Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1854-02-13

But the Indians would always deny my request
with contempt. 1t was in vain pointed 10 my
pnrched tongue and head Sblistered in the rays of
the sun, Nothing could SOFTEN them 10 pity, and
atdentlX desired death that my torments might
come to an end. = ~
IS Every indignlty was oiIeredsto my person which
the imagination; can conceive. And Lam at q loss
TO know how Hhaye lived through the berbarous
treatment which was inflicted upon me. FIRE.
fuently my feelings were sooutraged that was
tempted to kill myunhuman masters. My indig-
nation burned particularly aHainst the chief, and
thought if could only cut him to pieces could
die content q - $50.
We travelled every day-we usually started
about 40 O'clock in the morning. end halted about
fourth the afternoon. The Indinns were ascus-
toned 10 go 10 the tops of the highest hills and
stand there gazing in every direction. Wenlways
spentihe night ona hill anutwere thus exposed to
the cold autumn winls; we slept on the ground,
generally without covering. Then it srained the
Indians made q tentofthe blankets and wagon
sheets they had stolen 4fiom us. butt was not al
lowed To lake shelter in it'll preferred sleeping
outside inithe storm. -J1sS 3 suck ~ . =
After my mule had become so gentle thatI could
ride 1t without being thrown, twas taken fromme
and Twas obliged to travel on fool. The road
over @hich'w passed was often. very .rongh aud }
stony, and full f,ttorns. Ny feet wore wounded
greatly swollen. But still was! obliged 10 keep
up with the rest of the party, and il Iel behind
was beaten till was nearly senseless. The In
dams often urged my OH by trying To ride their
horses over ame--many a mile OF that road is
marked with my blood, and many hill has echoed
10 my useless cries., 81, 't.EFs.s sasftss
~ travelled thus on foot some five or six days.;
After The party were ready TO start the morning
the direction of the ronie was pointed out TO me,
and was requiredto go before the others, in order
not 10 hinder them. They usually overlook me
before ] had travelled far. / had always intended
to;make my escape as soon as found an. opportu-
nifty. ney.r expected 10 reach any friendly set
Element, but i didnot wish 10 give the Indians
the pleasure of seeing me die. 0nthe morning of
the 25th day after my Capture, was sent ON in
advance as usual. II had ehteiitlo breakfast aud e
was very weak, but the hope of escape now sup
ported me. i FASTENED on as fast as could, aud
finding suitable hiding place, turned aside and
concealed myself in the bushes. After tbs saw
nothing more OF my captors: found afterwards by
the trucks Of tile animals that they had searchetI
for me; they probably thought ! would die, and
therefore took less trouble TO find me. l have no
doubt that the next time they pass that way they
will look Tor my bones
My situation was now distressing beyond ell de-
scription; YVES alone in an Indian country some
hundreds of miles from The nearest friendly settle
ments. Il 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 heEd. Winter was coming on,
aud death in its most terrible forms stared Inc IN
the tace-l sat down and thought upon my lonely
aud exposed situation. ButI couidinot weep; my
heart was too full of woe. remembered the
events OF the few Preceding weeks. The hus-
baud OF my choice had been murdered and was
not allowed the melancholy privilege OF closing
his eyes and seeing his remains decehtly inferred.
My little property had been stolen, and " hen
within few days march of sympathising friends
was captured by savages, and after three weeks
OF indiscrbabe sufferings found myself wander
rug solitary ana destitute IN the midst OF the wild
prairles-my cup was filled TO soyerflowing, but
II solved 10 liyein hope if | died in despair.
Alter remaining three days in the place where l
first concealed myself from the Indians, went 10
II grove about holt q mile distant and built little
house, of bushes and grass Here l ivetl nine
days. My only food was the Lackberres which
grew on The bushes around. quencied my thirst
at spring neat by. My wounds panied me ex-
ceedngly, and was wasted to mere skeleton Tor
want OF proper nourishment. 1t rained upomime
seven nights III succession, and my little house
was unable to protect me from the cold stornS.-'
More than once spent u sleeplesS night, perfectly
drenched in rain; while the wolves sometimes
coming within five steps of me, would make the
woods ring with their (rightTul howlings. They
would also follow close behind me when went 10
tie spring during the day; expected sometime to
be devoured by them; but they ale preat towards
aud could easily frighten them away. sf.
When ! sleptl would dream Of seeing tables
spread with an abundance of every kind of foot;
but when stretched forth my hand 10 satisfy my
hunger the effort would awaken me, and would
nnd myself weeping bitterly. .z--s
w hen absent from my house on the twelfth day
alter my escape, some New Mexican trades pass
ed by on their way 10 the Comanche settlements.
While standing on small hill, looking after item
III order TO lie sure thatthey were not Indians, |
was discovered by srme thee or four of the parry
who happened 10 be some distance behind. They
Immediately came towards me and soon understood
my situation. They kindly offered TO take me
with them. and gladly hone
in the woods The MexicaIls put me upon a buyyo
aud gave me blanket and some mems clothing
IN which dressed myself very comfortably. Two
or three days alter this we suddenly came in sight
OF a band OF Comanches, and as it was not safe
Tor me to be seen by them, was left behind in a
raylne, with the promise that the Mexicans would
return Tor me at night. AS they did not fulfil their
promise started towards their Camp; about mid
night, while wandering among the bushes, CO.
Inanche Indian passed wltlnn twenty steps L.
thought wes captive once MORE but fortunately
he, did not see me. threw myself on the ground
and waited f~r day, and in the morning started
againtorfthe camp of the Mexicans, but before q
reached II was discovered Uy one Of the trading
partylw was herding the animals This man is
a Puebla Indian of San lldefonso, and is named
Juan Jose. 10 him more than any other man in
The party, owe my present freedom. He told me
Inc camp was tull oil Comanc hes, and il they saw
me 1t would be impossible for the party 10 save
me. He made me lie down on the ground while
lie. covered me with dried grass. l lay here all
day, and at night crept forth 10 quench my almost
thIrstj Juan came and brought me
some DIeau ana told me not by any means TO leave
my hiding place the next day. That day dragged
slowly along, and could hear the dreaded CO.
manches passing and tepasSing and shouting 10
each other; OF night Juan returned, bringing an
other blanket and several loaves of b!ead, and
told me tLatI must remain here Tor seven or eight
days longer, as the party Obliged 10 go furtl
exon, anu could not take me unless was willing
10 become captive once more. saw the party