diff options
| author | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-02-04 10:34:23 -0800 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-02-04 10:34:23 -0800 |
| commit | c32baef45e5b9668e0d1a0e1162f366a8572a792 (patch) | |
| tree | bac90f7114030b1f62a53b124c5bbaef2b8ddb52 /old/63673-0.txt | |
| parent | f1b65e973945c9bbe64197c62cac873cea4e2fe4 (diff) | |
Diffstat (limited to 'old/63673-0.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | old/63673-0.txt | 7671 |
1 files changed, 0 insertions, 7671 deletions
diff --git a/old/63673-0.txt b/old/63673-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 6b3b639..0000000 --- a/old/63673-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7671 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Narrative of My Captivity Among the Sioux -Indians, by Fanny Kelly - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this ebook. - -Title: Narrative of My Captivity Among the Sioux Indians - -Author: Fanny Kelly - -Release Date: November 08, 2020 [EBook #63673] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -Produced by: D A Alexander, Robert Tonsing and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was - produced from images generously made available by The Internet - Archive) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NARRATIVE OF MY CAPTIVITY AMONG -THE SIOUX INDIANS *** - - -[Illustration] - - - - - NARRATIVE - OF - MY CAPTIVITY - AMONG THE - SIOUX INDIANS. - - BY - FANNY KELLY. - - WITH A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF GENERAL SULLY’S INDIAN EXPEDITION IN 1864, - BEARING UPON EVENTS OCCURRING IN MY CAPTIVITY. - - CINCINNATI: - WILSTACH, BALDWIN & CO., PRINTERS, - NO. 143 RACE STREET, - 1871. - - Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871, by - FANNY KELLY, - In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. - STEREOTYPED AT THE FRANKLIN TYPE FOUNDRY, CINCINNATI. - - - - - _DEDICATION._ - - TO THE - - Officers and Soldiers of the Eleventh Ohio Cavalry, - - FOR THEIR - PERSISTENT AND DARING - EFFORTS TO AID MY HUSBAND IN - EFFECTING MY RESCUE; - AND TO THE - - Officers and Soldiers of the Sixth Iowa Cavalry, - - FOR KINDNESS - SHOWN ME AFTER MY RANSOM - AND RETURN TO FORT SULLY, THIS - NARRATIVE IS AFFECTIONATELY - DEDICATED BY - - THE AUTHOR. - - - - - INTRODUCTORY. - - -The summer of 1864 marked a period of unusual peril to the daring -pioneers seeking homes in the far West. Following upon the horrible -massacres in Minnesota in 1862, and the subsequent chastisements -inflicted by the expeditions under Generals Sully and Sibley in -1863, whereby the Indians were driven from the then western borders -of civilization, in Iowa, Minnesota, and the white settlements of -Dakota, in the Missouri Valley, the great emigrant trails to Idaho -and Montana became the scene of fresh outrages; and, from the wild, -almost inaccessible nature of the country, pursuit and punishment were -impossible. - -I was a member of a small company of emigrants, who were attacked by -an overwhelming force of hostile Sioux, which resulted in the death of -a large proportion of the party, in my own capture, and a horrible -captivity of five months’ duration. - -Of my thrilling adventures and experience during this season of terror -and privation, I propose to give a plain, unvarnished narrative, hoping -the reader will be more interested in facts concerning the habits, -manners, and customs of the Indians, and their treatment of prisoners, -than in theoretical speculations and fine-wrought sentences. - -Some explanation is due the public for the delay in publishing this -my narrative. From memoranda, kept during the period of my captivity, -I had completed the work for publication, when the manuscript was -purloined and published; but the work was suppressed before it could be -placed before the public. After surmounting many obstacles, I have at -last succeeded in gathering the scattered fragments; and, by the aid of -memory, impressed as I pray no mortal’s may ever be again, am enabled -to place the results before, I trust, a kind-judging, appreciative -public. - - - - -CONTENTS. - - CHAPTER I. Page - - Early History—Canada to Kansas—Death of my Father—My - Marriage—“Ho! for Idaho!”—Crossing the Platte - River—A Storm, 11 - - CHAPTER II. - - The Attack and the Capture, 19 - - CHAPTER III. - - My Husband’s Escape—Burial of the Dead—Arrival of the - Survivors at Deer Creek—An ill-timed Ball, 28 - - CHAPTER IV. - - Beginning of my Captivity, 37 - - CHAPTER V. - - Plan for Little Mary’s Escape—Tortures of - Uncertainty—Unsuccessful Attempt to Escape, 45 - - CHAPTER VI. - - Continuation of our March into the Wilderness—Suffering from - Thirst and Weariness—Disappearance of my Fellow-prisoner—Loss - of the old Chief’s Pipe, and its Consequences to me—A Scene of - Terror, 49 - - CHAPTER VII. - - Powder River—Another Attempt to Escape—Detection and Despair—A - Quarrel—My Life saved by “Jumping Bear,” 62 - - CHAPTER VIII. - - The Storm—Arrival at the Indian Village—The old Chief’s - Wife—Some Kindness shown me—Attend a Feast, 72 - - CHAPTER IX. - - Preparations for Battle—An Indian Village on the Move—Scalp - Dance—A Horrible Scene of Savage Exultation—Compelled to join - the Orgies—A Cause of Indian Hostility—Another Battle with - the White Troops—Burial of an Indian Boy—A Hasty - Retreat—Made to act as Surgeon of the Wounded—Mauve Terre, or - Bad Lands, 92 - - CHAPTER X. - - Mourning for the Slain—Threatened with Death at the Fiery - Stake—Saved by a Speech from Ottawa—Starving Condition of the - Indians, 106 - - CHAPTER XI. - - Meet another White Female Captive—Sad Story of Mary Boyeau—A - Child Roasted, and its Brains Dashed out—Murder of Mrs. - Fletcher—Five Children Slaughtered—Fate of their Mother, 112 - - CHAPTER XII. - - First Intimation of my Little Mary’s Fate—Despair and - Delirium—A Shower of Grasshoppers—A Feast and a Fight—An - Enraged Squaw—The Chief Wounded, 120 - - CHAPTER XIII. - - Arrival of “Porcupine”—A Letter from Captain Marshall—Hopes of - Rescue—Treachery of the Messenger—Egosegalonicha—The Tables - Turned—Another Gleam of Hope—The Indian “White - Tipi”—Disappointed—A White Man Bound and left to Starve—A - Burial Incident, 129 - - CHAPTER XIV. - - Lost in the Indian Village—Black Bear’s White Wife—A small Tea - Party—The White Boy-captive, Charles Sylvester—The Sun - Dance—A Conciliating Letter from General Sibley—A Puzzle of - Human Bones—The Indian as an Artist—I Destroy a Picture and - am Punished with Fire-brands—A Sick Indian, 136 - - CHAPTER XV. - - Preparing the Chi-cha-cha, or Killikinnick—Attack on Captain - Fisk’s Emigrant Train—Fourteen Whites Killed—A big Haul of - Whisky—A Drunken Debauch—I write a Letter to Captain Fisk - under dictation—Poisoned Indians—The Train saved by my - Clerical Strategy, 147 - - CHAPTER XVI. - - Scenes on Cannon Ball Prairie—Reflections, 154 - - CHAPTER XVII. - - A Prairie on Fire—Scenes of Terror, 159 - - CHAPTER XVIII. - - Last days with the Ogalalla Sioux—Massacre of a Party returning - from Idaho—A Woman’s Scalp—A Scalp Dance—Suspicious - Circumstance—Arrival of Blackfeet Indians—Negotiations for my - Ransom—Treachery, 164 - - CHAPTER XIX. - - Indian Customs, 175 - - CHAPTER XX. - - An Indian tradition—Arrival at the Blackfeet Village—An offer - to purchase me indignantly rejected—A Yankton attempts my - Capture, 191 - - CHAPTER XXI. - - Appearance of Jumping Bear—I prevail on him to carry a Letter to - the Fort—A War Speech—Intended Treachery—Resume our Journey - to the Fort—Singular Meeting with a White Man—“Has Richmond - Fallen?”—Arrival at the Fort—I am Free! 199 - - CHAPTER XXII. - - Retrospection—A Border Trading post—Garrison Hospitality—A - Visit from the Commandant of Fort Rice—Arrival of my - Husband—Affecting Scene, 212 - - CHAPTER XXIII. - - Sad Fate of Little Mary, 218 - - CHAPTER XXIV. - - What occurred at Fort Laramie after my Capture—Efforts to - Rescue—Lieutenant Brown killed—Reward offered—It is the - Means of restoring another White Woman and Child—Her Rescuers - hung for Former Murders—A Letter announcing my Safe Arrival at - Fort Sully, 223 - - CHAPTER XXV. - - Supper in Honor of our Re-union—Departure from Fort - Sully—Incidents by the way—Arrival at Geneva—Mother and - Child—A Happy Meeting, 228 - - CHAPTER XXVI. - - Elizabeth Blackwell—Mormon Home—A brutal Father—The Mother - and Daughters flee to the Mountains—Death of the Mother and - Sisters from exposure—Elizabeth saved by an Indian—A White - Woman tortured—Rescued Children—The Boxx Family—Capture of - Mrs. Blynn, 238 - - CHAPTER XXVII. - - Move to Wyoming—False Friends—The Manuscript of my Narrative - taken by another party and published—I go to Washington, 250 - - CHAPTER XXVIII. - - General Sully’s Expedition, 255 - - - POEM TO MRS. FANNIE KELLY, 268 - - CERTIFICATE OF INDIAN CHIEFS, 270 - - CERTIFIED COPIES OF MY CORRESPONDENCE WITH CAPTAIN FISK, 274 - - STATEMENT OF LIEUTENANT G. A. HESSELBERG, 279 - - STATEMENT OF OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF THE SIXTH IOWA CALVARY, 282 - - -[Illustration: THE CAMP.] - - - - - CAPTIVITY AMONG THE SIOUX. - - CHAPTER I. - - EARLY HISTORY—CANADA TO KANSAS—DEATH OF MY FATHER—MY - MARRIAGE—“HO! FOR IDAHO!”—CROSSING THE PLATTE RIVER—A STORM. - - -I was born in Orillia, Canada, in 1845. Our home was on the lake shore, -and there amid pleasant surroundings I passed the happy days of early -childhood. - -The years 1852 to 1856 witnessed, probably, the heaviest immigration -the West has ever known in a corresponding length of time. Those who -had gone before sent back to their friends such marvelous accounts of -the fertility of the soil, the rapid development of the country, and -the ease with which fortunes were made, the “Western fever” became -almost epidemic. Whole towns in the old, Eastern States were almost -depopulated. Old substantial farmers, surrounded apparently by all the -comforts that heart could wish, sacrificed the homes wherein their -families had been reared for generations, and, with all their worldly -possessions, turned their faces toward the setting sun. And with what -high hopes! Alas! how few, comparatively, met their realization. - -In 1856, my father, James Wiggins, joined a New York colony bound for -Kansas. Being favorably impressed with the country and its people, they -located the town of Geneva, and my father returned for his family. - -Reaching the Missouri River on our way to our new home, my father was -attacked with cholera, and died. - -In obedience to his dying instructions, my widowed mother, with her -little family, continued on the way to our new home. But, oh! with what -saddened hearts we entered into its possession. It seemed as if the -light of our life had gone out. He who had been before to prepare that -home for us, was not there to share it with us, and, far away from all -early associations, almost alone in a new and sparsely settled country, -it seemed as though hope had died. - -But God is merciful. He prepares the soul for its burdens. Of a truth, -“He tempers the wind to the shorn lamb.” - -Our family remained in this pleasant prairie home, where I was married -to Josiah S. Kelly. - -My husband’s health failing, he resolved upon a change of climate. -Accordingly, on the 17th of May, 1864, a party of six persons, -consisting of Mr. Gardner Wakefield, my husband, myself, our adopted -daughter (my sister’s child), and two colored servants, started from -Geneva, with high-wrought hopes and pleasant anticipations of a -romantic and delightful journey across the plains, and a confident -expectation of future prosperity among the golden hills of Idaho. - -A few days after commencing our journey, we were joined by Mr. Sharp, -a Methodist clergyman, from Verdigris River, about thirty miles south -of Geneva; and, a few weeks later, we overtook a large train of -emigrants, among whom were a family from Allen County with whom we -were acquainted—Mr. Larimer, wife, and child, a boy eight years old. -Preferring to travel with our small train, they left the larger one and -became members of our party. The addition of one of my own sex to our -little company was cause of much rejoicing to me, and helped relieve -the dullness of our tiresome march. - -The hours of noon and evening rest were spent in preparing our frugal -meals, gathering flowers with our children, picking berries, hunting -curiosities, or gazing in wrapt wonder and admiration at the beauties -of this strange, bewildering country. - -Our amusements were varied. Singing, reading, writing to friends at -home, or pleasant conversation, occupied our leisure hours. - -So passed the first few happy days of our emigration to the land of -sunshine and flowers. - -When the sun had set, when his last rays were flecking the towering -peaks of the Rocky Mountains, gathering around the camp-fires, in our -home-like tent, we ate with a relish known only to those who, like us, -scented the pure air, and lived as nature demanded. - -At night, when our camp had been arranged by Andy and Franklin, our -colored men, it was always in the same relative position, Mr. Kelly -riding a few miles ahead as evening drew near to select the camping -ground. - -The atmosphere, which during the day was hot and stifling, became cool, -and was laden with the odor of prairie flowers, the night dews filling -their beautiful cups with the waters of heaven. - -The solemnity of night pervaded every thing. The