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

my own mule without assistance. If tn
party did not start Immediately, wa
compelled to pull at the end of a laria
which the Indians would fasten to bush
Exhausted by incessant toll and suffering
and extreme anguish from wounds. coult
not work as fast as the Indians desired
and often when scarcely able to stand
and hardly knowing what was doing,
have been required to do the work OF tn,
strongest man. And because of nv in
ability 10 accomplish my task satisfactori
iy' have been whipped till my flesh wa.
raw. Large stones were thrown at me
! was knocked down and stamped upor
! by the ferocious chief, who seemed anx
ious to crush me like a worm beneath hi.
ieet. My head sometimes fell under the
horses feet. and then the Indians would
try and make the beast kick me. After
fall was ready for the days journey, was
obliged to travel as fast as the others, rid
ing sometimes over rocks and through
bushes, aching and' sore from head 10
foot, and exposed alike to cold and heat
raiA, sunshine and storm.
have gone two days at time withou,
listing food. The Indians depended on
Hunting for their subsistence, and some-
times had nothing to eat themselves-un-
less there was an abundance of food. I
received little or nothing any game
was killed the Indians would tear out the
neart. ilyer, and entrails, and eat them raw
! suffered exceedingly from thirst; was
not allowed TO drink except while in camp;
we frequently crossed beautiful streams
during the day, and would beg the priv.
llege OF dismounting TO quench my thirst,
but the Indians would always deny my re.
quest with contempt. 1t was in vain |
pointed 10 my parched tongue and head
blistered in the rays 81 tie sdn. Nothing
could soften them to pity, and | arden,ly
desired death that my torments might come
to an end. .
Every indignity was offered 10 my per.
son which the imagination can conceive,
And ! am at a loss to know how l have
lived through the barbarous treatment
which was inflicted upon me. Frequently
my feelings were, so outraged that was
tempted to kill my inhuman masters. NY
indignation burned particularly Against,
the chief, and thought if could only out
him to pieces could die content.
We Travelled every day-we usually.
started about 10 O'Clock in the morning
and halted about a in the afternoon. The
indians were accustomed TO go 10 the tops
OF the highest hills and stand there gazing
ip every direction, We always spent The
night on hill, and were thus exposed 10 the
cold autumn winds; we slept on the ground.
generally without covering. When II rain.
ed the Indians made a tent Of the blankets
and wagon sheets they had stolen from us.
but was not allowed to take shelter in il.
II preferred sleeping outside in the storm.
After my mule had become so aentle
that could ride it without being thrown.
II was taken from me and 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 wound.
ed and bruised till they were covered with
blood and greatly swollen. But stin i
was obliged to keep UP with the rest Of the
party. and il fell behind | was beaten
until ! was nearly senseless. The Iadi-
ans olten urged me on by attempting to
ride their horses over me; many mile Of
that road is marked with my blood, and
many hill there has echoed 10 my use
less cries. = '5sat1
| travelled thus on foot some Eve or six
days. sAfter the party were ready TO starr
in the morning, the direction OF the route
was pointed out 10 me, and / was required
to go before the others, in order not to
hinder them. They usually. overlook me
before travelled far. | had always in
tended to make my escape as soon as l
found an opportunity. l never expected
10 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
sent on in advance as usual l had eat
en- no breakfast, and was very weak, but
The hope of escape now supported me. |
FASTENED on as fast as could. and finding
. suitable hiding place, turned aside |
and concealed myself in the bushes AT.
er this | saw nothing more Of my captors.
found afterwards by the tracks of the an
mals, that they had searched for me; they
thoughtI would die, and there.
ore took less trouble to find me. have
40 doubt the next time they pass that way
hey will look for my bones.
oi'NuHoh "ao INV QIoutSSIuR O0. !
1ond all, description; was alone in an In.
iian country, some hundreds Of miles
rom the nearest friendly settlements. i |
vas without food, without shelter, and al.
most without clothing My body was full
# wounds and bruises, and my feet were
10 swollen that | could hardly stand,
Wild beasts were around me, and savages,
more wild than beasts, roamed on every
land. Winter was coming on, and death
n its most terrible forms stared me ii, the /
ace. sat down and thought OF my lone
y and exposed situation. But could no:
weep; my heart was too full Of woe. Ire
the events OF the few preceding
weeks. The husband OF my choice had I
,een murdered, and I.was not allowed the
melancholy privilege of closing his eyes,
ind seeing his remains decently inferred.
Wy little properly had been stolen, and
when within q few days. march Of sympa.
hizing friends. was captured by savages.
md after three weeks OF indescribabie suf-
erings, found myself wandering solitary
ind destitute in the midst Of the Wild prai.
ies-my. cup was filled to oyerAowing.
,ut | resolved to live in hope, if | died in /
despair. IS