es, far worse than
the roaring of lions or the shrieking of hyaenas; and I knew that they
had missed me. The more my dread increased the faster I hurried, scarce
knowing where I trod, sometimes falling and bruising myself, cutting my
feet against the stones, yet, faint and maimed as I was, rushing on
through the woods. I fled till daybreak, then crept into a hollow tree,
where I lay concealed, thanking God for so far having favoured my
escape. I had nothing to eat but a little corn.

But my repose did not last long, for in a few hours I heard the voices
of the savages near the tree in which I was hid threatening me with what
they would do if they caught me, which I already guessed too well.
However, at last they left the spot where I heard them, and I stayed in
my shelter the rest of that day without any fresh alarms.

At night I ventured out again, trembling at every bush I passed, and
thinking each twig that touched me a savage. The next day I concealed
myself in the same manner, and at night travelled forward, keeping off
the main road, used by the Indians, as much as possible, which made my
journey far longer, and more painful than I can express.

But how shall I describe my terror when, on the fourth night, a party of
Indians lying round a small fire which I had not seen, hearing the
rustling I made among the leaves, started from the ground, seizing their
arms, and ran out into the wood? I did not know in my agony of fear
whether to stand still or rush on. I expected nothing but a terrible
death; but at that very moment a troop of swine made towards the place
where the savages were. They, seeing the hogs, guessed that their alarm
had been caused by them, and returned merrily to their fire and lay down
to sleep again. As soon as this happened I pursued my way more
cautiously and silently, but in a cold perspiration with terror at the
peril I had just escaped. Bruised, cut, and shaken, I still held on my
path till break of day, when I lay down under a huge log, and slept
undisturbed till noon. Then, getting up, I climbed a great hill, and,
scanning the country round, I saw, to my unspeakable joy, some
habitations of white people, about ten miles distant.

My pleasure was somewhat damped by not being able to get among them that
night. But they were too far off; therefore, when evening fell, I again
commended myself to Heaven, and lay down, utterly exhausted. In the
morning, as soon as I woke, I made towards the nea