Year: 1859

a FriEhtful Adventure with Indians.


In early days. when Illinois was a part Of
OF the great Northwestern Territory, and
the silence of the Mississippi valley had not
yet been broken by the cough Of the steam
boat. /, in common with several others, found
n home on the Illinois river. at place some
fifty miles above its mouth. st. Louis was
then but little more than village, and was
principally inhabited by French. yet small
as II was. and few as were the advantages
offered. Il was our only trading point; and
to II we had to make regular pilgrimages in
order that we might dispose Of our iurs. and
purchase the necessaries OF life that we found
impossible TO get along without.


At the time of which am going to write,
it was in the fall season-November, per
haps-and as our little settlement had not
yet laid in its winters ammunition, it be-
came necessary for some person or persons
to make the usual trip to St. Louis. After
much planning and more talking, the task
was thrown upon Jack Harncy and myself,
and forthwith he went about making prepa.
rations for the journey, which was to be per-
formed on horseback. In those days it did
not take as long to make ready for jaunt
as it does now, as you can judge when l tell
you that the decision was at noon, and at
O'Clock that night we went to bed with eve
thing loaded and primed ready for an early
start in the morning.


The morning came. and armed and equip
ped as the times demanded, Jack Harvey and
myself turned our backs upon our homes and
friends, and set ont for our six days journey
through the wilderness. Itwas rather "skit-
tish times" just then, for the country was al
most overrun with Indians, and there were
some indications that a difficulty was upon
the eve of springing up between them and
the whites. We talked this matter all over.
and thought it more than probable that hos
tilities would not commence before we re.
turned at all events there was no avoiding
the trip, for the prospects of war made ii
the more necessary for our little colony to
have a supply OF ammunition.


For the first day we threaded our way
through the woods without any particular
adventure, and encamped near beautiful
spring some three miles from the river
Scarcely had our fires been kindled. when
we were visited by an Indian, who staid
with US till about nine o'clock, protesting
great friendship; still there was something
in his manner which did not like. spoke
of my suspicious to Harney, but he only
treated them lightly, and so, for the time,
the matter rested.


We retired. or ''rolled in" and being both
used to the woods. were soon sleeping very
comfortably. Ere our nap had been pro-
tracted to any very great length, we we're
suddenly awakened by the we'll known war
whoop, and opening our eyes, saw ourselves
surrounded by some twenty or thirty In
dians, who had already taken possession of
our arms, and we're musing among them
selves By series of the most hostile ges-
lures. To think of escape or defence was
folly. We were already prisoners-and the
only thing left was TO submit to our fate.
which we had every reason to believe would
be anything but the best.


Without a moments delay, the savages
seized and bound us together with strong
cords, and then amid repetition OF kicks
. and cuffs, marched us of to their village.
some two miles distant. A counsel OF war
was called, which. after remaining in session
till day break. adjonrned, leaving US in ig-
norance as to the character OF the decision
they had made. OF a duration far too short
for comfort was our ignorance, however, for
collection of dry branches and twigs
around the roots OF two small trees on a
neighboring ridge. told US in language not
to be mistaken. that our fate was sealed.


A little later, and the sun rose over the
distant hills, smiling down upon the world
as bengnly as usual. The birds sung with
their wanton merriness, and all went on as
pleasantly as II nothing uncommon had TAX
en- place. In the midst of all this we were
dragged forth. and with rude hands lashed
to the fatal trees; and then around MS com
menced the hated war-dance Of those fiends
of the forest


soon perceived that Harney was to fall
the first victim to their tortures, for while
the circle passed round us without noticing
me, each member of 1t plucked a handful Of
hair from the head of my unfortunate com
panlon. Having performed this work Of
cruelty to their satisfaction, they changed
the scene, and each with his bunting knife
cut cross into the barred breast of their
suffering victim; and then they pierced his
flesh with fiery sticks, severed his fingers
from his hands, and performed every act Of
torture which the ingenuity OF Satan was
enabled to suggest.


After writhing in all the agonies Of death
for an honr, perhaps, my friends head fell
upon his breast, and then l saw it was all
over. Perceiving this, the savages raised
their yells an octave higher, at the same time