The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1928-12-28

killed Dy the INDIANS, and what Death
| should die, my pain was suddenly
gone. and | was much encouraged
again. We had about eleven Horses
in that Company, which the Indians
made to carry Burthens, and to carry
Women. 1t was afternoon when we
now crossed that River.
We Travelled up that River till night,
and then took up our Lodging in dis
NAL place and were staked down and
spread out on our backs; and so we
lay all night, yea so we lay many
nights. They told me their Law was
that we should lie so nine nights, and
by that time it was thought we should
be out of our knowledge. The manner
of stalking down was thus: our Arms
and Legs stretched out were staked
down fast, and Cord about our
necks. so that We could stir no wages.
The first night of stalking down, be-
ing much tired, slept as comfortably
as ever; the next day we went up the
River and crossed it, and at night lay
in Squakheag Meadows; our Provision
was soon spent; and while we lay in
those Meadows the Indians went an
Hunting and the English Army came
out after us; then the Indians moved
again, dividing themselves and the
Captives into many Companies, that
the English might not follow their
tract. At night having crossed the
River, We met again at the place ap-
pointed. The next day we crost the
River again on Squakheag side, and
there we took up our quarters for a
long time, l suppose this might be
about thirty miles above Squakheag,
and here were the Indians quite out
of all fear of the English; but in
great fear of the Mohawks; here they
built long Wigwam. Here they had
a great Dance (as they call IT'D and
concluded TO burn three of us, and
had got Bark to do it with, and as
| understood afterwards, | was one
that was to be burnt. Sergeant Plimp-
ton another, and Benjamin Wait his
Wife the third; though | knew not
which was to be burnt, yet perceived
some were designed thereunto, so
much l understood of their Language
That night | could not sleep for fear
of next dayeS work, but the Indians
being weary with that Dance, lay
down to sleep, and slept soundly.
An Escape Causes CONSERVATION.
The next day when we were to be
burnt, our Master and some others
vented III this place. And hereabOuts
we lay three together. Here | had
Shirt brought to me to make, and one
Indian said it should be made this
way, a second another way, a third
his way. | told them | would make
| it that way that my chief Master
said: WhereupOn one Indian struck
me on the face with his Fist. | sud-
| denly rose up in anger ready to strike
again, upon this hapned a great Hub
! bub, and the Indians and English
| came about me-; | was fain to humble
myself to my Master so that matter
| was put up. Before ] came to this
place my three Masters were gone a
hunting was left with another
Indian, all the Company being upon
| a March, was left with this Indian,
/ who fell sick, so that | was fain to
carry his Gun and Hatchet, and had
opportunity, and had thought to have
| dispatched him and run away; but
| did not, for that the English Captives
had promised the contrary to one an
other, because if one should run away
| that would provoke the Indians and
| indanger the rest that could not run
! away.
Whilest we were here. Benjamin
| Stebbins going with some Indians to
| Wachuset Hills, made his escape from
| them, and when the news of his es-
| cape came we were all presently
| called in and Bound; one of the In
| dams a Captain among them, and al
ways our great Friend, met me COM
| ing i'm and told me Stebbins was run
away; and the Indians spake of burn
| ing US; some of only burning and bit
| ing off our Fingers by and by.
He said there would be Court, and
all would speak their minds. but he
would speak last and would say that
| the Indian that let Stebbins run away
| was only in fault and so no hurt
| should be done us. fear not; so II
proved accordingly. WHILST we lin
! gered hereabouts. Provision grew