robbed or killed, and put whip to my horse. Passing through
a small thicket of woods, I saw a pishamore (Ed. Note: an apishamore *)
lying near the trail, and lit down to get it, when I saw that there was an
Indian's peck (Ed. Note: Pack), that I concluded was laid there to decoy me.
I then sprang upon my horse, gave him the whip, and rode
till dark. This day traveled about forty miles, and came to
a willow thicket; tied my horse with a long rope, laid down,
and slept till next morning, nothing breaking the silence of
the night but a few bull-frogs. I arose and returned to the
road, and saw some fresh horse tracks that had been made
during the night, I supposed by the Indians, who had been
following me. The Caws (or Kauzas) told me that the Pawnees
were a bad nation, and that they had a battle with them;
that they had their women and children hid in a thicket,
whom they (the Pawnees) slaughtered in a barbarous manner.
I can hardly describe my feelings as I was traveling alone,
up the Caw (or Kauzas) River, Pursuing my journey that day,
I tried to give myself up to the Lord. I could scarcely
follow the wagon tracks, the ground was so hard in the
prairie. I had almost concluded, at last, to turn back, and
got down on my knees, and asked the Lord whether I should do
so or not. These words came to my mind: "The Lord shall be
with thee, and no hand shall harm thee." I then renewed my
resolution to go on in the name of the Lord, believing that
all would be well, and that I should, in the end, return
safely home, I went on cheerfully for some time; but was
occasionally perplexed with doubts. About an hour before
sunset, I got down off my horse, and prayed again. God
renewed the promise, and I got up and started on, renewed in
promise, and with renewed courage, thinking all would be
well; and instead of sleeping in the prairie, I got to an
encampment where there was fire, and plenty of wood, and
good water, and I praised God with all my heart. I roasted
my meat, sweetened some water, and, with my biscuits, made a
hearty supper; laid down by my fire, and slept well and
comfortably till morning. A little dog that the company had
left, kept around the camp, barking and howling.

Next morning, I arose quite happy in my soul, and said, "My God hath preserved me hitherto, and now God has answered my prayer." I then ate my breakfast and started, happy in my soul. I crossed the Vermillion Creek, and arose on the rolling prairie. I shouted some hours over these beautiful plains. No fear nor trouble came near me, for God had given me so glorious promises, that I could not doubt or fear for a moment. Not an Indian appeared that day. About 4 o'clock in the afternoon, I saw the company about four miles ahead, but soon lost sight of them again; and coming to the place where the company had stopped to eat dinner, I alighted, and let my horse feed awhile. At this place, as the company afterwards told me, about two hundred Indians had been seen only an hour before. They had sometimes hung on the rear of the company, and had made some how of attacking those who lingered behind the main body. Awhile before, they had
 
* apishamore: buffalo hide saddle blanket