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The Life of Peter Williamson.

imposed my weary mangled limbs to rest. In the morning, as soon as I awoke, I continued my journey towards the nearest cleared lands I had seen the day before, and about four o’clork in the afternoon arrived at the house of John Bell, an acquaintance, where, knocking at tiie door, his wife, who opened i‘, seeing me in such a frightful condition, flew from me like i’ghtning, screaming into the house. This alarmed the whole family, who immediately fled to their arms, and I was soon ageosted by the master with his gun in his hand. But on my assuring him of my innocence as to any wicked intentions, and making myself known (for he before took me to be an Indian), lie immediately caressed me, as did also his family, with a deal of friendship, at finding me alive ; they having all been informed of my being murdered by the savages some months before. No longer now able to support my fatigued and worn out spirits, I fainted and fell to the ground. From which state having recovered me, and perceiving the weak and famished condition I then was in, they soon gave me some refreshment, but let me partake of it very sparingly, fearing the ill effects too much at once would have on me. They for two or three nights very affectionately attended mo, until my spirits and limbs were pretty well recruited, and I thought myself able to ride, when I borrowed of these good people (whose

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kindness merits my most grateful return) a horse and some clothes, and set forward for my father-in-law's in Chester county, about a 140 miles from thence, where I arrived on the 4th day of January, 1755 ; but scarce one of tire family could credit their eyes, believing, with the people I had lately left, that I had fallen a prey to the Indians. Great was the joy and satisfac* tion wherewith I was received and embraced by the whole family : but, oh! what was my anguish and trouble, when on inquiring for my dear wife, I found she had been dead near two months ! This fatal news, as every humane reader must imagine, greatly lessened the joy and rapture I otherwise should have felt at my deliverance from the dreadful state and captivity I had been in. The news of my happy arrival at my father-in-law’s house, after so long and strange an absence, was soon spread round the neighbour plantations, by the country people, who continually visited me, being very desirous of hearing and eagerly inquiring an account of my treatment and manner of living among tire Indians; in all which I satisfied them. Soon after this my arrival, I was sent for by his excellency Mr. Morris, the governor, a worthy gentleman, who examined me very particularly as to all accidents relaiing to my captivity, and especially in regard to the Indians, who had first taken me a-