Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-02-15
preferred sleeping outside


shelter in i'll preferred sleeping outside
in the storm.
After my mule had become so gentle that
I 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 fnll
of thorns. My feet we're wounded and
bruised till they were covered with blood
and greatly swollen. But still ] was OBJ
liged to keep up with the rest OF the party,
and if fell behind | was beaten till was
nearly sensefess. The Indians often urged
me on by attempting to ride their horses
over me many mile of that road is mark
ed with my 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 pointed out to me, and / was required
to 60 before the others, in order not to him
der them. They usually overlook me be.
fore travelled far. Ihad always intended
to makefmy escape as soon as 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
fifth day after my Capture, was sent on in
advance as usual. had eaten no break
fast, and was very weak, but the hope Of
escape now supported me. hastened on
as fast as could, and finding suitable hi
ding place turned aside and concealed
myself in the bushes. After this saw
nothing more Of my captors. l found af-
terwards by the tracks of the animals, that
they had searched for me; they probably
thought would die, and therefore took less
trouble to find me. I have no doubt the
next time they pass that way they will look
for my bones.
My situation was now distressing beyond
all description; was alone in an Indian
country, some hundreds of miles from the
nearest friendly settlements. was with
out food, without shelter, and almost with
out 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 face-I sat
down and thought of my lonely and expos
ed situation. 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 mur-
dered, and was not allowed the melan-
choly privilege of closing his eyes, and see
ing his remains decently inferred. My lit
tie property had been stolen, and when
within few days march of sympathizing
friends, I was captured by savages, and at
ter three weeks of lndescribable sulferings,
found myself wandering solitary and desti-
tute in the midst of the wild prairies-ny
cup was filled to overfow.ng, but resolv-
ed to live IN hope, If 1 died in despair.
After remaining three days in the place
where first concealed myself from the In
dians, / went to grove about half a mile
distant and built little house of bushes
and grass. Here lived nine days. My
only food was the hackberres which grew
on the bushes around | quenched my
thirst at spring near by. My wounds
panied me exceedingly, and wasted to a
mere skeleton for want Of proper nourlsh-
ment. II raned 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, perfect
ly drenched in rain; while the wolves some
times coming within FIVE steps of me, would
make the woods ring with their frightful
howlings. They would also follow close
behind me when | went to the spring du-
ring the day; expected sometime to be
devoured by them; but they were great
towards, and | could easily frlghten them
away.
When absent from my house on the
twelfth day after escape, some New-Mex-
ican traders passed by on their way to the
Camanche settlements. While standing
on small hill, looking after them in order
to be sure they were not Indians, ] was
discovered by some three or four of the
party who happened to be some distance
behind, They Immediately came toward
me, and soon understood my situation
They kindly offered to take me with them.
and 1 gladly bade farewell to my house in
the woods. The Mexicans put me upon a
barro, and gave me blanke. and some
mems clothing, in which / dressed myself
very comfortably. Two or three days after
this we came in sight of band of Canaan
ches, and as it was not safe for me to be
seen by them, was left behind in aravine,
with the promise tina. the Mexicans would
return for me at night. AS they. did not
fulfil their promise, | started toward their
camp; about midnight, while wandering
among the bushes, Camanche Indian
passed within twenty steps. / thought |
was captive once more, but fortunately
the savage did not see me. | threw my
self on the ground and waited for day. In
the morning started again for the camp of
the Mexicans, but before reached it | was
discovered by one of the trading party who
was herding the animals. This man is
Puebla Indian, of San Ildcfonso, and is
named Juan Jose. To HIM more than to
any other man in the party, owe my
present freedom. a 9a ,ei
He told methe camp was full Of Canaan
ches, and if they saw me il would be inn
possible for the 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 al
most intolerable thirst Juan came and
brought me- some bread. and told me not
by any means to leave my hiding place the
next day. That day Jagged slowly along,
and could hear the dreaded Camanches
passing and repassing, and shouting to each
other Al mint Inan rot,,rnad hr;r o.