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


We took a northeast direction, and travel
ed slowly till sunset, when we encamped
Here the plumber, consisting of blankets, bed
ding, clothing, brides, and some money which
had in my pocket, was divided among the
Indians. Some articles considered useless
were thrown into the fire. My clothing was
taken away, except barely enough to cover
my person. In the distribution of the cap
tives, the eldest boy, about II years of age,
was claimed by the chief; became the pro-
pcrty of one of the others. l should have
mentioned that one of our captors was Mex
lean, who had been stolen from the State of
chihuahua when an infant. He was now as
savage as the Indians, and claimed the Young
est boy for his prize. The scalp of the Mex
lean was stretched Oh a stick and dried by
the fire.
After giving lis some meat for our supper,
the Indians began to secure us for the night
the boys, with their arms tied tightly behind
them, were taken under guard by two of the
savagcs. My feet were tied together, and l
was obliged to lie between the other two,
did not sleep any during the night, for was
afraid ofbcing 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 Indi-
an fashion, and they looked like young sava-
ges. They appeared to enjoy this new mode
Of life, and were never treated with excessive
cruelty. was mounted Oh good horse, but
being obliged to sit astridc the animal, the
journey was exceedingly 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 hcartlcss savagcs.
My head was thus left entirely unprotected
from the intensely hot rays of the sun.
Nothing Of interest occurred except repeat
ed acts CT inhumanity towards me, until the
twelfth day af:erm my capture. At this time,
we wcrc joined by two Indian men and squaw
These were all the Indians 1 saw till after my
escape Up to this time my suflcrings had
been so severe as to take from me all desire to
live, but now they were greatly increased.
The squaw, from whomI might have expect
cd some compassion, was evidently the cause
of the new crucl,ics which now began to ex-
pcricncc.
My horse was taken from me, and was
mounted on an unbrokcn mule without bri-
die. had saddle, but it was worn out and
good for nothing except to torture me.
The animal would frequently top me over
its head of its own accord but not being wild
enough to crafty the malice of the Indians,
the chief would sometimes shake the Mexi-
cans 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 many as half dozen timesa day, and
once was so stunned that lay considera-
BILE time before my senses returned. My re-
peated falls greatly amused the Indians, whose
horrid pcals of laughter might have been
heard at a great distance.
lnever saw them exhibit the first sign of
pity towards me. 1t made no difference how
badly was hurt, if did not rise Immediate
ly and mount the animal which had Just
thrown me, they would apply their riding
whips, or gunsticks, or the end of lairiat, 10
my unprotected body with the greatest vio-
lcnce. The squaw would also help me to rise
by wounding me with the point of a spear
which she carried. You may understand one
object the Indians had in view inputting me
upon this wild animal and causing me to be
thrown so often, when tell you that OK.
pected to become mother in a few weeks
They understood my situation, but instead of
softening theirhcarts it only made them more
inhuman, and subjected me to greater suffer-
ings.
was obliged to work like slave while in
camp; while therewas any service to perform
compelled to carry large loads of wood on my
back, which being destitute of sufficicnt cloth
ing, was mangled till the blood ran down to
my feet. had to chase the animals through
briars and bushes, till what little clothing |
had was torn into ribbons. brought the an
finals 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 cha sc
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 any
assistance. Ifthe party did not start imme-
diately, was compelled to pull at the end of a
lairiat which the Indians would fasten to
bush. They seemed to study every method
putting me to death by piecemeal.
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 to stand, and hardly
knowing what was doing, have been re-
quired to do the work the strongest man.
And because of my inability to accomplish my
task satisfactorily, have been whipped until
my flesh was raw. Large stones were thrown
at me. Twas knocked down and stamped
r. u - u