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A

FAITHFUL NARRATIVE

OF

THE MANY DANGERS AND SUFFERINGS,

AS WELL AS

WONDERFUL DELIVERANCES

OF

ROBERT EASTBURN,

DURING HIS LATE CAPTIVITY AMONG THE INDIANS;

TOGETHER WITH SOME REMARKS UPON THE COUNTRY OF canada, AND THE RELIGION AND POLICY OF ITS INHABITANTS;

THE WHOLE INTERMIXED WITH DEVOUT

REFLECTIONS.

BY ROBERT EASTBURN.

Published at the earnest request of many friends, for the benefit of the Author.

WITH A RECOMMENDATORY PREFACE BY THE

REV. GILBERT TENNENT.

PSALM CXXIV. 6, 7.-Blessed be the Lord, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth: Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowler: the snare is broken, and we are escaped.

PSALM ciii. 2, 4.-Bless the Lord, O my soul; and forget not all his benefits: Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies.

PHILADELPHIA:

PRINTED BY WILLIAM DUNLAP.

PREFACE.

CANDID READER,

THE Author (and subject) of the ensuing Narrative (who is a deacon of our Church, and has been so for many years) is of such an established good character, that he needs no recommendation of others, where he is known: a proof of which, was the general joy of the inhabitants of this city, occasioned by his return from a miserable captivity; together with the readiness of divers persons, to contribute to the relief of himself and necessitous family, without any request of his, or the least motion of that tendency!-But, seeing the following sheets are like to spread into many places where he is not known, permit me to say, that upon long acquaintance, I have found him to be a person of candor, integrity, and sincere piety; whose testimony may with safety be depended upon, which gives his narrative the greater weight, and may induce to read it with the greater pleasure. The design of it is evidently pious. The matters contained in it, and manner of handling them, will, I hope, be esteemed by the impartial, to be entertaining and improving. heartily wish it may, by the divine benediction, be of great and durable service. I am thy sincere servant in the gospel of Jesus Christ. PHILADELPHIA, Jan, 19, 1758. GILBERT TENNENT,

KIND READERS,

ON my return from my captivity, I had no thoughts of publishing any observations of mine to the world in this manner; as I had no opportunity to keep a journal, and my memory being broken, and capacity small, I was disinclined to undertake it: but a number of my friends were pressing in their persuasions that I should do it; with whose motion I complied, from a sincere regard to God, my king, and country, so far as I know my own heart. The following pages contain, as far as I can remember, the most material passages that happened within the compass of my observation, while a prisoner in Canada. The facts therein related are certainly true; but` the way of representing some things especially, is not so regular, clear, and strong, as I could wish; but I trust it will be some apology, that I am not so much acquainted with performances of this kind as many others, who may be hereby excited to give better representations of things far beyond my knowledge. I remain your unfeigned well-wisher, and humble servant,

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 19, 1758.

ROBERT EASTBURN.

NARRATIVE, &c.

ABOUT thirty tradesmen and myself, arrived at Captain Williams' fort, (at the carrying place,) in our way to Oswego, the 26th of March, 1756, who informed me that he was like to be cumbered in the fort, and therefore advised us to take the Indian-house for our lodging. About ten o'clock next day, a negro man came running down the road, and reported that our slaymen were all taken by the enemy. Captain Williams, on hearing this, sent a serjeant and about twelve men to see if it was true. I being at the Indian-house, and not thinking myself safe there in case of an attack, and being also sincerely willing to serve my king and country in the best manner I could, in my present circumstances, asked him if he would take company? He replied, with all his heart. Hereupon I fell into the rear, with my arms, and marched after them. When we had advanced about a quarter of a mile, we heard a shot, followed with doleful cries of a dying man, which excited me to advance, in order to discover the enemy, who I soon perceived were prepared to receive us. In this difficult situation, seeing a large pine tree near, I repaired to it for shelter; and while the enemy were viewing our party, I having a good chance of killing two at a shot, quickly discharged at them, but could not certainly know what execution was done till some time after-our company likewise discharged, and retreated: seeing myself in danger of being surrounded, I was obliged to retreat a different course, and to my great surprise, fell into a deep mire, which the enemy, by following my track in a light snow, soon discovered, and obliged me to surrender, to prevent a cruel death-(they stood ready to drive their darts into my body, in case I refused to deliver up my arms.) Presently after I was taken I was surrounded by a great number, who stripped me of my clothing, hat, and neckcloth, so that I had nothing left but a flannel vest without sleeves,

