The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1837-10-24

stripped their captives, they threw to thento APP
pease their hunger, the heads ana entralis OIL the
fish upon which they had been lately making
their meal. The s0vages, after having detained
them two days, took them farther up in the
bash, and drove them onward, that they might,
as they soon asceriaincd, fall into the hands CT
other tribes, 10y whom an ingenious variety was
to be given to their sufferngs. She captain had
enCleavored to prevail upon them to accept the
services of the poor crew for longer time, be-
ing apprehensIve that any change amongst the
natives would be for the worse; but they beat all
the now naked whites on before them until fresh
tribes came up and took each of them prisoner,
and set him to work in carrying pieces of trees
and toiling in other ways.
Mrs. Frazer being the only woman, was not
selected by any of the tribes, but was left by her
SELF while they went onward; but her husband
got an opportunity TO mention to her not 10 stir
from the place in which she was at that moment,
and that he would contrive to see her in few
hours. During that night she lay on the ceAs
Of rock, and in the morning, after looking a
bout without seeing a creature, she determined
to follow some foot marks and after having pro-
ceeded to some distance, she saw u crowd OF
black women approach. These, however, be-
longed to the tribe of savages by whom her hus-
band had been taken up into the bush on the
preceding day; and they set her to work in cut
ting wood and lighting fires. Being quite naked,
and presenting contrast in her skin which the
women did not like, she was compelled by them
10 rub herselfall over with gum and herbs (which
had the effect OF making her nearly ms dark as
themselves They likewise tatoOcd her all over,
and having pulled her hair out and stuck the
feathers OF parrots and birds all over it. One of
the women having two children, obliged her TO
nurse one Of them, Notwithstanding the severe
labor she had to perform, and if the child was
out of temper the nurse was kicked and scratch
ed, and thumped for its peevishness. At the eX-
pration of four days Mrs. Frazer saw her hus
band for the first time since their separation.
He was dragging along IA tree, and was greatly
Gntgued. She had just began to inquire how it
happened that he did not manage to let her know
where he was, to which he replied that he dared
not look for her, when his tribe suddenly appear
ed; one of them having seen them together,
made n push at the Captain with n spear, and
pierced him through the body, and he fell dead
in an instant. Mrs. Frazer ran 10 her husband,
and pulled the spear out of the body, but the
breath was gone forever. She then fell senseless
and remained so for Il considerable time, and
when she recovered her senses she found herself
along with the tribe, which she was obliged to
serve; but what became of the body of Captain
Frazer she never could learn. Shortly after this
catastrophe, the first officer of the ship having
been informed that the Captain had been muir
dered by one of the tribes formed, in fit of des-
peration, plan of revenge, trctted, and exhaust
cd with labor as he was. This intention was,
however, discovered, and horrible was his pun
ishment. Mrs. Frazer had just lighted fire by
were thrust into it and consumed, while he, by
the violence of his contortions, actually worked
for the rest OF his body grave i'll the sand in
which it was mbcdded.
Two days after this horrible event, fine look
ing yoling man, named james MAJOR, dis
posed Of Capt Frazer, who knew Il good deal
of the character and habits of the natives on tins
coast, had mentioned to Major that the savages
would take off his head for n figure bust for one
of their canoes. 1t seemed too, that, it was tisu-
~ f,t
execution to smile in tho face of his victim inn
medateIy before he struck him to the earth.While
Major was at work, the chief of his tribe APP
prooched him snngly, and tapped him on the
shoulder. AT that instant the poor fellow receiv-
ed blow on the back of the neck from q wad-
die, or crooked stick, which stuun'd him. He
fell 10 the ground, and couple of savages set to
work, and by means of sharpened shells. severed
the head from the body, with frightiul exclam-
nations. They then ate Il part OF the body, and
preserved the head with certain gums, and afiiX-
ed itas Il figure bust to one OF their canoes. The
rest Of the crew of course expected nothing less
than death. Two of the seamen, named
Doyle and Big Ben, contrived to steal canoe,
and endeuvored to cross TO an island, but were
drowned in the attempt.
There was black man named Joseph, who
had been steward on board the Stirling Castle
When the savages seized the long boat in which
the crew had entered White Bay, they stripped
this Joseph well as the rest, but us he was OF
their own color, they inflicted no punishment
upon him, and he had the privilege of going a
boutwhich was denied to any;other ofthe wretch
ed strangers. This man, who was constantly
watching for an opportunity to escape, had as
sured Mrs Frazer that if he could get away, lhe
first life that he should think of saving should
that OF his mistress. He succeeded in stealing d
canoe, in which he roWsAhti. and in six weeks
he reached Moreton Bay, Pc he informed the
Commandant of the penal settlement of the hor
rid circumstances which had taken place ut White
Bay, and of the servtude in which the survivors
of the crew were detained BY this time Mrs.
Frazer was separated and at considerable dis
lance from the different members of the crew,
and she had given up all hopes of being liberia
ted from the frightful bondage in which she was
detained.
The Moreton Bay Commandant inquired in
the barracks whether any of the military would
to save lady and several OF the crew
of the wrecked vessel from the savages in the
bush, and number offered their services at
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