A Narrative of the Captivity, Sufferings, and Removes of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson/16 The sixteenth Remove
The ʃixteenth Remove.
WE began this remove by wading over Baquaug River. The water was up to our knees, and the stream very swift, and so cold, that I thought it would have cut me in sunder. I was so weak and feeble, that I reeled as I went along, and thought there I must end my days at last, after my bearing and getting through so many difficulties. The Indians stood laughing to see me staggering along, but in my distress, the Lord gave me experience of the truth and goodness of that promise, Iʃa. 43. 2. When thou paʃʃeʃt through the waters I will be with thee, and through the rivers, they ʃhall not overƒlow thee. Then I sat down to put on my stockings and shoes, with the tears running down my eyes, and many sorrowful thoughts in my heart. But I got up to go along with them. Quickly there came up to us an Indian who informed them that I must go to Wachuset to my master, for there was a letter come from the council to the Saggamores about redeeming the captives, and that there would be another in 14 days, and that I must be there ready. My heart was so heavy before, that I could scarce speak, or go in the path; and yet now so light that I could run. My strength seemed to come again, and to recruit my feeble knees, and aching heart; yet it pleased them to go but one mile that night, and there we stayed two days. In that time came a company of Indians to us, near thirty, all on horse-back. My heart skipt within me, thinking they had been Englishmen, at the first sight of them; for they were dressed in English apparel, with hats, white neckcloths, and sashes about their waists, and ribbons upon their shoulders: But when they came near, there was a vast difference between the lovely faces of Christians, and the foul looks of those heathen, which much damped my spirits again.