We were carried to their encampment, where
we were still left bound, with two sentinels stationed to guard us. In
this painful state we remained all day; when towards evening another
company of warriors arrived, and then vigorous preparations were made
for burning us. A stake was planted in the ground, and painted a variety
of fantastic colors; the brush was piled around it at a proper distance;
and every other necessary arrangement made; while we sat looking on,
subject to the continual epithets of an old squaw, whose most consoling
remarks were: "How will white man like to eat fire," and then she would
break into a screeching laugh, which sounded perfectly hideous. A cold
chill pervaded my frame as I gazed upon these ominous signs of death;
but how often is our misery but the prelude of joy. At the moment that
these horrid preparations were finished, a bright flash of lightning
shattered a tall hickory, near by; and then the earth was deluged with
rain. The Indians sought the shelter, but left us beneath the fury of
the storm, where we remained for several hours; but seeing that it
increased rather than diminished, they forced us into a small log hut
and leaving a man to guard us, bolted the door firmly and left us for
the night.
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