Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1922-07-27
No.. 20

and the ciear Catectin winding on its
way towards the rushing Potomac.
But she sees not the grandeur of the
panorama through the tears that will
come as she thinks of those from
whose loving arms she has been torn,
and whom she may never see again.
Silently she now submits to her fate,
as the Indians press on down steep
declivities, and along narrow, rock
strewn paths bordering deep ravines,
in which mountain streams are rush
ing, until they reach the valley. The
sun is nearing the horizon. in the vest
| and the eastern slopes of the opposite
ridge of the South Mountains are al
ready dark with gloom, but still the
march goes>>0n, turning now more
northward, until night falls and the
stars shine out in the unclouded sky.
Then halt is made, fire is lighted,
and the Indians stretch themselves be-
side it, exchanging a few words in
their own language, and apparently
enjoying her, discontinue. The ore
who had been carrying her part Of the
way binds her fast to 9 sapling with 4
piece of rope, one end of which is Sc
cured around his body, and throws
himself beside her, so that she cannot
move without his knowing it. Sad and
weary she refuses the rough food that
is offered her, although she has eaten
nothing since early morning, and at
last, in that strange place, under the
open heavens, kind sleep comes to her
relief.
In the early dawn Of the next day
she is aroused by the movements of
her guard, and they prepare to resume
their march. Before them rise the
lofty heights of the Blue Ridge, but
the Indian trail they are following as
cends gradually, winding around and
between the jutting spurs of the ridge.
Coming to little stream of clear,
cool water, they stop, and each one,
STOPPING down to it, takes copious
draught, and then they motion to Ma
rie that she shall do the same. Being
very thirsty she does so, and it pleases
her rude companions, who again offer
her some of the food which they had
with them, one of them saying" Eat,
we not hurt you" She takes the food,
some dry bread and raw meat, taken
from some farmhouse they had plum
dered, where they probably also took
the scalps they were carrying. Seeing
that she does not eat the raw meat,
they insist on her doing SO, saying,
Good, make heap strong" and she is
forced to eat little of it. They also
give her some wild grapes from vine
nearby. Then they move forward a
gain, one of them holding her hand, so
that she shall not try to escape.
They have not advanced very far
when they come to little farm, and
see the settlers going about their
mornings work. Stopping abruptly
they hold q brief consultation, and
then all except the one holding Marie's
hand go towards the farm, concealing
themselves in the underground as they
approach it. After a brief interval
shots are heard, and then shouts and
shrieks, which soon cease, and after
some time the warriors return, with
fresh scalps added to those they al
ready have, and bringing as captives
woman and boy somewhat older
than Marie, whom they compel to car
nv some provisions taken from the
farm. The woman is bewailing her
fate and that of her family with pite-
Gus outcries and lamentations, and can
scarcely walk as they drag her along.
Seeing Marie, she exclaims, ooh, you
poor child! Have they taken you too?
THEY'VE killed all of us except this
boy and me, and wish they had killed
me too" A horse and two cows which
fhe marauders have taken from the
form are also brought. One Of the
Indians mounts the horse, Marie is
seated behind him, and thus they pro-
eeed all that day until the evening
finds them descending the western side
of hill that slops towards the bank
of the Potomac River. At its foot
they camp for the night. The cap
tives are carefully secured, but are
allowed to converse with each other,
and it is at least some poor comfort
to them in their misery. They are
given some of the milk from the cows,
her own cows, which the. woman is
forced to milk, and some of the food
taken from the farm, and then they
rest, while the night gently broods
over them and the rushing waters OF
the river seek to lull them to repose.
ITO be continued