Page:Surprising savage girl (1).pdf/10

10 terrible of all were uttered by her on the approach of any unknown person, with an intention to take hold of her, at which she discovered a horror that appeared altogether extraordinary. Of this she once gave a strong instance: A man, who had heard of her abhorrence of being touched, resolved nevertheless to embrace her, in spite of the danger that he ran, in going too near her. She had in her hand at the time, a piece of raw beef, which she was devouring with great satisfaction. The instant she saw the man near her, in the attitude of taking hold of her arm, she gave him such a violent stroke on the face, both with her hand and the piece of flesh she held in it, that he was so stunned and blinded, as to be scarcely able to keep his feet: the savage, at the same time, believing the strangers around to be so many enemies, who intended to murder her, or dreading, perhaps, punishment for what she had done, sprung out of their hands towards a window, through which she had a view of trees and a river, intending to jump from it, and so make her escape; which she would certainly have done, if they had not again caught hold of her.