My physical misery was now so great that it prevented me from dwelling on the scenes witnessed on the previous evening.

Nature was again merciful in this.

I only remembered that it was necessary to hide myself, in case the Indians should be still in the neighbourhood and pay the wood a visit.

Slowly and painfully I crept away into the forest, and there sat for several hours, scarcely thinking at all, in a half-stupefied condition.

At noon the sun shone out and dried the wood.