MY ADVENTURES WITH THE INDIANS, WITH WHAT HAPPENED TO THE PORTUGUESE
CAPTAIN, MY COMPANION.
Having eaten some venison, and drunk out of the calabash, the captain
painted me black, with here and there a line of red and white on the
face and shoulders. I performed the same duty towards him, and we then
resumed our paddles, and pushed in a slanting direction for the shore.
The tide now ran down against us, and we could hardly stem it, and
finding ourselves opposite a beach clear of trees for a quarter of a
mile, we agreed to run on shore to look for a large stone. We soon
found one which answered our purpose, and, paddling off again to three
or four hundred yards, we made the stone fast to the bow-rope of our
boat, and anchored the canoe with it. Having succeeded in this, we got
out the fishing-lines, and, with a piece of raw meat as a bait, we soon
had several fish in the canoe; after which we put on no more baits, but
pretended to fish till the tide slacked, when we lifted our anchor and
recommenced our paddling to the northward.
At night we landed on a rock, close to the beach, having well
reconnoitred before it was dark, to see if there were any canoes or
Indians to be seen on the shore; and thus we continued for five days,
during which we passed the mouths of one or two rivers, and had gained,
as we supposed, more that 150 miles along the coast, but how much to the
northward we could not tell, as we followed the windings of the shore.
We were twice obliged to land to obtain water, but we always did so in
the daytime, having taken the precaution to black the whole of our
bodies and take off our trousers before we landed. Our deer's flesh was
all gone, and we continued to live on fish, cooking as much as we could
at one time. The collecting fire-wood was the great risk which we ran;
for we were then obliged to land where there was wood. It was on the
sixth day that we were first in danger. As we rounded a point, we fell
in with another canoe with six or seven people in it. They were not
more than 800 yards off when we first saw them. The Indians stood up in
the canoe, looked at us very earnestly, and then, perceiving that we
were not of their tribe, I presume, pulled towards us. We immediately
turned and pulled away. They had been fishing, and two of them were
pulling up the lines, while the others paddled, which gave us a little
advantage; but they had three paddles and we had only two. They shouted
and paddled with all their might, but they gained little, as they were
seven in the canoe, five men and two women, and deep in consequence. As
they gained slowly upon us, notwithstanding all our exertions, the
Portuguese said to me, "They have no weapons in the boat, I should
think; if they had, they would use them, for we are within bow-shot.
Can you use a bow and arrow?"
"I could once," replied I, "use it very fairly;" for when I was captive
with Whyna, she would often practise the bow and arrow with me, and I
became somewhat expert before I left her.
"Well, then," said he, "let me paddle on, and do you put an arrow in the
bow and threaten them, at all events."
I did so, and stood up, taking aim as if about to shoot, at which they
ceased paddling, and after talking a little they turned the head of
their canoe round, and made for the shore. We proceeded, as may be
imagined, with all diligence. I laid down my bow and arrows and resumed
my paddle, and in an hour we could no longer see our late pursuers. We
continued our voyage, and for three days met with no further adventures,
when about noon, on the fourth day, the sky became overcast, and there
was every prospect of rough weather. Before night the wind and sea
rose, and it was no longer possible for us to keep along the coast,
which already was covered with breakers.
We had therefore no remedy but to make for the shore and haul up the
canoe, for we could not perceive any inlet which might shelter us. It
was quite dark when we dashed the canoe through the breakers and landed.
We hauled her up some distance, as there was every appearance of worse
weather, and sheltered ourselves under the lee of a high rock. The wind
now blew fiercely, and rain descended in torrents. We tried to light a
fire to warm ourselves, but could not succeed, so we lay down on one
bear-skin, and covered ourselves with the others, waiting impatiently
for daylight. When the day dawned the weather was worse than ever. We
now looked out for a better place of concealment for ourselves and our
canoe, and found one at about fifty yards' distance: between two high
rocks there was a narrow cleft or passage, which was large enough for us
and for the canoe, and this hid us both from the storm and from the sea.
