ance before me appeared a wood, bordering a stream: I
determined to try and gain it, and dismounting, to leave my poor horse
to his fate, when I would make my way along the bank, and then cross the
stream, if it was sufficiently shallow to allow me to ford it, so that
the Indians might possibly lose my trail. The intermediate ground,
however, was very rough. Twice already my horse had stumbled and nearly
come down on his knees. Not having a bit in his mouth, I had no power
to keep him up. In spite of the difficulties to be surmounted, I had
hopes that I was once more distancing my pursuers, when my poor steed
fell. I was thrown over his head but alighted on my feet. My first
impulse was to turn round and help him to rise. As I did so, I saw the
Indians coming on, several of them on horseback, but others on foot.
Although my horse was trembling in every limb, I leaped on his back, and
with indomitable spirit he sprang forward. It was but for a few
minutes; before I could reach the wood he came down again, and I, being
thrown with far more violence than before to the ground, was almost
stunned. I lay for some seconds unable to move. I could hear the
shouts of the Indians, as they thought that they had at length secured
their prey. Boxer barked furiously in return and ran to my horse to try
and make him get up, but the poor animal's strength was exhausted. I,
too, made an attempt to rise. It was with difficulty that I could get
on my feet. I saw at a glance that my horse could no longer avail me.
The Indians were advancing with their scalping-knives in their hands; in
another minute, unless I could escape, I should be in their power. Life
was sweet, notwithstanding the pain I suffered from the fall, and from
the wound I had just received. Mustering up my remaining strength, I
turned to fly. In vain, however, were all my efforts; the Indians came
on whooping and shrieking; at every bound they were gaining upon me.
Had I possessed a weapon, I would have fought for my life, but escape by
flight was impossible. Their scalping-knives flashed in the rising sun.
I raised my eyes to take one farewell look, as I supposed, of the blue
sky above me, and patted the head of my faithful dog, who affectionately
licked my hands, conscious of the fearful predicament in which we were
placed, and as if to say, "I am ready to stop and die with you, my
master." Had they chosen it, the Indians might have sent a dozen arrows
int