about half a mile from the point of land that almost
intersected the lake, and in a few minutes we saw it covered
with Indians, who instantly retired.[B] The alarm was given; we
soon reached the point; about five Hundred yards on the other
side we saw the Indian houses, and the Indians, men, women, and
children, rushing from them, across the lake, hereabout a mile
broad. Hurrying on we quickly came to the houses; when within a
shirt distance from the last house, three men and a woman
carrying a child, issued forth. One of the men took the infant
from her, and their speed soon convinced us of the futility of
pursuit; the woman, however, did not run so fast. Mr. ----
loosened his provision bag from his back and let it fall, threw
away his gun and hatchet, and set off at a speed that soon
overtook the woman. One man and myself did the same, except our
guns. The rest, picking up our things, followed. On overtaking
the woman, she instantly fell on her kness, and tearing open
the cassock, (a dress composed of deerskin lined with fur,)
showing her breasts to prove that she was a woman, and begged
for mercy. In a few moments we were by Mr. ----'s side. Several
of the Indians, with the three who had quitted the house with
the woman, now advanced, while we retreated towards the shore.
At length we stopped and they did the same. After a pause,
three of them laid down their bows, with which they were armed,
and came within two hundred yards. We then presented our guns,
intimating that not more than one would be allowed to approach.
They retired and fetched their arms, when one, the ill-fated
husband of Mary March, our captive, advanced with a branch of
fir tree (spruce) in his hand. When about ten yards off he
stopped and made a long oration. He spoke at least ten minutes;
towards the last his gesture became very animated, and his eye