Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-06-16


nature must compel from me some expression
of pain, in spite of my utmost WILL o, it was
horrible night! and may God deliver me
from ever passing such another.
But the end was not yet. Horrible as that
was, Threaded to see the morrow. How could
I'expect to escape the lynx eyes of so many
savages, when they should begin TO beat over
the ground for plunder? And at times the
thought of this so worked upon my feelings,
that l was more than once tempted to shrek
out, and let my position be known, and thus
bring upon myself the relief of speedy death;
for L knew, from my disabled condition, that
the Indians would not think of taking me
prisoner, but butcher me at once. And yet
the instincts of life were greater than the temp
by the way, seem wisely sent for our preserva-
tion-to act when reason tells us that hope is
lost, and we had better end our woes at once.
How painfully watched the dawning of the
day how eagerly and tremblingiy listened
to every sound! At length 1 could hear the
Indians astir; and soon after they began to
traverse the scene of slaughter, and gather up
the arms of my companions, and strip their
bodies of every garment. They were hours
at their work and to me those hours were
ages. At times when some of them drew
near the spot where lay, felt my heart in
my very throat, and it seemed as if l should
die of suffocation. Twice a small party of
them were SO close that could see their half
naked, hidcously painted forms through the
leaves and once single warrior stalked by
me, within reach of my rifle. Up and down,
and over the ground they passed and repassed
many times, till they were evidently satisfied
that none of the dead or the wounded had es-
capped their notice. They then drew off in a
body along the bank of the river, where they
remained for tours-in fact, till late in the day
when, being Joined by the rest of their COM
panions, who had probably made long journey
in pursuit of the fugitives. they repaired to
the boats.
With a feeling of thankfulness which can
not express, 1 heard them put off from the
shore, and every sound gradually die away to
silence. And yet shortly after, there came
an awful revulsion of feeling; for | now felt
that was alone-alone in the wilderness
afar from fricnds-so crippled that l could not
walk-could only move my body, in fact, by a
great effort-suffering all the time the most
cxcruciating agones, and in danger of per-
ishiug from starvation. Had L been able to
move about, even though never so slowly and
feebly, could have rcjoiced in my good for
tune but situated as was l felt that an over
ruling Providence, such as had so far preserved
me, could still save me from even more hor-
rble doom than had escaped.
AS thus lay on my back, in a position
which had scarcely been changed for more
than twenty hours, looked up through the
leaves, and to my surprise, might almost
say JOY, beheld racoon in the act of descend
ing the trunk of a large tree, some of whose
branches even canopied the spot where lay.
Was this poor animal messenger of hope 2
Had Providence directed it hither for my pre-
servationl / fancied so them almost fancy
so still. At all events 1 cautiously raised my
only remaining friend, my rife, took quick,
but certain aim, and fired. The ball sped to
its mark, and the animal dropped dead with
in few feet of me; and as | raised myself
among the limbs, with the intention of drag
ging myself to it, was startled by hearing a
human cry.
Fearing the Indians had not all gone,
hastily reloaded my rife, and then remained
perfectly still, trembling at the thought of
what might next behold, but determined to
sell my life dearly, and shoot the first human
figure l should see approaching me. Present
ly heard the same loud, startling cry repea-
ted, but this time much nearer than before.
Still L kept silent, my rife firmly grasped,
for could recognize nothing like the voice
of one of my race. Again heard the same
singular sound, but still nearer yet, and a rust
ling among the under brush, apparently at a
distance of twenty yards. 1 now cooked my
rifle, and poised it, resolved to shoot the first
object that should appear. But fortunately
nothing did appear. till my heart had been made
10 leap for joy, by the utterance of words, in
my native tongue, which fell clearly and dis
tinctly upon my ear, and assured me it was a
countryman, perhaps a companion.
ssWho are you where are you! For God 5
sake, speak - cried the voice.
Inow gave an answering shout; and soon
was gratified by the sight of human figure,
pushing rapidly through the bushes, whom,
notwithstanding his haggard and boodstained
features, at once recognized as Peter Brent.
On getting sight of me, he stopped, and ex-
claimed, 'sMy God Captain Benham, is this
you? How did you ascape? thought was
the only being left alive by the butchering
wretches!''
seAlas 20 1 returned, ssI am as good as dead
for am badly wounded in my hips, and can
not walk STEP"