Pritchard said, "For God sake let these poor women live, they can do
no harm to you: let them go home to their friends."
The leaders held a brief consultation.
An Indian stood up and pointing to the heavens said, "We promise by
God that we will not hurt these white women; we will let them live."
They then left the tent.
Every time I saw one of Big Bear's Indians coming in, I expected it
was to kill us, or take us away from the tent, which would have been
_far worse_ than death to _me_.
But they did not keep their word.
On the third night (Saturday, the 4th April,) after our captivity, two
Indians came in while all the men and Mrs. Delaney were asleep, I
heard them, and thought it was Pritchard fixing the harness, he
usually sat up to protect us.
A match was lighted and I saw two of the most hedious looking Indians
looking over and saying where is the _Monias_ squaw, meaning the
white women. I got so frightened I could not move, but Mrs. Delaney
put out her foot and awakened Mrs. Pritchard, and she wakened her
husband, and he started up and asked what they wanted, and they said
they wanted to take the white women to their tent, and I told
Pritchard they could kill me before I would go, and I prayed to God to
help me. Pritchard and Adolphus Nolin gave their blankets and dishes
and Mrs. Pritchard, took the best blanket off her bed to give to them
and they went off, and in the morning the Wood Crees came in and asked
if those Indians took much from us, and Pritchard told them "No"; the
Indians wanted to make them give them back.
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