d my hut, they set forth on what I guessed
from their preparations to be a long journey.

"I will not describe that journey. At night we slept within any thick
wood or cypress swamp we could find, and travelled on the greater part
of the day. My captors exhibited a wonderful power of endurance. I
walked, of course, with lagging steps, for I felt sure that could I not
find means to escape, I should be put to death at the end of it. At
last we fell in with the main body of the tribe. No sooner was I shown
to them, than several of them declared that I was the very man who had
killed their companions, and my heart sunk within me; I knew that they
would to a certainty put me to death if they could. The chief forthwith
held a consultation with all ceremony, and speedily decided my fate. I
was led into a large wigwam to pass the night, and guarded by my
captors. I watched all night for an opportunity to escape, but my arms
and legs were secured by leathern thongs which cut almost into my flesh,
and I had no power to release myself. My heart, as well, it might, sunk
lower and lower.

"Day came; I made up my mind that it was to be my last on earth. I
thought of Noggin, and I knew that if he could he would rescue me, but
at the same time I was aware that the cunning red-skins would not let
him know that I had been captured. The day wore on; the tribe collected
from far and near; the fires were lighted; the squaws and children
assembled; indeed, the same scene was enacted which I had seen gone
through with Noggin. The fire was actually scorching my feet, and the
smoke was ascending into my nostrils, when the sky grew dark and a
terrific snow-storm commenced. Down it came like a sheet upon the earth
and speedily put out the fires. The red-skins rushed into their
wigwams. I was dragged back into the one where I had passed the night,
and was told that my death was postponed till the next day. I resolved
to make use of the time of grace; still my prospect of escape was slight
indeed. A stout thong of buffalo-hide was fastened round my neck, and
secured to one of the beams which ran across the top of the wigwam;
thongs fastened my wrists and ankles, and cut deeply into my flesh; and
my guards, squatted closely around, seemed inclined never to take their
eyes off me. Every now and then they addressed me and told me for my
comfort that I should eat fire in the morning; I wished that they would
go to sleep, and, at all