on among the rocks, almost entirely concealed from the view of
my pursuers. Few of them, fortunately, had firearms, although an
occasional ill-aimed bullet whistled over my head, but I had very little
fear of being struck while among the rocks. My great object was to
reach the tree over the torrent before the Indians came up, because I
should be exposed to view when climbing along the trunk.

I dashed on, and mounting the rock still unobserved, reached the root of
the tree. It would be necessary to use great caution as I approached
the further end, as only the more delicate branches hung over the
stream, and should I venture on one incapable of bearing my weight I
should fall into the torrent, which there went roaring by at a fearful
rate. This very circumstance, however, should I succeed, would secure
my safety, as, even should the Indians discover by what means I had
crossed, they would not venture to follow; or if they did, would most
probably fall into the current and be swept away.

I did not stop to ascertain how far off my pursuers were, but, climbing
up on the trunk, I made my way along it--trusting to the uncertainty of
their aim, should any with muskets see me and fire. My great object was
now to discover a bough on which I could depend. I cast my eye along
one, as far as the light would allow, and selected it; then, like a wild
cat about to spring on its prey, I crawled quickly on. There were
several branches below me, which, should the one I was on give way,
would still afford me support, and there were many on either side. The
bough bent with my weight, and as I reached the further end I every
moment expected that it would break. I felt it giving way, cracking
horribly. It broke! I endeavoured to seize another bough--in vain.
With a crash, down I came, but it was to find myself on the opposite
bank, and by making a few springs I reached the upper ground.

On looking back to ascertain if the Indians had found out the way by
which I had crossed, I could see no one, but I caught sight in the
distance of a bright glare, which I was too certain was caused by our
burning house, every part of which by this time must have been in
flames. I did not stop, however, to contemplate the sad scene, but
pushed on as fast as I was able. I could not trust to the Indians not
pursuing me, for I knew, when intent on an object, that they will run
every danger rather than abandon it, and the death of their companio