IN DAYS OF POVERTY 89 



" The woods were still. I was about sinking into sleep 

 when suddenly I felt a hand as of a giant laid upon my 

 shoulder. I rose up, and was overpowered by an unseen 

 foe, my hands were tied, and I was pushed forward toward 

 an Indian encampment. 



" There was much palaver. There were fierce-looking 

 squaws in the encampment, and my appearance created 

 great excitement. 



" I was their captive, and I could see that they intended 

 to deal with me after their savagery. The women were 

 drinking from a flask which the men had captured. 



" Suddenly a shot was heard in the woods. I know not 

 from whom it came. The Indians understood, and rushed 

 off in the direction of it, leaving the squaws to guard me 

 until their return. 



" I saw now my chance for escape, but my hands first 

 must be free. 



" When the women were a little off their guard, I sud- 

 denly thrust my wrists toward the fire, so as to burn off 

 the withes. 



" I then suddenly appeared before the astonished and 

 terrified squaws free. I resolved to mark the place, and 

 before I dashed away I cut three notches in an ash-tree." 



The sequel to this story was strange indeed, and became 

 a folk-lore tale of the woods through which the smoke of 

 new cabins was constantly curling. 



The three notches on the ash-tree were grown over by 