warblings of the -feathered tribe had ceased. The antelope and deer rested on the hills; -no sound of laughing, noisy children, as in a settled country; no -tramping of busy feet, or hurrying to and fro. All is silent. Nature, -like man, has put aside the labors of the day, and is enjoying rest and -peace. - -Yonder, as a tiny spark, as a distant star, might be seen from the road -a little camp-fire in the darkness spread over the earth. - -Every eye in our little company is closed, every hand still, as we lay -in our snugly-covered wagons, awaiting the dawn of another day. - -And the Eye that never sleeps watched over us in our lonely camp, and -cared for the slumbering travelers. - -Mr. Wakefield, with whom we became acquainted after he came to settle -at Geneva, proved a most agreeable companion. Affable and courteous, -unselfish, and a gentleman, we remember him with profound respect. - -A fine bridge crosses the Kansas River. A half-hour’s ride through the -dense heavy timber, over a jet-black soil of incalculable richness, -brought us to this bridge, which we crossed. - -We then beheld the lovely valley of the prairies, intersecting the deep -green of graceful slopes, where waves tall prairie grass, among which -the wild flowers grow. - -Over hundreds of acres these blossoms are scattered, yellow, purple, -white, and blue, making the earth look like a rich carpet of variegated -colors; those blooming in spring are of tender, modest hue, in later -summer and early autumn clothed in gorgeous splendor. Solomon’s gold -and purple could not outrival them. - -Nature seemingly reveled in beauty, for beauty’s sake alone, for none -but the simple children of the forest to view her in state. - -Slowly the myriad years come and go upon her solitary places. Tender -spring-time and glorious summer drop down their gifts from overflowing -coffers, while the steps of bounding deer or the notes of singing birds -break upon the lonely air. - -The sky is of wonderful clearness and transparency. Narrow belts and -fringes of forest mark the way of winding streams. - -In the distance rise conical mounds, wrapped in the soft veil of dim -and dreamy haze. - -Upon the beaten road are emigrants wending their way, their household -goods packed in long covered wagons, drawn by oxen, mules, or horses; -speculators working their way to some new town with women and children; -and we meet with half-breed girls, with heavy eye-lashes and sun-burnt -cheeks, jogging along on horseback. - -I was surprised to see so many women among the emigrants, and to see -how easily they adapted themselves to the hardships experienced in a -journey across the plains. - -As a rule, the emigrants travel without tents, sleeping in and under -wagons, without removing their clothing. - -Cooking among emigrants to the far West is a very primitive operation, -a frying-pan and perhaps a Dutch oven comprising the major part of the -kitchen furniture. - -The scarcity of timber is a source of great inconvenience and -discomfort, “buffalo chips” being the substitute. At some of the -stations, where opportunity offered, Mr. Kelly bought wood by the -pound, as I had not yet been long enough inured to plains privations to -relish food cooked over a fire made with “chips” of that kind. - -We crossed the Platte River by binding four wagon boxes together, then -loaded the boat with goods, and were rowed across by about twenty men. - -We were several days in crossing. Our cattle and horses swam across. -The air had been heavy and oppressively hot; now the sky began to -darken suddenly, and just as we reached the opposite shore, a gleam of -lightning, like a forked tongue of flame, shot out of the black clouds, -blinding us by its flash, and followed by a frightful crash of thunder. - -Another gleam and another crash followed, and the dense blackness -lowered threateningly over us, almost shutting out the heights beyond, -and seeming to encircle us like prisoners in the valley that lay at our -feet. - -The vivid flashes lighting the darkness for an instant only made its -gloom more fearful, and the heavy rolling of the thunder seemed almost -to rend the heavens above it. - -All at once it burst upon our unprotected heads in rain. But such rain! -Not the gentle droppings of an afternoon shower, nor a commonplace -storm, but a sweeping avalanche of water, drenching us completely at -the first dash, and continuing to pour, seeming to threaten the earth -on which we stood, and tempt the old Platte to rise and claim it as its -own. - -Our wagon covers had been removed in the fording, and we had no time to -put up tents for our protection until its fury was exhausted. And so -we were forced to brave the elements, with part of our company on the -other side of the swollen river, and a wild scene, we could scarcely -discern through the pelting rain, surrounding us. - -One soon becomes heroic in an open-air life, and so we put up what -shelter we could when the abating storm gave us opportunity; and, -wringing the water out of clothes, hair, and eye-brows, we camped in -cheerful hope of a bright to-morrow, which did not disappoint us, and -our hundreds of emigrant companions scattered on the way. - -Each recurring Sabbath was gratefully hailed as a season of thought and -repose; as a matter of conscience and duty we observed the day, and -took pleasure in doing so. - -We had divine service performed, observing the ceremonies of prayer, -preaching, and singing, which was fully appreciated in our absence from -home and its religious privileges. - -Twenty-five miles from California Crossing is a place called Ash -Hollow, where the eye is lost in space as it endeavors to penetrate its -depths. Here some years before, General Harney made his name famous by -an indiscriminate massacre of a band of hostile Indians, with their -women and children. - -[Illustration: The Attack and Capture of Our Train, July 12th, 1864.] - - - - - CHAPTER II. - - THE ATTACK AND THE CAPTURE. - - -A train of wagons were coursing their westward way, with visions of -the future bright as our own. Sometimes a single team might be seen -traveling alone. - -Our party were among the many small squads emigrating to the land of -promise. - -The day on which our doomed family were scattered and killed was the -12th of July, a warm and oppressive day. The burning sun poured forth -its hottest rays upon the great Black Hills and the vast plains of -Montana, and the great emigrant road was strewed with men, women, and -children, and flocks of cattle, representing towns of adventurers. - -We looked anxiously forward to the approach of evening, with a sense of -relief, after the excessive heat of the day. - -Our journey had been pleasant, but toilsome, for we had been long weeks -on the road. - -Slowly our wagons wound through the timber that skirted the Little Box -Elder, and, crossing the stream, we ascended the opposite bank. - -We had no thought of danger or timid misgivings on the subject of -savages, for our fears had been all dispersed by constantly received -assurances of their friendliness. - -At the outposts and ranches, we heard nothing but ridicule of their -pretensions to warfare, and at Fort Laramie, where information that -should have been reliable was given us, we had renewed assurances of -the safety of the road and friendliness of the Indians. - -At Horseshoe Creek, which we had just left, and where there was a -telegraph station, our inquiries had elicited similar assurances as to -the quiet and peaceful state of the country through which we must pass. - -Being thus persuaded that fears were groundless, we entertained none, -and, as I have mentioned before, our small company preferred to travel -alone on account of the greater progress made in that way. - -The beauty of the sunset and the scenery around us filled our hearts -with joy, and Mr. Wakefield’s voice was heard in song for the last -time, as he sang, “Ho! for Idaho.” Little Mary’s low, sweet voice, too, -joined in the chorus. She was so happy in her childish glee on that -day, as she always was. She was the star and joy of our whole party. - -We wended our way peacefully and cheerfully on, without a thought of -the danger that was lying like a tiger in ambush in our path. - -Without a sound of preparation or a word of warning, the bluffs before -us were covered with a party of about two hundred and fifty Indians, -painted and equipped for war, who uttered the wild war-whoop and fired -a signal volley of guns and revolvers into the air. - -This terrible and unexpected apparition came upon us with such -startling swiftness that we had not time to think before the main body -halted and sent out a part of their force, which circled us round at -regular intervals, but some distance from our wagons. Recovering from -the shock, our men instantly resolved on defense, and corralled the -wagons. My husband was looked upon as leader, as he was principal owner -of the train. Without regard to the insignificance of our numbers, Mr. -Kelly was ready to stand his ground; but, with all the power I could -command, I entreated him to forbear and only attempt conciliation. “If -you fire one shot,” I said, “I feel sure you will seal our fate, as -they seem to outnumber us ten to one, and will at once massacre all of -us.” - -Love for the trembling little girl at my side, my husband, and friends, -made me strong to protest against any thing that would lessen our -chance for escape with our lives. Poor little Mary! from the first she -had entertained an ungovernable dread of the Indians, a repugnance -that could not be overcome, although in our intercourse with friendly -savages, I had endeavored to show how unfounded it was, and persuade -her that they were civil and harmless, but all in vain. Mr. Kelly -bought her beads and many little presents from them which she much -admired, but she would always add, “They look so cross at me and they -have knives and tomahawks, and I fear they will kill me.” Could it be -that her tender young mind had some presentiment or warning of her -horrid fate? - -My husband advanced to meet the chief and demand his intentions. - -The savage leader immediately came toward him, riding forward and -uttering the words, “How! how!” which are understood to mean a friendly -salutation. - -His name was Ottawa, and he was a war chief of the Ogalalla band of the -Sioux nation. He struck himself on his breast, saying, “Good Indian, -me,” and pointing to those around him, he continued, “Heap good Indian, -hunt buffalo and deer.” He assured us of his utmost friendship for the -white people; then he shook hands, and his band followed his example, -crowding around our wagons, shaking us all by the hand over and over -again, until our arms ached, and grinning and nodding with every -demonstration of good will. - -Our only policy seemed to be temporizing, in hope of assistance -approaching; and, to gain time, we allowed them unopposed to do -whatever they fancied. First, they said they would like to change one -of their horses for the one Mr. Kelly was riding, a favorite race -horse. Very much against his will, he acceded to their request, and -gave up to them the noble animal to which he was fondly attached. - -My husband came to me with words of cheer and hope, but oh! what a -marked look of despair was upon his face, such as I had never seen -before. - -The Indians asked for flour, and we gave them what they wanted of -provisions. The flour they emptied upon the ground, saving only the -sack. They talked to us partly by signs and partly in broken English, -with which some of them were quite familiar, and as we were anxious -to suit ourselves to their whims and preserve a friendly intercourse -as long as possible, we allowed them to take whatever they desired, -and offered them many presents besides. It was, as I have said -before, extremely warm weather, but they remarked that the cold made -it necessary for them to look for clothing, and begged for some from -our stock, which was granted without the slightest offered objection -on our part. I, in a careless-like manner, said they must give me -some moccasins for some articles of clothing that I had just handed -them, and very pleasantly a young Indian gave me a nice pair, richly -embroidered with different colored beads. - -Our anxiety to conciliate them increased every moment, for the hope of -help arriving from some quarter grew stronger as they dallied, and, -alas! it was our only one. - -They grew bolder and more insolent in their advances. One of them laid -hold of my husband’s gun, but, being repulsed, desisted. - -The chief at last intimated that he desired us to proceed on our way, -promising that we should not be molested. We obeyed, without trusting -them, and soon the train was again in motion, the Indians insisting -on driving our herd, and growing ominously familiar. Soon my husband -called a halt. He saw that we were approaching a rocky glen, in whose -gloomy depths he anticipated a murderous attack, and from which escape -would be utterly impossible. Our enemies urged us still forward, but we -resolutely refused to stir, when they requested that we should prepare -supper, which they said they would share with us, and then go to the -hills to sleep. The men of our party concluded it best to give them a -feast. Mr. Kelly gave orders to our two colored servants to prepare at -once to make a feast for the Indians. - -Andy said, “I think, if I knows