The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1854-02-27

hunting for their subsistence, and sometimes
had nothing TO eat themselves-unless there
was an abundance of food, received little
or nothlng-when any game was killed. the
Indians would tear out the heart. liver, and
entrails, and eat them raw. | suffered ex-
ceedingly from thirst; | was not allowed to
drink, except while in camp. We frequent
ly crossed beautiful streams during the day,
and | would beg the privilege of dsmount-
ing to quench my thirst. But the Indians
would always deny my request with con-
tempt. 1t was in vain that pointed to my
parched tongue and head blistered in the
rays of the sun. Nothing could soften them
into pity, and | ardently desired death that
my torments might come to an end.
Every indignity was offered to my person
which the imagination can conceive. And
am at loss to know how have lived
through the barbarous treatment which was
inflicted upon me. frequently my feelings
were so outraged that | was tempted to kill
my inhuman masters. My indignation
burned particularly against the chief, and
thought if could only cut him to pieces
could die content.
We travelled every day-we usually start
ed about 10 o'clock in the morning, and
halted about in the evening. The Indians
were accustomed to 90 to the tops of the
highest hills and stand there gazing in every
direction. We always spent the night on
hill and We're thus exposed to the cold au-
tumn wind we slept on the ground, gener-
ally without covering. When it raned the
Indians made a tent of the blankets and
wagon sheets they had stolen from us, but /
was not allowed to take shelter in it |
preferred sleeping outside in the storm.
After my mule had become so gentle that
could ride itwithout being thrown, it was
taken from me and was obliged TO travel
on foot. The road over which we passed
was often rough and stony, and full of
thorns. Ny feet were wounded and bruised
till they Were covered with blood and greatly
swollen. But still was obliged to keep up
with the rest of the party, and if | fell be-
hind was beaten till | was nearly sense
less. The Indians often urged me on by at
tempting to ride their horses over me-many
a mile of that road is marked with my blood,
and many hill has echoed to my useless
cries.
| 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 him
ucT tneln. luc( usually ONtIloOOh INC DtlOIt
travelled far. had always intended TO
make my escape as soon as | found an OPP
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 twenty fifth
day after my capture, was sent on in ad-
vance as usual. | had eaten no breakfast,
and was very weak but the hope of escape
now supported me. | FASTENED on as fast
as could, and finding suitable hiding place
turned aside and concealed myself in the
bushes. After this | say nothing more OF
my captors. l found afterwards by the
tracks of the animals that they had searched
for me; they probably thoug ht 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 distressing beyond
all description; | 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 full of wounds
and bruises. and my feet were so Wolen 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
farms stared me in the faCe-I sat down and