Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-06-02
ADVENTURES OF COL. J. SMITH.

In the spring of the year 1755 James Smith.
then youth of eighteen, accompanied party
of three hundred from the frontiers of
Pennsylvania, who advanced in front of Brad
docks army, for the purpose of opening a
road over the mountain. When within a few
miles of the Bedford springs, he was sent back
to the rear, to hasten the progress of some
wagons loaded with provisions and stores for
the of road-cutters. Having delivered his
orders, he was returning in company with a.
mother young man, when they were suddenly
fired upon by party of three Indians from a
cedar thiciet, which skrted the road Smiths
companion was killed on the spot and altho'
he himself was unhurt, yet his horse was so
much frightened by the flash and report OF the
guns, as to become totally unmanageable, and
after few plunges, threw him with violence
TO the ground. Before he could recover his
feet, the Indians sprang upon him, and, over
powering his resistance, secured him as pris-
oner. One of them demanded, in broken Eng
lish, whether Esmore white men were coming
ups and upon his answering in the negative
he was seized by each arm and compelled to
run with great rapidity over the mountain I'M
til night, when the small party encamped and
cooked their supper. An equal share of their
scanty stock of provisions was given to the
prisoner, and in other respects, altho' strictly
guarded, he was treated with great kindness.
On the evening of the next day, after a rapid
walk of fifty miles, thru' cedar thickets, and
over rocky ground, they reached the western
side of the Laurel mountain, and beheld, at
little distance, the smoke of an Indian encamp-
ment. His captors now fred their guns, and
raised the scalp haliool This is long yell for
every scalp that has been taken, followed by a
rapid succession of shrill, quick, piercing
shreks, somewhat resembling laughter in its
most excited tones. They were answered
from the Indian camp below, by discharge of
rifles and long whoop, followed by shrill cries
of joy, and all thronged out to meet their par
ty. Smith expected instant death at their
hands, as they crowded around him but to
his surprise, no one offered him any violence.
They belonged to another tribe, and entertain
ed the party in their camp with great hospi-
tlity, respecting the prisoner as the property
of their guests. On the following morning,
Smiths captors continued their march, and on
the evening of the next day arrived at fort
Du Quesne-now Pittsburgh. When within
half mile of the FORT they again raised the
scalp haIloo, and fired their guns as before.
Instantly the whole garrison was in commo-
tion. The cannon were ired-the drums were
beaten, and French and Indians ran out in
great numbers to meet the party, and partake
of their triumph. Smith again surroun-
,ded by multitude of savages, painted in va
rous colors and shouting with delight; but
their demeanour was by no means as pacific as
that of the last party he had encountered.
They rapidly formed in two long lines, and
brandshng their hatchets, ramrods, switches,
&C., called aloud upon him to run the gaunt-
let. Never having heard of this Indian cere-
mony before, he stood amazed for some time,
not knowing what to do but one of his cap
tors explained to him, that lie was to run be-
tween the two lines, and receive a blow from
each Indian as he passed, concluding his ex
PLANTATION by eXhorting him to ssrun his best,
as the faster he ran the sooner the affair wouid
be over This truth was very plain-and
young Smith entered upon his race with great
spirit. He was switched very handsomely a
long the lines for about three-fourths the dis
tance the stripes only acting as spur to
greater exertfons and he had almost reached
the opposite extremity of the line, when tall
chief struck him a furious blow with ciuo
upon the back of the head, apd instantly TEL
led him to the ground. Recovering hlmselt
in moment, he sprung to his feet and started
forward again, when handful OF sand was
thrown in his eyes, which, in addition to the
great pain, completely blinded him. He still
attempted to grOpe his way through; but was
again knocked down and beaten with mercl-
less severity. He soon became insensible I'M
der such barbarous treatment, and recollected
nothing more, until he found himself in the
bosnital of the fort, under the hands OF
French surgeon, beaten to jelly, and unable
TO move a limb. Here he was quickly visited
bv one of his captors-the same who had given
him such good advice, when ABOUT 10 cohn-
mence his race. He now inquired Win soine
interest, if he felt every sore." oung oini.n
replied, that he had been bruised aimos. TO
death, and asked what he had done TO metis
such barbarity. The Indian REPLIED llial ne
had done nothing, but that it was the customs
nv greeting of the Indians to their prisoners
that it was something like the English ''how
dye do ?'' and that now all ceremony would
he laid aside, and he would be treated WIN
kindness Smith inquired if they had any
news of General Braddock. The Indian re-
piled that their scouts saw him every day
from the mountains-that he was advancing In
close columns through the woods-(this he IN
dicated by placing a number of red sticks par
aIleI to each other, and pressed closely togeth-
er)-and that the Indians would be able tc
shoot them down sslike pigeons.'