Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1858-07-30

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finding; and knew not by what means he
might get it into his mouth if obtained
On hearing the report of my rifle faint
hope had sprung up in his breast that COM
panion might be rear: but whether it might
prove to be a friend or an enemy he deter
mined to make himself known, and risk
captivity or even death, rather than remain
in his helpless condition.
We now begun our singular mode of liv-
ing, which probably has never been paral-
lcled in the worlds history. The first thing
Brent did was to search for the raccoon
had shot, and push it ons to me with his
feet. | then dressed it, and kindlcd fire
with my sticks, which he also pushed up to
me in the same manner, broiled it, and on
this we made our supper-as hearty and as
pala able meal as ever ate ir my life
| feeding him as he sat beside me- Our
hunger appeased, we felt more sensibly the
pangs of thirst; and Mt first we could devise
no means for obtaining the water SO near
us. Necessity is the mother of invention;
and luckily bethinkins me of my hat,
placed the rim in my companions mouth,
and told him to wade into the river, until
he should be able to dip the hat under, and
then, y returning quickly, | finccd that Il
good portion Of the water might be retained
after allowing for leakage. The plan sue
cecded, and taking the half-fllod hat from
his teeth, held it to him to drink, and
then drank myself; the most refreshing and
invisoratins drauyht that ever passed my
lips.
The immediate wants of nature being now
fully supplied, re begun to be more cheerful
and hopeful, though still suffering extreme
pains from our shattered limbs, which then
proceeded to dress as well as our circumstan-
ces would permit. Making some rude splin-
tcrs with my knife, took off my shirt and
tore it into strips, and then putting the bones
of Brent s arms together as well as | could =,
| bound the splnts around them. This done
| proceeded to dress my wounds n the same
incomplete way.
Another night now set in, which we pass
ed together, lying Close in the thckct, and
suffering great deal of pain. We slept
little, but spent tedious hours in talking
over the events which had happened, and
mourning over the loss of our brave compan-
| ions.
The second day, beingining early in the
morning and keeping sharp look out for
game, was fortunate enough to shC OF two
squirrels and wild turkey, the latter being
quite numerous in that region. This served
us for food through the day, and on the third
| succeeded in shootinga a couple more squir,
rels and a few birds. my companion always
kicking the game to me with his feet, push
ing up sticks and brush in the same manner,
and dressing and cooking the animals and
feeding him.
So matters went on for several days, the
game gradually becoming scarcer, and re-
quiring IL great deal more labor on Brent's
part to drive within reach Of my rifle. Days
thus passed on, and even weeks, before my
wounds were 50 far healed as to permit me to
hobble about on crutches, and during all
this time we saw not human soul, though
anxiously watching for some chance boat to
pass down tine river and take us OFF,
Our garments being thin, and our shirts
torn up for bandages, ,and the weather setting
in cold. our future prospects were indeed
chcerless, and we We're much concerned least
we should be Obliged to winter where we
were. To be prepared for any emergency,
we with much labor put up a kind of rude
shaety, which served in some measure to
protect us from the almost wintry bl .sts
which now begun to sweep over the desc
late scene.
As the season grew colder, and more in
companion with difficulty drove enough
within rifle shot to give us a single meal a
day, and with all the rest, our powder was So
low in the horn that could count the charg-
cs. AMI dared not fire except when certain OF
my mark, then it was we began to feel the
horrors of dcsptir, and sometimes to regret
that We had outlived the deal around us -
Almost naked, with unshavcu, haggarl
faces, followed checks, and sunken eyes, we
now indeed looked ptable, even to each 9TH
er; every day too, our positions seemed to
grow worse instead of better, and at last,
with sinking heart, | informed Brent that
we had but tour charges Of powder in our
horn
God help US, was his reply.
Matters We're thus at their very worst,
when one dly, Pet'r burst salienly into our
shanty, where sat shiyerins overa few EN-
Blessed be God Captain L nham we're
saved there's fiat boat just turning the
bend above Us
Who shall describe my feelings then |
started up and habbled down To the bank of
the river, shouting Idly as | went, lest the
boat, scarcely yet within sight, should pass
us ere could reach che beach.
Oh, how painfully anxious we watched its
slow approach, continually shouting. to at
tract the att ,ntion of men too for distant t.
hear us, and making every kind OF signal we
could possibly think of for the same pur'
pose.
Gradually the boat nearcd us, and al
length We could see its crew gathered togeth
er and pointing toward us. But, oh Heaven
inmagine, if you can, our horror, when we