harmon's journal. 



263 



camp ; but they proceeded at first no farther than 

 to gesticulate in a threatening manner. This I 

 permitted them, for a short time, to do, when I 

 ordered my men to load their guns; though I was 

 determined that they should not fire, unless it be- 

 came a matter of necessity. I then told the Na- 

 tives that we were prepared to defend ourselves, 

 and, if they intended to fire upon us, to begin ; or 

 otherwise, to walk off, and lay aside their arms, 

 which if they would not do, we should fire upon 

 them. They concluded to retire, and shortly af- 

 ter came back without their arms, and began to 

 trade, as if nothing had happened. 



Monday, February 10. This evening the moth- 

 er of my children, was delivered of a daughter, 

 whom I name Sally Harmon. 



Wednesday, 19. I am this day thirty nine 

 years of age. When I reflect on the events of 

 my past life, and recollect, especially, in how 

 many instances a merciful God has snatched me 

 from the very jaws of death, when it would un- 

 doubtedly have delivered me over to everlasting 

 destruction, I am grieved and ashamed, in view 

 of the ingratitude with which I have requited 

 such infinite kindness. My past life now appears 

 to me to have been a continual course of sins, 

 committed against a merciful Creator, Benefac- 

 tor and Redeemer. I have even denied the Lord 



