The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-09-19

barrelled gun beside him, tying large blan.
ket shawl around her waist, taking her babe
year old on her arm, and her little daugh.
ter of six by the hand, she crept out through
the cellar with Mrs Ericsson, who also had a
child of two years and half, and carried an
indispensable satchel. Who shall follow
them through their dreary, weary march that
day? Twenty miles they wandered, through
tearing brush and miring bog, and occasion
ally stumbling on the pebbly beach or wading
in the cool waters of the lake, where they
sought moments refreshment, dipping the
little girls tea-cup into the sparkling wave
and mostening bit of dry bread with which
to stay the pangs of hunger. Night over
took them in the thicket. They wrapped the
shawl around the little nes,and Mrs f. gain
ed a little sleep. But Mrs F. had long been
past eating and sleeping. In the morning
they reached Green Lake and to their horror
found the settlement deserted. At last, fore
ing an entrance into the house of relative,
they found flour and fresh eggs, kindled a
fire, and one watched while the other cooked,
lest the smoke from the chimney should be-
tray them. After satisfying the children,
they washed and dried their tattered dresses,
which were perfectly saturated, and SO soled
as to be burdensome to carry then sitting
for moments rest in rocking -ch air A
tramp outside-a hat-and horses head
appeared before the window. A moments
thrill. Thank God It's white man. And
the long agony of hours and days at last
found relief in an outburst of sobbings and
tears. The boy came from his fathers camp
near by. Were all astonished to find houses
vacated and no inhabitants. Had come to
settle in the country. Knew not what to
think. The mystery was soon explained. He
took up one or two of the children. Mrs f.
relieved Mrs +. of hers, as she was now al
most helpless and obliged to rest frequently,
the short distance to the camp. Her shoes
and stockings had been entirely worn off and
Mrs E. had torn the lining from her satchel
to bind up her bruised and bleeding feet
The boy had preceded them. The father was
unloading his wagon, and in few minutes
they were all seated therein on their way to
Forest City, where after driving all night,
they arrived at 1 o'clock Sunday morning.
Here she found her remaining children all
safe with their uncle, who had fled with them
from Green Lake. But what of the poor
wounded solitary husband? lie suffered
intensely the first day, bnt was little easier
the next, when Swanson came creeping up to
the door. Are you white or Indian No
answer. Then crawling off some distance he
called aloud, Mr. Foote recognizing the voice
He answered and begged for fresh water. 1t
was brought. Twice despairing of aid, and
unable to endure the thought of further tor
ment from the Indians. had he placed the
muzzle Of his gun at the roof his mouth and
tried to discharge it with his foot Proyi-
dence interposed and the caps both burst
Then he would bleed to death, and he infict-
ed ghastly wound upon one arm. But a.
gain kind Providence thwarted the design,
and what should have insured death brought
life and healing. The artery was not sever
ed. The Inflammation was reduced and pre-
vented. A mile or two distant lived Nor
wegian woman. Her family had been nearly
all massacred and she and her little son came
to this cabin. Here she found the groan:ng,
dying men. Her kind heart set about their
relief. She cut their clothing from them,-
they were still in their overcoats-cleansed
their wounds, in which the worm was already
rlotlng, and by her own strength dragged
the sufferer in the chamber upon his mattress
to the stairway, placed the burden upon her
shoulders and carried him safely to the wag-
on. MIR Foote made desperate effort and
reached the wagon unassisted. And that
stout Norwegian heart, brought them into
Forest City, Monday morning. Who shall!
describe the meeting of that family! Mrs
Blood, who had mourned them all as dead,
went out from St Cloud, Thursday morning,
with one of our physicians, to see her son,
and he is now here under his care. as also
Mrs Foote's family. His every symptom is
now favorable, and his recovery considered
almost certain.
We learn that Mr. Foote has since died.