126 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



taken up by those without. In this manner 

 an hour and a half elapsed ; but at length 

 our attention, which had begun to flag, was 

 roused by the violent shaking of the con- 

 juring-house. It was instantly whispered 

 round the circle, that at least one devil had 

 crept under the moose-skin. But it proved 

 to be only the " God-like man" trembling 

 with cold. He had entered the lists stript 

 to the skin, and the thermometer stood very 

 low that evening. His attempts were con- 

 tinued, however, with considerable resolu- 

 tion for half an hour longer, when he 

 reluctantly gave in. He had found no dif- 

 ficulty in slipping through the noose when 

 it was formed by his countrymen; but, in 

 the present instance, the knot was tied by 

 Governor Williams, who is an expert sailor. 

 After this unsuccessful exhibition his credit 

 sunk amazingly, and he took the earliest 

 opportunity of sneaking away from the fort. 



About two years ago a conjurer paid 

 more dearly for his temerity. In a quarrel 

 with an Indian he threw out some obscure 

 threats of vengeance which passed unnoticed 



