Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1853-02-16
The Escape.

ander M OOnncl, OF Lexington NY, /
went into the woods on foot to hunt
deer. He soon killed large buck,
and returned home for horse, in
= .order to bring it in. During his alb
,,s,.a. party of five Indians, on one
knnacplking expeditions, acct
~ e4.o the body ofthe
keplsselsat it had been
De4ey naturally sup
The hunter would soon re-
.o secure the flesh. Three of
D.ncm, therefore took their stations
within close rifle shot of the deer,
while the other two followed the trail
of the hunter, and waylaid the path
by which he was expected to return.
Mcconnell thinking not of danger,
rode carelessly along the path, which
the scouts were watching, until he
had come within view OF the deer,
when he was fired on by the whole
party, and his horse killed. While
laborng to eXtricatc himself from the
diving animal, he was seized by his
enemies, overpowcred, and bore oil a
prisoner. His captors, however, seem
ed a merry, good natured set of iel-
lows, and permitted him to accompa-
nv them unbound-and what was
rather extraordinary, allowed him to
retain his gun and hunting accoutcr-
mcDts. He accompanied them with
great apparent chcerfulncss: through
the day, and displayed his dexterity
BY shooting deer for the use of the
company, until they began to regard
him with great partiality. Having
travelled with them in this manner
for several days they at length reach
ed the banks of the Ohio river.
Heretofore the Indians had taken
the precauton to bind him at night,
although not very securely, but on
that evening, he demonstrated with
them Oh the subject, and complained
so strongly of the pain which the
cord gave him that they merely wrap
ned the buffalo tug about his wrists
and having tied it in an easy knot
and then attaching the eXtremitics
of the rope to their own bodies, in or,
der to prevent his moving without
aa ykening them they very composed
" went to sleep, leaving the prisoner
to follow their example Or not as he
pleased.
Mcconnell determined TO effect hi:
escape that night if possible, as OF
the following morning they woult
cross the river, which would rcndc
it more difficult He therefore la,
quietly until near midnight, anxious
" Eliminating on the best means 0
cHccting his object Accidental,
casting his eyes in the direction 0
his tcct, thcyfeII upon the glittcrin.
blade of n knife, which had escape,
from It's sheath, and was now laying
near the feet Of one of the Indians.
To reach it with his hands ,withou
disturbing the two Indians to whom
he was fastened, was impossible, an
it was very hazardoussst Ito attemp t
draw it up with his feet. This how
ever, he attempted With much dill
Guilty he grasped the blade betWcc
his toes, and after repeated and lon
continued efforts, succeeded ut len%t
in bringing it within reach of hi
hands. To cut the cords was the
but the work of a moment, and grad
ually and silhntly extric ating hi
person, he wallledto the fire and Sc
down. He saw that his work wa
but half done. That if he should a
tempt toreturn home without destroy
ing his enemies, he would assuredl
be pursued and probably overtakel
when his fate wouldbe certain. On til
other hand, ii seemed almost impo.