Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1854-02-24
VOLUME X.---NO. AZ.
WHOLE NUMBER, SIS.


cd anA bruised till they were covered with
blood and greatly swollen. But still va,
Obliged to keep up with the rest of the
party, and if | fell behind l was beater
till l was nearly senscle-s. The INDIAN
often urged me on by attempting to ride
their horses over me; many a mile Of tha,
road IS marked 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 ne, and l was required
to 60 before others, in order not to hinder
them. They usually overlook me before
| travelled far | had always intended to
make my escape as soon as 1 found an OPP
portunity. | 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 scat on in ad-
vance as usual l had eaten no breakfast,
and was very weak, but the hope of escape
now supported me. | hastsned on as fast
az | could, and finding a suitable hiding.
place turned aside and concealed myself
in the bushes. After this saw nothing
more of my cap.ors. found afterwards
By the tracks Of the animals. that they had
searched for me; they probably thought I
would die, and therefore took less trouble
to End me. l have no doubt the next time
they pass that way they will look for my
bones.
Ny situation waa now distressing beyond
al description; | WAS alone in an Indian
country. some hundred miles from the
nearest friendly settlements. Twas 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 VIM
ter was coming on, aud death in its most
terrible forms stared me in the faee-I sat
down and thought of my lonely and expo
sed 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 l was not allowed the melan-
choly privilege of closing his eyes, and see
ing his remains decently inferred. My
little property had been stolen, and when
within few days march Of sympathizing
friends, 1 was captured by savages, and
after three weeks of indeseribabie suffer-
ings, found myself wandering solits-y and
destitute in the midst of the wild p-..iries
my cup was filled to overfowing, but
resoved to live in hope, if died in despair.
After remaining three days in the place
where | first concealed myself from the
Indians, | went to a grove about half
mile distant and built little house Of
bushes and grass. Here l lived nine days.
My only food was the blackberries which
grew on the bushes around. l quenched
my thirst at spring near by. My wounds
panied me exceedingly, and | wasted to
mere skeleton for want Of proper nourish-
nent 1t rained upon NE seven nights in
succession, and my little house was unable
20 protect me from the cold storms. More
han once spent sleepless night, per-
ectly drenched in rain while the wolves,
coming within five steps of me,
would make the woods ring with their
'rightful howliDgs. They would also follow
lose behind me when I went to the spring
Turing the day; | expected some time to
'e devoured by them; but they are great
owards. and | could frighten them away
When l slept | would dream of seeing
ables spread with an abundance of every
ind of food, but when l stretched forth
ny hand to satisfy my hunger, the effort
'ould awaken me, and l would find myself
Keeping bitterly.
When absent from my house on the
welftb day after my escape, some New
iexican traders passed BY on their way
D the Camanche settlement. While
tanding on small hill, in order to be
ure they were not Indians, I was discov-
red by some three or four of the party
tho happened to be some distance behind.
hey Immediately came towards me and
BON understood my situation. They kind
; offered ts take me with them, aud I
lady bide farewell to my house in the
oods. The Mcxicans put me upon bur
, and gave me blanket and some mems
os,ling in which dressed myself very
,mfcrtably.
Two or three days after this We came in
ght of band Of Camanches, and as twas
OF safe for me to be seen by them, l was
# behind in a ravine, with the promise
,,t the NAyicans vould return for me- NJ
ight As they did not fulfil their prom
-. | started toward their camp; about
,idnigLt, while wandering among the
ushes, Camanche Indian passed within
senty steps thought | was captive
nee more. but fortunately the savage did
of see he. threw myself ~ the ground
nj waited for day In the morning I
arted aga tor the camp Of the Mexicaus,
ut before ! reached it, | vas discovered
y one of the trailing party, who was herd
~ the animals This nian is Pu bla
niian. OF San Ildefonso, and il named
uan jose To him more than any man
, the party. | owe my present freedom.
He told me the camp was full of Ca
,,nches, and if they saw me it would be
urossible for the party to save me. He
made me lie DOWN on tue ground while
@ covered me with dried grass. lay
ere all day. and at night erNpt forth to
ucpcii nv almost intolerable thirst Juan
a,ae and brought me some bread, and
VI me not bv any means TO leave my
iiinc Mace the mex, day That dragged