The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1854-02-16
Mexican wel,ering in his blood, and still

breathing.
/ We took northeast direction, and tray
eled slowly till sunset, when we encamped
Here the plunder, consisting Of blankets
bedding, clothing, brides, and some money
which | had in my pocket, was divided
among the Indians. Some articles consd-
lered useless were thrown into the fire. NY
clothing was taken away, except barely
enough to cover my person. In the distri-
button of the captives, the eldest boy, about
- years Of age, was claimed by the chief;
became the property of one of the others.
| should have mentioned that one of our
captors was Mexican, who had been stolen
from the State of chihuahua when an in
fant. He was now as savage as the Indi-
ans, and claimed the youngest boy for his
prize. The scalp OF the Mexican was
stretched on stick and dried by the fire.
After giving US some meat for our supper,
the Indians began to secure us for the night.
The boys, with their arms tied tightly be-
hind them were taken under guard by two
of the sayages My feet were tied together,
and was obliged 10 lie between the other
two. did not sleep any during the night,
for was afraid of being killed.
The next day we resumed our journey
and travelled IN the same direction. The
boys were mounted on good animals, and
had bows and arrows. Their faces were
painted Indian fashion, they looked lie
young savagcs. They appeared to enjoy
their new mode Of life, and were never treat
ed with excessive cruelty. was mounted
on good horse, but being obliged to sit
astride the animal, the journey was exceed
insly painful.
had fine head of hair, which valued
very much. But the chief ordered it to be
cut off; was not little mortified in seeing
it decorating the heads of the heartless saw
ages. My head was thus left entirely un-
protected from the intensely hot rays Of the
sun.
Nothing of interest occurred except re-
peated acts Of finhumanity towards me, until
the twelfth day of my capture. At this time
we were joined by two Indian men and a
squaw. These were all the Indians saw
till after my escape. Up to this time my
suffering had become so severe as to take
from me all desire to live, now they were
greatly increased. The squaw, from whom
might have expected some compassion,
was evidently the cause of the new cruelties
which now began to experience.
NV horse was taken from me, and was
mounted on an unbroken mule without n
bridle had saddle but it was worn out
and good for nothing except to torture me.
This animal would frequently top me over
its head of its own accord; but not being
wild enough to crafty the malice of the In
dians, the chief would sometimes shak. the
Mexican's scalp before its eyes. The beast
would then rear and plunge in the utmost
fright, and | would be thrown upon the
ground with great violence. | have been
tossed from the mules back as ma,iy as half
a dozen times a day, and once was so stun
ned that lay considerable time before my
senses returned. My repeated falls greatly
amused the Indians whose horrid peals of
laughter might have been heard at great
distance.
Inever saw them exhibit the first sign of
pity towards me. 1t made no difference
how badly was hurt, il did not rise in,me-
diately and mount the animal which had just
thrown me, they would apply their riding
whips, or gun-sticks, or the end of lariat,
to my unprotected body with the greatest
violence. The sGuaw would also help me
to rise by woundng me with the point of a
spear which she carried. You may under
stand one object the Indians had in view in
putting me upon this wild animal and caus-
ing me to be thrown so often, when tell you
expected to become a mother in a few
weeks. They understood my situation, but
instead of softe ming their hearts it only made
them more inhuman, and subjected me to
greater suffering.
was obliged to work like slave while
in camp; while there was any service to per-
form | was not allowed moments rest
was compelled to carry large loads Of wood
on my back, which being destitute Of suffi-
cient clothing was mangcd tilth blood ran
down to my feet. hadto chase the animals
through briars and bushes, till what little
clothing I had was torn into ribbons.
brought the animals to camp in the morning,
and had to watch them till they were ready
to start, and if one more wild than the rest
ran off, must chase and bring him back
and then be knocked down by the savage
chief for my want of skill. When all were
ready to start had TO catch and saddle, my
own wild mule, without assistance. If the
party did not start Immediately, was com
pcled to pull at the end Of lariat which the
Indians would tasten to a bush. They seem
e t, study every method of putting me to
death BY p'ecemeal.
Exhausted by incessant toll and suffering.
and extreme anguish from my wounds,
could not work as fast as the Indians desired;
and often, when scarcely able 10 stand, and
hardly knowing what was doing, have
been required to do the work of the strongest
man. And because of nv inability to ac-
comp.ish my task satisfactorily, have been
whipped till my flesh was raw. Large
stones were thrown at me. Twas knocked
down and stamped upon by the ferocious
chief, who seemed anxious to crush me like
a worm beneath his feet. Ny head some
times fell under the horses feet, and then the
Indians would try to make the beasts kick
me. After all was ready for the days jour-
ney, was obliged to travel as fast as the
others, riding sometimes over rocks and thro'
bushes, aching and sore from head to foot, and
exposed alike to cold and heat, sunshine and
storm.
| har: gone two days at a time without
tasting food. The Indians depended on
hunting for their subsistence, and sometimes
had nothing to eat themselyes-unless there
was an abundance Of food, received little
or nothing-when any game was killed, the
Indians would tear out the heart, liver and
entrails and eat them raw, suffered exceed
ing.y from thirst: was not allowed to drink
except while in camp. We frequently
crossed beautiful streams during the day,
and would beg the privilege oil dsnount-
.,.k H. tb,,f fp,lt,