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Show \ FORTY YEARS AMONG THE INDIANS. 2O5 Finally, I became so overcome and weary with the excitement and effort to resist their demand, that I almost became indifferent to life. It really looked as though I might get shot. So I begged them to be still a minute and hear me ; then, if they wanted to, they could kill me. All became quiet. I told them that I had always been their friend and was now working for their good ; referred to the hard trips across the snow mount-ains to do them good, and that I would still like to live, as I had not finished the work I was doing for them. And it was as their friend that I had forbidden anyone selling them whisky, because it made them fools and bad men so much so that they were now abusing me, the best friend they had ; that I had agreed with God to be their friend and never shed any of their blood ; and that I would die before I would sign the papers, and if they killed me God would not be their friend. I was now so exhausted and sleepy that I could scarcely keep awake, although it was mid- day. So I told the Indians I was tired and would lie down and go to sleep, and if they were determined to kill me to wait till I was asleep, then put their guns close to my head, so I would not suffer much, telling them I asked this as their friend. I spread my blankets on the ground, laid down and I am sure it was not more than two minutes till I was sound asleep. My little son still sat silent. After sleeping quite a while I felt someone pulling at my foot. On looking up I discovered that most of the Indians were lying around me asleep. My son was also sound asleep. The Indian pulling at me asked me to get up and sell him something he wanted. I told him I was too sick to get up. He insisted, but I was determined to be sick. Soon others tried to ruose me, but I knew as long as I lay in bed I was all right. Finally all the |