticks, flaming with fire
at the ends; and held them near my face, head, hands and feet, with
fiendish delight, at the same time threatening to burn me entirely if I
called out or made the least noise. So, tortured as I was, I could make
no sign of distress but shedding silent tears, which, when they saw,
they took fresh coals, and held them near my eyes, telling me my face
was wet, and they would dry it for me. I have often wondered how I
endured these tortures; but at last they were satisfied, and sat down
round the fire and roasted the meat which they had brought from my
dwelling!

When they had prepared it they offered some to me, and though it may be
imagined that I had not much heart to eat, I was forced to seem pleased,
lest if I refused it they should again begin to torture me. What I could
not eat I contrived to get between the bark and the tree--my foes having
unbound my hands till they supposed I had eaten all they gave me. But
then they bound me as before, and so I continued all day. When the sun
was set they put out the fire, and covered the ashes with leaves, as is
their custom, that the white people may find no signs of their having
been there.

Travelling then