Edited by Madison Storey
The next day in the morning they took their travel, intending a day’s journey up the river1. I took my load on my back, and quickly we came to wade over the river, and passed over tiresome and wearisome hills2. One hill was so steep that I was fain to creep up upon my knees, and to hold by the twigs and bushes to keep myself from falling backward. My head also was so light3 that I usually reeled as I went; but I hope all these wearisome4 steps that I have taken, are but a forewarning to me of the heavenly rest: “I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me” (Psalm 119.75)5.
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The Connecticut River. https://rowlandson.nrsd.net/families/about_us/history_of_m_r_e ↩
Sentence altered by editor for clarification. ↩
Rowlandson’s lightheadedness is presumably from lack of adequate nutrition and physical exertion in her travels. ↩
The doubling of ‘wearisome’ may allude to, or parallel the sadness of Job’s pain and suffering, specifically in Job 7.3: “So am I made to possess months of vanity, and wearisome nights are appointed to me” (KJV). https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job+7%3A3&version=KJV ↩
Rowlandson’s quotation of Psalm 119.75 denotes that God’s judgements upon Rowlandson are absolutely right for her, and that her afflictions and trouble were sent by God, through his love for her, with the sincere intention to do good. ↩