The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1854-02-18

beautiful streams curing enr u.s., ...... ~,
beg the privilege of dismountng to quench
my thirst But the Indians would also deny
my request with contempt 1t was in vain
pointed to my parched tongue and head bis
tered in the rays of the sun. Nothing could
soften them into pity, and ard,ntly desired
death, that my torments might come to an end.
Every indlgnity was offered to my person
which 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 l was tempted to kill my inhu-
man masters. My indignation burned partic-
ularly against the chief, and thought i'll
could only cut him to picccsI could die content
We travelled every day-we usually started
about 10 o'clock in the morning and halted
about o'clock in the afternoon. The Indians
were accustomed to go to the tops of the high
est hills and stand there gazing in every d.
rectlon. We always spent the night on a hill,
and were thus exposed to the cold autumn
winds: we slept on the ground, generally with
out covering. When it rancd, the Indians
made tent of the blankets and wagon sheet
they had stolen from us, but was not allow
ed to take shelter in it and preferred sleeping
outside in the storm.
After my mule had become so gentle that l
could ride it without being thrown, it was la
ken from me and was obliged to travel on
foot. The road over which we passed was Of
ten very rough and stony, and full of thorns.
My 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 behind was beaten
till was nearly scnsclcss. The Indians often
urged me on by attempting to ride their hors-
es over me- Many mile of that road is mar
kcd With blood, and many hill there 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 point
cd out to me, and was required to 20 before
the others in order not to hinder them. They
usually overlook me before travelled far |
had always intended so make my escape as
soon as found an opportunity. never ex-
pectcd to reach any friendly settlement. but
did not wish to give the Indians the pleasure
of seeing me die. On the morning of twenty
fifth day after my capture, | was sent on in
advance as usual had eaten no breakfast,
and was very weak but tic hope Of escape now
supported me. FASTENED on as fast as
could, and finding suitable hiding place,
turned aside and concealed myself in the bush
es. After this l saw nothing more ofmy
captors. found afterwards by the tracks Of
the animals that they had searched for ME;
they probably thought would die, and there
fore took less trouble to find ME. have no
doubt that the next time they pass that way
they will look for my bones.
My situation was now distressing beyond
all description; Twas alone in an Indian coun-
try, 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 swollen that could hardly
stand. Wild beasts were around me- and
savages, more wild than beasts, roamed on
every hand. Winter was comingo on, and DEATH
in its most terrible forms stared me in thcI
facc-l sat down and thought of my lonely and
exposed situation. But could not weep: nv.
heart was too full of woe. remembered the
events of the proceeding weeks. The husband
OF my choice had been murdered, and was
not allowed the melancholy privilege of clos
ing his eyes and seeing his remains decently
inferred. My little property had been stolen,
and when within few days march of sym
pathising friends was captured by savages
and after three weeks Undesirable suffering
found myself wandering solitary and destitute
in the midst of the wild prairics-my cup was
filled and overfowing but resolved to live ir
hope if l died in despair. r
After remaining three days in the place
where first concealed myself from the Indi-
ans went to a grove about half mile distant
and builta little house of bushes and grass
Here lived nine days. My only food wa,
the blackberries which grew on the bushes
around. I quenched my thirst at a spring
near by.-My wounds panied me cxcccdingl,
and | wasted to mere skeleton for want o.
proper uourishment. 1t rained upon me sever
nights in succession, and my little house was
unable to protect me from the cold storms
More than once I spent slecpless night, per-
fectly drenched in rain while the wolves some
times coming within five steps of ME, would
make the woods ring with their frightful how'll
ings. They would also follow close behind
me when went to the spring during the dayA
I expected some timeto be devourcd by them
but they were great towards, and could cal
silly brighten them away.
When slept would dream of seeing tables
spread with an abundance of every kind of
food; but when stretched forth my hand tos
satisfy my hunger the effort would awake me