Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-03-26
A RACE FOR LIFE.
An Incident Of a Trip 20 California
Captured by the Indians and How
the GOld.Seeker Escaped.

gold fields of California, and an incident
happened TO me on that trip which
think will interest the reader IN its Pc
Iusal.
Game was plenty nearly all along the
route, but never was very fond of hunt.
ing, as were many of my fellow travellers.
Yet getting tired of the monotoDy of
travelling with slow-going OK teams, 1
concluded, one morning after the team
was in motion, to strike out to small
stream at the left of the road, whose
course was marked by long line of
timber and low brush, and which ran
almost parallel to our way, some three
miles distant.
My icea was to hunt awhile along its
banks, and then join the train a few
miles further on. This could easily do,
as / walked much faster than the oxen.
reached the stream, which was but a
small water course, anddry, except few
stsgnant pools. / followed its course
perhaps two miles without seeing any
game, although there were plenty of
fresh tracks and other signs.
/ was just on the point of giving it up,
and returning to the train, when up
sprang two fine deer, about thirty PAGES
distant. took aim at the nearest, and
at the crack of the rife down he tumbled,
shot through the head. He was besuti-
full specimen of the black tailed deer.
commenced to skin him in order to
get some of the choicest portions to carry
away with me, and had nearly completed
my task, when, without the slightest
warning, two heavy hands grasped me
by the shoulders, aud q cultural ''ugh"
told me too well what the matter was.
Turning my head bsheld three painted
ssvages. Theinearest stout athletic fell
low, held firmly to my shoulders, whilst
one of the others held my empty rifle,
which had not reloaded after killing the
buck. The other now reached for my
knife, with which l was cutting up the
venison. Seeing it was useless 10 refuse,
as they had me completely in their power,
/ gave it to him. Then the big one,
shaking me roughly by the shoulders,
babe me get upon my feet, after which
they bound my hands behind my back, and
then taking a large portion of the
venison, they made me accompany them
away. They took a southwest direction,
and l felt slight hope thst in passing
over the high ridges we should be OBJ
served by my comrades, pursued and re-
taken, but my hopes soon faded, for l
could see nothing of our train. 1t was
near the middle of the day when ! was
captured, and in short time we came to
plain Indian trail, which led, as near as
l could judge, nearly parallel to the emf
grant road.
After following this some ten or twelve
miles we came to the village of my cap
tors, situated on the land of a swift-run-
ming stream, which / afterward learned
was one of the forks of Green River.
There were some fifteen or twenty lodges,
or wigwams, of the ShosOnees tribe, TO
which my csptors belonged. Ny advent
among these natives was q cause of much
joy and wonderment, who stared at me as
if they had never before seen a white
man. After had been paraded through
the village for some time, like q rare show,
l was taken to the principal wigman oc-
cupied by the chief, who was very aged,
and who, at first sight, impressed me
more fsvorably than any of the others
had done. He set some broiled meat be-
fore me, and by motions and signs bid me
eat, which was not slow in doing, being
very hungry from my long fast. OF my
treatment, thus far, ! had no great
reason to complain, but what was
yet in store for me, l could not have
the remotest idea A council
was soon held for the purpose, as l sup
posed, OF determining my future disposal,
but the resolutions of which / was not
allowed to know. 1t was by this time
getting dark, and my mind was actively
trying to invent some method of escape
l was very closely watched, and knew
that if they suspected my intentions, /
should have but faint prospect. There
fore, made myself at home as much as
possible in order to put them off their
guard. soon pretended to be very
sleepy, holding and nearly falling over,
at which they laughed heartily. Finally,
l begged to be allowed to lie down and
sleep, giving them to understand by signs
that l had not slept any the previous
night This l considered bold stroke of
policy, and to this day thank my lucky
stars that it ever entered my head, for
they at once spread mat of buffalo
robes upon the ground, and motiOned me
to lie down, and then q stout Ind an on
either side, were my bed-fellows and
guards, while another bound my feet to-
gether-nO doubt thinking that now was
perfectly secure.
The wigWam in which we lay was quite
a large one, and besides US three there
were several other mats occupied, so that
there were perhaps a dozen or more &C.
cupants. a sentinel sat near the door or
opening, with his rife across his knee.
This l had not counted upon, and if he
remained awake all highs my escape
would be hopeless. But, nevertheless, l
determined, if but the slightest chance
offered, | would make the attempt, come
what would. So, no sooner was | in my
rude bed, then l was, to all appearances,
sleeping souudly, yet with my eyes and
ears half open, to note the movements
and motions of my enemies. All except
the sentinel were sound asleep. and he
looked as if be would soon follow suit.
According to my best reckoning, it was
about midnight, and my hopes ran high,
and now the sentinel'S head dropped over,
and anon he would strsighten up, look
keenly ST me, but as l was apparently far
in the land Of dreams, he al length lay
down, and, suppose, was as quickly
sleeping. Now, if ever, was my time.
Softly withdrawing the knife fror. the
belt of one of the sleeping savages at my
ude, in few seconds my feet were free,
hen slowly by degrees Iraised to a sitting
posture. noted my foes; they were all
Ound asleep. Silently, with the utmost
lution, gained the entrance of the wig
am, and stepping out, calculated mo-
snt as TO my course to the emigrant
81, and tresding swiftly and silently as
sable, made my way out of the vii
re. Just as gained the prairie, dread
series of loud yeils, mingled with the
king Of Indian dogs, told me at once
tiny escape was discovered. With my
vt almost in my mOut sped on,
rtlng my swiftest powers of foot for
escape so dear to me, was doubtful.
night was dark, and person on the
irie could not be distinguished over an
ldred PAGES, and l knew that had the
1T by a. least three hundred PAGES. l
! always been noted as very swift on
ii, and now it was put to the test, for
-uld hear the noise and tramp of many
#, as swift as my own, in hot pursuit;
with the hope of dear life, l resolved
rad them a long race, Closer came