Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1871-10-31
Eoat in the Yellowstone,
Tie Naqaries Of 4 .Starving Nan.


stone, contributes 20 Gcri3nG's an intensely
interesting account Of his "Thirty-soycn Days
Of Peril" We quote:
~ lost all sense of time. Days and nights
came and went, and were numbered only by
the growing consciousness that was gradually
starving. l felt no hunger, did not cut IOr up.
petite, but to renew strength. l Experienced
but little pain. The gaping sores on my feet,
the severe burn on my hip, the fostering
cregices at the joiuts of my fingers, all ter.
rible in appearance, had ceased to give mo
the least concern. The roots which supplied
my food had suspended the digestive power
OF the stomach, and their ibres were packed
in ii in matted, compact mass.
"Not SO with my hours Of sIumbcr. They
were visited by the most luxurious dreams. [
would apparently visit tho most gorgcously
decorated restaurants OF New York aud Wash.
ington sit down to immense tables spread
with tho most appetizing viauds; partakc Of
the richest oyster stcws aud plumpCst pies
engage myself in the Labor and preparation Of
curious dishes, aud with them gill range upon
range Of elegantly furnished tables until they
fairly groanGd bcueath the accumulated dain-
ties prepared by my OwD hands. Frequently
tho entire night would seem to have been
spent in getting up SumptuOus dinner. l
would realize the fatigue Of roasting, boiling,
baking, and labricaiiug tho choicest dishes
known to the modern c"iSinc, end in my dis,
turbed slumbers would enjoy with cpicurcan
relish the food thus furnished cvCr to repletiou.
Alas there was moro luxury than litc in
these somuoleat vagaries.
"By some process which was too wcaS to
solve, my arrs, legs and stomach were trans
formed into SO many travelling compauions.-
Often for hours l would pIod along cou>
ycrsiug with these imaginary friends. Each
had his peculiar wants, which ho expected
me to supply The stomach was impoltunata
in his demand fer change OF diCt-com'
planned iucessanty Of the roots | fed to him,
their prcsep: effect and moro remote consc'
quences. | would try to silence him with
promises, beg Of him to wait few days, aud
when this failed Of tho quiet | desired, [
would seek to intimiIats him by declaring, as
sure result Of negligence our inability 10
reach home alive. All To Ino purposO-hc tor
meutcd INC with his frttEul humors through
the eItire journey. The others would gen.
orally concur with him in these lancied alter.
cations. The legs implored me for rest, and
the arms complained that gave them too
much to DO. Troublesome ms they were, it
was q pleasure to realize their presence. |
worked Cor them too, with right good will,
doing many things for their seeming comfort
which had felt myself alone, would have
remained undouc. They appeared to DO per.
fcetly helpless Of themseIvGs-wOuld do moth.
ing for ne or for each ether. | often Won
dercd, while they atl aud slept SO much, that
they did net aid in getting wood and kiudlng
! fires. As a couhtGrpOise to their own iucltiO,
whenever they discovered languor in me on
necessary occasions, they were nrt waiting in
words of encouragement and cheer. re-
call as write aH iu:tlncs where, by PROMPT
and timely iptsrposition, the representative
Of the stomach saved me from dreadful
death. 0nc day | came u small stream is
suing from spring Of mild temperature on tho
hillside, swarming with mlnnoSs. eau gRt
soInc with my hands aud ats theu raw. To
my taste they were delicioas. But the sto>
mach refused them, accused me Of Ittcmlt-
iug to poison him, aud would not be reconcllel
Until | had emI tied my pouch Of tine few ish
had put there for future use"