him that if he wished to save my life, as
well as his own, he must go. I ultimately made him consent to accompany
the Indians. Before starting, they took every means to increase my
comforts. They filled the water-casks, collected a quantity of herbs,
and a supply of firewood, and shot as much game as I could consume while
it was fresh. The Delaware lay down to sleep that night in our tent. I
was convinced from his manner and mode of speaking that he was honest.
I never saw a man sleep more soundly--not a limb stirred the whole night
through; he looked more like a dead person, or a lay figure, than a
being with life. Suddenly, as the morning light broke through the tent,
he sprang up, and, shaking himself, in a moment was all energy and
activity. "Ugh! I have not slept so soundly for many a night, and may
not sleep so soundly for many a night more!" he exclaimed, in his
peculiar dialect. We lighted our fire, boiled our kettle, and then all
three sat down to a hearty breakfast. It was the last I should probably
take in company for many a weary day; still I resolved not to be
down-hearted, and especially to preserve a serene and contented
countenance.

The Delaware replenished his powder-flask, and taking a small supply of
provisions, he and Obed bade me farewell. I could only wring the
latter's hand; I don't think we exchanged a word at parting. I watched
them as their figures grew less and less, and finally disappeared in the
distance, and then indeed I felt very lonely. Perhaps there was not a
human being within a hundred miles of me except the two who had just
gone away; or should there be, he was very likely to prove an enemy.
The idea of being thus alone in a wilderness was grand, but it was
somewhat appalling and trying to the nerves. How long would Obed be
absent? I thought to myself. Three weeks or a month at shortest.
Could I manage to preserve existence for that length of time? I was
still weak and ill, and could scarcely crawl about, so I spent the
greater portion of my time on my couch. I placed my firearms close at
hand around me, so that I might seize them in a moment. My fire-place
was a hole in the middle of the tent, almost within reach of my
skin-covered couch; there were no linen sheets to catch fire; my tub of
water was near it, and my stock of provisions hung overhead. The sky I
saw when I looked out had for some days been giving indications of a
snow-storm. It came at last, and w