The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1882-02-10

them. lie then said
! ''Me make big Injun out you. You Hkt
big Injun."
I ''NO, sir - / answered.
/ At this he laughed and said, make you
/ like him."
! They then built fire and prepared theil
/ supper, which consisted of bears meat.
/ Each one cut slice off, and putting it OF
/ it was done enough to suit.
| was handed slice and stick and told
/ to do the same.
/ Boy like, grief did not take my appetite
away; and l ate it with relish-for after
. my long walk felt very hungry
After supper they lit their pipes and
smoked for about an hour. Then the fire
was left burning, and all laid down to sleep
myself between them, with my hands and
feet tied.
The next morning was clear and beautiful
There was not cloud to be seen in the sky.
After we had eaten our breakfast, which
was the same as last nights supper, we
started On our journey.
We travelled until noon, when halt was
made for an hour, for rest and dinner.
So things went on until the fourth night
after my capture.
l appeared to be reconciled to my fate
and made them think rather liked it than
otherwise, which had the effect of giving me
more liberty.
They did not bind my hands and feet now,
but made me sleep between two of them,
and the other one slept at my head Should
get up would have to do it with the great
est care, Tor the slightest noise would cause
them to start even the swapping of twig
would wake them.
For some reason or other l could not sleep
that night, but lay awake looking at the
stars, and thinking of father, mother, and
that once happy home which 1 would never
see again.
The idea then struck me for the first time
that / might escape.
l cautiously raised myself to a standing po.
sition, and was about stepping over one of
the Indians, when he gave start instant
ly laid down and closed my eyes.
The Indian raised himself up, and put his
head so near mine that 1 could hear him
breathe. / think he was looking to see if I
was asleep.
Coming to the conclusion that all was
right he laid down again, and by his hard
breathHRg l knew that he was now asleep
himself.
Waiting some fifteen minutes longer, I
again got on my feet, and this time stepped
across the Indian, and was abodt to go
further when heard movement. 1 stood
still, and my heart beat fast and hard that
I could hear it.
Cautiously and gently picked my way,
stopping every step l took to listen, and
then putting my foot down quietly, not dar-
ing to bear the whole weight of my body on
it at once, but little at time until I was
sure made no noise.
In this way it took me nearly an hour to
travel distance l could at any other time
have gone in few minutes.
| then reached stream, which walked
in, not from the knowledge which l after
wards learned that it would break my trail,
but because 1 thought 1 would make less
noise.
In that way 1 travelled the remainder of
the night and as soon as it was daylight !
looked around for place of conceaIment,
which in short time l found.
1t was an old tree that had fallen over the
stream, the trunk of which was hollow |
crept into it and laid down to sleep.
How long 1 slept know not-but when /
awoke the sun was very bright.
/ thought l would take a look outside but
just as was about doing so, was greatly
startled at seeing an Indian pass by the
opening. | then crept back as far as J
could, and waited and listened.
could hear the Indian walking around
and at last 1 saw him put his head to the
hole in the tree where was, and then his
arm. was about to crawl out, but ne turn
ed and went away, and heard no more OF
him.
| remained all day in the tree and as soon
as it became dark came out and resumed
my journey, though 1 knew not whittier
] was going.
l walked until got tired, and then stop
ped to rest. | began to feel very hungry
and to wonder where ! could get something
to eat.
AS / was thus resting heard great rust
ling close by, and, not knowing what It was
thought it best to climb tree.
had no sooner reached the first branch,
than to my terror | saw a large bear come
up to the very tree I was on.
placed as great distance between him
and myself as / could.
While he was growing and looking up al
me, heard the crack of a rifle, and at the
same time the bear fell over dead.
In few minutes a couple of white hun
ters came up, and while they were examin
ing the bear descended the tree.
After hearing my story they promised tC
take care of me and deliver me safe to my
uncle, which, in the course of a couple OF
weeks they did, and thus L was providen
italy saved.