any thing about it, they’s had their -supper;” as they had been eating sugar crackers from our wagons for an -hour or more. - -The two colored men had been slaves among the Cherokees, and knew the -Indian character by experience. Their fear and horror of them was -unbounded, and their terror seemed pitiable to us, as they had worked -for us a long time, and were most faithful, trustworthy servants. - -Each man was busy preparing the supper; Mr. Larimer and Frank were -making the fire; Mr. Wakefield was getting provisions out of the wagon; -Mr. Taylor was attending to his team; Mr. Kelly and Andy were out -some distance gathering wood; Mr. Sharp was distributing sugar among -the Indians; supper, that they asked for, was in rapid progress of -preparation, when suddenly our terrible enemies threw off their masks -and displayed their truly demoniac natures. There was a simultaneous -discharge of arms, and when the cloud of smoke cleared away, I could -see the retreating form of Mr. Larimer and the slow motion of poor Mr. -Wakefield, for he was mortally wounded. - -Mr. Kelly and Andy made a miraculous escape with their lives. Mr. Sharp -was killed within a few feet of me. Mr. Taylor—I never can forget -his face as I saw him shot through the forehead with a rifle ball. He -looked at me as he fell backward to the ground a corpse. I was the last -object that met his dying gaze. Our poor faithful Frank fell at my feet -pierced by many arrows. I recall the scene with a sickening horror. -I could not see my husband anywhere, and did not know his fate, but -feared and trembled. With a glance at my surroundings, my senses seemed -gone for a time, but I could only live and endure. - -I had but little time for thought, for the Indians quickly sprang into -our wagons, tearing off covers, breaking, crushing, and smashing all -hinderances to plunder, breaking open locks, trunks, and boxes, and -distributing or destroying our goods with great rapidity, using their -tomahawks to pry open boxes, which they split up in savage recklessness. - -Oh, what horrible sights met my view! Pen is powerless to portray -the scenes occurring around me. They filled the air with the fearful -war-whoops and hideous shouts. I endeavored to keep my fears quiet as -possible, knowing that an indiscreet act on my part might result in -jeopardizing our lives, though I felt certain that we two helpless -women would share death by their hands; but with as much of an air of -indifference as I could command, I kept still, hoping to prolong our -lives, even if but a few moments. I was not allowed this quiet but a -moment, when two of the most savage-looking of the party rushed up into -my wagon, with tomahawks drawn in their right hands, and with their -left seized me by both hands and pulled me violently to the ground, -injuring my limbs very severely, almost breaking them, from the effects -of which I afterward suffered a great deal. I turned to my little Mary, -who, with outstretched hands, was standing in the wagon, took her in my -arms and helped her to the ground. I then turned to the chief, put my -hand upon his arm, and implored his protection for my fellow-prisoner -and our children. At first he gave me no hope, but seemed utterly -indifferent to my prayers. Partly in words and partly by signs, he -ordered me to remain quiet, placing his hand upon his revolver, that -hung in a belt at his side, as an argument to enforce obedience. - -A short distance in the rear of our train a wagon was in sight. The -chief immediately dispatched a detachment of his band to capture or -to cut it off from us, and I saw them ride furiously off in pursuit -of the small party, which consisted only of one family and a man who -rode in advance of the single wagon. The horseman was almost instantly -surrounded and killed by a volley of arrows. The husband of the family -quickly turned his team around and started them at full speed, gave the -whip and lines to his wife, who held close in her arms her youngest -child. He then went to the back end of his wagon and threw out boxes, -trunks, every thing that he possessed. His wife meantime gave all -her mind and strength to urging the horses forward on their flight -from death. The Indians had by this time come very near, so that they -riddled the wagon-cover with bullets and arrows, one passing through -the sleeve of the child’s dress in its mother’s arms, but doing it no -personal injury. - -The terrified man kept the Indians at bay with his revolver, and -finally they left him and rode furiously back to the scene of the -murder of our train. - - - - - CHAPTER III. - - MY HUSBAND’S ESCAPE—BURIAL OF THE DEAD—ARRIVAL OF THE SURVIVORS - AT DEER CREEK—AN ILL-TIMED BALL. - - -When the Indians fired their fatal volley into the midst of our -little company, while yet they were preparing to entertain them with -a hospitable supper, my husband was some distance from the scene of -horror; but, startled by the unexpected report, he hurriedly glanced -around, saw the pale, terror-stricken faces of his wife and child, -and the fall of Rev. Mr. Sharp from the wagon, while in the act of -reaching for sugar and other articles of food with which to conciliate -our savage guests. The hopelessness of the situation struck a chill -to his heart. Having laid down his gun to assist in the preparation -of the feast, the utter futility of contending single-handed against -such a host of infuriated demons was too apparent. His only hope, and -that a slight one indeed, was that the Indians might spare the lives of -his wife and child, to obtain a ransom. In this hope he resolved upon -efforts for the preservation of his own life, that he might afterward -put forth efforts for our rescue, either by pursuit and strategy, or -by purchase. - -He was shot at, and the barbed arrows whizzed past him, some passing -through his clothing. He saw Mr. Wakefield fall, and knew that he was -wounded, if not killed. Mr. Larimer passed him in his flight for life -toward some neighboring timber. - -Mr. Kelly then ran for some tall grass and sage brush, where he -concealed himself, favored by the fast approaching darkness. Scarcely -daring to breathe, his mind tortured with agonizing fears for the fate -of his wife and child, he seemed to hear from them the cry for help, -and at one time resolved to rush to their rescue, or die with them; -any fate seemed better than such torturing doubt. But, realizing at -last the utter hopelessness of an attempt at rescue, and knowing that -it was a custom of the Indians, sometimes, to spare the lives of white -women and children taken captive, for ransom, he again resolved, if -possible, to save his own life, that he might devote all his energies, -and the remnant of fortune the savages had not despoiled him of, to the -accomplishment of the rescue of his wife and child. - -Lying in his perilous shelter, he saw darkness creep slowly around the -hills, closing on the scene of murder and devastation, like a curtain -of mercy dropped to shut out a hideous sight. He heard the noise of -breaking and crashing boxes, and the voices of the Indians calling -to each other; then came the culmination of his awful suspense. The -Indians had again mounted their horses, and, raising the terrible war -song, chanted its ominous notes as they took their way across the -hills, carrying his yearning thoughts with them. Pen is powerless to -portray the agony, to him, of those fearful moments. - -Still fearing to move in the darkness, he distinguished footsteps -near him, and knew by the stealthy tread that they were those of -an Indian. In breathless silence he crouched close to the ground, -fearing each instant the descent of the tomahawk and the gleam of the -scalping-knife, when, strange to say, a venomous reptile came to his -rescue, and his enemy fled before it. A huge rattlesnake, one of the -many with which that region is infested, raised its curved neck close -beside him, and, thrusting forth its poisonous fangs, gave a warning -rattle. The prowling Indian took alarm at the sound; other snakes, -roused for the safety of their young in the dens around, repeated -it, and the savage, knowing it would be death to venture further, -retreated, leaving my husband in safety where he had taken refuge; for, -although he must have lain close to the noisome reptile, he received -no hurt, and the greater horror of his human foe rendered him almost -indifferent to the dangers of his surroundings. - -Cautiously he crawled out of the weeds and grass, and, rising to his -feet unharmed, started swiftly in an eastward direction. He had to go -far out in the hills to avoid the savages, and, after traveling many -miles around, he at last reached the large train, with which the small -party I had seen pursued had previously taken refuge. - -They were already consolidating with other trains for defense, and -would not venture to join Mr. Kelly, although he earnestly implored -assistance to go out in aid of his friends and family, if any of them -should be left alive. - -The colored man, Andy, soon after joined them. He came in running and -in great excitement, and was about to report all the company killed, -when he joyfully discovered Mr. Kelly. - -Great consternation and alarm had spread with the tidings of the -massacre, and fears for personal safety prevented any one from joining -my unhappy husband in efforts to rescue his wife and child, or succor -his missing companions. - -The train did not move forward until re-enforced by many others along -the road; and even then every precaution was taken to secure safety and -prevent a surprise. Women in many instances drove the teams, to prevent -their husbands or fathers being taken at a disadvantage; weapons were -in every man’s hands, and vigilant eyes were fixed on every bluff or -gorge, anticipating attack. - -A little time and travel brought them to the first scene of murder, -where they found the dead body of the companion of the man who so -narrowly escaped with his family. They placed the body in a wagon, and -proceeded to the dreaded spot where the slaughter of our party had -occurred. - -The wagons still were standing, and feathers, flour, the remnants of -much that was but half destroyed, lay scattered about the ground. - -Mr. Kelly, with faltering steps, supported by the strong arm of Andy, -was among the first to search the spot; his intense distress for the -unknown fate of his family urged him on, although he dreaded to think -of what the bloody spot might disclose to him. - -The dead bodies of Mr. Sharp, Mr. Taylor, and our colored servant, -Franklin, were discovered lying where they had fallen. Poor Frank -had been shot by an arrow that pierced both his legs, pinning them -together, in which condition he had been murdered by the ruthless -wretches by having his skull broken. - -Both Mr. Sharp and Mr. Taylor left large families at home to mourn -their loss. Mr. Larimer came up with an arrow wound in one of his -limbs. He had passed the night in trying to elude his savage pursuers, -and was very tired and exhausted, and very much distressed about his -wife and son, a robust little fellow of eight or nine years. - -But Mr. Wakefield was nowhere to be seen. After searching the -brushwood for some time, and a quarter of a mile distant from the -scene of attack, they discovered him still alive, but pierced by -three arrows that he had vainly endeavored to extract, succeeding -only in withdrawing the shafts, but leaving the steel points still -deeply imbedded in the flesh. Mr. Kelly took him and cared for him -with all the skill and kindness possible. No brothers could have been -more tenderly attached to each other than they. He then procured as -comfortable a conveyance as he could for them, and picked up a few -relics from our demolished train. Among them was a daily journal of our -trip, from the time we were married until the hour that the Indians -came upon us. This he prized, as he said, more than he did his life. - -The next thing that was necessary to do, after the wounded were cared -for, was to bury the dead, and a wide grave was dug and the four bodies -solemnly consigned, uncoffined, to the earth. A buffalo robe was placed -above them, and then the earth was piled on their unconscious breasts. - -At that time the question of color had occasioned much dissension, and -controversy ran high as to the propriety of allowing the colored people -the privilege of sitting beside their white brethren. Poor Franklin had -shared death with our companions, and was not deemed unworthy to share -the common grave of his fellow victims. They lie together in the valley -of Little Box Elder, where with saddened hearts our friends left -them, thinking of the high hopes and fearless energy with which they -had started on their journey, each feeling secure in the success that -awaited them, and never, for a moment, dreaming of the grave in the -wilderness that was to close over them and their earthly hopes. They -were buried on the desolate plain, a thousand miles away from their -loved wives and children, who bemoan their sad, untimely fate. - -Mr. Kelly found part of his herd of cattle grazing near by; Mr. Sharp’s -were still tied to the stake where he had carefully secured them. The -Indians had taken our horses, but left the cattle, as they do when they -are on the war path, or unless they need meat for present use. They -shot some of them, however, and left them to decay