139 



sign of approaching rain. Just as the fire 

 of one pile began to blaze, the wind rose : 

 from the time they began to kindle the fire 

 and to tie me to the post, until the wind 

 began to blow, was about fifteen minutes. 

 The wind blew a hurricane, and the 

 rain followed in less than three minutes. 

 The rain fell violently ; and the fire, though 

 it began to blaze considerably, was instant- 

 ly extinguished. The rain lasted about a 

 quarter of an hour. 



" When it was over, the savages stood 

 amazed, and were a long time silent. At 

 last one said, * We will let him alone till 



* morning, and take a whole day's frolic in 



* burning him.' The sun at this time was 

 about three hours high. It was agreed 

 upon, and the rope about my neck was 

 untied ; and, making me sit down, they 

 began to dance around me. They conti- 

 nued dancing in this manner until eleven 

 o'clock at night : in the mean time, beating, 

 kicking, and wounding me with their toma- 

 hawks and clubs. 



