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

We took north. east direction, and
travelled slowly till sunset, when we encamp-
ed. Here the plumber, consisting of blank
cts, bedding, clothing, brides, and some
money which had in my pocket, vas di.
vided 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 captives, the eldest boy,
about twelve years of age, was claim
ed by the chief became the property of
one the Of others. | should have mentioned
that one of our captors was Mexican, who
had been stolen from the State of Chihua-
hua when an infant. He was now as saw
age rs the Indians, and claimed the youngest
boy for hisprixe. The scalp of the Mexican
was stretched on stick aud dried by the
FIRE. E as#trsaN .ss 5a
After giving US some meat for our sup
per, 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 sava es. My feet were
tied together, and was obliged to lie be-
tween the other two. did not sleep any
during the night, for was afraid of being
killed. br
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 Indian fashion, and they looked
like young savages. They appeared to en-
joy this new mode Of life, and were never
treated with excessive cruelty. was
mounted on good horse, but being obliged
to sit astride 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 a little mortified in see-
ing it decorating the heads of the heartless
savages. My head was thus left entirely
unprotected from the intensely hot rays of
the sun.
Nothing of interest occurred except re-
peated acts Of inhumanity towards me, un-
til the twelfth day ter my capture. At
this time we were Joined by two Indian
men and squaw. These were all the Indi-
ans saw till after my escape. Up to this
time my suffering had been so severe as to
take from me all desire to live, tut now
they were greatly increased. The sauaw,
from whom might have expected some
compassion, was evidently the cause of the
new cruelties which now began to expe-
rience.
MY horse was taken from me, and was
mounted on IN unbrokcn mule without n
bride. had a saddle, but it was worn out
and good for nothing ex ,ept to torture me.
This animal would frequently top me over
its head Of its own accord but not being
wild enough to gratifv the malice of the
Indians, the chief would sometimes shake
the Mexican's scalp before its eyes. The
beast would then rear and plunge in the ut
most fright, and would be thrown upon
the ground with great violence. have
been tossed from The mule's back a,
many as hall dozen times dAy, and
oHce l was SO stunned that lava consid 4
erabe time before my senses returned
Ms repea Ell falls grea ly amused the
indians, who: horrld peais of laughter
might have been beard a,a grea, dis
tanCe. n
never saw them exhibit the e frst
sign OF pity towards me. 1t made no
difference how badly was hurt. ii
did not rise Immediately and mount the
animal which had just thrown me. they
WOULD apply their riding waips, or gun
sticks, or the end oi lariat to my un-
protected body with the greatest vio-
lence The squaw would also hel p me
10 rise by wounding me with the point
Of IA spear hich she carried You may
undersiand one object the Indians bad
in view in putting me upon this wild
animal aud causing me TO be ,hrown so
often. when | Tell you expected TO be-
CONE a mother IN few weeks. They
understood my situation. but instead o!
S, llening their hearts it oni, made them
moe inhumsn, and subjected me 10
greater sutierings.
was obliged to work like slave
While in camp: while there was any
service 10 perform was not allowed u
momeat's res, was compelled 10 car
ry large loads OF wood Oh my back.
which, being destitute Of sufficient cloth
ing, was mangled I'LL the bloed ran down
10 my ieet. had 10 chase the animals
through briars aud bushes. ill " ha, lit.
tie clothing had WAS torn in,o rib
bons. brought the animals 10 camp in
The morning. and had 10 watch them
ill they we're ready TO start, and il one
more wild than the rest ran off. must
chase and bring him back, end then be
knocked down by The savage chief for
my wunt Of skill. When all we,e
ready to start bad TO catch and sadd
my own wild mule. without assistance.
IL the party did not start immediately.
was compelled to puii at the end Of
luria, " which the Indians would tasten
to . bush. They seemed To study every
method Of putting me 10 death BY piece
meal. sW iu8 q aHa3 t'
Exhausted BY incesssnt toll and suf
fsri1s. end extreme anguish from my
wounds. i could not work as isstas the
lndians dssi,ed and o!,en when scarce-
iy able TO stand. and scarcely knowing
what was doing. have been required
10 do the work Of the strongest man.
And because Of my ina b,liiy 10 accom-.
plish my tax satisfactorily. ] ha We been
whipped i,ll my flesh was raw. large
stones w~rethrown at me. / was knocked
dow end stamped upon by The ierocious
chiei, who seemed a0xiou TO crush m~
like orsn beneath his ies,. NY head
sometimes fell under The .horses'fset,
and then the Indians wov!d try TO mske
the beasts kick me. After all MAS
ready for the days journey, was obliged
10 irsvel - fast as the Others. riding
! someSln~s ever rocks ana through
bushes. nctilng ard sore from head 10
.oot sud * xposed sis ke 10 cold a,ld heal
sunshine and storm.
~. ~.