Into this cleft we hauled our canoe and withdrew ourselves, making a
meal off some fish we roasted on the embers. We remained there for two
days, when the weather moderated, but the sea was still too rough for us
to launch the canoe; so we decided upon remaining one day more, although
our provisions were all gone and our calabashes quite empty. On the
third day, to our great surprise and alarm, we heard the report of a
musket not far from us. From this we knew that we could not be very far
from the English settlements, for it was only the Indians near to the
settlements who had obtained muskets. But whether it was an Indian or a
white man who fired we could not, of course, tell. I recollected that,
in the last advices we had had from James Town, our factors had stated
that there was a cruel war carried on between the Indians and the
settlers, and that the Indians had ravaged the plantations; but that was
two years ago, and how it might be now it was impossible to tell. A
second report of a musket still nearer induced me to creep along by the
side of the rock, and look out to see if any one was near. To my great
alarm, I perceived five Indians with muskets not a hundred yards off. I
drew back, as I hoped, unperceived, but the eye of an Indian was too
keen. They had discovered me; and whilst I was relating to the
Portuguese captain what I had seen, they were suddenly upon us. We had
no time to make resistance, even if we were inclined so to do; we
therefore sat still. They came up and looked at us. The wet had washed
off a great portion of the paint upon my back and shoulders. One of the
Indians touched me on the shoulder, and said, "Ugh!--white man paint
like Indian." They then examined the canoe and its contents, and,
having spoken a few words to each other, apparently relating to the
canoe, they put a thong of leather round each of our arms, and, making a
motion for us to follow them, they led us away.
"We've done our best, and could do no more," said the Portuguese; "I
feel that it's all over with me now, and I shall soon sleep in the bosom
of Jesus."
My heart was too full to make any reply. The Indians led on, and I
followed in silence.
We passed through the woods, which appeared to be interminable, till the
night closed in, and then the Indians halted, and while one remained as
guard over us the others collected wood for a fire. They had some
provisions, but offered none to us. After an hour they lay down to
sleep round the fire, placing me and the Portuguese captain next to the
fire, and lying outside of us. They were soon fast asleep, or appeared
to be, when I said to the captain, "Have you your knife? For if they
remain asleep, let us wait an hour or so, and if you can cut the leather
thong which the Indian holds in his hand, and then watch your
opportunity, I will do the same, and we may escape."
"I have my knife, but my Indian is not asleep," replied he; "I will wait
till he is."
"What signal shall we make if we succeed?" said I.
"When you are ready, lift your arm up,--I shall understand,--and if I am
ready I will do the same. Agreed; and now let us be quiet, for depend
upon it our conversation has roused them all."
We then composed ourselves, as if to sleep, and remained in that way for
more than an hour, by which time we were convinced that our captors were
slumbering. I then drew out my knife, for the Indians had not attempted
to rifle us, and cut the thong which was round my arm, without awaking
the Indian who had the other end in his hand. I remained quiet for a
quarter of an hour, when the Portuguese lifted up his arm as a signal
that he was free. I listened attentively, and, being certain that the
Indians were asleep, I lifted up my arm also.
The Portuguese then rose up carefully, and without noise, stepping past
the bodies of the Indians, till he was clear of the circle. I did the
same, and pointed to the muskets, which lay on the grass by the Indians.
He took one up and I another and we retreated to a short distance.
"We must have the other muskets," said I; "stay where you are."
I advanced cautiously and took up the other three muskets, and was
retreating with them, when one of the Indians turned round as if
awaking. I ran past, the Portuguese, and making a sign for him to
follow me we retreated a few yards into the wood, where we could watch
the Indians without being seen ourselves. The Portuguese motioned to be
off but I detained him, and I was right. The Indian roused up and sat
upon his haunches; perceiving that we had escaped, he waked up the
others. They started on their feet, and looking round found that the
muskets were all gone; and then they held a consultation. At last they
appeared to have made up their minds to follow, and, if possible,
recapture us, for they went back in the direction of the sea.
