The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1866-04-12

blood Tor long distance, but IL being
late / gave up'the chase, and, On halt.
ing, discovered that mnst bo long
way from camp, | climbed a large
tree 70 get view Of the range SO as
to get my Bearings to cut the trail. A
branch on which | was resting ut tho
height Of about thirty feet, broke, and
iell, striking upon my back AMI
shoulders. must have lain perfectly
insensibe for a considerable time, after
which was attacked with violent
vomiting and splitting ofbIood, Ieavin:.
me in q state OF semi-uDconsciousne
for day and half. was then only
able to crawl to a water hole, few
hundred yards distant. Having but
three cartridges left, / fired two as sig.
mails, rcserving the other in hopes of
getting a bear or deer il case | should
not be found.
Finding itimpossible to travel, I built
a large fire in hope that the smoke
might be seen, and remained another
day, trusting that the fever would
bate so that | could reach the trail and
overtake the party. The next day the
fever pains had partially abated, leav.
ing me frightfulIy weak and with vi
olent craving for food, and / was COM
PEELED to throw away my last bullet on
a grouse that | fortunately shot taro'
the head. 1t now became me TO con-
slider my true position, and to hold
counsel with myself, Go to the best
mode of proceeding. / found that I
vas at lcao. eyc niles from where tho
party would suppose me to be lost
that probably ere this all search had
been abandoned, and they had gone
on, and that in my present state of
weakness from fsvcr and hunger, even
if | could succeed in finding the trail
and reaching the river, / should be un-
able to cross IT, | had no ammunition
was barely clad in thin pants, with
light. thin flannel shirt, and bat a few
matches. Ny only chance of escape
was TO make direct for the Frazer riv.
er, and raft IL down 10 QuesnelIe,
which hoped to accomplish in few
days, living The best way could on
the few berries and roots ! might find.
Having resolved upon this plan as the
best and only one could pursue, I
steered, by the aid ofthe sun and my
watch, course east by south. This
route took ne over b, oxen country.
but we'll watered The iniens thirst 1
suffered from my feverishness cause o
constant supply ofwater necessary.
When near the river | experienced
very heavy thunder storm, with rain
that caused a rise in the river, increas-
ing its velocity to about eight knots
an hour. On reaching the river 1 con-
structed a raft, but from my want of
physical strength and the rapidity of
the current, it became unmanageabIe
and left me in the river, from which,
however, was able to Cxtricate myself.
| made slow progress along the bank
for the next two days. and resolved to
try the river again, but the log on
which | tried to obtain free passage
rolled off. By the mercy OF providence
[ was once moro enabled to reach the
shore, although was reduced to
state of exhaustion and
NOTWITHSTANDING nearly nude. For
gave up further attempts TO
go by water,.fOr on approaching the
Grand Rapids | should have met with
instant death among the forests and
thickets Of briar, enduring all the tor
lures and laceration; with the addi-
tional torments of mosquitoes, sand
flies and other pests, but with an un-
broken spirit and trusting that PrOvi-
dencc would grant me strength and
to get through.
To such pitch Of desperation was I
driven that, perceiving large black
bear--tbe largest l had ever seem
feeding in valley below me, / re-
solved, weak as l was, to attack him
With my knife. | gol TO the leewark
md approached within few PAGES of
lin, when seemingly disgusted with
ny ragged appearance. or Mortified at
NY hungry gaze, he brelc, leaving me
n possession OF 4 few wild berries. I
elt my remaining strength fast giving
way, when on the 22d l arrived OPP
posite a clearing Gh the east bank
Having built fire and hallooed to-
attract attention, | at last was heard
,y col0red man named John Mclean,
Who ferried me across the river, and
rave me suit of clothing. The
lcaring was occupied by Cinnamon,
he head of whom, All Sum, welcomed
ne to the place, fed me, and gave me
odgings for the night. To these men
feel most grateful, ...f
The next morni;.g | proceeded to
luesnelc, distant five miles; where
Iessrs Pepper & Co., Major Toye's
gents, received me most kindly, they
aving heard that | was lost, through
Mr.. Jay, who passed the party in
carch OF me- | arrived in very weak.
nd emaciated condition, but with
very cause to be grateful to a merci-
al God for his guidance and preserya--
ion during the twelve days | had pas
cd in the wilderness, existing on lilly
nd fern roots, with a few berries, the.
ltter being exceedingly scarce. Fear
cd my rifle through with me. Hav-
ng been a military man, felt tia.
oint of honor MOTTO oabandon my arms,
rough useless. i feel satisfied that,
ith Gods assistance, I.have brought
Iyself through this most trying or
cal of hardships and difficulties with
redit to myself asa member OF the
ompany Of which am an employee.
nsy-"Working for bare life,' is do