upon the plain. Many -arrows were scattered upon the ground, their peculiar marks showing -that their owners had all belonged to one tribe, though of different -bands. They were similar in form and finish; the shafts were round and -three feet long, grooved on their sides, that the blood of the victim -might not be impeded in its outward flow; each had three strips of -feathers attached to its top, about seven inches in length, and, on the -other end, a steel point, fastened lightly, so as to be easily detached -in the flesh it penetrates. The depth of the wound depends on the -distance of the aim, but they sometimes pass quite through the body, -though usually their force is exhausted in entering a few inches beyond -the point. - -The wounded being made as comfortable as circumstances would allow, the -train left the spot in the evening, and moved forward to an encampment -a mile distant from the sad place, where the journey of our lost -companions had ended forever, whose visions of the golden land must be -a higher and brighter one than earthly eyes can claim. - -Early next day the travelers arrived at Deer Creek Fort, where Mr. -Kelly found medical aid for the wounded, and procured a tent to shelter -them, and devoted himself to alleviating their sufferings, and, with -the assistance of the kind people of the fort, succeeded in arranging -them in tolerable comfort. - -Captain Rhineheart was commanding officer at Deer Creek, and ordered -the property of the deceased to be delivered over to him, which Mr. -Kelly did. - -The story of the attack and massacre had traveled faster than the -sufferers from its barbarity. The garrison had learned it before the -train arrived, through some soldiers returning from Fort Laramie, where -they had been to receive money from the paymaster, who had heard an -account of the attack on the road, and had a passing glimpse of the -terrible field of slaughter. - -The evening that the large train arrived at the fort, the officers gave -a ball, and the emigrant women were invited, from the trains camped in -the vicinity, to join in these inappropriately timed festivities. - -The mother of the child, who had so narrowly escaped death, having lost -her own wardrobe in her efforts to escape the pursuit of the Indians, -borrowed a dress from a lady who resided at the fort, and attended the -entertainment, dancing and joining in the gaieties, when the burial of -their companion and our poor men had just been completed, and the heavy -cloud of our calamity had so lately shrouded them in gloom. Such are -the effects of isolation from social and civil influence, and contact -with danger, and familiarity with terror and death. - -People grow reckless, and often lose the gentle sympathies that -alleviate suffering, from frequent intercourse with it in its worst -forms. - - - - - CHAPTER IV. - - BEGINNING OF MY CAPTIVITY. - - -The facts related in the preceding chapter concerning matters occurring -in Mr. Kelly’s experience, and adventures after the attack upon our -train, were related to me after my restoration to freedom and my -husband, by him. - -I now return to the narration of my own terrible experiences. - -I was led a short distance from the wagon, with Mary, and told to -remain quiet, and tried to submit; but oh, what a yearning sprang up in -my heart to escape, as I hoped my husband had done! But many watchful -eyes were upon me, and enemies on every side, and I realized that any -effort then at escape would result in failure, and probably cause the -death of all the prisoners. - -Mrs. Larimer, with her boy, came to us, trembling with fear, saying, -“The men have all escaped, and left us to the mercy of the savages.” - -In reply, I said, “I do hope they have. What benefit would it be to us, -to have them here, to suffer this fear and danger with us? They would -be killed, and then all hope of rescue for us would be at an end.” - -Her agitation was extreme. Her grief seemed to have reached its climax -when she saw the Indians destroying her property, which consisted -principally of such articles as belong to the Daguerrean art. She had -indulged in high hopes of fortune from the prosecution of this art -among the mining towns of Idaho. As she saw her chemicals, picture -cases, and other property pertaining to her calling, being destroyed, -she uttered such a wild despairing cry as brought the chief of the band -to us, who, with gleaming knife, threatened to end all her further -troubles in this world. The moment was a critical one for her. The -Indians were flushed with an easy-won victory over a weak party; they -had “tasted blood,” and it needed but slight provocation for them to -shed that even of defenseless women and children. - -My own agony could be no less than that of my companion in misfortune. -The loss of our worldly possessions, which were not inconsiderable, -consisting of a large herd of cattle, and groceries, and goods of -particular value in the mining regions, I gave no thought to. The -possible fate of my husband; the dark, fearful future that loomed -before myself and little Mary, for whose possible future I had more -apprehension than for my own, were thoughts that flashed through my -mind to the exclusion of all mere pecuniary considerations. - -But my poor companion was in great danger, and perhaps it was a selfish -thought of future loneliness in captivity which induced me to intercede -that her life might be spared. I went to the side of the chief, and, -assuming a cheerfulness I was very far from feeling, plead successfully -for her life. - -I endeavored in every way to propitiate our savage captor, but received -no evidences of kindness or relenting that I could then understand. He -did present me, however, a wreath of gay feathers from his own head, -which I took, regarding it merely as an ornament, when in reality, as I -afterward learned, it was a token of his favor and protection. - -He then left us, to secure his own share of plunder, but we saw that -we were surrounded by a special guard of armed men, and so gave up all -struggle against what seemed an inevitable doom, and sat down upon the -ground in despair. - -I know now that night had come upon us while we sat there, and that -darkness was closing the scene of desolation and death before their -arrangements for departure were completed. - -The first intimation we had that our immediate massacre was not -intended, was a few articles of clothing presented by a young Indian, -whose name was Wechela, who intimated that we would have need for them. - -It was a pitiable sight to see the terrified looks of our helpless -children, who clung to us for the protection we could not give. Mrs. -Larimer was unconscious of the death of any of our party. I did not -tell her what my eyes had seen, fearing that she could not endure it, -but strove to encourage and enliven her, lest her excitement would -hasten her death or excite the anger of our captors. - -We both feared that when the Indians made their arrangements for -departure we would be quickly disposed of by the scalping knife; or -even should we escape for the time, we saw no prospect of release -from bondage. Terror of the most appalling nature for the fate of the -children possessed me, and all the horrors of Indian captivity that we -had ever heard crowded on our minds with a new and fearful meaning—the -slow fires, the pitiless knife, the poisoned arrows, the torture of -famine, and a thousand nameless phantoms of agony passed before our -troubled souls, filling us with fears so harrowing that the pangs of -dissolution compared to them must have been relief. - -It may be thought almost impossible in such a chaos of dread to collect -the soul in prayer, but - - When woe is come, the soul is dumb - That crieth not to God, - -and the only respite we could claim from despair was the lifting of our -trembling hearts upward to the God of mercy. - -Those hours of misery can never be forgotten. We were oppressed by -terrors we could not explain or realize. The sudden separation from -those we loved and relied on; our own helplessness and the gloom of -uncertainty that hung over the future—surely none can better testify -to the worth of trust in God than those whose hope on earth seemed -ended; and, faint and weak as our faith was, it saved us from utter -desolation and the blackness of despair. - -From among the confused mass of material of all kinds scattered about, -the same young Indian, Wechela, brought me a pair of shoes; also a pair -of little Mary’s. He looked kindly as he laid these articles before me, -intimating by his gestures that our lives were to be spared, and that -we should have need of them and other clothing during our long march -into captivity. He also brought me some books and letters, all of which -I thankfully received. I readily conceived a plan to make good use of -them, and secreted as many as I could about my clothing. I said to Mrs. -Larimer, “If I can retain these papers and letters, and we are forced -to travel with the Indians into their unknown country, I shall drop -them at intervals along the way we are taken, as a guide, and trust -in God that our friends may find and follow them to our rescue, or if -an opportunity of escape offer, we will seize it, and by their help -retrace our steps.” - -The property that the Indians could not carry with them, they gathered -into a pile and lighted. The light of the flames showed us the forms -of our captors busily loading their horses and ours with plunder, and -preparing to depart. When their arrangements were completed, they came -to us and signified that we must accompany them, pointing to the horses -they led up to us, and motioning for us to mount. The horse assigned to -me was one that had belonged to Mr. Larimer, and was crippled in the -back. This I endeavored to make them understand, but failed. - -This was the first reliable assurance they gave us that our lives were -not in immediate danger, and we received it gratefully, for with the -prospect of life hope revived, and faith to believe that God had not -forsaken us, and that we might yet be united to our friends, who never -seemed dearer than when we were about to be carried into captivity by -the hostile sons of the forest. - -Many persons have since assured me that, to them, death would have been -preferable to life with such prospects, saying that rather than have -submitted to be carried away by savages, to a dark and doubtful doom, -they would have taken their own lives. But it is only those who have -looked over the dark abyss of death who know how the soul shrinks from -meeting the unknown future. - -Experience is a grand teacher, and we were then in her school, and -learned that while hope offers the faintest token of refuge, we pause -upon the fearful brink of eternity, and look back for rescue. - -Mrs. Larimer had climbed into her saddle, her boy placed behind her -on the same horse, and started on, accompanied by a party of Indians. -I also climbed into my saddle, but was no sooner there than the horse -fell to the ground, and I under him, thus increasing the bruises I had -already received, and causing me great pain. This accident detained me -some time in the rear. A dread of being separated from the only white -woman in that awful wilderness filled me with horror. - -Soon they had another horse saddled for me, and assisted me to mount -him. I looked around for my little Mary. There she stood, a poor -helpless lamb, in the midst of blood-thirsty savages. I stretched out -my arms for her imploringly. For a moment they hesitated; then, to my -unspeakable joy, they yielded, and gave me my child. They then started -on, leading my horse; they also gave me a rope that was fastened around -the horse’s under jaw. - -The air was cool, and the sky was bright with the glitter of starlight. -The water, as it fell over the rocks in the distance, came to our eager -ears with a faint, pleasant murmur. All nature seemed peaceful and -pitiless in its calm repose, unconscious of our desolate misery; the -cry of night-birds and chirp of insects came with painful distinctness -as we turned to leave the valley of Little Box Elder. - -Straining my eyes, I sought to penetrate the shadows of the woods where -our fugitive friends might be hid. The smoldering ruins of our property -fell into ashes and the smoke faded away; night had covered the traces -of confusion and struggle with her shrouding mantle, and all seemed -quiet and unbroken peace. - -I turned for a last look, and even the smoke was gone; the solemn -trees, the rippling water, the soft night wind and the starlight, told -no tale of the desolation and death that had gone before; and I rode on -in my helpless condition, with my child clinging to me, without guide -or support, save my trust in God. - - - - - CHAPTER V. - - PLAN FOR LITTLE MARY’S ESCAPE—TORTURES OF - UNCERTAINTY—UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE. - - -The Indians left the scene of their cruel rapacity, traveling -northward, chanting their monotonous war song. After a ride of two -miles, through tall weeds and bushes, we left the bottom lands, and -ascended some bluffs, and soon after came to a creek, which was easily -forded, and where the Indians quenched their thirst. - -The hills beyond began to be more difficult to ascend, and the gorges -seemed fearfully deep, as we looked into the black shadows unrelieved -by the feeble light of the stars. - -In