h 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."

I said, "War Indian beat his wife, suppose she talk too much?"

"Plenty talk, plenty beat," said he.

"Suppose my wife talk too much and I beat her, what Indian people say?"

"Say good. Suppose wife too old, you take two wife, one more young."

I was very much pleased with this conversation; not that I had the
slightest idea of profiting by his information by taking another wife,
but I felt such a disgust at my present one, and had already seen what a
fury she could be, that I was resolved, if necessary, to show her that I
was master, for I felt certain that if I did not, she would soon attempt
to ma