"Now, then, we must hide three of the muskets," said I, in a whisper,
"and keep the others to defend ourselves."
We examined and found that they were all loaded, and the Portuguese then
said to me, "There are five of them. If they meet with us, and we
discharge two muskets and we do not kill, we shall be at their mercy.
If we do kill, still there will be three against two; we had better
carry all the muskets. Do you take two, and I will take three."
As I thought he was right, I consented, and we now went the same path
towards the sea which the Indians had done before us in pursuit of us.
We walked fast, as we knew the Indians would do the same, and they had
the start of us, so that we were not likely to come up with them. It
was severe work, but we did not slacken our pace, and before dawn the
sea was quite visible through the branches of the trees, for we had
arrived at the outskirts of the wood.
As soon as we had gained the beach, which was 500 yards wide, we looked
round to see if we could perceive the Indians, but we could observe
nobody.
"Let us, while it is yet dark, go round so as to get on the opposite
side of the rocks where we were concealed," said the Portuguese. "If
they are there, we shall take them by surprise."
Keeping just within the wood, we walked half a mile to the southward,
and then emerged just as the day was breaking, and made for the rocks.
As soon as we arrived, we examined very cautiously before we entered the
cleft, but there was nobody there, and the canoe was safe.
"They are not here," said I; "where can they be?"
"They cannot be far off," said the Portuguese; "I suspect they are
hidden somewhere, and intend to surprise us while we are launching our
canoe, and when our muskets will be out of our hands."
"I agree with you; let us now wait at some little distance from the
rocks till broad daylight,--we shall then be secure from surprise."
We did so, and when the sun rose we looked well round, but could see
nobody. We entered the cleft, and were about to lay down the muskets,
and lay hold of the canoe, when I perceived a small piece of rock to
drop down. This caused me immediately to suspect the truth, and I cried
to the Portuguese to come back with me. He did so, and I told him that
I was certain that the Indians had climbed the rock, and were lying down
on the top of it, ready to pounce upon us.
"Depend upon it they must be there," said he, when I mentioned the
falling piece of rock; "let us walk round and see if we can discover
them."
We did so, but they were too well concealed.
"But what must be done now?" said he. "It is useless our attempting to
clamber to the top of the rock, for no one could do it with a musket in
his hand."
"No," replied I, "that is certain; and if we attempt to bring the canoe
out of the cleft, they may drop down upon us."
"I think," said he, "that if we were to go in and take the tow-rope in
our hands, which is several yards long, we might haul out the canoe by
it, and when once it is clear of the cleft they cannot move without our
seeing them."
"We will try, at all events," replied I. "Do you stay on the watch
while I get hold of the tow-rope and bring it out."
The Indians did not expect this manoeuvre, it was clear. Still keeping
the muskets in our possession, the butts on the sand, and the muzzles
resting on our shoulders, we laid hold of the tow-rope, and by great
exertion hauled the canoe several yards away from between the two rocks.
We then paused for breath after a minute or two, with our eyes fixed
upon the top of the rock to see if they moved, and then we hauled it at
least a hundred yards further on, when for the first time I perceived
that the bow and arrows were not in the canoe, and that they must have
been taken by the Indians.
"Then we must haul again," said the Portuguese, when I stated this to
him, "till we are out of bow-shot. Let us put the muskets into the
canoe, and drag it as fast as we can."
We did so, and gained another hundred yards before we stopped, when an
arrow was discharged from the summit of the rock, and buried itself in
the sand close to my feet.
"Haul again," said the Portuguese, "we are not out of shot yet."
Again we exerted ourselves, and gained another hundred yards, during
which two more arrows were discharged, and one of them went through the
left arm of my comrade; but as it was through the fleshy part, and did
not touch the bone, it did not disable him. A third arrow was sent
after us, but did not reach us, and we knew that we were out of
distance.
"Cut the shaft of the arrow, and draw it through the arm," said the
Portuguese.
"Not now," said I; "they will perceive me doing so, and will think that
you are disabled. That may induce them to rush upon us, thinking they
have only one man to deal with."
