"You drove me out of the house last night, and I come to return good for evil. As I lay in the tobacco-shed, I saw six Indians in the wood, to the east of the cabin, reconnoitring, and I have no doubt but that you will be attacked this night, so I give you notice." "And you hope that, by this fear of their attack, you will be set free, is it not?" "It is perfectly indifferent to me whether I am or not. I have often asked you to put an end to my misery, and as you have not done it, I shall bless those Indians for the friendly act; a blow of a tomahawk will release me, if you will not." "Well, then, let them come with their tomahawks," replied she, "and I will protect you from them, for no one shall release you but myself." "As you please," replied I; "I have done my duty in telling you what I have seen, and you may take precautions or not; for myself I care nothing." So saying, I lifted up my ball of iron and went away out of the door. I remained out of doors the whole of the day, and therefore did not know whether my mistress took any precautions or not, but I told the two convicts what I had seen, and advised them not to go far from the cabin, as they would run great danger. They inquired of me where I had seen the Indians and I pointed out the spot in the wood, after which they went away. I was certain that the attack would be on this night, as there was no moon till three hours before daybreak; and as it was very dark it would probably take place in the early part of the night. I had made up my mind what I would do, which was not in any way to defend the cabin while chained, but, when I was freed, I would fight to the last, so that I might be killed where I stood, and not be taken alive and tortured. I did not go out from home all that day, and, to my surprise, I was not molested by my mistress. At dark she called the convicts, but they did not answer; she came out to look for them, and asked me whether I had seen them. I told her that I had not seen them for two hours, and I had thought that they were in the house. "Did you tell them about the Indians?" "Yes, I did," I replied, "and stated my opinion that they would attack us this night, and I advised them not to go far from the cabin, or they might be cut off." "Then the cowardly sneaks have run off to the woods, and left us to defend ourselves how we can." "I shall not defend myself," replied I. "I shall stay here where I am. I wait for death, and will not avoid it." "Come into the house," said she, abruptly. "No," replied I, "I will not." "You will not," said she, and, catching up the chain and ball in one hand, with her other arm she caught me round the waist, and carried me into the house. "Well," replied I, "it is only deferring it a little longer; they will force their way in it at last, and I will die here." "Wait until they arrive," replied my mistress. "But do you mean to say that you will not defend the house?"