Page:Life and astonishing adventures of Peter Williamson (1).pdf/10

10 house was attacted by them. I flew to my chamber window, and perceived them to be twelve in number. They making several attempts to get in, I asked them what they wanted. They gave me no answer, but continued beating, and trying to get the door opened. Judge, then, the condition I must be in, knowing the cruelty and merciless disposition of those savages, should fall into their hands. To escape which misfortune, having my gun loaded in my hand I threatened them with death if they should  desist. But how vain and fruitless are the efforts of one man against the united force of so many and of such merciless, undaunted, and blood thirsty monsters as I had here to deal with. One of them that could speak a little English, threatened me in return, that, if I did not come out they would burn me alive in the house—telling me farther, that they were no friends to the English; but if I would come out and surrender myself prisoner, they would not kill me. My terror and distraction at hearing this is not to expressed by words, nor easily imagined by any person, unless in the same condition. Little could I depend on the promises of such creatures and yet, if I did not, inevitable death, by being burnt alive, must mebe [sic] my lot. Distracted as was, in such deplorable circumstances, I chose to rely on the uncertainty of their fallacious