"Well, it's no great matter," replied he; "we must now drag our canoe
down to the water and launch her, if they will let us. We have
outwitted them so far."
We now turned the head of the canoe towards the sea, and slowly dragged
her down; our eyes, as may be supposed, constantly kept upon the rock,
to see if the Indians would move, but they did not. They perhaps felt
that they had no chance with us, having all the fire-arms and an open
beach in our favour. We launched our canoe without further interruption
on their part, and in a few minutes, taking care to be out of arrow
distance, we passed the rock with our head to the northward. When about
two miles off, we perceived the Indians to descend from the rock and
walk away into the woods.
"Let us praise God for this miraculous escape," said I to the
Portuguese.
"I do; and the holy patron saint who has preserved me," replied the
Portuguese captain; "but I am still heavy at heart. I feel that we have
escaped only to come into more strange and fresh calamity. I shall
never get back to Lisbon,--that I feel convinced of."
I tried all I could to encourage him, but it was of no avail, he told me
that the presentiment was too strong, and could not be overcome by any
argument. Indeed, he appeared to have allowed the idea so to have taken
possession of his mind, that his reason became enervated; and, having
heard how the Indians burnt their prisoners, he talked about martyrdom
at the stake, and rising up to heaven in great glory, there to be
received by the whole body of saints and legions of angels.
"What is the use of our thus labouring at the paddle?" said he; "why not
at once let us go ashore and receive the crown of martyrdom? I am
ready; for I long for the hour, and shall rejoice."
I said all I could to keep him quiet, but it was useless; and such was
his insanity, that he gradually neared the shore by steering against me
with his paddle, so that I could not prevent it. I had drawn the shaft
of the arrow through his arm, and he appeared to feel no pain. I
expostulated with him at his keeping the canoe so near the shore, but he
smiled and gave no reply.
We had the stream against us and made but little way, and it vexed me
very much to hear him talk so loud as he did, as the Indians must have
heard him, and I thought would follow us along the coast; but he
ransacked the whole book of martyrs, telling me how one had his body
sawn in two, another was pinched to death; this one burnt, that
tortured; every variety of death he entered upon during the whole of
that day without ceasing.
I ascribed much of this to the pain arising from the wounded arm,
notwithstanding which he paddled with as much vigour as ever. As the
night came on I entreated him to hold his tongue, but it was in vain,
and I felt assured that his reason was quite gone. He continued to talk
loud and rave without intermission, and I now considered our fate as
sealed. We had no water in the boat or provisions of any kind, and I
proposed that we should heave-to and catch some fish, telling him that
if he talked we should scare them away.
This made him quiet for a time, but as soon as we had hooked four or
five fish, he again commenced his history of the glorious martyrs. I
prayed him to be silent, for a short time at least, and he was so for
about four or five minutes, when he would break out into some
ejaculation, which I immediately stopped. At last he could talk no more
for want of water; his lips were glued together, and so were mine.
Nevertheless, I continued paddling for two hours more, when I found by
the canoe grounding that he had steered her on the beach. There was no
help for it. We landed and went in search of water, which we found
about half of a mile from where our canoe was beached.
We drank heartily, filled the calabash, and were returning to the canoe,
when he again commenced talking as loud as ever. I was in great anger,
but I put my hand before his mouth, beseeching him in a whisper to be
quiet. As we were doing this, we were suddenly sprung upon and seized
by several Indians, and in a minute were bound hands and feet.
"I knew it," cried the Portuguese; "I knew it would be so. Well, I am
prepared; are not you, my good friend?"
I made no reply. I felt that in his madness he had sacrificed his own
life and mine also; but it was the will of Heaven. The Indians left two
to guard us, and went down to the canoe, returning with their muskets.
I soon perceived that they were the same whom we had escaped from the
night before, and the one who had spoken a little English when we were
first captured, now came to me and said, "White man paint like Indian,
steal gun--ugh."
