There I found planted in the ground a thick
stake, and around it a ring of flaming brushwood. To the stake was
fastened an Indian warrior, captured, so my interpreter informed
me, from some hostile tribe above the falls. His arms and ankles
were secured to the stake by means of thongs passed through
incisions in the flesh; his body was stuck over with countless pine
splinters, each burning like a miniature torch; and on his shaven
crown was tied a thin plate of copper heaped with red-hot coals. A
little to one side appeared another stake and another circle of
brushwood: the one with nothing tied to it as yet, and the other still
unlit. My friend, I did not tarry to see it lit. I tore a branch from an
oak, and I became as Samson with the jaw bone of the ass. I fell
upon and smote those Philistines. Their wretched victim was
beyond all human help, but I dearly avenged him upon his
enemies. And they had their pains for naught when they planted
that second stake and laid the brush for their hell fire. At last I
dropped into the stream upon which their damnable village was
situate, and got safely away. Next day I went to George Thorpe and
resigned my ministry, telling him that we were nowhere
commanded to preach to devils; when the Company was ready to
send shot and steel amongst them, they might count upon me.
After which I came down the river to Jamestown, where I found
worthy Master Bucke well-nigh despaired of with the fever.
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