The Savages Plan Tom Quick's Capture
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When they had finally secured him, the joy of the redskins was unbounded. As night was approaching and rain falling in torrents, the party determined to spend the night in Tom's cabin. Tom's skins and other goods were prepared for transportation, but his favorite rifle, standing in a dark corner of the garret, escaped their notice. Among the things which pleased them best was a keg of brandy, a liquid that Tom seldom used, but of which he generally had a supply in his possession. They drank of it freely, and its effect soon became visible; the crowd grew uproarious, and menacing looks and gestures began to be directed by three or four of the party towards their unfortunate prisoner.
It had been the leading object among the Indians to take him alive, so that the whole tribe might participate in torturing him. It was to be feared that some of the more ill-natured savages, under the inspiration of the fire-water, would anticipate the action of the tribe and kill him on the spot. To put Tom out of reach of danger, and at the same time relieve all from the restraint of standing guard over him, it was proposed to bind him with additional thongs to a rafter in the garret-a proposition that was heartily approved by all.
From his position Tom could hear what was transpiring in the room below. He overheard an animated discussion, as to whether it was best to take his scalp at once, or reserve him for the torture. Tom remained in an agony of suspense, revolving in his mind, the while, the probability of making his escape. But so desperate was his situation that hope died within him. He even meditated suicide that he might deprive his captors of the pleasure they anticipated in his torture, but he was too securely tied to admit of even this alternative. About midnight the savages relapsed into a state of quiet. So far as Tom could judge, they were either asleep or too drunk to do him any harm. Ere long he heard the sound of steps, and some one seemed to be ascending the ladder. A moment afterward the head of a savage appeared above the floor. In one hand he held a brand of fire, and in the other a formidable knife. He approached with unsteady feet, and stood before his intended victim, with features distorted from the effects of his potations, and with eyes gleaming and snakish. With knife uplifted, and his body swaying to and fro, he regarded Tom an instant and prepared to strike. The moment was a trying one to Tom, thus helplessly bound; but instinctively he fell flat upon his face, and the knife passed harmlessly over him. The drunken savage, having missed his mark, and unable to preserve his balance, fell headlong, striking his head so heavily against the log wall of the garret, that he lay in a stupid and senseless heap upon the floor.
Having waited long enough to ascertain the noise did not awaken those below, Tom essayed to get possession of the Indian's knife; but the thong which was tied to his neck was too short to enable him to reach it. In the effort to resume his erect position his foot came in contact with the object he sought. Having secured it, and taking the handle between his teeth he soon freed his ankles, and cut the thong that bound him to the rafter. He next thrust the knife in a crevice so that the blade projected firmly from the log; then, by turning on his back, his hands being tied behind him, he managed to cut the remaining fastenings. Once free, he got possession of his rifle, and having removed some of the bark which composed the roof, leaped to the ground and reached Minisink entirely destitute.
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