the darkness of our ride, I conceived a plan for the escape of -little Mary. - -I whispered in her childish ear, “Mary, we are only a few miles from -our camp, and the stream we have crossed you can easily wade through. -I have dropped letters on the way, you know, to guide our friends in -the direction we have taken; they will guide you back again, and it may -be your only chance of escape from destruction. Drop gently down, and -lie on the ground for a little while, to avoid being seen; then retrace -your steps, and may God in mercy go with you. If I can, I will follow -you.” - -The child, whose judgment was remarkable for her age, readily acceded -to this plan; her eye brightened and her young heart throbbed as she -thought of its success. - -Watching the opportunity, I dropped her gently, carefully, and -unobserved, to the ground, and she lay there, while the Indians pursued -their way, unconscious of their loss. - -To portray my feelings upon this separation would be impossible. The -agony I suffered was indescribable. I was firmly convinced that my -course was wise—that I had given her the only chance of escape within -my power; yet the terrible uncertainty of what her fate might be in the -way before her, was almost unbearable. - -I continued to think of it so deeply that at last I grew desperate, -and resolved to follow her at every risk. Accordingly, watching an -opportunity, I, too, slipped to the ground under the friendly cover of -night, and the horse went on without its rider. - -My plan was not successful. My flight was soon discovered, and the -Indian wheeled around and rode back in my pursuit. Crouching in the -undergrowth I might have escaped in the darkness, were it not for their -cunning. Forming in a line of forty or fifty abreast, they actually -covered the ground as they rode past me. - -The horses themselves were thus led to betray me, for, being frightened -at my crouching form, they stopped and reared, thus informing them of -my hiding-place. - -With great presence of mind I arose the moment I found myself -discovered, and relating my story, the invention of an instant, I -succeeded partially in allaying their anger. - -I told them the child had fallen asleep and dropped from the horse; -that I had endeavored to call their attention to it, but in vain; and, -fearing I would be unable to find her if we rode further, I had jumped -down and attempted the search alone. - -The Indians used great violence toward me, assuring me that if -any further attempts were made to escape, my punishment would be -accordingly. - -They then promised to send a party out in search of the child when it -became light. - -Poor little Mary! alone in the wilderness, a little, helpless child; -who can portray her terror! - -With faith to trust, and courage to dare, that little, trembling form -through the long hours of the night kept watch. - -The lonely cry of the night-bird had no fear in its melancholy scream -for the little wanderer who crouched amid the prairie grass. The baying -of the gray wolf, as he passed the lonely watcher, might startle, but -could not drive the faith from her heart. - -Surely God is just, and angels will guide the faltering feet to friends -and home. Innocent of wrong, how could she but trust that the unseen -hands of spirits would guide her from the surrounding perils! - -[Illustration: A Scene on the Third Night after My Capture.] - - - - - CHAPTER VI. - - CONTINUATION OF OUR MARCH INTO THE WILDERNESS—SUFFERING FROM - THIRST AND WEARINESS—DISAPPEARANCE OF MY FELLOW PRISONER—LOSS - OF THE OLD CHIEF’S PIPE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES TO ME—A SCENE OF - TERROR. - - -To take up the thread of my own narrative again, and the continuation -of my journey with the savages, after the never-to-be-forgotten night -when I parted with little Mary, and the attempt to escape myself will -be to entertain my reader with a sight of the dangerous and precipitous -paths among the great bluffs which we had been approaching, and the -dizzy, fearful heights leading over the dark abyss, or the gloomy, -terrible gorge, where only an Indian dares to venture. - -The blackness of night, and the dread of our savage companions, added -terror to this perilous ride. As we passed the little creek before we -plunged into these rocky fastnesses, we had left some scattered woods -along its banks. - -I remember looking longingly at the dim shelter of these friendly -trees, and being possessed by an almost uncontrollable desire to -leap from the horse and dare my fate in endeavoring to reach their -protecting shade; but the Indians’ rifles behind me, and my dread of -instant death, restrained me. And now my attention was attracted by the -wild and terrible scenery around us, through which our fearful captors -rode at ease, although it seemed impossible for man or beast to retain -a footing over such craggy peaks and through such rugged ravines. - -The cool air and the sound of rippling water warned us of our nearness -to a river; and soon the savages turned their horses down a steep -declivity that, like a mighty wall, closed in the great bed of the -North Platte. - -I saw that the river was rapid and deep, but we crossed the sands, -plunged in, and braved the current. - -From the child to my husband was an easy transition; indeed, when I -thought of one, the other was presently in my mind; and to mark the -path of our retreat with the letters and papers I dropped on our way -seemed the only hope I had of his being able to come to my rescue. - -As the horses plunged into the swelling river I secretly dropped -another letter, that, I prayed, might be a clue to the labyrinth -through which we were being led; for I could see by all the Indians’ -precautions, that to mislead any who should have the temerity to -attempt our recovery, was the design of their movements. - -They had taken paths inaccessible to white men, and made their crossing -at a point where it would be impossible for trains to pass, so that -they might avoid meeting emigrants. Having reached the opposite bank -they separated into squads, and started in every direction, except -southward, so as to mislead or confuse pursuers by the various trails. - -The band that surrounded and directed us kept to the northward a little -by west. I tried to keep the points of compass clearly, because it -seemed part of the hope that sustained me. - -Mr. Kelly had said that our position on the Little Box Elder was about -twelve miles from Deer Creek Station, which lay to the northwest of -us. Marking our present course, I tried, by calculating the distance, -to keep that position in my mind, for toward it my yearning desire for -help and relief turned. - -After crossing the river and issuing from the bluffs we came to a -bright, cool stream of water in a lovely valley, which ran through its -bosom, spreading a delicious freshness all around. - -Brilliant flowers opened their gorgeous cups to the coming sunshine, -and delicate blossoms hid themselves among the rich shrubbery and at -the mossy roots of grand old trees. - -The awakening birds soared upward with loud and joyful melodies, and -nature rejoiced at approaching day. - -The beauty and loveliness of the scene mocked my sleepless eyes, and -despair tugged at my heart-strings; still I made superhuman efforts -to appear cheerful, for my only refuge was in being submissive and -practicing conciliation. My fear of them was too powerful to allow me -to give way to emotion for one moment. - -There were sentinels stationed at different places to give the alarm, -in case of any one approaching to rescue, and I afterward learned that -in such a case I would have been instantly murdered. - -Next morning I learned, by signs, that Indians had gone out in search -of little Mary, scattering themselves over the hills, in squads. Those -remaining were constantly overlooking their plunder and unrolling -bundles taken from our wagons. They indulged their admiration for their -spoils in loud conversation. - -The Indians seemed to select, with a clear knowledge of natural beauty, -such localities as seemed best fitted to suggest refreshment and repose. - -The scenery through which we had passed was wildly grand; it now became -serenely beautiful, and to a lover of nature, with a mind free from -fear and anxiety, the whole picture would have been a dream of delight. - -The night of my capture, I was ordered to lie down on the ground, -near a wounded Indian. A circle of them guarded me, and three fierce -warriors sat near me with drawn tomahawks. - -Reader, imagine my feelings, after the terrible scenes of the day -previous; the desolate white woman in the power of revengeful savages, -not daring to speak, lest their fury should fall on my defenceless head. - -My great anxiety now was to preserve my sanity, which threatened to be -overcome if I did not arouse myself to hope, and put aside the feeling -of despair which at times stole over me. My heart was continually -lifted to “Our Father,” and confidently I now began to feel that prayer -would be answered, and that God would deliver me in due season. This -nerved me to endure and appear submissive. - -At early dawn I was aroused from my apparent slumbers by the war chief, -who sent me out to catch the horses—our American horses being afraid -of the savages—and as the animals were those belonging to our train, -it was supposed that I could do so readily. - -Upon returning, my eyes were gladdened by the sight of my fellow -prisoner, who was seated with her boy upon the ground, eating buffalo -meat and crackers. I went immediately to her, and we conversed in low -tones, telling her of my intention to escape the first opportunity. She -seemed much depressed, but I endeavored to re-assure her, and bidding -her hope for the best, went back to where the Indians were making -ropes, and packing their goods and plunder more securely, preparatory -to the succeeding march, which was commenced at an early hour of the -day. - -We proceeded on our journey until near noon, when we halted in a valley -not far to the north of Deer Creek Station, and I met this lady -again. It was a clear and beautiful valley where we rested, until the -scorching rays of the sun had faded in the horizon. - -Being burdened with the gun, and bow and arrow of the chief, my tired -arms were relieved, and I plead for the privilege of camping here all -night for many reasons. One was, we might be overtaken by friends sent -to rescue us, and the distance of return would be less if I should be -successful in my next attempt to escape. - -My entreaties were unavailing; the savages were determined to go -forward, and we were soon mounted and started on. We traveled until -sunset, then camped for the night in a secluded valley; we seemed to -enter this valley along the base of a wall, composed of bluffs or -peaks. Within these circling hills it lay, a green, cool resting place, -watered by a bright sparkling stream, and pleasantly dotted with bushes -and undergrowth. - -The moon went down early, and in the dim, uncertain star light, the -heavy bluffs seemed to shut us in on all sides, rising grimly, like -guardians, over our imprisoned lines. Blankets were spread, and on -these the Indians rested. - -I was then led out some distance in the camp, and securely fastened -for the night. But before this, I remarked, to my fellow prisoner, my -determination to escape that night, if my life were the forfeit, as in -every wind I fancied I could hear the voice of little Mary calling me. -She entreated me not to leave her, but promising help to her should I -be fortunate enough to get free, I sadly bade her good night, and went -to my allotted place. - -In the morning, when permitted to rise, I learned that she had -disappeared. A terrible sense of isolation closed around me. No one can -realize the sensation without in some measure experiencing it. - -I was desolate before, but now that I knew myself separated from my -only white companion, the feeling increased tenfold, and seemed to -weigh me down with its awful gloomy horror. - -In the heart of the wilderness, surrounded by creatures with whom no -chord of sympathy was entertained—far from home, friends and the -interests of civilized life—the attractions of society, and, above -all, separated from husband and loved ones—there seemed but one -glimpse of light, in all the blackness of despair, left, and that was -flight. - -I listened to every sound, while moments appeared hours, and it seemed -to me that death in its most terrible form would not be so hard to bear -as the torturing agony I then endured. - -I murmured broken prayers. I seemed to hear the voices of my husband -and child calling me, and springing forward, with a wild belief that it -was real, would sink back again, overwhelmed with fresh agony. - -Arrangements were then made for resuming our journey, and we were soon -once more on our march. Another burden had been added to my almost -worn-out frame, the leading of an unruly horse; and my arms were so -full of the implements I was forced to carry, that I threw away the -pipe of the old chief—a tube nearly three feet long, and given me to -take care of—which was very unfortunate for me, exciting the wrath and -anger of the chief to a terrible degree. - -Now they seemed to regard me with a suspicious aversion, and were not -so kind as before. - -The country they passed over was high, dry, and barren. I