Captured by Indians: a True Account.

CAPTURED BY INDIANS: A TRUE ACCOUNT. Mrs. Mary Rowlandson. 2003. Read by Carrington McDuffie. 2 cds. 2 hrs. In Audio (100 Weems Lane, Winchester, VA 22601; www.inaudio.biz). 1-58472-223-1. $28.00. Vinyl; content notes. SA

In 1675 during King Philip's War, a group of Narragansett Indians attacked Lancaster, Massachusetts, killing most of the colonists but taking a few hostages. Mary Rowlandson, wife of the town's pastor, was captured along with several of her children. Her six-year-old daughter died of her wounds and her other children were scattered about with various other groups of native "hell hounds." Though wounded herself, Mary survived for months with her captors and was finally ransomed by her husband for 20 pounds.

Mary quotes frequently from the Bible, ironically a gift from a "bloody heathen." Her firsthand account is filled with gruesome details about the cruelties of some Indians. Others, however, are generous and caring. Mary sews and knits, earning food from her captives, whose diet is limited to groundnuts, corn, and wild game. Naturally enough her attitude toward the Indians is biased and she complains continually about her condition. McDuffie reads this true account with passion and conveys through her husky portrayal Mary's anguish, fears and faith. Janet Julian, Grafton, MA