The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1901-10-31

tne lblunu nearly 10 ltS MtSteIH GA
tremity. The blubber found on the
previous visit had been replaced by
a fresh stock. In the crotch of tree
near the west end of the island they
found a basket containing a garment
made of the skins of the cormorant,
cut in squares and neatly pieced to-
gether; with the ends OF the feathers
all pointing downward. There were
shell hooks, bone needles, n rope of
slnew, and various trinkets in the bas-
ket with the robe. These things Cap
tain Nidever scattered upon the
ground, thinking IL they were replaced
on his next visit to the tree 1t would
be conclusive evidence that the wom-
an was still alive. After several days
spent in securing seal and otter upon
the ground already explored, another
wind storm came on, and the spot
containing the basket was not revisit
ed; as ON all previous voyages, the
woman was left to her fate and the
schooner crossed to San Miguel Island
without her.
In July, 1853, Captain Nidever again
went to San Nicolas, determined to
rescue the woman If she could be
found. Before, he had gone to find OF
ter and seal; now he had q nobler
quest.
He anchored midway of the north
western shore of the island Near Cor
raj Harbor, where the natives had
embarked in 1886. At this point and
at the western extremity of the island
is found an abundance of good water,
seal and fish. Here Captain Nidever
made camp, and with his men began
systematic search. On the second
day hut was discovered upon the
ridge. and on approaching 1t, piles Of
ashes and bones were seen ut its
entrance.
Within the enclosure sat the object
Of their search, talking aloud to her
self, and with rude knife, manufac-
tured from piece of rusty iron hoop,
washed up by the waves, she was dill
gently scraping blubber from a piece
of sealskin.
She watched the approach of the
men with interest, but made no at
tempt at flight. She was clothed in a
garment of cormorant skins which
reached nearly to her ankles, and her
throat and arms were bare. Her hair
was yellowed by the sun and tangled,
and her skin, where exposed, was
brown, but where protected by her
robe it was quite fair, showing her
to be of Aztec or Toltec origin. She
received her visitors with the quiet
and dignity Of a queen, greeting each
with n bow and n smile. She talked
incessantly, but no word of hers could
be understood, although the Indians Of
the rescuing party spoke several dial
ects In her hut was fire, and when
the captain and his men were seated,
the woman roasted roots, termed "car-
comite" by Californians, which she
served to the company an ebalone
shells.
One day she took her new comrades
to deep hidden grotto, where bub-
bled a cool spring from whence she
drew her supply of water for cooking.
Here they found several unique water
Jars woven by her of the island
grasses, and lined with asphaltum,
which is plentiful on the western
shore. The water jars resembled
wide-mouthed bottles. and would hold
from two to six quarts. 1t was inter
esting to watch lIer make baskets
water tight. She would drop into them
bits of asphaltum and hot pebbles,
whirling them deftly as the asphaltum
| liquefed. 1t required skill and pa
tience,, but when they We're thorough
ly galvanized with n thin coating the
jars were both light and durable.
A second spring near the above
mentioned grotto she used as a lava
tory, and would frequently visit 1t, for
she was very cleanly in her habits.
At the expiration of month, when
the schooner was ready to depart, she
was made to understand by signs that
she was to go on board. She evidenced
the pathetic struggle she had waged
with want In the years Of solitude by
gathering together every fragment of
food In her possession. In the crevices
of rocks and in other spots secure from
the depredations of the wild dogs
which infested San Nicolas she had
laid up stores of bones and other re-
fuse in anticipation OF some future
starvation times These she insisted
should be carried with her. Once OH
board and the flrebrand she had
brought burned to ashes she chung
closely to the stove, showing that she
often suffered from cold. as well as
hunger.
Captain Nidever conveyed the In
dian woman to his home in Santa
Barbara, where she lived in his family
until her death. She was supposed
to be about fifty years Of age when
rescued.
She had docile, loving nature and
was OF n peculiarly happy disposition
How she had retained these qualities
in her years of lonely life is Il mys
terry. She became much attached tc
her new friends, and they in turn gave
her most cordial affection. She was
naturally intelligent and full OF re-
sources. and soon learned to communi
cate with those about her. She told OF
n her sorrow at the death OF her Oldest
child. who was devoured by wild dogs
on the day her people We're takeI
from the island by Captain Hubbard