however, that he saw me alone at work in a corn-field, and thinking
probably that he could secure me easily, ran towards me in great haste. I
espied him at some distance, and well knowing the amount of his errand,
run from him with all the speed I was mistress of, and never once stopped
till I reached Gardow. [Footnote: I have given this orthography, because
it corresponds with the popular pronunciation.] He gave up the chase, and
returned: but I, fearing that he might be lying in wait for me, stayed
three days and three nights in an old cabin at Gardow, and then went back
trembling at every step for fear of being apprehended. I got home without
difficulty; and soon after, the chiefs in council having learned the cause
of my elopement, gave orders that I should not be taken to any military
post without my consent; and that as it was my choice to stay, I should
live amongst them quietly and undisturbed. But, notwithstanding the will
of the chiefs, it was but a few days before the old king of our tribe told
one of my Indian brothers that I should be redeemed, and he would take me
to Niagara himself. In reply to the old king, my brother said that I
should not be given up; but that, as it was my wish, I should stay with
the tribe as long as I was pleased to. Upon this a serious quarrel ensued
between them, in which my brother frankly told him that sooner than I
should be taken by force, he would kill me with his own hands!--Highly
enraged at the old king; my brother came to my sister's house, where I
resided, and informed her of all that had passed respecting me; and that,
if the old king should attempt to take me, as he firmly believed he would,
he would immediately take my life, and hazard the consequences. He
returned to the old king. As soon as I came in, my sister told me what she
had just heard, and what she expected without doubt would befal me. Full
of pity, and anxious for my preservation, she then directed me to take my
child and go into some high weeds at no great distance from the house, and
there hide myself and lay still till all was silent in the house, for my
brother, she said, would return at evening and let her know the final