tender mother kept me awake, while the tears constantly flowed from my
eyes. A number of times in the night the little boy begged of me earnestly
to run away with him and get clear of the Indians; but remembering the
advice I had so lately received, and knowing the dangers to which we
should be exposed, in travelling without a path and without a guide,
through a wilderness unknown to us, I told him that I would not go, and
persuaded him to lie still till morning.

Early the next morning the Indians and Frenchmen that we had left the
night before, came to us; but our friends were left behind. It is
impossible for any one to form a correct idea of what my feelings were at
the sight of those savages, whom I supposed had murdered my parents and
brothers, sister, and friends, and left them in the swamp to be devoured
by wild beasts! But what could I do? A poor little defenceless girl;
without the power or means of escaping; without a home to go to, even if I
could be liberated; without a knowledge of the direction or distance to my
former place of residence; and without a living friend to whom to fly for
protection, I felt a kind of horror, anxiety, and dread, that, to me,
seemed insupportable. I durst not cry--I durst not complain; and to
inquire of them the fate of my friends (even if I could have mustered
resolution) was beyond my ability, as I could not speak their language,
nor they understand mine. My only relief was in silent stifled sobs.

My suspicions as to the fate of my parents proved too true; for soon after
I left them they were killed and scalped, together with Robert, Matthew,
Betsey, and the woman and her two children, and mangled in the most
shocking manner.

Having given the little boy and myself some bread and meat for breakfast,
they led us on as fast as we could travel, and one of them went behind and