Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1819-06-15

gave him to understand. | then showed
him my hands and neck how they were
swollen and what misery | was in, when
he ordered me again to be searched, aud
finding nothing, commanded the cords to
be taken ofE-having been in that paiafdi
situation seven hours. He then gave me
some rice and ordered me 10 be conducted
TO place prepared 10 which to remain
during the night, where | was closely
watched by about 40 armed men to pre-
vent my escape--after the second day,
and after several examinations, he brought
most OF my papers and clothes which he
permitted me to use, by having one of his
men observe me shift, aud SEE that nothing
was misplaced likewise gave me
rice enough to eat though my place was
very wet and uncomfortable. | then
from day to day endeavored to be permit
ted to give some information Of myself.
but he denied me that privilege, positively
declaring should never give any infor-
nation where L was, aud that | should
never be released. I then endeayored a
ransom, but without effect. From that
moment ! was determined to make my es-
cape, or lose my life in the attempt.
For several nights kept wakeful, but
was SO closely watched that there was no
possibility of esCape-when on the 9th
night after my capture obtained some iu-
formation through Chinese that the Cow
ernment were about sending force against
them. They then had their spies out
every day, and the Chinese, being
treacherous to them, gave me every iu-
formation respecting the Dutch troops,
how they advanced, and what position
they were ID, from day to day. / then
determined to wait the event Of the troops
coming, and endeavours to make the e.
vent of an engagement my opportunity
Accordingly, keeping myself in con-
slant readiness, was as it were upon the
tenter hooks Of death for "a hours-when
on the morning of the 4th of February,
about day light, | heard muskets. The
whole village was instantly alarmed, the
women running in all directions, and the
men marching to meet the enemy, except
three armed men TO take me into the
woods. then found | should have no
other opportunity, endeavored TO keep
in the village as long as possible, to ascer-
tain the event oil the attack but in vain,
they being anxious, began to use force,
when ! was obliged TO go with them, and
having nothing to defend myself, | was
determined first to try some deception,
and If unsuccessful, then to take hold of
the first weapon | could find and resist
them. | accordingly approached the
woods feigned faintness and fell, when
they stopped to raise me, at the same
time endeavored TO get them to stay by
me, that might not be taken by their
enemies-when gun was fired, which SO
alarmed them that they ran few PAGES
from me, when instantly jumped up,
and ran from them. ! had not gone far
before | was again intercepted by one
armed, and Obliged TO flee into a wood in
an opposite direction from the Dutch
troops, and being SO closely pursued,
was obliged to hide in thicket where he
passed me within few yards, without
discovering me. After which | was six
times more chased and very closely
searched after. once lay 10 the water
seven hours, with savages searching
many times within twenty PAGES of me
when it came dark, | made another at
tempt, but being lost and bewildered, got
into the water, where it was with great
deal Of difficulty l could get out, il being
SO extremel y dark. After getting out 1
was again discovered in the woods by the
savages, who searched until towards
morning with torches, sometimes almost
near enough to reach me with their spears.
At about A o'clock in the morning they
gave up the search, when l again en-
deavored to find the way towards the
troops, and by means Of star which
appeared soon after o'clock, which by
placing stick and watching it, found
which way il rose, and which way to
direct my course. At IL O'Clock the
5th reached the troops, having been 40
hours without any nourishment and With
out any clothes. My feet, and legs, as
well as my body, were torn by the bushes
and so exhausted, that when l reached
the troops it was with difficulty l could
stand. l could write much more, but
the recollection of my sufferings, and the
anxiety of my mind on account of the
arrangement these events have thrown
my business into, that can hardly con-
meet my ideas"
THUS, after undergoing the utmost hardshipss
and experiencing the most bsrbarous treatment,
was Capt. Gerrish provdentialy rescued from
cantiyity and death--and proceeded on his yoy-
ace to Europe But other trials and difficulties, it
seems we're reserved for this unfortunate Gentle
man for after proceeding to Holland, thence to
Russia, and being his passage home, it will be