rned to talk with them.

Having been successful in their raids, all except twelve of the Indians
started out to make another attack somewhere upon the English, expecting
to return with captives, which they would sell to the French. Upon their
return the whole party would go to Canada.

The woman who had seen her infant dashed upon the rock, and who had
endured such hardships, had a brave spirit, and preferred death to
captivity.

They who would be free, must themselves strike the blow. There was none
but God to lean upon. She determined to make the attempt to be free.

"Ask the Indians where they strike with the tomahawk when they want to
kill a person quick?" she said to Samuel.

"Strike 'em here," said the Indian, putting his finger on Samuel's
temple.

Mrs. Dustin saw where he placed his finger.

"This is the way to take off a scalp," said the Indian, showing the boy
how to run a knife around the head, and separate the scalp from the
skull.

The strong-hearted woman turns over her plans. They are on an island.
There are twelve Indians in all; some are women, some children. Their
canoes are drawn up beneath the alders. They are so far from any danger
of surprise that no one keeps watch at night. The thought never comes to
them that their captives--two feeble women and a boy--can escape.

Night comes. The fires burn low. All are asleep, lulled by the music of
the falling waters. No--all are not asleep. The woman of brave spirit
never before was so wide-awake. Hannah Dustin awakes Mary Neff and
Samuel Leonardson, informs them of her purpose, gives each a tomahawk.
Each selects a victim.

"Strike hard!"

A signal, and the hatchets crush through the skulls of the sleeping
Indians, blow after blow in quick succession. It is the work of a
minute, but in that brief time ten of the twelve Indians are killed; two
only escape in the darkness.

The prisoners--prisoners no longer--gather the provisions, take the guns
of the Indians, and place them in a canoe. The thoughtful women, to
prevent pursuit, quickly cut holes in all the other canoes and set them
adrift. They take their seats in the remaining canoe, and push out into
the stream.

A thought comes. If they are spared to reach their home, will their
friends believe their story? They will have evidence that can not be
disputed. They paddle back to the island. Mrs. Dustin runs a knife
around the scalp-locks of the dead Indians, and takes them from the
skulls.