He answered me that such a time his master roasted him, and that himself did eat a piece of him, as big as his two fingers, and that he was very good meat.

than this: that it would be no matter if my head were off too.

and through the good providence of God, I had a comfortable lodging that night.

rude fellow

best friend that I had of an Indian,

As soon as I had the opportunity, I took my Bible to read,

on a sudden my mistress gives out;

and made my burden seem light, and almost nothing at all.

because their insolency grew worse and worse.

I complained it was too heavy, whereupon she gave me a slap in the face, and bade me go;

she snatched it hastily out of my hand, and threw it out of doors.

asked my master whether he would sell me to my husband

even weave some comedy and sass in there.

American literature is ever-changing.

We do not claim to have a “perfect” or “complete” representation of American literature.

It provides insight into what has happened in the past, while also giving students the tools to think critically about what’s happening within the field of American literature in the present.

t moves beyond the voices of old white men talking about even older white men.

This anthology is unique because it was made by students, for students.

Is American literature defined by geographical boundaries? Experiences? Histories? Themes? What is the difference between American literature and American history? Who determines what counts as American literature? How does the in-depth study of early American literature prompt us rethink representations of American culture today?

I offered the money to my master, but he bade me keep it; and with it I bought a piece of horse flesh.

“No,” said he, “none will hurt you.” Then came one of them and gave me two spoonfuls of meal to comfort me, and another gave me half a pint of peas; which was more worth than many bushels at another time.

But I thank God,

my son Joseph unexpectedly came to me.

I told them it was the Sabbath day, and desired them to let me rest, and told them I would do as much more tomorrow; to which they answered me they would break my face. And here I cannot but take notice of the strange providence of God in preserving the heathen.

found my stomach grow very faint for want of something;

In this travel, because of my wound,

“Wait on the Lord, Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine Heart, wait I say on the Lord.”

and she very big with child

There were now besides myself nine English captives in this place (all of them children, except one woman)

what comfort it was to me.

turn all those curses upon our enemies

I was glad of it, and asked him, whether he thought the Indians would let me read? He answered, yes. So I took the Bible,

my son came to me, and asked me how I did. I had not seen him before, since the destruction of the town, and I knew not where he was, till I was informed by himself, that he was amongst a smaller parcel of Indians, whose place was about six miles off. With tears in his eyes, he asked me whether his sister Sarah was dead; and told me he had seen his sister Mary;

God having taken away this dear child, I went to see my daughter Mary,

nd there they told me they had buried it.

When I had been at my master’s wigwam, I took the first opportunity I could get to go look after my dead child.

home to my master’s wigwam

that I did not use wicked and violent means to end my own miserable life.

It being about six years, and five months old.

through the blessing of God he was able to travel again.

how careless I had been of God’s holy time; how many Sabbaths I had lost and misspent, and how evilly I had walked in God’s sight; which lay so close unto my spirit, that it was easy for me to see how righteous it was with God to cut off the thread of my life and cast me out of His presence forever. Yet the Lord still showed mercy to me, and upheld me; and as He wounded me with one hand, so he healed me with the other

there being not the least crumb of refreshing that came within either of our mouths from Wednesday night to Saturday night, except only a little cold water.

way.

nd having no Christian friend near me, either to comfort or help me. Oh, I may see the wonderful power of God, that my Spirit did not utterly sink under my affliction: still the Lord upheld me with His gracious and merciful spirit, and we were both alive to see the light of the next morning.

My own wound also growing so stiff

with my sick child in my lap; and calling much for water, being now (through the wound) fallen into a violent fever.

it quickly began to snow

Lord renewed my strength still, and carried me along, that I might see more of His power; yea, so much that I could never have thought of, had I not experienced it.

ike inhumane creatures, laughed, and rejoiced to see it,

my wounded child in my lap

but God was with me in a wonderful manner, carrying me along, and bearing up my spirit, that it did not quite fail.

travel with them into the vast and desolate wilderness,

barbarous manner

savageness and brutishness of this barbarous enemy,

and to add to my grief, the Indians told me they would kill him as he came homeward), my children gone, my relations and friends gone, our house and home and all our comforts—within door and without—all was gone (except my life), and I knew not but the next moment that might go too.

my thoughts ran upon my losses and sad bereaved condition

which made the place a lively resemblance of hell

we

barbarous creatures,