The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1854-03-02


: only cut him 20 pieces l could die content
We travelled every day-we usually
started about 10 o'clock in the morning
: and halt about four in the evening. The
D Indians were accustomed to 90 to the
D tops of the highest hills, and stand there
e gazing in every direction. We always
5 spent the night on a hill, and were thus
exposed to the cold autumn winds; we
slept on the ground, generally without
: covering. When it rained the Indians
made tent, of the blankets and wagon
: sheet they had stolen from US, but was
not allowed to take shelter in it--I pre-
!, ferred 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
stoney and full of thorns. Ny feet were
wounded and bruised till they were COW
cred with blood and greatly swollen
But still was obliged to keep up with
the rest Of the party, and if fell behind
was beaten till | was nearly senseless.
The Indians often urged me on by at
tempting to ride their horses over me;
many mile of that road is marked with
my blood, and many hill there has
echoed to my useless cries.
| travelled 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 me, aud | was requir-
ed to go before the others, in order not
to hinder them. They usually overlook
me before travelled far. had always
intended to make my escape as soon as |
found an opportunity. / never expected
to reach my friendly settlement, but l
did not wish to give the Indians the
pleasure Of seeing me die On the morn
ing of the twenty-ffth day after my cap
ture | was sent on in advance as usual.
had eaten no breakfast, and was We
ry week, but the hope of escape now sup
ported me. l fastened on fast as l
could, and finding a suitable hiding place
[ turned aside and concealed myself in
the bushes. After this [ saw nothing
more of my captors. found afterwards
by the tracks of the animals that they had
searched for me; they probably thought l
would die, and therefore took less trouble
to find me. I have no doubt the next
time they pass that way they will look
for me again.
My situation was now distressing be-
yond all description; | was alone, in an
Indian country, some hundred miles from
the nearest friendly settlements. was
without food, without shelter, and almost
without clothing, Ny body was full of
wounds and bruises, and my feet were so
swollen that could hardly stand. Wild
beasts were around me, and savages moro
than beasts, roamed on every hand. Win
ter was coming on, and death in its most
horrible forms stared me in the face-I
sat down and thought of my lonely and
exposed situation. But | could not weep
my heart was too full Of woe.
After remaining three days in the place
where | had first concealed myself from
the indians, I went to grove about a
mile distant and built little house of
bushes and grass. Here l lived nine days.
My only food was the lackberries which
grew OH the bushes around. / quenched
my thirst at a spring near by. My wounds
panied me exceedingly, and l wasted to
mere skeleton for want of proper nour-
ishment. ltrained upon me seven nights
in succession, and my little house was un-
able to protect me from the cold storms.
More than once | spent sleepless light,
perfectly drenched 10 rain; while the
wolves, some times coming within FIVE steps
of me would make the woods ring with
their frightful howlings. They would al
so follow close behind me when l went
to the spring during the day; l expected,
some time, to be devoured, by them; but
they are great towards, and could ca
silly frigbten them away.
j When [ slept, | would dream of see
ing tables spread with an abundance of
every kind of food: but when stretch
ed forth my hand to satisfy my hunger,
! the effort would awaken me, and | would
, find myself weeping bitterly.
When absent from my house on the
Twelfth day after my escape some New
Mexican traders passed by on their way
to the Camanche settlements. While
standing on a small hill looking after
them, in order to be sure they we're not
Indians, l was discovered by some three
or four of the party, who happened to be
) some distance behind. They Immediately >
came toward me, and soon understood my
situation. They kindly offered to take
me with them, and l gladly bade fare.
t well to my house in the woods. The
Mexicans pat me upon a burro, and gave
t me blanket and some mems clothing
in which | dressed myself very comforta.
bly,.
Two or three days after this we came
in sight of band of Camanches
: and it was not safe for me to be seen by
them, was left behind in ravine, with
the promise that the Mexicans would re-
turn for me at night. As they did not
fulfil their promise, | started toward their