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Our own paternal ancestor； owing to religious scruples in the
matter of taking arms even for defence of life and property； refused
to leave his undefended house and enter the garrison。 The Indians
frequently came to his house； and the family more than once in the
night heard them whispering under the windows； and saw them put
their copper faces to the glass to take a view of the apartments。
Strange as it may seem； they never offered any injury or insult to
the inmates。
In 1695 the township was many times molested by Indians； and
several persons were killed and wounded。 Early in the fall a small
party made their appearance in the northerly part of the town；
where； finding two boys at work in an open field； they managed to
surprise and capture them； and； without committing further
violence； retreated through the woods to their homes on the shore
of Lake Winnipiseogee。 Isaac Bradley； aged fifteen； was a small
but active and vigorous boy； his companion in captivity； Joseph
Whittaker； was only eleven； yet quite as large in size； and heavier in
his movements。 After a hard and painful journey they arrived at the
lake； and were placed in an Indian family； consisting of a man and
squaw and two or three children。 Here they soon acquired a
sufficient knowledge of the Indian tongue to enable them to learn
from the conversation carried on in their presence that it was
designed to take them to Canada in the spring。 This discovery was
a painful one。 Canada； the land of Papist priests and bloody
Indians； was the especial terror of the New England settlers； and
the anathema maranatha（1） of Puritan pulpits。 Thither the Indians
usually hurried their captives； where they compelled them to work
in their villages or sold them to the French planters。 Escape from
thence through a deep wilderness； and across lakes； and mountains；
and almost impassable rivers； without food or guide； is regarded as
an impossibility。 The poor boys； terrified by the prospect of being
carried still farther from their home and friends； began to dream of
escaping from their masters before they started for Canada。 It was
now winter； it would have been little short of madness to have
chosen for flight that season of bitter cold and deep snows。 Owing
to exposure and want of proper food and clothing； Isaac； the eldest
of the boys； was seized with a violent fever； from which he slowly
recovered in the course of the winter。 His Indian mistress was as
kind to him as her circumstances permitted；procuring medicinal
herbs and roots for her patient； and tenderly watching over him in
the long winter nights。 Spring came at length； the snows melted；
and the ice was broken up on the lake。 The Indians began to make
preparations for journeying to Canada； and Isaac； who had during
his sickness devised a plan of escape； saw that the time of putting it
in execution had come。 On the evening before he was to make the
attempt he for the first time informed his younger companion of his
design； and told him； if he intended to accompany him； he must be
awake at the time appointed。 The boys lay down as usual in the
wigwam in the midst of the family。 Joseph soon fell asleep； but
Isaac； fully sensible of the danger and difficulty of the enterprise
before him； lay awake； watchful for his opportunity。 About
midnight he rose； cautiously stepping over the sleeping forms of the
family； and securing； as he went； his Indian master's flint； steel； and
tinder； and a small quantity of dry moose…meat and corn…bread。 He
then carefully awakened his companion； who； starting up； forgetful
of the cause of his disturbance； asked aloud； 〃What do you want？〃
The savages began to stir； and Isaac； trembling with fear of
detection； lay down again and pretended to be asleep。 After
waiting a while he again rose； satisfied； from the heavy breathing of
the Indians； that they were all sleeping； and fearing to awaken
Joseph a second time； lest he should again hazard all by his
thoughtlessness； he crept softly out of the wigwam。 He had
proceeded but a few rods when he heard footsteps behind him； and；
supposing himself pursued； he hurried into the woods； casting a
glance backward。 What was his joy to see his young companion
running after him！ They hastened on in a southerly direction as
nearly as they could determine； hoping to reach their distant home。
When daylight appeared they found a large hollow log； into which
they crept for concealment； wisely judging that they would be hotly
pursued by their Indian captors。
（1） *Anathema maranatha* occurs at the close of St。 Paul's first
epistle to the Corinthians； and in the English version is made to
appear as a composite phrase。 It has so passed into common use；
*maranatha* being taken as intensifying the curse contained in
*anathema*。 The words are properly to be divided； *maranatha*
signifying 〃The Lord cometh。〃
Their sagacity was by no means at fault。 The Indians； missing
their prisoners in the morning； started off in pursuit with their dogs。
As the young boys lay in the log they could hear the whistle of the
Indians and the barking of dogs upon their track。 It was a trying
moment； and even the stout heart of the elder boy sank within him
as the dogs came up to the log and set up a loud bark of discovery。
But his presence of mind saved him。 He spoke in a low tone to the
dogs； who； recognizing his familiar voice； wagged their tails with
delight； and ceased barking。 He then threw to them the morsel of
moose…meat he had taken from the wigwam。 While the dogs were
thus diverted； the Indians made their appearance。 The boys heard
the light； stealthy sound of their moccasins on the leaves。 They
passed close to the log； and the dogs； having devoured their moose…
meat； trotted after their masters。 Through a crevice in the log the
boys looked after them； and saw them disappear in the thick woods。
They remained in their covert until night； when they started again
on their long journey； taking a new route to avoid the Indians。 At
daybreak they again concealed themselves； but travelled the next
night and day without resting。 By this time they had consumed all
the bread which they had taken； and were fainting from hunger and
weariness。 Just at the close of the third day they were
providentially enabled to kill a pigeon and a small tortoise； a part of
which they ate raw； not daring to make a fire； which might attract
the watchful eyes of savages。 On the sixth day they struck upon an
old Indian path； and； following it until night； came suddenly upon a
camp of the enemy。 Deep in the heart of the forest； under the
shelter of a ridge of land heavily timbered； a great fire of logs and
brushwood was burning； and around it the Indians sat； eating their
moose…meat and smoking their pipes。
The poor fugitives； starving； weary； and chilled by the cold spring
blasts； gazed down upon the ample fire； and the savory meats which
the squ