Washington sentinel., 1854-02-09

of band Of Camanches and, as il was not safe
to be seen by them, | was left behind in ra-
vine, with the promise that the Mexicans would
return for me at night. As they did not fulfill
their promise. i started towards their camp
About midnight, while wandering among the
bushes, Camanche Indian passed within
twenty steps. | thought / was captive once
more, but fortunately the savage did not see
me. threw myself on the ground and waited
for day. In the morning | started again for
the camp the Mexcans, but before | reached
1t was discovered by one of the trading party
who was herding the animals. This man is a
Pueblo Indian Of San Ildefonso, and is named
Juan Jose. To him, more than to any other
man in the party, / owe my present freedom.
he told me the camp was full of Camanches,
and if they saw me it would be impossible for
the party to save me. He made me lie down
on the ground while he covered me with dried
grass. lay here all day, and at night crept
forth to quench my almost intolerable thirst
Juan came and brought Me some bread, and
told me not by any means to leave my hiding
place the next day. That day dragged slowly
along, and could hear the dreaded Camanches
passing and re-passing, and shouting to each
other.
At night Juan returned, bringing another
blanket and several loaves of bread, and told
longer, as the party were obliged to 90 further
on, and could not take me, unless was willing
to become captive once more. / saw the
party disappear the next day, and it seemed as
if my hopes of rescue disappeared with them.
But resolved to wait until the time appointed
was up.
In ravine near by found large log, which
had been left burning. This FIRE kept alive day
and night till the Mexicans returned; and with
out it should probably have frozen to death,
as the weather had become very cold. | covered
hollow cotton stump with bark and leaves to
keep out the cold wind. This stump was my
house during my stay here. When | could en-
dure the cold no longer would leave my house
and run to the fire, but was afraid to stay there
long lest the Indians should see me. The
wolves soon found out my place Of retreat and
frequently, while was in the stump, they would
come and scratch around and on its top. The
blackberries were very scarce here and had it
not been for the bread Juan Jose gave me, ! do
not see how could have kept from starving,
to death
The eight days passed slowly by, and knew
not whether to give way to hope or despair. But
on the ninth heard several persons calling to
each other. feared they were Indians, but
they belonged~to the trading party, and we're
on their return to New Mexico. They had lost
the place where l was concealed, and were
shouting to each other to attract my attention.
was SO overjoyed that rushed towards them
unmindful of briers and sore feet Juan gave
me fine horse to ride, and the whole party
treated me with the utmost civility and kind
ness. On the thirty-fourth day of our return
towards New Mexico, we reached the town
of Pecos. Here met Major Carleton and
Mrs. Adams, of the United States army, who
took the deepest interest in my comfort.
Here laid aside mems apparel, and was fur
nished with a supply from Mrs. AS wardrobe.
After remaining at Pecos few days, / was con-
Quoted to Santa Fe by the son of Governor
Meriwether.
To Gov. NJ, and also to the American ladies
of this place, cannot be too thankful for their
friendly sympathies and uniform kindness
The past seems like a horrid dream have
related nothing but facts, and no language
that can use can fully express the sufferings
of mind and body which have endured. My
two brothers-in-law are still captives, and, un-
less reclaimed, will become as savage as the
Indians. The Mexicans saw them with the
Camanches, but were unable to procure their
freedom. One is twelve years old, and the
other ten; and unless the strong arm of gov
ernment is lifted up for their redemption, there
is no hope for them.