The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-02-22

up Win u.s. was some distance behind, b,
saw nothing of him after this. The da
alter MIR. Hart left us, we were trayelin,
about noon, We saw two Camanche Ind
ans charging upon us in front, snd at Il,
same time two others were seen driving u
behind. We were all very much frighten
ed, and the Mexican jumped out Of III
wagon and went towards the Indians. i
order, if possible, to gain their friendship
The mules in our wagon, four in numbe,
becoming frightened by the war.whoop q
the sayages, turned out of the road am
commenced running as fast as they could
One of them fell down before we had pon
Tar, and the others were then Obliged f
stop. The Indians now came upon us
and ordered the Mexican TO take the mule
out Of the harness. While this was yoin,
onl got out Of the wagon, and looked OF
IN GREATNESS suspense. After the mule
were unharnessed, the Mexican Was sirip
ped of his clothing. his hands tied behint
his back, and ordered TO sit down hpor
the ground. One of them then went be
hind him and shot him with guL, while
| another stabbed him with a butcher knife
Ills scalp was. cut off before he was dead
and put into his own hat; the hat was then
worn by one of his murderers. was stu.
Ipified with horror as ! gazed on this spec.
'acle, and supposed that my turn would
come next. But the Indians, having se.
cured the plunder Of the wagon, mounted
us on mules and ordered us 10 follow
them. AS left, saw the poor Mexican
weltering in his blood and still breathing
We took a northeast direction, and
travelled till sunset, when.iwe .encamped
Here tue plunder, consisting of blankets,
bedding, clothing, brides, and some mon.
ey which had in my pocket, was divided
among the Indians. Some articles con.
sldered useless were thrown in the fire.
Ny clothing was taken away except barely
enough to cover my person. In the dis
trlou,ion OF oap,iyes, the eldest boy, abou,
- years old, was claimed by the chief. /
became the property of one Of the others.
| should have mentioned that one of our
captors was Mexican who had beef, .s,o,
len from the Slate Of Chihuahua when an
infant. Tie was now as savage as the In.
dians, and claimed the youngest boy for
his prize The scalp of the Mexican was
then stretched on stick and dried before
the fire. sE
After giving us some meat for our sun.
pers, they began to secure us for the night.
The boys, with their arms tied behind
them. were taken in charge by two OF the
savages. My fee, were tied together. and
was obliged to lie between the other two
did not sleep any all night, for | was
afraid Of being killed.
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
enjoy this new mode oflife, and were ney.
er reated with excessive cruelty. was
mounted on good horse, but being oblia..
ed to sit astride the ANIMAL the iourner
was exceedingly painful. -
II had fine head ofhair, which j yalne1
very much. But the chief ordered il 10
be cut off; was a little mortified a: seeing
1t decorating the heads Of the heartlcss
savagns. My head was thus left entirely
unprotected from the intensely ho, rays Of
the SUD- . s
Nothing ofinterest occurred, except re.
peated acts OF inhutnanity towards me. un.
I'll the 18th day y-afier my capture. AT this
time we were joined by two Indian men
and squaw. These were all the Indi.
ans saw ill alter my escape. Up 10
this time my suffering had been so severe
as to take from me all desire to live, but
now they were greatly increased. The
squaw, from whom | might have expected
some compassion. was evidently the cause
ot all the new cruelties which now began
10 experience. My horse was taken from
me. and was mounted on an unbroken
mule, without brides; had saddle, but
It was worn ont and good for nothing ex-
cept to torture me- This animal would
frequently top me over lis head OF its own
accord; but not being wild enough to graf
ty the malice Of the Indians, the chief
would sometimes shake the Mexican's
scalp before his eyes. The beast would
hen rear and plunge in the utmost fright,
and | would be thrown upon the ground
With great violence. have been tossed
rom the mules back as manv as half
iozen times day, and once was SO
stunned thati lay considerable time be.
ore my senses returned. Nv repeated
alls greatly amused the Indians, whose
'orrid pealso of laughter might have been
heard at great distance. never saw
hem exhibit the first sign Of pity towards
ne. 1t made no difference how badly |
vas hurt. if l. did not arise Immediately
and mount the Snimal which had JUS,
hrown me they would apply their riding
Whips. or gunsiicks. or the end of lar
al, to my unprotected body with the great
est violence. The squaw would also help
ne to rise by wounding me with the point
Of spear which she carried. You may
understand one object the Indians had in
view OF putting me upon this wild animal
and causing me to be thrown so often,
when tell you | expected TO become
mother in few weeks. They understood
ny situation, but instead of soltening their
hearts it only made them more inhuman,
and subjeeted me to greater sufferings
Twas obliged to work like slave while
n camp; while there was any service to
perform was not allowed moments
est. | was compelled to carry large
Dads Of wood on my back, which, being
destitute Of sufficient clothing. was mansl.
ID till the blood ran down 10 my feet. 1
4 n