South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1888-01-20
brave as bear and as strong as a


long aud "a mile wide, and contain
sixty or seventy lodges. Nearly
all the warriors OF the village were
away watching the white party,
but as soon as the prisoner enter.
ell the village messenger was
dispatched 10 bring them in. Be-
fore noon all had returned, aud
there was great rejoicing over the
capture at the hunter. The head
chief of the tribe was expected at
the camp on the morrow, and it
was decided not TO do anything
with the prisoner until Ills arrival.
Tom was showed in alodge and
three warriors placed on guard ov-
er him. While they evidently
feared him, they at the same time
wanted to keep him fresh and
strong for the "iun" next day,
and therefore gave him plenty to
eat and drink aud did not even
tie his lands. He realized what
was 10 store for him if he could
not make his escape. but any at
tempt to take French leave with
three warriors on guard would
nave been his death. Every five
or SIX minutes one OF them looked
into tie lodge, ard until late
hour III the night the whole potu.
lace was on the move and helping
to keep watch. All thoughts of
attacking the party below were
given up for the time being, and
everyone looked forward to fine
entertainment on the morrow.
Tom heard the tiends discussing
in what way they should torture
him. One of the guards said that
he had seen u white man hung up
to a limb with u stick thrust
through the bones Of his legs as a
farmer hangs up slaughtered hog
and that he lived for half a day
One wanted to skin him alive, an
other believed in IL SLOW fire, and
almost every one who came up
had suggestion to make. 1t was
concluded that he would die game
and that his equal had not been
captured for gears.
Seeing there was no chance Of
escape just them said Old Tom,
81 made up my mind there was no
use frettino over the case, ard |
took things easy. 1 ate heartily
and abont 10 o'clock at night turn
ed in and slept Ike brick until
after daylight. l intended to take
advantage of the very first open
ing, and | knew that would not
come before | was led out in the
morning. Where they set out to
have regular holiday over pris
oner, running the gauntlet is al
ways the first thing in order, and
it offers the only opportunity to bolt
1t was nine o'clock next morning
before the big chief and his staff
arrived, and an hour later the pris
oner was brought out. The war;
riors had arranged themselves In
two lines and were armed with
clubs and switches Old Tom was
taken TO the head of tho lines, and
a warrior who could speak a little
English made him understand that
he was to run to the FOOT oil the line
and return, and that if he ran fast
and strong he would be set at lib.
erty ON his return. This was all
stuff of course, bat it Is always CIV
en- out TO every prisoner to encour-
age him. The chief called out 10
the men not to bit him too hard
and all wa5 ready for the start.
Tom intended to- wheel square a.
round and run for the river There
was not one chance in a thousand
for him but he preferred death by
bullet to death by torture. He
was even bracing himself for his
run when there were shouts of a
Iarm all around him aud he
saw two Indian boys coming down
the valley ON horseback making
signs as they came. Tom was hur-
ried back to the lodge, the village
was all excitem ent, aud in five
minutes fifty warriors we're riding
up the valley. Tom figured that
some of his party were scouting a.
round to learn his fate, aud that
they had come into the valley and
had been seen by the village sen.
tinels. This, rs was afterward as
certained, was the correct supposi-
ton.
The Indians did not return un-
tll after rive o'clock in the after.
noon. At ABOUT six Old Tom
was brought ont again and this
time no was tled to- a stake. For
some reason the redskins had de.
cided to spare him the gauntlet.
This was was from no feeling of
mercy. of course, hut their long
ride bad probably tired them out.
"There was no possible show for
me 10 make a break" said the old
man, 81 was backed up to the
stout stake. my bands aud feet tied
to II by strips OF green hide, and