When the Indians had returned from the canoe, our feet were unbound, and
we were again led away by the leather thong which was fast to our arms.
The Portuguese now began to find his tongue again, and talked
incessantly, the Indians not checking him; from which it was evident
that they were on their own domains. After four hours' walking they
kindled a fire, and went to repose as before: but this time they took
our knives from us, and bound our legs so tight that they gave us much
pain. I did not expostulate as I knew it was useless. My companion, as
the thong entered into his flesh, seemed pleased, saying, "Now my
martyrdom is commencing."
Alas! Poor man--but I will not anticipate. We travelled three days,
during which we were supplied with a small portion of parched Indian
corn every day, just sufficient for our sustenance, and no more. On the
fourth morning the Indians, after an hour's travelling, set up some
shrill and barbarous cries which I afterwards discovered was their
war-whoop. These cries were replied to by others at a distance, and in
about a quarter of an hour afterwards we found ourselves close to a
number of wigwams, as they are termed, (the Indian houses,) and soon
surrounded by a large party of men, women, and children, who greeted us
with taunts and menaces.
We were led into a larger wigwam than the others, where we found several
Indians of grave aspect assembled, and a man who could speak English was
ordered in as interpreter, he asked us where we came from in the canoe.
I replied, that we came from the south, but we had been wrecked in a big
ship, and had taken the canoe, which we found on the beach. They asked
no more questions. We were led out, and in about an hour afterwards the
Indians who had spoken English to us when we were captured, came up with
two others and painted us black, saying, "The white men like paint.
Black paint good."
I did not know till afterwards that this painting black was a sign that
we were condemned to death, but so it was. They took off our trousers,
the only garment we had on, and left us naked. To my surprise, they did
not take the diamond which was sewed up in leather from off my neck;
but, as I learnt subsequently, the Indians are much given to conjurors
and charms, wearing many round their own necks and about their persons,
and they respect the charms that their enemies wear, indeed are afraid
of them, lest they should be harmed by having them in their possession.
We remained in a wigwam during that day, with guards over us. The
following day we were led out and cast loose, and we found all the
Indians, women and children, ranged in two lines, each holding in their
hands a club or stick, or rod of some description or another.
We were led to the end of the row, and looked about us in amazement.
They made signs to us which we did not understand, and while we were
remaining in doubt as to what was to be our fate, an old woman, who had
been menacing and grinning at me for some time, and who was the most
hideous animal that I ever beheld in the shape of a woman, thrust a
straw into my eye, giving me most excruciating agony. I was so carried
away by rage and pain, that I saluted her with a kick in the stomach,
which laid her doubled up on the ground, expecting to be scalped for so
doing the next moment. On the contrary, the Indians laughed, while some
of the other women dragged her away.
At last the interpreter came, and from him we learnt that we had to run
the gauntlet, and that, as soon as we gained the large lodge where we
had been examined by the old Indians on the day previous, we were safe,
and that we must run for that as fast as we could. The Portuguese, who
was still as mad as ever, was then pushed on; he would not run, but
walked glorying in the blows, which showered down upon him like hail;
and, moreover, he prevented me from running for some time, till I got
past him. I had been cruelly punished, and was mad with pain, when I
perceived a tall, gaunt Indian waiting for me with a heavy club.
Careless of life or consequences, I rushed past him, and as I passed I
threw out my fist with such impetus, that, hitting him under the right
ear, he fell senseless, and it appears that he never rose again, for the
blow killed him; after which I at last gained the council-house, and was
soon afterwards followed by my companion, who was streaming with blood.
We were then led away, and tied by our necks to two stakes about twenty
yards apart, and there we remained for the night.
The Portuguese passed the night in singing; I passed it in silence and
prayer. I felt convinced that we were to die, and I feared that it
would be by fire or torture, for I had heard something of the manners
and customs of these Indians. I made my peace with God as well as a
poor sinner could, prayed for mercy through Jesus Christ, sighed my
adieu to Amy, and made up my mind to die.
