April 27, 1676 In the Year of Our Lord

With the arrival of the Christian Indians, a letter from the council concerning the captives also arrived. A meeting was held and I was asked how much my husband would give to redeem me. I sat among their circle and answered their questions. I had a tough decision to make. If I said that he would pay too little than they liked, the chance for my redemption might never come again. It it was a large amount, I don't know if my husband would have enough to pay it. I had to think things over for a bit but meekly offered an amount of twenty pounds, but asked if they would be gracious and take less. This they ignored (why am I surprised?), and sent a message to Boson to say that for twenty pounds I would be redeemed. I hope that my husband can take this amount well, and that it is not too much. How I long for his answer to be swift. I dream of a large band of Englishmen riding in and throwing the money to the ground, only to scoop me up and take me home to the people I love and live among. I can almost hear the voice of the Psalms singing to me: "I heard and unknown voice say, 'Now I will take the load from your shoulders; I will free your hands from their heavy tasks.'" (81.5-6)