The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1846-06-05

| rode gave out, and | was seated
behind an Indian who rode fine
horse, belonging to Mr.. Henderson,
taken from the settlement in which
we were captured. In this manner
we continued on until about 0 o.
clock at night, when we reached the
camp, having travelled, as | suppos-
ed, about ninety miles in twenty
eight hours,
"Thc sack camp was on the bank
ola small creek, surrounded by low
marshy ground, scattered over with
snail burr oak trees. On our arri-
val, several sGuaws came to our as
sistance, took us from our horses,
and conducted us into the camp :;
prepared place for us to sit down,
and presented US some parcIlcd
corn, some meal and maple sugar
mixed, and desired us to eat. We
did so, more through fear than hun
ger; and at their request threw a
small parcel (about a tablespoon
ful) into the fire, as did also the
squaws and the Indians that accom-
panied us. There was much appa-
rent rejoicing on our arrival. About
10 o'clock we were invited by the
squaws to lie down, which we did,
and enjoyed kind of confused, or
disordcred slumber, which lasted
until after sunrise. The next NOR
ming, soon after we rose, our fears
Of massacre and torture began to
abate. We were presented with
some boiled beans and sugar for
breakfast, and ate little, having,
though almost exhausted, as yet no
appetite for food. About ten O'Clock
the camp broke up, and we all NOV
ed about FIVE miles across the creek
and encamped again on an elevated
spot covered with timber near a
small creek. We travelled each up
on separate horse, heavily laden
with provisions, blankets, kettles,
and other furniture required in an
Indian camp. We arrived at our
encampment little before sun
down. Here white pole was stuck
in the ground, and the sealps taken,
when we were captured, hung up as
trophies. About fifty warriors as
scmblcd in the cent-e ""d common
eed dance, in which few of the
squaws participated. They danced
around this pole to the music Of a
drum, and gourds so prepared as to
make a rafting noise. was invi-
ted frequently by the squaws to Join
in the dan &c, but refused. The FIRST
dancesMas had in the morning, al
-tpS 6sr-2rrival in camp; the same
was repeated daily while we contin-
iuel-umcng them. Soon after we
arose, on the first morning after our
arrival, some warriors came to our
lodge and took us out, and gave me
a red flag, and placed something in
the hands Of my sister which | do
not recollcct, and made us march
round through the cncampmcnt
passing each wigwam. They then
led us to the centre Of the spot they
had cleared OFF, TO prepare for tic
dance, near where the white po!l
was stuck up; then placing a Jlan,
ketupou the earth, and after painting
our faces red and black, ordered u.
to lie down with our faces toward,
the ground. They then dance,
around rs with war-clubs, toma
hawks and spears. Before its con.
clusion we were taken away by tive
squaws, who, we understood, were
the wives of Black Hawk. In tn,
evening as soon as the dance wa
over, we were presented with sup
per, consisting Of coffee, fried cakes
boiled corn, and fried vcniSon, wit
fried leaks, of which We ate NOR,
freely than before. We continued
with them for four days longer, dur
ing which we Jared in similar man
ner, until the two last days, whel
we got out of flour. When our nou
was exhausted, we had coffee, meat
and pounded corn made into soup
On being delivered over to tn
squaws, above mentioned, we wer,
separated from each other, but per
mitted to visit every day, and re
main for about two hours without in
teruption. The squawS cncampe,
near eachother, and we were consi
dercd as their children, and treatc,
as such. Our encampmcnts wer
removed five or six miles each day
and my sister and myself were al
ways permitted to ride at such re
J movals. Our fare was usually bet
ter than that of others in our wig
, wan. Our fears of massacre ha
now subsidcd---being received an
Z adopted into the family of a chic
, We were not required to perforr
= any labor, but were closely watcl
+ ed to prevent our escape.
: Con the fifth day after our arr
, val at the Sac camp, we were toI
9 that we must so with some Winnie