Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1854-02-23

rld peals OF laughter might nave Dee
heard at great distance. / never say
, them exhibit the first sign of pity to
wards me- 1t made no difference hov
badly I was hurt, if l did not arise i'm
mediately and mount the animal whicl
had Just thrown me they would apply
their riding whips, or gunsticks, or th'
end of lariat, to my unprotected BODY
with the greatest violence. The squaV
would also help me to rise by woundinG
me with the point of a spear which sht
carried. You may understand one OBJ
lject the Indians had in view of putting
me upon this wild animal and causing
me to be thrown so often, when l tel
you expected to become mother II
few weeks. They understood my
situation, but instead of softning their
hearts it only made them more inhu-
man, and subjected me to greater suf-
ferings.
1 was obliged to work like slave
while in camp; while there was any SER
vice to perform 1 was not allowed a
moments rest, l was compelled to carry
large loads of wood on my back, which
being destitute of sufficient clothing
was mangled till the blood ran down to
! my feet. l had to chase the animals
through the briars and bushes, till what
little clothing had was torn into rib
bands. brought the animals to camp
in the morning, and had to watch them
till they were ready to start, and if one
more wild than the rest ran of, l must
chase and bring him back, and then be
knocked down by the savage chief for
my want of skill. When all were
ready to start had to catch and saddle
my own mule without assistance. If
the party did not start Immediately, L
was compelled to pull at the end of a
lariat which the Indians would fasten to
bush. Exhausted by incessant toll
and suffering, and extreme anguish
from wounds, l could not work as fast
as the Indians desired; and often when
scarcely able to stand, and hardly know
ing what l was doing, have been re-
quired to do the work of the strongest
man. And because of my inability to
accomplish my task satisfactorily, have
been whipped till my flesh was raw
Large stones were thrown at me. l
was knocked down and stamped upon
by the ferocious chief, who seemed
anxious to crush me like a worm be-
meath his feet. Ny head sometimes fell
under the horses feet, and then the In
dams would try and make the beast
kick me. After all was ready for the
days journey, was obliged to travel
as fast as the others, riding sometimes
over rocks and through bushes, aching
and sore from head to foot, and exposed
alike to cold and heat, rain, sunshine
and storm.
have gone two days at time with
out tasting food. The Indians depended
on hunting for their subsistence, and
sometimes had nothing to eat Them
selves-unless there was an abundance of
food, l received little or nothing-when
any game was killed the Indians would
tear out the. heart, liver, and entrails
and eat them raw. l suffered exceed
ingly from thirst, was not allowed to
drink except while in camp, we fire.
quenly crossed beautiful streams during
the day and 1 would beg the privilege
of dismounting to quench my thirst.
But the Indians would always deny my
request with contempt. 1t was in vain
1 pointed to my parched tongue and
head blistered in the rays of the sun.
Nothing could soften them to pity, and
1 ardently desired death that my tor
ments might come to an end.
Every indignity was offered to my
person which the imagination can con-
ceive. And 1 am at loss to know how
1 have lived through the barbarous
treatment which was inflicted upon me.
Frequently my feelings were so outraged
that l was tempted to kill my inhuman
masters. Ny Indignation burned par
ticularly against the chief, and l thought
if / could only cut him to pieces | could
die content. Es Hs-i H, ~
We travelled every day-we usually
started about 10 O'Clock in the morning
and halted about four in the afternoon.
The Indians were accustomed TO go to
the tops of the highest hills and stand
there gazing in every direction. We
always spent the night on bill and
were Shus exposed to the cold autumn
winds; we slept on the grouRd, gene
rally without covering. When it rained
the Indians made tent Of the blankets
and wagon sheets they had stolen from
us, but was not allowed to take shell
ter in It'll preferred sleeping outside in
the storm.
After my mule had become SO gentle
that could ride it without being thrown,
it was taken from me and l was obliged
to travel on foot. The road over which
we passed was often very rough and
stony, and full of thorns. My feet
were wounded and bruised till they
were covered with blood and greatly
swollen. But stiH was obliged to keep
up with the rest of the party, and if /
fell behind was beaten till l was near
ly senseless. The Indians often urged
me on by trying to ride their horses
over me-many a mile of that road is
marked with my blood, and many hill
has echoed to my useless cries. s.ss
travelled thus on foot some five or
- Have Affa~ AZ x~ort.r ,r-ora raodu