The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1854-02-16

the highest hills and stand there gazing in
every direction. We always spent the night
on a hill and were thus exposed to the cold
autumn winds; We slept on the ground,
generally without covering. When it rain
ed the Indians made a tent of the. blankets
and wagon sheet they had stolen from Us,
but was no. allowed 10 take shelter in it
preferred sleeping outside even when it
stormed.
After my mule had become so gentle that
could ride it without being thrown, il was
taken from me and was obliged to travel
on foot. The road over which we passed
was often very rough and stony, and full OF
tho-ns. My feet were wounded and bruised
till they were covered with blood and great
~ swollen. But still was obliged to keep
up with the rest of the party, and if fell be-
hind was beaten till was nearly senseless.
The Indians often urged me on by attempt
ing to ride their horses oyer me-many a
mile Of that road is marked with my blood,
and many hi there has echoed to my use
less cries. te
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 90 before the others. in order not TO hin-
der them. They usually overlook me before
Travelled far | had always intended to
make nv escape as soon as found an op-
portunity. | never expected to reach any
friendly settlement, but did not wish TO
give the Indians the pleasure OF seeing me
die. On the morning Of the twen.y-hth
dav after my capture, | was sent in the adj
vance as usual. had eaten no breattast
and was very weak. but the hope OF escape
now supported me. fastened on rs fast
as | could, and finding suitable hiding
place | turned aside and concealed myself
in the bushes After this | saw nothing
more of my captors. found afterwards
by the tracks of the animals that they had
searched for me; they probably thought |
would die, and therefore took less trouble to
find me. have no doubt that the next
time they pass that way they will look for
my bones.
NV situation was now most distressing be-
yond all description: was alone in an In
dian country some hundreds Of miles from
the nearest friendly settlements. was
without food, without shelter, and almost
without clothing. My body was full Of
wounds and bruises, and my leet were so
swollen that | could hardly stand. Wild
beasts were around me, and savages, more
wild than beasts, roamed on every hand
Winter was coming on, and death in its
most terrible forms stared me in the face. l
sat down and thought of my lonely and ex-
posed situation But could not weep; my
heart was full of woe. | remembered the
events Of the few preceding weeks. The
husband of my choice had been murdered,
and was not allowed the melancholy priyi-
lcrc Of closing his eyes and seeing his re-
mains decently inferred. My little property
had been stolen. and when within few days
march Of sympathising friends, | was captur-
ed BY savages. and after three weeks of in
describable suffering. found myself wander
ing solitary and destitute in the midst of the
wild prairie-my cup was filled to overflow
ing, but Iresolved to live in hope, If died IL
dcspair.
After remaining three days in the place
where first concealed myself from the In
dams, went to grove about halt mile
distant, and built little house OF bushes aud
grass. Here lived nine days. My only food
was the hackberries which grew on the
bushes round. quenched my thirst at q
spring near by. Ny wounds panied me ex
ccedingly, and wasted 10 mere skeleton
for want of proper nourishment. 1t rained
upon me seven nights in succession, and my
little house was unable to protect me from
the cold storms. More than once spent
sleepless night, perfectly drenched in rsin:
while the wolves, sometimes coming within
five steps OF me, would make the woods ring
with their frightlul bowling. They would
also follow close behind me when | went to
the spring during the day; expected some
times to be devoured by them; but they are
great towards. and | could easily trightcn
them away.
When I slept | would dream Of seeing
tables spread with an abundance OF every
kind of food; but when stretched forth my
hand to satisfy my hunger the effort would
awaken me, and would find myself weeping
bitterly.
When absent from my house on the 18th
day after my escape, some New MeXican ira
ders passed by on their way to the Camanche
settlements. While standing on sma
Hill looking after them in order to be sure
they were not Indians, was discovered by
three or four Of the party who happened TO
be some distance behind. They immediate
ly came towards me and soon understood my
situation. They kindly offered to take me
with them, and gladly bade farewell to my
house in the woods. The Mcxicsns put me
upon aburro aad gave me blanket aud some
mems clothing in which dressed myself
very comfortably.
Two or three days after this we came in
sight OF n band of Camanches, and as it was
not safe for me to be seen BY them, | was
left behind in ravine, with the promise that
the Mexicans would return for me- at night.
As they did not fulfil! their promise, started
towards their camp; about midnight, while
wandering among the bushes. CamanchcI
Indian passed within 90 steps. | thought
was captive once more, but fortunately
the savage did not see me. threw myself
on the ground aud waited for day. In the
morning started again for the camp of
the Mexicans, but before reached it
was discovered By one OF the trading par
ty who was herding the animals. This nran
is Peubla Indian, ot San lldeionso, and Is
named Juan Jose. To him more than to any
other man in the party, ] owe my present
freedom.
He told me that the camp was full of Ca
manches, 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 intoerable thirst Juan came and
brought me some bread and told me not by