rode one -horse and led another; and when evening came they stopped to rest in a -grove of great timber, where there was a dry creek bed. - -Water was obtained by digging in the sand, but the supply was meager, -and I was allowed none. - -The sun began to sink, and the chief was so enraged against me, that he -told me by signs that I should behold it rise no more. - -Grinding his teeth with wrathful anger, he made me understand that I -was not to be trusted; had once tried to escape; had made them suffer -the loss of my child, and that my life would be the forfeit. - -A large fire had been built, and they all danced around it. Night had -begun to darken heavily over me, and I stood trembling and horror -struck, not knowing but that the flame the savages capered about was -destined to consume my tortured form. - -The pipe of the chief was nowhere to be found, and it was demanded of -me to produce it. He used the Indian words, “Chopa-chanopa,” uttered in -a voice of thunder, accompanying them with gestures, whose meaning was -too threatening to be mistaken. - -I looked in fear and dismay around me, utterly at a loss to know what -was expected, yet dreading the consequences of failing to obey. - -Wechela, the Indian boy, who had been so kind to me, now came up, -and made the motion of puffing with his lips, to help me; and then I -remembered that I had broken the pipe the day before, and thrown it -away, ignorant of their veneration for the pipe, and of its value as a -peace offering. - -The chief declared that I should die for having caused the loss of his -pipe. - -An untamed horse was brought, and they told me I would be placed on it -as a target for their deadliest arrows, and the animal might then run -at will, carrying my body where it would. - -Helpless, and almost dying with terror at my situation, I sank on a -rocky seat in their midst. They were all armed, and anxiously awaited -the signal. They had pistols, bows, and spears; and I noticed some -stoop, and raise blazing fire-brands to frighten the pawing beast that -was to bear me to death. - -In speechless agony I raised my soul to God! Soon it would stand before -his throne, and with all the pleading passion of my sinking soul I -prayed for pardon and favor in his precious blood, who had suffered -for my sins, and risen on high for my justification. - -In an instant a life-time of thought condensed itself into my mind, and -I could see my old home and hear my mother’s voice; and the contrast -between the love I had been so ruthlessly torn from, and the hundreds -of savage faces, gleaming with ferocity and excitement around me, -seemed like the lights and shadows of some weird picture. - -But I was to die, and I desired, with all the strength of my soul, to -grasp the promises of God’s mercy, and free my parting spirit from all -revengeful, earthly thoughts. - -In what I almost felt my final breath, I prayed for my own salvation, -and the forgiveness of my enemies; and remembering a purse of money -which was in my pocket, knowing that it would decay with my body in the -wilderness, I drew it out, and, with suffused eyes, divided it among -them, though my hands were growing powerless and my sight failing. One -hundred and twenty dollars in notes I gave them, telling them its value -as I did so, when, to my astonishment, a change came over their faces. -They laid their weapons on the ground, seemingly pleased, and anxious -to understand, requesting me to explain the worth of each note clearly, -by holding up my fingers. - -Eagerly I tried to obey, perceiving the hope their milder manner held -out; but my cold hands fell powerless by my side, my tongue refused -to utter a sound, and, unconsciously, I sank to the ground utterly -insensible to objects around me. - -When insensibility gave way to returning feeling, I was still on the -ground where I had fallen, but preparations for the deadly scene were -gone, and the savages slumbered on the ground near me by the faint -firelight. Crawling into a sitting posture, I surveyed the camp, and -saw hundreds of sleeping forms lying in groups around, with watches -set in their places, and no opportunity to escape, even if strength -permitted. - -Weak and trembling, I sank down, and lay silent till day-break, when -the camp was again put in motion, and, at their bidding, I mounted one -horse and led another, as I had done on the day previous. - -This was no easy task, for the pack-horse, which had not been broken, -would frequently pull back so violently as to bring me to the ground, -at which the chief would become fearfully angry, threatening to kill me -at once. - -Practicing great caution, and using strong effort, I would strive to -remain in the saddle to avoid the cuffs and blows received. - -Whenever the bridle would slip inadvertently from my hand, the chief’s -blasphemous language would all be English; a sad commentary on the -benefits white men confer on their savage brethren when brought into -close contact. - -Drunkenness, profanity, and dissolute habits are the lessons of -civilization to the red men, and when the weapons we furnish are turned -against ourselves, their edge is keen indeed. - -Feeling that I had forfeited the good will of the Indians, and knowing -that the tenure of my life was most uncertain, I dared make no -complaint, although hunger and devouring thirst tortured me. - -The way still led through dry and sandy hills, upon which the sun -glared down with exhausting heat, and seemed to scorch life and -moisture out of all his rays fell upon. As far as my eye could reach, -nothing but burning sand, and withering sage brush or thorny cactus, -was to be seen. All my surroundings only served to aggravate the thirst -which the terrible heat of that long day’s ride increased to frenzy. - -When, in famishing despair I closed my eyes, a cup of cool, delicious -drink would seem to be presented to my lips, only to be cruelly -withdrawn; and this torture seemed to me like the agony of the rich -man, who besought Lazarus for one drop of water to cool his parched -tongue. - -I thought of all I had been separated from, as it seemed to me, -forever, and the torment of the hour reduced me to despair. I wished -to die, feeling that the pangs of dissolution could not surpass the -anguish of my living death. My voice was almost gone, and with -difficulty I maintained my seat in the saddle. - -Turning my eyes despairingly to my captors, I uttered the word “Minne,” -signifying water in their language, and kept repeating it imploringly -at intervals. They seemed to hurry forward, and, just at sunset, came -in sight of a grassy valley through which flowed a river, and the sight -of it came like hope to my almost dying eyes. - -A little brook from the hills above found its way into the waters of -this greater stream, and here they dismounted, and, lifting me from my -horse, laid me in its shallow bed. I had become almost unconscious, -and the cool, delightful element revived me. At first I was not able -to drink, but gradually my strength renewed itself, and I found relief -from the indescribable pangs of thirst. - -The stream by which the Indians camped that night was Powder River; and -here, in 1866, Fort Conner was built, which in the following year was -named Fort Reno. - - - - - CHAPTER VII. - - POWDER RIVER—ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE—DETECTION AND DESPAIR—A - QUARREL—MY LIFE SAVED BY “JUMPING BEAR.” - - -The name given to Powder River by the Indians, is “Chahalee Wacapolah.” -It crosses the country east of the Big Horn Mountains, and from its -banks can be seen the snow-capped Cloud Peak rising grandly from its -surrounding hills. Between these ranges, that culminate in the queenly, -shining crowned height that takes its name from the clouds it seems -to pierce, are fertile valleys, in which game abounds, and delicious -wild fruits in great variety, some of which can not be surpassed by -cultivated orchard products in the richness and flavor they possess, -although they ripen in the neighborhood of everlasting snow. - -In these valleys the country seems to roll in gentle slopes, presenting -to the eye many elements of loveliness and future value. - -Powder River, which is a muddy stream, comes from the southern side of -the Big Horn Mountains, and takes a southwestern course, and therefore -is not a part of the bright channel that combines to feed the Missouri -River from the Big Horn range. - -This range of the Rocky Mountains possesses two distinct, marked -features. First, there is a central or back-bone range, which -culminates in perpetual snow, where Cloud Peak grandly rises, as the -chief of all its proud summits. Falling off gradually toward the -southern valley, there are similar ranges of the Wind River Mountains -beyond. - -Between these ranges, and varying in breadth from twelve to twenty-five -miles, are fine hunting grounds, abounding in noble orchards of wild -fruit of various kinds, and grapes, as well as game of the choicest -kind for the huntsman. Notwithstanding its vicinity to snow, there are -gentle slopes which present features of peculiar loveliness. - -Several miles northwest, and following the sweep of the higher northern -range, and six to eight miles outside its general base, a new country -opens. Sage brush and cactus, which for nearly two hundred miles have -so largely monopolized the soil, rapidly disappear. - -The change, though sudden, is very beautiful. One narrow divide only is -crossed, and the transition about one day’s ride from the above-named -river. The limpid, transparent, and noisy waters of Deer Fork are -reached, and the horses have difficulty in breasting the swift current. -The river is so clear that every pebble and fish is seen distinctly on -the bottom, and the water so cool that ice in midsummer is no object of -desire. - -The scenes of natural beauty, and the charms that have endeared this -country to the savage, will in the future lure the emigrant seeking a -home in this new and undeveloped land. - -This clear creek is a genuine outflow from the Big Horn Mountains, -and is a type of many others, no less pure and valuable, derived from -melting snow and from innumerable springs in the mountains. - -Rock Creek comes next, with far less pretensions, but is similar in -character. - -A day’s ride to the northward brings the traveler to Crazy Woman’s Fork. - -This ever-flowing stream receives its yellow hue from the Powder River -waters, of which it is a branch. - -The country is scarred by countless trails of buffalo, so that what is -often called the Indian trail is merely the hoof-print of these animals. - -Leaving Powder River, we passed through large pine forests, and through -valleys rich with beautiful grasses, with limpid springs and seemingly -eternal verdure. - -I continued to drop papers by the way, hoping they might lead to my -discovery, which would have proved fatal had any one attempted a -rescue, as the Indians prefer to kill their captives rather than be -forced to give them up. - -It was the fifth night of my sojourn with the Indians that I found -myself under the weeping willows of Clear Creek. - -The men, weary with travel, and glad to find so good a camping ground, -lay down to sleep, leaving a sufficient guard over their captive and at -the outposts. - -Their journey hither had been a perilous one to me, unused as I was to -the rocky paths between narrow gorges and over masses of broken stone, -which their Indian ponies climbed with readiness and ease. - -I was led to remark the difference between these ponies and American -horses, who could only struggle to find their foothold over such craggy -ground, while the ponies led the way, picking their steps up almost -perpendicular steeps with burdens on their backs. - -Their travel after the rest at Clear Creek partook of the difficult -nature of the mountain passes, and was wearisome in the extreme, and -the duties imposed upon me made life almost too burdensome to be borne. -I was always glad of a respite at the camping ground. - -On the sixth night, I lay on a rock, under the shade of some bushes, -meditating on the possibility of escape. - -The way was far beyond my reckoning, and the woods where they now were -might be infested with wild beasts; but the prospect of getting away, -and being free from the savages, closed my eyes to the terrors of -starvation and ravenous animals. - -Softly I rose and attempted to steal toward some growing timber; but -the watchful chief did not risk his prey so carelessly, his keen eye -was on me, and his iron hand grasped my wrist and drew me back. - -Throwing me fiercely on the ground, he hissed a threat through his -clenched teeth, which I momentarily expected him to put into execution, -as I lay trembling at his feet. - -I felt from this time that my captivity was for life, and a dull -despair took possession of me. - -Sleep, that balm for happier souls, brought only horrid dreams, in -which a dreadful future pictured itself; and then the voices of my -husband and child seemed calling me to their side, alas! in vain, for -when I awoke it was to find myself in the grass of the savage camping -ground, watched over by the relentless guard, and shut out from hope of -home or civilized life. - -My feet were covered with a pair of good shoes, and the chiefs -brother-in-law gave me a pair of stockings from his stores, which I -gladly accepted, never, for a moment, suspecting that, in doing