394 NATURAL AND CIVIL 



* way throuf^h the savages, the only probahl® 



■ method of preserving our lives that now re- 



■ niained. This, however desperate, was re- 



■ solved on, and about twenty of us sprung at 



* once into the midst of them. 



* In a moment we were all separated, and 

 what Was the fate of my companions I could 

 not learn till some months after, when I found 

 that only six or seven of them effected their 

 desigQ. Intent only on my own hazardous 

 situation, I endeavored to make my way thro* 

 my savage enemies in the best manner possi- 

 ble. And I have often been astonished since, 

 when I have recollected with what composure 

 I took, as I did, every necessary step for my 

 preservation. Some I overturned^ being at that 

 time young and athletic, and others I passed 

 by, de^iterously avoiding their weapons ; tilt 

 at last two very stout chiefs, of the most sav- 

 age tribes, as I could distinguish by their 

 dress, whose strength I could not resist, laid 

 hold of me by each arm, and began to force 

 me through the crou'd. 



' I now resigned myself to my fate, not 

 doubting but that they intended to dispatch me, 

 and then satiate their vengeance witli my 

 blood, as I found they were hurrying me to- 

 wards a retired swamp that lay at some dis- 

 tance. But before we had got many yards, an 

 English genljerflan of some distinction, as I 

 could discover by his breeches, the only cov- 

 ering he had on, which were of iine scarlet 

 "^ velvet, 'rushed close by us. One of the In- 



* dians instantly relinquished his hold, and 

 '- springing on this new object, endeavored t« 



