1643 J HE~ ATTEMPTS TO ESCAPE. 233 



described as one of the principal persons of the 

 colony, it is clear that the civilization of Rensse- 

 laerswyck was not high. 



In the evening, Jogues, in such a manner as not 

 to excite the suspicion of the Indians, went out to 

 reconnoitre. There was a fence around the house, 

 and, as he was passing it, a large dog belonging to 

 the farmer flew at him, and bit him very severely 

 in the leg. The Dutchman, hearing the noise, 

 came out with a light, led Jogues back into the 

 building, and bandaged his wound. He seemed to 

 have some suspicion of the prisoner's design ; for, 

 fearful perhaps that his escape might exasperate 

 the Indians, he made fast the door in such a man- 

 ner that it could not readily be opened. Jogues 

 now^ lay down among the Indians, who, rolled in 

 their blankets, were stretched around him. He 

 was fevered with excitement ; and the agitation of 

 his mind, joined to the pain of his wound, kept 

 him awake all night. About dawn, while the 

 Indians were still asleep, a laborer in the employ 

 of the farmer came in with a lantern, and Jogues, 

 who spoke no Dutch, gave him to understand by 

 signs that he needed his help and guidance. The 

 man was disposed to aid him, silently led the way 

 out, quieted the dogs, and showed him the path to 

 the river. It was more than half a mile distant, 

 and the way was rough and broken. Jogues was 

 greatly exhausted, and his wounded limb gave him 

 such pain that he walked mth the utmost difficulty. 

 When he reached the shore, the day was breaking, 

 and he found, to his dismay, that the ebb of the 



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