The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-10-01

lessened the chance of being attacked by
the roaming Apaches. 1t was late in the
afternoon, and we were yet 4 long distance
from Maricopa Wells, when We were sud
denly jumped by the Indians. 1t came
like a clap of thunder from clear sky
and the surprise was absolute.
"At the first shot the driver dropped the
reins and fell forward, dead. The horses
became frightened, and in turning abruptly
around upset the ambulance; the front
wheels became uncoupled, and when ex-
treated myself from the fallen vehicle l
saw some of the Indians making off with
| the horses. The Indians gave us no time
for defense; We were disarmed in mo-
ment and then they took me and one of my
companions, named Brown, in their midst
and urged us forward in n northerly di-
rection. Everything was done so quickly
! that l had not even time to ascertain the
fate of the remaining members of our
party. / think, however that they were
killed then and there, perhaps from the
first fire. AS to us two we had no doubt
that we should be subjected to horrible tor
ture
After dark halt was made; we were
stripped Of our clothing and forced to
march until near daybreak, when we
reached stream, probably the ella River
Here we camped, hidden in the dense
bushes, securely secreted, during the entire
day. The Indians evidently feared discov-
cry by the Maricopas, and We're not anx-
ious for battle with superior numbers.
"At night We crossed the river and took
an easterly course, travelling two days,
| when we came to a stream of sparkling.
clear water, whose borders were timbered
with cottonwoods. In this grove we
camped. The Indians made a big fire and
by signal smoke informed the scattered
members of the tribe where they were To-
Gated. Three or four days later Indians
began to arrive from all directions with
their squaws and children.
A SURGICAL SURPRISE.
In the meantime there was an Indian
boy in camp with broken knee-cap from
a recent wound, who made 4 great deal of
fuss while a squaw was dressing the
wound. I told an Indian who spoke the
Spanish language tolerably well, that
could cure that boy. The Indian repeated
my words to his Chief, who sent one of
his sub-chiefs, who spoke Spanish, to bring
me before him. The Chief questioned me
as TO my ability to cure the wound.
told him that the leg would have to be
amputated to save the boys life, as gan
creme had already set in about the knee
cap; that l could amputate the leg with
out causing the boy any pain IL he the
Chief had in his possession what was car
ried in the ambulance, meaning, of course,
my medicine chest and case of instru-
merits. The Chief arose and talked earn
estly to the Indians about him, and in
less than an hour every article taken from
the ambulance, even to the brides and
pieces of the reins and harness, were ar
ranged in n scmi-circle before me. / gath
cred up all or my own effects, finding my
pocket case and instruments undisturbed.
On the following day l administered chic,
reform to the boy, and amputated the in
Jured limb. To the great surprise and
wonder of the Indians gathered about to
witness the operation, the nervous and
troublesome lad never moved a muscle
while under the knife. This remarkable
feat at once raised me in the estimat ton
of the Indians TO the exalted station Of a
supernatural being, and old Chief Pedro
Immediately ordered his followers to dress
my feet, which were much cut up and
blistered from the long walk over rocks
and rough ground. He also caused me tc
be provided with clothing; he had a shade
built of willows close to his own habita
) ton for my exclusive use, and had meal
cooked for me. The Chief even told me
, that all my wants, as far as in his power
! lay, should be supplied; that he would moi
allow his men to either torture or kill me
, provided made no attempt at escape. IT,
then appointed a strong l2year-old boy n,
L.
boy accompanied me henceforth in all m,
walks about the camp and beyond its lin
its; but soon discovered that all m,
movements and doings were faithfully re
n ported to the Chief daily, and that tn
boy was as much spy as servant As hi
Z followed me like my own shadow and wa
S very swift Of foot, an attempt Mt escape
e on my part would have been sheer suicida
d folly.
e 81 asked the Indians what had becom
: Of my co-captive, Brown, from whom W.
L had parted company the first night afte
e our capture, together with a part Of tn
original attacking party They pointed t
I the west and said they had all gone to joil
II another band
e eve remained in this camp. supposed +
S be about at the mouth of the Verde River
a about a month, then we began moyin
$ from camp to camp from time to time, al
ways in an easterly direction, and over
4 big range of mountains. During the Sum
K mer Of 1852 We remained in the mountains
q In the Fall we went into the valley wher
: another stream emptied into Salt River
J on the north side-and remained there al
/ Winter. The boy servant and the ampu
tated boy were my constant companions