thus, I -was outraging a custom of the people among whom I was. - -The chief saw the gift, and made no remark at the time, but soon after -he shot one of his brother-in-law’s horses, which he objected to in a -decided manner, and a quarrel ensued. - -Realizing that I was the cause of the disagreement, I tremblingly -watched the contest, unable to conciliate either combatant, and -dreading the wrath of both. - -The chief would brook no interference, nor would he offer any -reparation for the wrong he had inflicted. - -His brother-in-law, enraged at his arrogance, drew his bow, and aimed -his arrow at my heart, determined to have satisfaction for the loss of -his horse. - -I could only cry to God for mercy, and prepare to meet the death -which had long hung over my head, when a young Blackfoot, whose name -was Jumping Bear, saved me from the approaching doom by dexterously -snatching the bow from the savage and hurling it to the earth. - -He was named Jumping Bear from the almost miraculous dexterity of some -of his feats. - -This circumstance and the Indian mentioned were, in my judgment, -instruments in the hand of Providence, in saving Fort Sully from the -vengeance and slaughter of the Blackfeet, who had succeeded in gaining -the confidence of some of the officers on the Missouri River. - -His activity in the attack on our train, and the energy he displayed -in killing and pillaging on that occasion, notwithstanding his efforts -to make me believe the contrary, forbade me to think there was any -sympathy in his interference in my behalf. - -The Indian submitted to his intervention so far that he did not draw -his bow again, and my suspense was relieved, for the time, by the gift -of a horse from the chief to his brother-in-law, which calmed the fury -of the wronged Indian. - -It happened that the animal thus given as a peace-offering was the pack -horse that pulled so uncomfortably against the leading rein, and thus, -in the end, I gained, by the ordeal through which I had passed, in -being relieved of a most unmanageable task. - -From the first, I was deprived of every ameliorating comfort that might -have rendered my existence bearable. - -No tent was spread for me, no rug, or coverlet, offered me to lie on. -The hard earth, sparsely spread with grass, furnished me a couch, -and apprehension and regret deprived me of the rest my toilsome life -demanded. They offered me no food, and at first I did not dare to ask -for it. - -This was partly owing to the absence of all natural appetite, an -intense weakness and craving constantly for drink being the only signs -of the prolonged fast that annoyed me. - -The utter hopelessness of my isolation wore on me, driving me almost to -madness, and visions of husband and child haunted my brain; sometimes -they were full of hope and tauntingly happy; at others, I saw them -dying or dead, but always beyond my reach, and separated by the -impassable barrier of my probably lifelong captivity. - -In my weakened condition, the horrors of the stake, to which I felt -myself borne daily nearer as they progressed on their homeward route, -appeared like a horrid phantom. - -It had been threatened me since my first effort to escape, and I was -led to believe such a punishment was the inevitable consequence of my -attempt. - -The terrible heat of the days continued, and the road they took was -singularly barren of water. The Indians, after drinking plentifully -before starting, carry little sticks in their mouths, which they chew -constantly, thus creating saliva, and preventing the parching sensation -I endured from the want of this knowledge. - -The seventh night they entered a singular cañon, apparently well known -to them, as they found horses there, which evidently had been left on a -former visit. - -I could not but wonder at the sagacity and patience of these Indian -ponies, which were content to wait their master’s coming, and browse -about on the sparse herbage and meager grass. - -The Indians had killed an antelope that day, and a piece of the -raw flesh was allotted me for a meal. They had then traveled in a -circuitous route for miles, to reach the mouth of this cañon, and -entered it just after sundown. - -Its gloomy shade was a great relief after the heat of the sun, and it -filled my sensitive mind with awe. The sun never seemed to penetrate -its depths, and the damp air rose around me like the breath of a -dungeon. - -Downward they went, as if descending into the bowels of the earth, and -the sloping floor they trod was covered with red sand for perhaps the -space of half a mile. - -Then they struck a rocky pavement, the perpendicular walls of which -were of earth; but as they made another turning and entered a large -space, they seemed to change to stone with projecting arches and -overhanging cornices. - -The high walls rose above the base so as to nearly meet overhead, and, -with their innumerable juttings and irregularities, had the appearance -of carved columns supporting a mighty ruin. - -Occasionally a faint ray of the fading light struggled with the gloom, -into which they plunged deeper and deeper, and then their horses’ -cautious feet would turn the bones of antelope or deer, drawn thither -by the lurking wolf to feed the young in their lair. - -I was startled with dread at the sight, fearing that they might be -human bones, with which mine would soon be mingled. - -The increasing darkness had made it necessary for the Indians to carry -torches, which they did, lighting up the grotesque grandeur of earth -and rock through which they passed by the weird glare of their waving -brands. - -Arriving at the spot they selected as a camping-ground, they made -fires, whose fantastic gleams danced upon the rocky walls, and added -a magic splendor to their wondrous tracery. The ghostly grandeur of -these unfrequented shades can not be described, but their effect is -marvelous. - -They seem to shadow forth the outline of carving and sculpture, and in -the uncertain firelight have all the effect of some old-time temple, -whose art and glory will live forever, even when its classic stones are -dust. - -Here I found water for my parched lips, which was more grateful to my -weary senses than any natural phenomenon; and sinking on a moss-grown -rock, near the trickling rill that sank away in the sand beyond, I -found slumber in that strange, fantastic solitude. - -I was aroused by a whistling sound, and, gathering myself up, looked -fearfully around me. Two flaming eyes seemed to pierce the darkness -like a sword. I shuddered and held my breath, as a long, lithe serpent -wound past me, trailing its shining length through the damp sand, and -moving slowly out of sight among the dripping vines. - -After that I slept no more; and when I saw the struggling light of -day pierce the rocky opening above, I gladly hailed the safety of the -sunshine, even though it brought sorrow, distress, and toil. - -When we rose in the morning, they left the cañon by the path they -entered, as it seemed to have no other outlet, and then pursued their -way. - - - - - CHAPTER VIII. - - THE STORM—ARRIVAL AT THE INDIAN VILLAGE—THE OLD CHIEF’S - WIFE—SOME KINDNESS SHOWN ME—ATTEND A FEAST. - - -On the 20th of July we had nearly reached the Indian village, when we -camped for the night, as usual, when such a locality could be gained, -on the bank of a stream of good water. - -Here was a stream of sparkling, rippling water, fresh from the melting -snow of the mountain. It was a warm, still night. Soon the sky began -to darken strangely, and great ragged masses of clouds hung low over -the surrounding hills. The air grew heavy, relieved occasionally by a -deep gust of wind, that died away, to be succeeded by an ominous calm. -Then a low, muttering thunder jarred painfully on the ear. My shattered -nerves recoiled at the prospect of the coming storm. From a child I had -been timid of lightning, and now its forked gleam filled me with dismay -in my unsheltered helplessness. - -The Indians, seeing the approaching tempest, prepared for it by -collecting and fastening their horses, and covering their fire-arms and -ammunition, and lying flat on the earth themselves. I crouched, too, -but could not escape the terrible glare of the lightning, and the roar -of the awful thunder grew deafening. - -[Illustration: THE BUFFALO HUNT] - -On came the storm with startling velocity, and the dread artillery of -heaven boomed overhead, followed closely by blinding flashes of light; -and the velocity of the whirlwind seemed to arise in its might, to add -desolation to the terrible scene. - -When the vivid gleams lit up the air, enormous trees could be seen -bending under the fierceness of the blast, and great white sheets of -water burst out of the clouds, as if intent on deluging the world. -Every element in nature united in terrific warfare, and the security -of earth seemed denied to me while I clung to its flooded bosom, and, -blinded by lightning and shocked by the incessant roaring of the -thunder and the wild ravaging of the ungovernable wind, felt myself but -a tossed atom in the great confusion, and could only cling to God’s -remembering pity in silent prayer. - -Huge trees were bent to the earth and broken; others, snapped off like -twigs, were carried through the frenzied air. Some forest monarchs were -left bare of leaves or boughs, like desolate old age stripped of its -honors. - -The rain had already swelled the little creek into a mighty stream, -that rolled its dark, angry waters with fury, and added its sullen -roar to the howlings of the storm. I screamed, but my voice was lost -even to myself in the mightier ones of the furious elements. Three -hours—three long, never-to-be-forgotten hours—did the storm rage -thus in fury, and in those hours I thought I lived a life-time! Then, -to my joy, it began to abate, and soon I beheld the twinkling stars -through rents in the driving clouds, while the flashing lightning and -the roaring thunders gradually becoming less and less distinct to the -eye and ear, told me the devastating storm was speeding on toward the -east; and when, at dawn of day, the waters were assuaged, the thunder -died away, and the lightnings were chained in their cell, the scene was -one of indescribable desolation. The wind had gone home; daylight had -cowed him from a raging giant into a meek prisoner, and led him moaning -to his cavern in the eastern hills. A strangely-solemn calm seemed to -take the place of the wild conflict; but the track of destruction was -there, and the swollen water and felled trees, the scattered boughs and -uprooted saplings, told the story of the havoc of the storm. - -It was a night of horror to pass through, and I thankfully greeted -the returning day, that once more gave me the comfort of light, now -almost my only solace, for my position grew more bitter, as the chief’s -savage-like exultation in my capture and safe abduction increased as -we neared the village where their families were, and where I feared my -fate would be decided by bloodshed or the fearful stake. - -On the 21st of July we left camp early, the day being cool and -favorable for traveling. Our route lay over rolling prairie, -interspersed with extensive tracts of marsh, which, however, we easily -avoided crossing. A few miles brought us to a high, broken ridge, -stretching nearly in a north and south direction. As we ascended the -ridge we came in sight of a large herd of buffalo, quietly feeding -upon the bunch, or buffalo grass, which they prefer to all other -kinds. These animals are short-sighted, and scent the approach of an -enemy before they can see him, and thus, in their curiosity, often -start to meet him, until they approach near enough to ascertain to -their satisfaction whether there be danger in a closer acquaintance. -In this case they decided in the affirmative, and, when they had once -fairly made us out, lost no time in increasing the distance between us, -starting on a slow, clumsy trot, which was soon quickened to a gait -that generally left most pursuers far in the rear. - -But the Indians and their horses both are trained buffalo hunters, -and soon succeeded in surrounding a number. They ride alongside their -victim, and, leveling their guns or arrows, send their aimed shot in -the region of the heart, then ride off to a safe distance, to avoid -the desperate lunge which a wounded buffalo seldom fails to make, -and, shaking his shaggy head, crowned with horns of most formidable -strength, stands at bay, with eyes darting, savage and defiant, as he -looks at his human foe. Soon the blood begins to spurt from his mouth, -and to choke him as it comes. The hunters do not shoot again, but -wait patiently until their victim grows weak from loss of blood, and, -staggering, falls upon his knees, makes a desperate effort to regain -his feet, and get at his slayer, then falling once more, rolls over on -his side, dead. - -Sometimes these animals number tens of thousands, in droves. The -Indians often, for the mere sport, make an onslaught, killing great -numbers of them, and having a plentiful feast of “ta-tonka,” as they -call buffalo meat. They use no economy in food. It is always a feast or -a famine; and they seem equally able to gorge or fast. Each man selects -the part of the animal he has killed that best suits his own taste, and -leaves the rest to decay or be eaten by wolves, thus wasting their own -game, and often suffering