Plymouth banner. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1852-1855, 1854-02-23
death that my ,orments might come to an

death that my torments might come 10 an
end.
; Every indignity was offered TO my per-
son which the Imagination can conceive.
And am a loss 10 know how | have
lived through the barbaruus treatment
which was inflicted upon me- Frequent
Iy my feeliegs were so outraged that was
tempted TO kill my inhuman masters
Ny Indignation burned more particularly
against the chief. and thought If could
cut him TO pieces could die content.
We travelled every day; we usually
started at 10 A. M, and halted at 4 in the
afternoon. The lndiins were accustomed
to 60 TO the tops of the highes, hills and
stand there gazing in every direclion.-
We always spent the nigh, on hill. and
were thus exposed to the cold autumn
winds; we slept OH the ground, generally
without covering. When it rained, the
Indians made tent of the blankets and
wagon sheet they had stolen from US, bu,
! was not allowed to take shelter in it
! preferred sleeping outside in the storm.
After my mule had become so gentle
that could ride it without being thrown
i, was taken from me and was Obliged
10 travel on foot. The road over which
we passed was often very rough and sto-
ny. and full of thorns. My feet were
wounded and bruised ill they were COW
cred with blood and greatly swollen. Blu,
still was obliged TO keep up with the
rest of The party. and If fell behind !
was beaten until | was near.y semseless.
The Indians often urged me on by at
tempting to ride their horses over me
many mile Of that road is marked with
my blood. and many hif there has ech-
oed to my useless cries.
l travelled thus on foot some five or six
days. After the party were ready to
start in the morning. the direction of the
route was pointed out TO me, and was
required TO go before the Others in order
not TO hinder them. They usually over
took me before travelled far. had al
( ways inien lied TO make my escape as soon
as possible. never expected to reach
any friendly settlement. but did not
wish togive the Indians the pleasure of
seeing me die. On the morning Of the
23th day after my capture, l was sent on
m advance as usual. | had eaten 40
/ breakfast. aud was very weak, bat the
hope OF escape now supported me. has.
tened or as fast as could. aud finding
sultab.e hiding place, turned aside and
concealed IN, self in the bushes After
t'iiS saw nothing more of my captors.
found afterwards by the tracks of the
animals that they had searched for me;
they pro oably thought | would die, ana
therefore TOOK no trouble to find me.
have no doubt but tina: the next time they
pass that way, they will look for my
! bones.
My situation was now distressing be-
yond all scription: | was alone in an
Indian country. some hundreds of miles
from The nearest friendly settlements.
was without food, without shelter, and
almost without clothing. My body was
tuii OF wounds and my feet were so swol-
len that could hardly stand. Wild
beasts were around me. and savages.
more wild than beasts, roamed On every
hand
Winter was coming or, and death in
its most terrible forms. stared me in the
lace; sat down and thought of my lone
iy and exposed situation. But | could
not weep; my heart was too full Of woe.
remembered the events OF the few pre-
ced,ng weeks. The and of my choice
had been murdered. and was not allow
ed the melancholy privilege of closing his
eyes. and seeing his remains decently in
TERED. My little property had been sto
len. and within few days march of sym
Pa'hizins friends was captured by say.
ages. and after three weeks Of indescriba-
bic suffering in the midst Of the wild
! pfalrIes: my cup was filled TO overflow
ing. but resolved to live in hopes if
died in despair.
After remaining three days in the place
where l first concealed myself from the
Indians. went 10 grove about half
mile distant. and built little house of
bushes and grass. Here lived nine days.
MY only lod was the hackbsrIies which
grew on the bushes around. l quenched
my thirS! at spring near by. My
wounds panied me exceedingly. and
wasted TO a mere skeleton for want Of
proper nourishment. 1t rained upon me
s'ven nights in succession. and my little
house was unable TO protect me from the
storms. More than once | spent a sleep
less night. perfectly drenchrd in rain;
while the wolves. sometimes coming
within Eve steps Of me. would make the
woods ring with their frightful howIings.
They would also follow tlose behind mt
when went to the spring during the
day; | expected some time 10 be devoured
by them; but they are great towards and
could easily frighten them away.
When slept. | would dream Of seeing
tables spread with an abundance of every
+ kind of food: but when | stretched forth
my hand tn satisfy nv hunyer tho .fTort