An essay for the recording of illustrious providences

The Powwow said that Benjamin Wait, and another Man, was coming, and that Storm was raised to cast them away: This afterward appeared to be true though then I believed them not. Upon this Island we lay still several days, and then set out again, but a Storm took us, so that we lay to and fro upon certain Islands about three Weeks: we had no provision but Raccoons, so that the Indians themselves thought they should be starved. They gave me nothing, so that I was sundry days without any Provision: We went on upon ⟨p. 50⟩the Lake upon that Isle about a days journey: we had a little Sled upon which we drew our Load; before Noon, I tired, and just then the Indians met with some Frenchmen; then one of the Indians that took me came to me, and called me all manner of bad Names; and threw me down upon my back: I told him I could not do any more, than he said he must kill me, I thought he was about it, for he pulled out his Knife, and cut out my Pockets, and wrapped them about my Face, helped me up, and took my Sled and went away, and gave me a bit of Biscake, as big as a Walnut, which he had of the French-man, and told me he would give me a Pipe of Tobacco; when my Sled was gone, I could run after him, but at last I could not run, but went a foot-pace, then the Indians were soon out of sight, I followed as well as I could; I had many Falls upon the Ice; at last I was so spent, I had not strength enough to rise again, but I crept to a Tree that lay along, and got upon it, and there I lay; it was now night, and very sharp Weather: I counted no other but that […] must die there; whilst I was thinking of Death, and Indian Hallowed, and I answered him; he came to me, and called me bad names, and told me if I could not go he ⟨p. 51⟩must knock me on the head; I told him he must then so do: he saw how I had Wallowed in that Snow, but could not rise: then he took his Coat, and wrapped me in it, and went back, and sent two Indians with a Sled, one said he must knock me on the Head, the other said No, they would carry me away and burn me; then they bid me stir my Instep to see if that were frozen. I did so, when they saw that, they said […] was Wurregen; there was a Chirurgeon at the French that could cure me; then they took me upon the Sled, and carried me to the fire, and they then made much of me; pulled off my wet, and wrapped me in dry Clothes, made me a good Bed.

The Powaw said that Benjamin Wait, and another Man, was coming, and that Storm was raised to cast them away: This afterward appeared to be true though then I believed them not. Upon this Island we lay still several dayes, and then set out again, but a Storm took us, so that we lay to and fro upon certain Islands about three Weeks: we had no provision but Raccoons, so that the Indians themselves thought they should be starved. They gave me nothing, so that I was sundry dayes without any Provision: We went on upon