ALEXANDER WILSON. 
lxix 
alone, he replied, that there were two servants behind, 
who would soon be up. He called for some spirits, and 
drank a very little. When the servants arrived, one of 
whom was a negro, he inquired for his powder, saying 
he was sure he had some powder in a canister. The 
servant gave no distinct reply, and Lewis, in the mean 
while, walked backwards and forwards before the door, 
talking to himself. Sometimes, she said, he seemed as if 
he were walking up to her, and would suddenly wheel 
round, and walk back as fast as he could. Supper being 
ready, he sat down, but had eaten only a few mouthfuls, 
when he started up, speaking to himself in a violent 
manner. At these times, she says, she observed his face 
to flush as if it had come on him in a fit. He lighted his 
pipe, and, drawing a chair to the door, sat down, saying to 
Mrs Grinder, in a kind tone of voice, 6 Madam, this is a 
very pleasant evening.’ He smoked for some time, but 
quitted his seat, and traversed the yard as before. He 
again sat down to his pipe, seemed again composed, and, 
casting his eyes wistfully towards the west, observed what 
a sweet evening it was. Mrs Grinder was preparing a 
bed for him ; but he said he would sleep on the floor, and 
desired the servants to bring the bear skins and buffalo 
robe, which were immediately spread out for him ; and, it 
being now dusk, the woman went off to the kitchen, and 
the two men to the barn, which stands about two hundred 
yards off. The kitchen is only a few paces from the room 
where Lewis was ; and the woman, being considerably 
alarmed by the behaviour of her guest, could not sleep, but 
listened to him walking backwards and forwards, she thinks, 
for several hours, and talking aloud, as she said, ‘ like a 
lawyer.’ She then heard the report of a pistol, and some- 
thing fall heavily on the floor, and the words, 4 O Lord ! * 
Immediately afterwards, she heard another pistol ; and, in 
a few minutes, she heard him at her door, calling out, 
‘ O Madam ! give me some water, and heal my wounds i ’ 
