It only required a lighted match to have sent us into eternity.

My mother's presence of mind, which had never yet deserted her in any trying situation, had saved our lives.
Shortly after this affair, I came home again on a visit and found father there sick with fever, and confined to his bed.

One day my old enemy rode up to the house on my pony Prince, which he had stolen from me.
"What is your business here to-day ?" asked mother.
"I am looking for the old man," he replied.

"I am going to search the house, and if I find him I am going to kill him.

Here, you girls," said he, addressing my sisters, "get me some dinner, and get it quick, too, for I am as hungry as a wolf." "Very well; pray be seated, and we'll get you something to eat," said one of my sisters, without exhibiting the least sign of fear.
He sat down, and while they were preparing a dinner for him, he took out a big knife and sharpened it on a whetstone, repeating his threat of searching the house and killing my father.
I had witnessed the whole proceeding, and heard the threats, and I determined that the man should never go up stairs where father was lying in bed, unable to rise.