Early the next morning the Indians brought fire-wood, and placed it in
bundles round the stakes, at a distance of about fourteen yards from the
centre. They then went to the Portuguese, tied his hands behind him,
and exchanged the rope by which he had been fastened for a much stronger
one, one end of which they fastened to his wrists behind him, and the
other to the stake. As they left me as I was before, it was plain that
the Portuguese was to suffer first. They then set fire to the piles of
wood which were round the stake, which were too far from him to burn
him, and I could not imagine what they intended to do, but you may
conceive that I was in a state of awful suspense and anxiety, as I was
well convinced that his fate, whatever it might be, would be my own.
During these appalling preparations, the Portuguese appeared as if he
really enjoyed the scene.
"Now, my good friend," said he to me, "you shall see how I can suffer
for the true faith. Even a heretic like you shall be converted by my
example, and I shall ascend to heaven with you in my arms. Come on, ye
fiends; come on, ye heathens, and see how a Christian can suffer."
Much as I felt for him and for myself, I could not lament that his
reason had left him, as I thought his sufferings would be less; but his
exclamations were soon drowned by a loud yell from the Indians, who all
rushed upon my unfortunate companion.
For a moment or two they were crowded so thick round him that I could
not perceive what they were doing, but after that they separated, and I
beheld him bleeding profusely, his ears and nose having been cut off and
a broken iron ramrod passed through both cheeks. And now a scene took
place, at the remembrance of which, even now, my blood curdles. Some
caught up the burning sticks and applied them to his flesh, others stuck
him full of small splints, the ends of which they lighted. The Indian
warriors shot at him with muskets loaded with powder only, so as to burn
him terribly on every part of the body. The women took up handfuls of
lighted ashes and showered them down on him, so that the ground he trod
upon was a mass of burning embers, and he walked upon fire.
Red-hot irons were now brought forward, and his body seared in all
parts, his tormentors seeking out where they could give him the most
pain. At last one applied the hot iron to his eyes, and burnt them out.
Imagine my feelings at this horrid scene--imagine the knowledge that
this was to be also my fate in a short time, but what is more strange to
tell, imagine, Madam, my companion not only deriding his torturers, but
not flinching from the torture; on the contrary, praising God for his
goodness in thus allowing him to be a martyr for the true faith,
offering his body to their inflictions, and shouting manfully; but such
was the behaviour of my insane friend, and this behaviour appeared to
give great satisfaction to the Indians.
For nearly two hours did this torture continue, his body was black and
bloody all over, and the smell of the burning flesh was horrible; but by
this time it appeared as if he was much exhausted, and, indeed, appeared
to be almost insensible to pain. He walked round the stake as before
upon the burning coals, but appeared not to know when further torture
was applied to him or not. He now sang hymns in Portuguese in a low
voice, for he was much exhausted. Soon afterwards he staggered and fell
down with his face upon the burning embers; but even the flesh of his
face grilling, as it were, appeared to have no effect upon him. An
Indian then went up to him, and with his knife cut a circle round his
head, and tore off the whole scalp, flesh and hair together, and when he
had done this the old woman whom I had saluted with a kick before I ran
the gauntlet, and who had his ears hanging on her neck to a string,
lifted up a handful of burning coals, and put them upon his bleeding
head.
This seemed to rouse him. He lifted up his head, but his features were
no longer to be distinguished, as his face was burnt to a black coal,
and he said, "Take me, ye holy saints,--Angels, receive me," and, to my
great astonishment, he again rose on his legs, and tottered round and
round for a few minutes. At last he sank down, with his back against
the stake, and one of the Indians cleaved his brain with his tomahawk;
and thus ended the life and the misery of my unfortunate companion--and
it was now my turn.
"Well," thought I, "it is but two hours of suffering, and then I shall
be beyond their malice. May God have mercy upon my soul."
The same preparations were now made for me. I was fastened with the
stout rope, and my arms tied behind me, the wood was fired, and one of
the chiefs was haranguing the Indians. He finished, the low yell was
given, when the old woman whom I had before mentioned, ran up to me,
and, saying something which I could not understand, put her hand upon
me.
