Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1892-05-30

me, out sHpped Uhfough.
was finally made prisoner under
singular circums stances. [ was return
ing from the flying column to Fort
Wallace with dispatches. I had set
out soon after dusk and made a good
twenty five miles when heavy fog
settled down on the plains. It would
not have bothered an Indian to keep
the points of compass, but after had
turned and twisted among some dry
ravines I had to own up that I was
lost. Ny horse was just as badly off.
When [ gave him his head he came to
a stop. The only thing to do was to
dismount and wait for daylight. was
sitting on the ground not feeling bit
sleepy, and my horse was lying down,
when a band Of thirty seven Indians,
all mounted, walked right on to me
through the fog. I heard the foot
steps Of the horses, but could not 10
cate them in the fog until it was too
late. When ieaped up it was with
the thought that Z might make O break
for it on foot, but before I could turn
they were all about me, and in anoth-
er minute I was made prisoner.
The Indians were as surprised as I,
and it was broad daylight before they
identified me. Up to that time they
had treated me fairly well. When it
was known that I was the scout whose
life they had SO long thirsted after
half a dozen bucks tried their best to
tomahawk me on the spot. When
their angry excitement had cooled
down there was much rejoicing as if
they had captured q fort. Six war
riors were called out as a guard, and
soon after sunrise I was put in their
charge and started for a big Sioux vii
lage on Deer creek between the two
forks of Republican river. I was Of
course, disarmed. Then my elbows
were tied together, my feet tied I'M
der the horse, and for fear the horse
would run off with me he was led by
lariat.
At noon we made a halt Of half an
hour and was given about half pound
Of jerIzed buffalo meal. My arms were
unbound that I might eat, but the
whole six constantly kept their eyes
on me. When we set off again was
bound as before, and we rode at a gal
lop until ten o'clock at night before
the village was reached. I understood
the Sioux lingo very well, though I
did not let on to, and the talk as we
rode was anything but pleasant to me.
Ii. was agreed that [ would be put TO
the torture, land that it would be made
to last as long as possible.
When we reached the village l was
placed in q tepee and my arms I'M
bound. They refused to cast the lash
ing off my legs, though three of the
bucks stood guard outside. [ was SO
stiff and sore with the ride that I
could not have taken five steps had
they turned me loose and told me to
go. I got not wink Of sleep that night,
and it was not until eight o'clock next
morning that my legs were freed. Tt
was a village of eighty lodges, and the
one ] occupied was almost in the cen
ter Of the collection. I couldn't have
escaped had they left the tent I'M
guarded, but they took no risks.
There were always two and some
times four Of the bucks squatted out
side Of these a circle of squaws and
children.
It was the third day after my capt
ure before I was disturbed. Tneu
most Of the warriors having returned
to the village on purpose to witness
my death, was lead out at three
O'Clock in the afternoon to undergo
the preliminary to actual torture.
This is running the gauntlet. There
was as near as 7 could judge sixty
men and boys in each line, and the
lines were four feet apart. Had each
i one been armed with a switch to
strike me it would have been punish
ment enough, but they were allowed
to use clubs and stick and tomahawk
handles. When I looked down the
/ line [ felt that there no show for me
to make the run, and yet must make
/ the attempt. You may ask why did
not obstinately refuse, and let them
do their worst then and there. Be-
cause I was hoping for them to show
me little mercy, but not SO cruelty
as if I refused to run
I got as good and ready as I could
and when the signal came I sprang
away at the top Of my speed. Blow
after blow fell upon me while the saw
ages shouted their pleasure, and to
my great surprise at last reached the
end of the lines. There I fell in a heap
and they gave me about ten minutes
in which to brace up for the run back.