Page:The Annual Register 1758.djvu/316

 He was taken out and dragged back to the main body, where he was instantly ripped of all his clothes, except a flannel waistcoat without sleeves; a rope was then put round his neck, his arms were pinioned behind him, a band was fastened round his body, and a heavy load placed on his back; in this condition one of the savages struck him a severe blow on his head, and then drove him through the woods before them.

He was soon after joined by 18 unhappy wretches, who had likewise been made prisoners by this party, which consisted of about 100 men: they did not pursue their route towards Capt. Williams's fort, because Eastburn, being asked by them concerning its strength, gave them such an answer as discouraged them from attempting it. They determined, however, to destroy another fort called Bull's fort, situated at the head of Wood's creek, which they soon effected, and, except five persons, put every soul they found in it to the sword.

After this exploit they retired to the woods and joined their main body, which consisted of 400 French and 300 Indians, commanded by one of the principal gentlemen of Quebec; as soon as they got together they threw themselves on their knees, and returned thanks to God for their victory; an example, says Eastburn, well worthy of imitation.

They continued their march thro' the woods about four miles, and then it being dark, and several of the Indians being drunk, they encamped.

The Indians, according to their custom, soon made a fire, and strewed round it some branches of green hemlock to sit upon; they then went up to Eastburn, and untied his arms, after which they tied the two ends of a string that was fastened to the band which went round his middle to two trees; two of them then sat down on the green boughs, one on each side of him, with the string that was fastened to his band under them, to prevent his escape, and having covered him with an old blanket they went to sleep.

They encamped, and rested much in the same manner the night following; and the next morning, Sunday the 28th, they rose very early and retreated hastily towards Canada, for fear of General Johnson, who, as they were informed, was on his march against them.

Eastburn having on this occasion been sent for by the commanding officer, and asked many questions, the officer at length discovered that he was a smith, a circumstance which probably induced his enemies to spare his life, in hopes that he might be useful to them, and he was advised to settle in Canada and send for his wife, with promises of great advantages; which however he refused. In his march he suffered incredible fatigue and hardship, travelling almost naked through deep snow, and being frequently obliged to wade through rivers, the water of which wanted but little of being as cold as ice. Under these severities he fell sick, and had the mortification to see one of his friends, who was in the same circumstances, killed and scalped by the Indians, because he was no longer able to keep pace with them: to him, however, they were more merciful, for perceiving that he could not swallow their coarse 