The whites neither offered us aid nor attacked us, and all the while were on visiting terms with the Indians who were attacking us.
Next morning found the thirst harsh upon us.

I was out at the first hint of light.

There had been a heavy dew, and men, women, and children were lapping it up with their tongues from off the wagon-tongues, brake-blocks, and wheel-tyres.
There was talk that Laban had returned from a scout just before daylight; that he had crept close to the position of the whites; that they were already up; and that in the light of their campfires he had seen them praying in a large circle.

Also he reported from what few words he caught that they were praying about us and what was to be done with us.
"May God send them the light then," I heard one of the Demdike sisters say to Abby Foxwell.
"And soon," said Abby Foxwell, "for I don't know what we'll do a whole day without water, and our powder is about gone." Nothing happened all morning.

Not a shot was fired.