When she did this the other Indians, who were about to rush on me, drew
back with signs of disappointment on many of their wild countenances.
The chiefs then went into the council-house, leaving me tied where I
was, and the wood burning around me, the mass of Indians standing about
as if waiting the decision of the chiefs. After a time three Indians,
one of whom was the interpreter, came up to me, and, kicking aside the
burning poles, cast me loose.
I asked the interpreter what he was about to do. He replied, "You kill
Indian here, (pointing to his own ear,) you kill him dead. Squaw lose
husband--want another--take you--stead of him."
They led me to the council-house before the chiefs. The old woman whom
I had kicked was there. It was her husband that I had killed by the
blow behind the ear, and she had claimed me in his stead, and, according
to the custom of the country, her claim was allowed, and I was made over
to her, and received into the tribe. Strange custom for a woman to
marry the murderer of her husband, but still such it was, and thus did I
find myself freed from the stake when I least expected it. The
principal chief made me a speech, which was interpreted, in which he
told me that I was now the husband of Manou, and was one of their own
tribe; that I must be strong in war, and must hunt and procure venison
for my family.
They then washed off the black paint, and after a few more speeches and
ceremonies I was handed over to the hideous old hag, whose neck was
still decorated with the two ears of my companion. To say that I would
have preferred the torture would be saying too much, but that I loathed
the creature to excess was certain. However, I said nothing, but
allowed her to take me by the hand and lead me to her wigwam. As soon
as we were in she brought me some venison, which I ate greedily, for I
had had nothing for thirty-six hours. She then offered me the leggings,
as they call them, which the Indians wear, and the other portions of the
Indian dress, which probably belonged to her late husband. I put them
on, as I was glad to cover my nakedness, and, worn out with walking and
exertion, I first thanked God for my miraculous preservation, and then
lay down and fell into a deep sleep.
It was not until the next day that I awoke, and I then perceived the old
woman rubbing oil upon the deep cuts made in my wrists and shoulders by
the leather thongs. She again set meat before me, and I ate heartily,
but I looked upon her with abhorrence, and when she attempted to fondle
me I turned away and spit with disgust, at which she retired, grumbling.
I now had leisure to reflect. I passed over with a shudder the scenes
that had passed, and again returned thanks to God for my deliverance. I
called to mind how often I had been preserved and delivered. From my
bondage in Africa, from my imprisonment in the Tower, from my hopeless
slavery in the mines, from our wreck on the island, and now, after
passing through such dangers, from an almost certain cruel death by
torture! Truly did I feel how grateful I ought to be for that
Providence which had often preserved me, and that my only reliance in
future must be in its gracious protection.
But here I was, married to a woman I detested, and living with
barbarians; and I said to myself, "That kind Heaven which has already
done so much for me will, in its own good time, also release me from
this thraldom. In the mean while let me not murmur, but be thankful."
My squaw, as they call their wives among the Indians, now came up to me
and offered to paint me, and I thought it advisable that she should, as
I felt that the sooner I conformed myself to their customs the more
chance I had of making my escape, which I was resolved to do the first
opportunity.
As soon as she had completed my toilet I walked out of the wigwam, that
I might look about me and be seen. The Indians, who were sauntering
about, met me with a friendly "Ugh," which appeared a favourite
monosyllable with them. At last I met with the interpreter, and began
to converse with him. I asked what nation I was now belonging to, and
he said the Massowomicks. I asked how large their country was, and he
told me much which I could not understand, except that it appeared to me
a very powerful nation.
I was very careful of mentioning the English, or anything about their
settlement, although I was anxious to know where it was; but I asked him
whether they were at war with any other nation. He said, "No, they had
been at war with other tribes, but that they had all made peace that
they might join against the white man, who had taken their land."
"I am an Indian now," said I.
"Yes, and you will forget the white man," said he. "You have now red
blood in your veins. You marry Indian wife, you all the same as one
Indian."