In 1678, in A Narrative of Her Captivity, Mary Rowlandson wrote, " I went with a very heavy heart, and down I sat with the picture of death in my lap" (26). Mary Rowlandson was a Puritan colonist who was captured by Indians and held for eleven weeks before returning to her home. During her captivity she bravely endured many hardships, including the death of family members and separation from her children, harsh conditions, and ill treatment by her captors. Successive generations have been able to understand how her Puritan beliefs upheld her during her captivity.
The first hardship Rowlandson endured while being held captive was the death of family members and separation from her children. Twelve people were killed during the assault on her Lancaster home, and twenty-five were taken captive. On the morning of her "departure" (24) she says that she cannot explain the "sorrows of my heart" (24). Her six-year-old child catches a "violent fever" (24). The "sweet babe" (26), in a "poor feeble condition" (24), dies in his Rowlandson's arms. The child is buried in a "newly digged" (27) grave atop a hill. Rowlandson talks about her rare visits with her son and daughter, and states that she has very "little liberty or opportunity" (27) to speak with them, for they are staying at a different "wigwam" (27). Rowlandson thanks God for maintaining her "reason and senses" (26) during her tiresome and "distressed time" (26).
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Along with separation from her loved ones, Rowlandson also had to overcome harsh conditions. While traveling to Princeton, Rowlandson carries her baby until she becomes "wearisome" (24) and must ride on a horse's back. The horse has "no furniture" (24) on its back, and she falls off and obtains a wound that she complains is "growing so stiff" (24). In the "cold winter night" (24) she must sit with her sick child on the "snowy ground" (24). Despite her "tedious" (24) journey Rowlandson states that "the Lord renewed my strength and still carried me along- (24).
