EPISODES 229 



on me, and raised towards the trio in the corner. I felt 

 that he perceived danger in my situation. The Indian 

 exchanged a last glance with me. 



The lads had eaten and drunk themselves into such a 

 condition that I already looked upon them as hors de com- 

 bat ; and the frequent visits of the whiskey bottle to the 

 ugly mouth of their dam, I hoped would soon reduce her 

 to a like state. Judge of my astonishment, reader, when 

 I saw this incarnate fiend take a large carving-knife, and 

 go to the grindstone to whet its edge ; I saw her pour the 

 water on the turning machine, and watched her working 

 away with the dangerous instrument, until the cold sweat 

 covered every part of my body, in despite of my determi- 

 nation to defend myself to the last. Her task finished, 

 she walked to her reeling sons, and said: "There, that'll 



soon settle him ! Boys, kill yon , and then for 



the watch." 



I turned, cocked my gun-locks silently, touched my 

 faithful companion, and lay ready to start up and shoot 

 the first who might attempt my life. The moment was 

 fast approaching, and that night might have been my last 

 in this world, had not Providence made preparations for 

 my rescue. All was ready. The infernal hag was advanc- 

 ing slowly; probably contemplating the best way of de- 

 spatching me, whilst her sons should be engaged with the 

 Indian. I was several times on the eve of rising and 

 shooting her on the spot; but she was not to be pun- 

 ished thus. The door was suddenly opened, and there 

 entered two stout travellers, each with a long rifle on his 

 shoulder. I bounced up on my feet, and making them 

 most heartily welcome, told them how well it was for me 

 that they should have arrived at that moment. The tale 

 was told in a minute. The drunken sons were secured, 

 and the woman, in spite of her defence and vociferations, 

 shared the same fate. The Indian fairly danced with 

 joy, and gave us to understand that, as he could not sleep 



