504 COLONEL BOON. 



to theirs, a few miles distant, without uttering even a word of complaint. 

 You are aware, I dare say, that to act in this manner was the best policy, 

 as you understand that by so doing, I proved to the Indians at once, 

 that I was born and bred as fearless of death as any of themselves. 



" When we reached the camp, great rejoicings were exhibited. Two 

 squaws and a few papooses appeared particularly delighted at the sight 

 of me, and I was assured, by very unequivocal gestures and words, that, 

 on the morrow, the mortal enemy of the Red-skins would cease to live. 

 I never opened my lips, but was busy contriving some scheme which 

 might enable me to give the rascals the slip before dawn. The women 

 immediately fell a searching about my hunting-shirt for whatever they 

 might think valuable, and, fortunately for me, soon found my flask filled 

 with monongahela (that is, reader, strong whisky). A terrific grin was 

 exhibited on their murderous countenances, while my heart throbbed 

 with joy at the anticipation of their intoxication. The crew immediately 

 began to beat their bellies and sing, as they passed the bottle from mouth 

 to mouth. How often did I wish the flask ten times its size, and filled 

 with aqua-fortis ! I observed that the squaws drank more freely than 

 the warriors, and again my spirits were about to be depressed, when the 

 report of a gun was heard at a distance. The Indians all jumped on their 

 feet. The singing and drinking were both brought to a stand, and I saw, 

 with inexpressible joy, the men walk off to some distance and talk to the 

 squaws. I knew that they were consulting about me, and I foresaw that 

 in a few moments the warriors would go to discover the cause of the gun 

 having been fired so near their camp. I expected that the squaws would 

 be left to guard me. Well, Sir, it was just so. They returned ; the 

 men took up their guns, and walked away. The squaws sat down again, 

 and in less than five minutes had my bottle up to their dirty mouths, 

 gurgling down their throats the remains of the whisky. 



" With what pleasure did I see them becoming more and more drunk, 

 until the liquor took such hold of them that it was quite impossible for 

 these women to be of any service. They tumbled down, rolled about, 

 and began to snore : when I, having no other chance of freeing myself 

 from the cords that fastened me, rolled over and over towards the fire, 

 and, after a short time, burned them asunder. I rose on my feet, stretched 

 my stiffened sinews, snatched up my rifle, and, for once in my life, spared 

 that of Indians. I now recollect how desirous I once or twice felt to lay 

 open the skulls of the wretches with my tomahawk ; but when I again 



