466 A JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



pleasant character, being very often about the enjoyments of 

 feasting. In the day-time we feE into the practice of conversing 

 on common and light subjects, although we sometimes discussed 

 with seriousness and earnestness topics connected with religion. 

 We generally avoided speaking directly of our present sufferings, 

 or even of the prospect of relief. I observed, that in proportion 

 as our strength decayed, our minds exhibited symptoms of weakness, 

 evinced by a kind of unreasonable pettishness with each other. 

 Each of us thought the other weaker in intellect than himself, and 

 more in need of advice and assistance. So trifling a circumstance as 

 a change of place, recommended by one as being warmer and more 

 comfortable, and refused by the other from a dread of motion 

 frequently called forth fretful expressions which were no sooner 

 uttered than atoned for, to be repeated perhaps in the course of a 



i - 



few minutes. The same thing often occurred when we endeavoured 

 to assist each other in carrying wood to the fire ; none of us were 

 willing to receive assistance, although the task was disproportioned 

 to our strength. On one of these occasions Hepburn was so con- 

 vinced of this waywardness that he exclaimed, " Dear me, if we are 

 spared to return to England, I wonder if we shall recover our 

 understandings.*' 



November 7. — Adam had passed a restless night, being disquieted 

 by gloomy apprehensions of approaching death, which we tried in 

 vain to dispel. He was so low in the morning as to be scarcely able 



to speak. I remained in bed by his side to cheer him as much 



possible. The Doctor and Hepburn went to cut wood. They had 

 hardly begun their labour, when they were amazed at hearing the report 

 of a musket. They could scarcely believe that there was really any one 



f - f 



near, until they heard a shout, and immediately espied three Indians 

 close to the house. Adam and I heard the latter noise, and I was 

 fearful that a part of the house had fallen upon one of my com- 

 panions, a disaster which had in fact been thought not unlikely. 



