The Nevada journal., 1854-03-17

= wood on my back, which being destitut
of sufficient clothing, was mangled till tn
: blood run down to my feet. had to chas
the animals through briars and bushes, an
: what little clothing had was torn int
! ribbons. brought the animals to cam
in the morning, and had to keep them til
, they were ready to start, and if one wors
than the rest ran off, / must chase an,
bring him back, and then be knocked dewl
by the savage chief for my want of skill
) When all were ready to start, | had t,
} catch and saddle my own wild mule with
out assistance. If the party did not star
) Immediately, I was compelled to pull a
the end of a lariet which the indians
would fasten to bush. They seemed tt
study every method of putting me to deatt
by piecemeal.
Exhausted by incessant toll and suffer
ing, and extreme anguish from my wounds
could not work as fast as the Indians
desired, and often when scarcely able tc
stand, and hardly knowing what I was
doing, have been required to do the work
of the strongest man. And because Of
my inability to accomplish my task salts.
factorily, I have been whipped till my
flesh was raw. Large stones were thrown
at me. was knocked down and stamped
upon by the furious chief, who seemed
anxious to crush me like worm beneath
his feet. My head sometimes fell under
the horses feet, and then the Indians would
try to make the beast kick me. After all
was ready for the days journey, was
obliged to travel as fast as the others, rid
ing sometimes over rocks and through
bushes, aching and sore from head to foot,
and erposed alike to cold and heat, SUM-
shine and storm.
have gone two days at time without
tasting food. The Indians depended on
hunting for their subsi ance, and sometimes
had nothing to eat themselves unless
there was aa abundance of food, 1received
little or nothing-when any game was
killed, the Indians would tear out the heart,
liver, and entrails and eat them raw. |
suffered exceedingly from thirst was
not allowed to drink except while in camp.
We frequently crossed beautiful streams
during the day, and woul@. beg the privi-
lege of dismounting to quench my thirst.
But the Indians would always deny my
request with contempt 1t was in vain |
pointed to my 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 per-
son 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 I was
tempted to kill my inhuman master. My
indignation burned particularly against
the chief, and thought if could only Gu:
him in pieces could die conte mt.
We travelled every day, we usually star
ted about 10 o'clock in the morning, and
halted about four in the evening. The
Indians were accustomed to 60 to the tops
of the highest hills and stand there gazing
in every direction. We always spent
the night on hill and were exposed to the
cold autumn 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 l was not allowed to
take shelter in it preferred sleeping
outside in the storm.
After my mule had become so gentle
that could ride it without being thrown,
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 woun-
ded. 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 l was bea-
ten till I was nearly senseless. The In
dians often urged me on by attempting to
that road is marked with my blood, and
many hill there has echoed to my useless
cries.
I 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 Twas required
to 90 before the others, in order not to
hinder them. They usually overlook me
before travelled far. l had always inten-
ded to make my escape as soon as found
an opportunity. l 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, l was
sent on as usual. I had eaten no break.
fast, and was very weak, but the hope OF
escape supported me. hastened on as
fast as could, and finding suitable hid
ing place turned aside and concealed my
self in the bushes. After this l saw moth.
ing more of my captors. I found after
wards by the tracks of the animals, thai
they had searched for me; they probably
thought 1 would die, and therefore took
less trouble to find me. have no doub
the next time they pass that way they
will look for my bones.