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Soon after this, my companion in captivity, John Stewart, was killed by the
savages, and the man that came with my brother returned home by himself. We were
then in a dangerous, helpless situation, exposed daily to perils and death
amongst savages and wild beasts, not a white man in the country but ourselves.
Thus situated, many hundred miles from our families in the howling wilderness, I
believe few would have equally enjoyed the happiness we experienced. I often
observed to my brother, You see now how little nature requires to be satisfied.
Felicity, the companion of content, is rather found in our own breasts than in
the enjoyment of external things; And I firmly believe it requires but a little
philosophy to make a man happy in whatsoever state he is. This consists in a
full resignation to the will of Providence; and a resigned soul finds pleasure
in a path strewed with briars and thorns.
We continued not in a state of indolence, but hunted every day, and prepared a
little cottage to defend us from the Winter storms. We remained there
undisturbed during the Winter; and on the first day of May, 1770, my brother
returned home to the settlement by himself, for a new recruit of horses and
ammunition, leaving me by myself, without bread, salt or sugar, without company
of my fellow creatures, or even a horse or dog. I confess I never before was
under greater necessity of exercising philosophy and fortitude. A few days I
passed uncomfortably. The idea of a beloved wife and family, and their anxiety
upon the account of my absence and exposed situation, made sensible impressions
on my heart. A thousand dreadful apprehensions presented themselves to my view,
and had undoubtedly disposed me to melancholy, if further indulged.
Adventure 5
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