put a rope on my neck, bound my arms fast behind me, put a long band round my body, and a large pack on my back, struck me on the head a severe blow, and drove me through the woods before them—it is not easy to conceive how distressing such a condition is-in the mean time I endeavored with all my little remaining strength, to lift up my eyes to God, from whom alone I could with reason expect relief.

Seventeen or eighteen prisoners were soon added to our number, one of which informed me that the Indians were angry with me, and reported to some of their chiefs that I had fired on them, wounded one, and killed another, for which he doubted they would kill me. Here

upon I considered that the hearts of all men are in the hand of God, and that one hair of our head cannot fall to the ground without his permission. I had not as yet learned what number the enemy's parties consisted of; there being only about one hundred Indians who had lain in ambush on the road, to kill or take into captivity all that passed between the two forts. Here an interpreter came to me to inquire what strength Captain Williams had to defend his fort? After a short pause I gave such a discouraging answer (yet consistent with truth) as prevented their attacking it, and of consequence the effusion of much blood-a gracious Providence, which I desire ever to retain a grateful sense of, for hereby it evidently appeared, that I was suffered to fall into the hands of the enemy, to promote the good of my countrymen to better purpose, than I could by continuing with them-verily, the Almighty is wise in council, and wonderful in working!

In the mean time, the enemy determined to destroy Bull's Fort, (at the head of Wood creek,) which they soon effected, all being put to the sword except five persons, the fort burnt, the provision and powder destroyed; (saving only a little for their own use ;) then they retired to the woods, and joined their main body, which, inclusive, consisted of four hundred French and three hundred Indians, commanded by one of the principal gentlemen of Quebec. As soon as they got together (having a priest with them) they fell on their knees and returned thanks

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for their victory; an example this, worthy of imitationan example, which may make profane pretended Protestants blush, (if they are not lost to all sense of shame,) who, instead of acknowledging a God, or Providence, in their military undertakings, are continually reproaching him with oaths and curses; is it any wonder that the attempts of such are blasted with disappointment and disgrace?

The enemy had several wounded men, both French and Indians, among them, which they carried on their backs; besides which, about fifteen of their number were killed, and of us about forty: it being by this time near dark, and some Indians drunk, they only marched about four miles and encamped; the Indians untied my arms, cut hemlock boughs, and strewed round the fire, tied my band to two trees, with my back on the green boughs, (by the fire,) covered me with an old blanket, and lay down across my band, on each side, to prevent my escape while they slept.

Sunday the 28th, rose early; the commander ordered a hasty retreat towards Canada, for fear of General Johnson; in the mean time, one of our men said, he understood the French and Indians designed to join a strong party, and fall on Oswego before our forces there could get any provision or succours, having, as they thought, put a stop to our relieving them for a time. When we encamped in the evening, the commanding officer ordered the Indians to bring me to his tent, and asked me, by an interpreter, if I thought General Johnson would follow them? I told him I judged not, but rather thought he would proceed to Oswego; (which was indeed my sentiment, grounded upon prior information, and then expressed to prevent the execution of their design;) he farther inquired, what was my trade? I told him that of a smith; he then persuaded me, when I got to Canada, to send for my wife, for (said he) you can get a rich living there;' but when he saw that he could not prevail, he asked no more questions, but commanded me to return to my Indian master: having this opportunity of conversation, I informed the General that his Indian warriors had stripped me of my clothing, and would be glad he would be

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