An essay for the recording of illustrious providences

then the Indians moved again, dividing themselves and the Captives into many Companies, that the English might not follow their tract. At night having crossed the River, we met ⟨p. 44⟩again at the place appointed. The next day we crossed the River again on Squakheag side, and there we took up our quarters for a long time, I suppose this might be about thirty miles above Squakheag, and here were the Indians quite out of all fear of the English; but in great fear of the Mohawks; here they built a long Wigwam. Here they had a great Dance (as they call it) and concluded to burn three of us, and had got Bark to do it with, and as I understood afterwards, I was one that was to be burnt. Sergeant Plimpton an other, and Benjamin Wait his Wife the third: though I knew not which was to be burnt, yet I perceived some were designed thereunto, so much I understood of their Language: that night I could not sleep for fear of next days work, the Indians being weary with that Dance, lay down to sleep, and slept soundly. The English were all loose, then I went out and brought in Wood, and mended the fire, and made a noise on purpose, but none awaked, I thought if any of the English would wake, we might kill them all sleeping, I removed out of the way all the Guns and Hatchets: but my heart failing me, I put all things where they were again. The next day when we were to be burnt, our ⟨p. 45⟩Master and some others spake for us, and the Evil was prevented in this place: And hereabouts we lay three Weeks together. Here I had a Shirt brought to me, to make, and one Indian said it should be made this way, a second another way, a third his way. I told them I would make it that way that my chief Master said; Whereupon one Indian struck me on the face with his Fist. I suddenly rose up in anger ready to strike again, upon this happened a great Hubbub, and the Indians and English came about me; I was fain to humble my self to my Master, so that matter was put up. Before I came to this place, my three Masters were gone a hunting, I was left with an other Indian, all the Company being upon a March, I was left with this Indian, who fell sick, so that I was fain to carry his Gun and Hatchet, and had opportunity, and had thought to have dispatched him, and run away;

then the Indians moved again, dividing themselves and the Captives into many Companies, that the English might not follow their tract. At night having crossed the River, we met