Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1845-02-13
and Montgomery counties; but Mr.. NJ, with a

The first of this family who was captured.
was James, his second son, then fourteen
years OF age. This occurred September 9TH
l7S4. The captive, who still is living. gives
the following account of that event:
MY father had sent me to waste plana-
uon MIR. Poag's) about two and half miles
distant up the valley, TO Catch horse that T
might go to mill. We resided from the mill
about twelve miles, and the road thither was
through dreary wilderness In consequence
OF the distance, had often to come home the
greater part of the way after night, when fre-
quently it was very dark. Being thus accus-
toned TO travel about, set out for the horse
without the least apprehension Notwi,h-
standing this, had not proceeded more than
half way 10 the field before a sudden panic
came over me. The appearance of The irdiap
who took me was presented TO my mind, I'll
though at the time did not think of Indians :;
but rather that some huge animal in human
shape would devonr me. Such was my
! alarm that went on trembling, frequently
looking back with the expectation of seeing
the animal. Indeed, | would have returned
home, but for the fear that my father would
be displeased will. The excuse, and perhaps
send me back. therefore proceeded until
came near the field, when suddenly three In
dians sPrang up from behind log, one Of
whom laid hold on me. Being much alarm
ed with the apprehension alluded TO, and be-
lleving this to he the animal, screamed with
all my might The Indian then laid his hand
on my head, and in his native tongue told
me TO hush. Looking him full in the face,
and perceIving it to be a human being, felt
greatly relieved, and spoke aloud, cit is an In
dian what made me fear p a! the same time
thinking within myself 'wel, all that is in it.
is, that l will have to go TO the Shawnee
towns.'
SIN this company there were only three
viz: father and son, and one other.-The
former bearing the name Of Black Wolff a
middle aged man of the most stern counte-
nance ever beheld; about six fee: high, and
having black beard. The others were about
IL years of age, and all of the Shawnee tribe,
belonged to the Black WOLF who had CAP
tured me.
"We Immediately proceeded to cabin near
to which the horses were. The old Wolf
gave me some salt which they had probably
! made at a lick, and told me to catch them.
My object was 10 catch one, mount him, and
make my escape. But suspecting my inien-
ton, as often as would get hold of him they
would come running up, and thus scare him
| away.-F'inding that could not get one for
myself, did not wish to get one for them,
and SO after few efforts | abandoned the al
tempt
"Ihls was about one o'clock in the after
noon. They then went into thicket where
! their kettle and blankets were concealed, after
which we Immediately set out on our Journey,
| and travelled down Tug Creek. which is the
north branch of the Sandy river. This stream
received It's name from party of men who,
while travelling along it, being almost fam
| ished, were compelled to eat the buffalo tugs
or thongs they had with them. In conse-
quence OF the high weeds, briers, logs, and
the mountainous character of the country, we
proceeded that evening only about eight
miles. In our journey. the young Indians
went before, and the old Wolf behind me,
and if marks were made he was careful to re-
! move them. frequently broke bushes; this
he discovered, and shaking his tomanawk
over my head, gave me TO understand what |
might expect if continued to do so. Iwou!d
then scratch the ground with my feet, but this
he also discovered, and from ii compelled me
to desst 1t then became necessary to aban-
don all efforts TO make a trail for others, as
they were Immediately detected.
"About sunset the old Wolf gave trc-
mendous whoop; and another at sunrise, and
these were repeated morning and evening dur
ing the whole Journey. 1T was long, loud
and shrill, and intended to signify that they
had one prlsoner.-Their custom is to repeat
The whooP until the repetitons equal the num-
Der oil prisoners. In this way it can be known
as lar as the whoop is heard, whether they
nave prisoners or scalps, and also the number
OF each. The first night was dark and rainy,
yet we lay down IN laurel thicket without
tood or tre.-Prevlous to this the old Wolf
had examined me carefully TO see whether
had knife, alter which he tied a leading hal
ter securely around my neck, and the other
end around his arm, SO as to make il impossi-
bic to dsengage myself without waking him.
IN Notwithstanding my circumstances were
thus gloomy, was not prevented from sleep.
Indeed, suppose few prisoners were ever
more resigned to their fate The next morn
ing we resumed our journey, and continued
down Tug Creek about two miles. until we
reached the main ridge of Tugmountain along
which we descended until we came TO Max
Wells Gap. This gap received its name from
a Mr. Maxwell, who was killed there bv the
Indians while in pursuit of the wife of Tho
! mas English Of Burk's Garden, who had been
taken prisoner.-About this time | was sent
some distance for water. Supposing myself
out OF view, gave vent to my feelings and
wept abundantly. The old Indian, however.
had watched me; and on my return he point
led out the marks of tears on my face then
shaking his tomahawk over my head, told me
| must not do so again.-1'heir object in
| sending me off so far appeared to be, to ascer-
tam whether ] would attempt escape. After
this they no longer tied me. At this place
the old Wolf brought in a middle sized dutch
oven which had been secreted on former ex~
DeIitiOn. the carriaoo of which ,r,. ..n:-..-.I