I had once tried to poison a cat but failed, and I would not torture Tom.

I wanted Dr.Palmer to give me a dose for him, but he declined.

I tried in vain to get some one to shoot him.

Then I thought of striking the great beast on the head with a hatchet, while he had hold of some domestic animal.

The plan seemed feasible, but I kept my own council and my hatchet, and practiced with it until I could hit a mark, and thought I could bury the sharp blade in Tom's skull.
One day, all the men were in the meadow making hay, and I alone getting dinner.