Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1854-02-18

probably thought would die, and therefore
took less trouble 10 find me. have no
doubt the next time they pass that way
they will look tor my bones.
My situation was now distressing bevond
all description; | was alone in an Indian
country, some hundred 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. Win
ter was coming on, and death in its most
terrible forms stared me in the tace-I sat
down and thought of my lonely and expo
srd situation. But could not weep; my
heart was too full Of woe. remembered
the events of the few proceeding weeks
The husband OF my choice had been muir
dered, and | was not allowed The melan-
choly privilege of closing his eyes, and
seeing his remains decently inferred. My
little property had been stolen, and when
within few days. march OF sympathizing
friends, was captured By savages, and after
three weeks of indescribable suffrrings,
found myself wandering solitary and desti-
tnte in the midst of the wild prairies-my
cup was filled TO overnowing, but resolved
10 live in hope, if died in despair.
After remaining three days in the place
where | first concealed myself from the
Indians, went to grove about half mile
distant and built little house Of bushes
and grass. Here lived nine days. My
only food was the blackberries which grew
on the bushes around. | quenched my
thirst at a spring near by. My wounds
panied me exceedingly, and ! wasted 10
mere skeleton for want Of proper nourish-
ment. II rained upon me seven nights in
succession, and my little house was unable
to protect me from the cold storms. More
than once spent a sleepless night, perfect
ly drenched in rain while the wolves,
sometimes coming within five steps of me,
would make the woods ring with their
lrightful howlings. They would also fol-
low close behind me when went to the
spring during the day expected some
time to be devoured by them; but they
are great cowards, and could easily
/ irightpn them away.
/ when slept would dream of seeing
tables spread with an abundance of every
kind OF food, but when stretched forth
my hand 10 satisfy my hunger, the effort
would awaken ne, and would find my
self 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 Ca
manchc settlements. While standing on a
small hill, looking after them in order 10 be
sure they were uol Indians, | was discovered
by some three or four OF the party who hap
pened TO be some distance behind They
Immediately come towards me and soon un-
dersood my situation. They kindly offered
to lake me with Them, and | gladly bade
farewell to my house in the woods. The
MeXicans put me upon burro and gave me
Il blanket and some mems clothing in which
dressed myself very comfortably.
Two or thee days after this we came in
sight OF a band of Camanches, and as i, was
Lot safe ioI me 10 be seen by them, was
left behind in Il rayine, with The promise that
the MeXicans would Ielurn for me al night
As they did not fulfill their promise, started
toward their camp; about midnight, while
wandering among the bushes, a Camanche
Indian passed within twenty steps.
thought was captive once more, but for
lunarely the savage did not see me. threw
myself on the ground and waited for day
In the morning started again for The camp
of the MeNicans, but before reached it,
was discovered by one of the trading party,
who was herding the animals. This man
is Puebla Indian, OF San lIdefonso, and is
named Juan Jose. To him more than 10
any man in the party, | owe my present free
dom.
He told me the camp was full Of Canaan
ches, and if they saw me il would be impos.
sibe for tho party TO save me- He made me
lie down on the ground while he covered
me with dried grass. lay here all day, and
at night crept forth TO quench my almost in
tolerant thirst. Juan came and brought me
some bread, and told me not by any means
to leave my hiding place the next day
That dragged slowly along, and conld hear
the dreaded Camanches passing and repas-
sing, and shouting TO each other; al night
Juan returned, bringing another blanket aud
several loavcs OF bread, and told me that
must remain here for sever or eight days
longer, as the party was obliged 10 go further
on, and could not lake me unless was will
ing 10 become captive once more. saw
The party disappear The next day, and II
seemed as if my hopes OF rescue disappeared
with them. But | resolved 10 wait TILL the
appoialed time was mp
In ravine near by found large log
which had been left burning, This fire
kept alive day and night until the MeAicans
returned and with out il | should probably
have frozen TO death, as the weather had
become very cold covered hollow cot
ton wood stump with bark and leaves 10 keep
ont the cold wind. When | could endure the
cold no longer, would leave my house and
run to the fire, but was afraid to stay there
long, lest the Indians should see me. The
wolves soon found on: my place of retreat
and frequently while was in the stump they
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