Muscatine journal. [volume] (Bloomington, Iowa) 1849-185?, 1854-02-10

But the Indians would always deny nv re-
quest with contempt. It was in vain
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 80 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 1ay-we usually start
ed about 10 O'Clock in the morning, and
halted about A IN the evening. The In
dians were accustomed to go TO the tops of
the highest hills a d stand there gazing in
every direction. We always spent the night
on hill, and were thus exposed to the cold
autumnal winds; we slept on the ground,
generally without covering. When it rained
the Indians made tent of the blankets and
wagon sheet they had stolen from Us, but
was net allowed to take shelter in tt pre-
ferred sleeping outside in the storm.
After my mule had become so gentle that
could ride it without bel throw n, it 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
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 be-
hind was beaten till was nearly senseless.
The Indians often urged me on by attempt
ing to ride their horses over me-mnny a
mile of that road is marked with my blsod,
and many hill there has echoed to my
useless cries.
l 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
hinder them. They usually overlook Inc
before Travelled far. had always intended
to MAKE my escape as soon as l found an
opportunity. 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-6fth
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. hastened on as fast
as | could, and finding suitable hiding
place turned aside and concealed myself
in the bushes. After this saw nothing
moro 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 lind me. have no doubt that the next
time they pass that way, they will look for
M 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 swollen that
could hardly stand. Wild beasts were
around me, and savages, more wild than
beasts, roa.ncd on every hand. Winter was
coming on, and death in its most terrible
forms, stared me in the face-I sat down
and thought of my lonely and exposed sit
uation. But | could not weep; my heart
was too 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 priv
ilcge of closing his eyes and seeing his re-
mains decentlr inferred. My little property
had been stolen, and when within few
days march of sympathizing friends was
captured by sayages, and after three weeks
of indescribable sutferings found myself
wandering solitary and destitute in the
midst of the wild prairies = my cup was
Gllod to overfiowing, but | resolved 10 live
in hope, If died in despair.
After remaining three days in the place
where Grst concealed myself from the n
dians, went to a grove about half mile
distant, and built little house OF bushes
and grass liere | lived nine days. My
only food was the hackberries, which grew
on the bushes around. quenched my
thirst ut spring near by. My wounds
pained me exceedingly, and | wasted
mere skeleton for want of proper nourish-
ment. It 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 rain; while the wolves, some
times coming within fve steps of me, would
make the woods ring with their frightful
howlings. They would also follow close
behind me when went to the spring during
the day; expected some time to be de-
voured by them; but they are great towards
and could easily frighten them away.
When slept would dream of seeing ia
bles spread with an abundance OF everv
kind Of food; but when stretched forth my
hand to satisfy my hunger tho effort would
awaken me, and would 6nd myself weeping
bitterly.
When absent from my house on the
twelfth day after my escape, some New
Mexican traders passed by on their way to
the Comanche settlements. While atanding
on small hill, looking after them in order
to be sure they were not Indians, was dis
covered by some three or four OF the party
who happened to be some distance behind.
They Immediately came towards me, and
soon understood my situation. hey kindly
offered to take me with them, and gladly
Dade farewell to my house in tho woods.
The Mexicans pat me upon a bur,o and gave
me blanket and some men clothing in
which dressed myself very comfortably.
Two or three days after this We came in
sight Of band Of Comanches, 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 mid
night, while wandering among the bushes
Comanche Indian passed Wishin twenty
steps. Thought was a 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 tho
| camp of the Mexicans, but before reached
10 was discovered by one of the trading
party who was heriing the animals. This
man is Puehla indian, of San ldef0uso,
/ a nd ,s az, AL Imam Jose. tn him ,nnrs ha m