He then gave them passports for their journcy back to Sandusky, and appended a permission that they should per- form the functions of their office among the Christian In- tions." dians without molestation.

This left them at rest so far as apprehensions of attack from hostile Indians were concerned; but there still remaincd the terrible apprehension of death by starvation and cold. Deep snows lay on the ground. Their hastily-built huts were so small that it was impossible to makc large fires in them. Their floors being only the bare earth, whenever a thaw cane the water forced itsclf up and then froze again. Cattle died for lack of food, and their carcasses were ing children died for want of nourishment from their starv ing mothers' breasts; the daily allowance of corn to each adult was one pint, and oven this pittance it was found would not last till spring.

Nevertheless, they celebrated the Christmas holidays with cheerfulness and blessing, and conclnded this remarkable year with thanks and praise to Ilim who is cver the Saviour of his people. But, having neither bread nor wine, they could not keep the communion."

Meantime the corn still stood ungathered in their old fields on the Muskingum River. it would be still a priceless store to theso starying people. The project of going back there after it began to be discussed. It was one bundred and twenty-five miles' journey; but food in abundance lay at the journey's end. Finaly it was decidcd that the attempt should be made. Their first plan was to hide their familics in the woods at some distance from the grecdily devoured; nurs- Weather-beaten, frozen, as it was, danger from hostile settlements lest there might be some whites On their way, howerer, they were met by their brethren from Schonbrun, who advised them to go back openly into their deserted towns, assuring them that the Americans were some of friendly to them now. They aecordingly did