privation in consequence. - -They gave me a knife and motioned me to help myself to the feast. I -did not accept, thinking then it would never be possible for me to eat -uncooked meat. - -They remained here over night, starting early next morning. We were now -nearing the village where the Indians belonged. - -Jumping Bear, the young Indian who had shown me so many marks of good -will, again made his appearance, with a sad expression on his face, -and that day would ride in silence by my side; which was an act of -great condescension on his part, for these men rarely thus equalize -themselves with women, but ride in advance. - -They had traveled nearly three hundred miles, and, despite my fears, I -began to rejoice in the prospect of arriving among women, even though -they were savages; and a dawning hope that I might find pity and -companionship with beings of my own sex, however separated their lives -and customs might be, took possession of me. - -I had read of the dusky maidens of romance; I thought of all the -characters of romance and history, wherein the nature of the red -man is enshrined in poetic beauty. The untutored nobility of soul, -the brave generosity, the simple dignity untrammelled by the hollow -conventionalities of civilized life, all rose mockingly before me, and -the heroes of my youthful imagination passed through my mind in strange -contrast with the flesh and blood realities into whose hands I had -fallen. - -The stately Logan, the fearless Philip, the bold Black Hawk, the gentle -Pocahontas: how unlike the greedy, cunning and cruel savages who had so -ruthlessly torn me from my friends! - -Truly, those pictures of the children of the forest that adorn the -pages of the novelist are delightful conceptions of the airy fancy, -fitted to charm the mind. They amuse and beguile the hours they invest -with their interest; but the true red man, as I saw him, does not -exist between the pages of many volumes. He roams his native wastes, -and to once encounter and study him there, so much must be sacrificed -that I could scarcely appreciate the knowledge I was gaining at such a -price. - -Notwithstanding all I had seen and experienced, I remembered much that -was gentle and faithful in the character ascribed to the Indian women. -Perhaps I might be able to find one whose sympathy and companionship -could be wrought upon to the extent of aiding me in some way to escape. -I became hopeful with the thought, and almost forgot my terror of the -threats of my captors, in my desire to see the friendly faces of Indian -women. - -The country around was rich and varied. Beautiful birds appeared in the -trees, and flowers of variety and fragrance nodded on their stems. Wild -fruits were abundant, and I plucked roses and fruit for food, while my -savage companions feasted on raw meat. They did not seem to care for -fruit, and urged me to eat meat with them. I refused, because of its -being raw. A young Indian, guessing the cause of my refusal to eat, -procured a kettle, made a fire, cooked some, and offered it to me. I -tried to eat of it to please them, since they had taken the trouble to -prepare a special dish, but owing to the filthy manner in which it was -prepared a very small portion satisfied me. - -We were now nearing a river, which, from its locality, must have been -the Tongue River, where we found refreshing drink, and rested for a -short time. The Indians gave me to understand that when we crossed this -stream, and a short distance beyond, we would be at their home. - -Here they paused to dress, so as to make a gay appearance and imposing -entrance into the village. Except when in full dress, an Indian’s -wearing apparel consists only of a buffalo robe, which is also part of -a fine toilet. It is very inconveniently disposed about the person, -without fastening, and must be held in position with the hands. - -Here the clothing taken from our train was brought into great demand, -and each warrior that had been fortunate enough to possess himself of -any article of our dress, now arrayed himself to the best advantage the -garments and their limited ideas of civilization permitted; and, in -some instances, when the toilet was considered complete, changes for -less attractive articles of display were made with companions who had -not been so fortunate as others in the division of the goods, that they -might also share in the sport afforded by this derisive display. - -Their peculiar ideas of tasteful dress rendered them grotesque in -appearance. One brawny face appeared under the shade of my hat, smiling -with evident satisfaction at the superiority of his decorations over -those of his less fortunate companions; another was shaded from the -scorching rays of the sun by a tiny parasol, and the brown hand that -held it aloft was thinly covered by a silk glove, which was about the -only article of clothing, except the invariable breech-cloth, that the -warrior wore. - -Vests and other garments were put on with the lower part upward; and -they all displayed remarkable fertility in the arrangement of their -decorations. They seemed to think much of their stolen goods, some of -which were frivolous, and others worthless. - -Decorating themselves by way of derision, each noble warrior endeavored -to outdo the other in splendor, which was altogether estimated by -color, and not by texture. Their horses were also decked in the most -ridiculous manner. - -Ottawa, or Silver Horn, the war chief, was arrayed in full costume. He -was very old, over seventy-five, partially blind, and a little below -the medium height. He was very ferocious and savage looking, and now, -when in costume, looked frightful. His face was red, with stripes of -black, and around each eye a circlet of bright yellow. His long, black -hair was divided into two braids, with a scalp-lock on top of the head. -His ears held great brass wire rings, full six inches in diameter, and -chains and bead necklaces were suspended from his neck; armlets and -bracelets of brass, together with a string of bears’ claws, completed -his jewelry. He wore also leggings of deer skin, and a shirt of the -same material, beautifully ornamented with beads, and fringed with -scalp-locks, that he claimed to have taken from his enemies, both red -and white. Over his shoulders hung a great, bright-colored quilt, that -had been taken from our stores. He wore a crown of eagle feathers on -his head; also a plume of feathers depending from the back of the crown. - -His horse, a noble-looking animal, was no less gorgeously arrayed. His -ears were pierced, like his master’s, and his neck was encircled by a -wreath of bears’ claws, taken from animals that the chief had slain. -Some bells and a human scalp hung from his mane, forming together, thus -arrayed, a museum of the trophies of the old chief’s prowess on the war -path, and of skill in the chase. - -When all was arranged, the chief mounted his horse and rode on in -triumph toward the village, highly elated over the possession of his -white captive, whom he never looked back at or deigned to notice, -except to chastise on account of her slowness, which was unavoidable, -as I rode a jaded horse, and could not keep pace. - -The entire Indian village poured forth to meet us, amid song and wild -dancing, in the most enthusiastic manner, flourishing flags and weapons -of war in frenzied joy as we entered the village, which, stretched -for miles along the banks of the stream, resembled a vast military -encampment, with the wigwams covered with white skins, like Sibley -tents in shape and size, ranged without regard to order, but facing one -point of the compass. - -We penetrated through the irregular settlement for over a mile, -accompanied by the enthusiastic escort of men, women, and children. - -We rode in the center of a double column of Indians and directly in the -rear of the chief, till we reached the door of his lodge, when several -of his wives came out to meet him. He had six, but the senior one -remained in the tent, while a younger one was absent with the Farmer -or Grosventre Indians. Their salutation is very much in the manner of -the Mexicans; the women crossed their arms on the chief’s breast, and -smiled. - -They met me in silence, but with looks of great astonishment. - -I got down as directed, and followed the chief into the great lodge -or tent, distinguished from the others by its superior ornaments. It -was decorated with brilliantly colored porcupine quills and a terrible -fringe of human scalp-locks, taken in battle from the Pawnees. - -On one side was depicted a representation of the Good Spirit, rude -in design, and daubed with colors. On the other side was portrayed -the figure of the spirit of evil in like manner. The Indians believe -in these two deities and pay their homage to them. The first they -consider as entirely benevolent and kind; but the second is full of -vile tricks and wicked ways. - -They fear him, and consider it only safe to propitiate him occasionally -by obedience to his evil will. This may account for some of their worst -ferocities, and explain that horrible brutality of nature which they so -often exhibit. - -The senior wife, who had remained in the lodge, met her husband with -the same salutation as the others had done. - -I was shown a seat opposite the entrance on a buffalo skin. The chief’s -spoil was brought in for division by his elderly spouse. - -As it was spread out before them, the women gathered admiringly round -it, and proved their peculiarities of taste; and love of finery had a -counterpart in these forest belles, as well defined as if they had been -city ladies. Eagerly they watched every new article displayed, grunting -their approval, until their senior companion seized a piece of cloth, -declaring that she meant to retain it all for herself. - -This occasioned dissatisfaction, which soon ripened to rebellion among -them, and they contended for a just distribution of the goods. The -elder matron, following her illustrious husband’s plan in quelling such -outbreaks, caught her knife from her belt, sprang in among them, vowing -that she was the oldest and had the right to govern, and threatening -to kill every one if there was the least objection offered to her -decrees. I had so hoped to find sympathy and pity among these artless -women of the forest, but instead, cowed and trembling, I sat, scarcely -daring to breathe. - -The chief noticed my fear and shrinking posture, and smiled. Then he -rose, and made a speech, which had its effect. The women became quiet. -Presently an invitation arrived for the chief to go to a feast, and he -rose to comply. - -I followed his departing figure with regretful glances, for, terrible -as he and his men had been, the women seemed still more formidable, and -I feared to be left alone with them, especially with the hot temper and -ready knife of the elder squaw. - -Great crowds of curious Indians came flocking in to stare at me. The -women brought their children. Some of them, whose fair complexion -astonished me, I afterward learned were the offspring of fort marriages. - -One fair little boy, who, with his mother, had just returned from Fort -Laramie, came close to me. Finding the squaw could speak a few words -in English, I addressed her, and was told, in reply to my questions, -that she had been the wife of a captain there, but that his white -wife arriving from the East, his Indian wife was told to return to -her people; she did so, taking her child with her. The little boy was -dressed completely in military clothes, even to the stripe on his -pantaloons, and was a very bright, attractive child of about four -years. - -It was a very sad thought for me to realize that a parent could -part with such a child, committing it forever to live in barbarous -ignorance, and rove the woods among savages with the impress of his own -superior race, so strongly mingled with his Indian origin. I saw many -other fair-faced little children, and heard the sad story from their -mothers, and was deeply pained to see their pale, pinched features, -as they cried for food when there was none to be had; and they are -sometimes cruelly treated by the full-blooded and larger children on -account of their unfortunate birth. - -Now that the question of property was decided between the women of the -chief’s family, they seemed kindly disposed toward me, and one of them -brought me a dish of meat; many others followed her example, even from -the neighboring lodges, and really seemed to pity me, and showed great -evidences of compassion, and tried to express their sympathy in signs, -because I had been torn from my own people, and compelled to come such -a long fatiguing journey, and examined me all over and over again, -and all about my dress, hands, and feet particularly. Then, to their -great surprise, they discovered my bruised and almost broken limbs that -occurred when first taken, also from the fall of the horse the first -night of my captivity, and proceeded at once to dress my wounds. - -I was just beginning to rejoice in the dawning kindness that seemed -to soften their swarthy faces, when a messenger from the war chief -arrived, accompanied by a small party of young warriors sent to conduct -me to the chief’s presence. I did not at first comprehend the summons, -and, as every fresh announcement only awakened new fears, I dreaded to -comply, yet dared not refuse. Seeing my hesitation, the senior wife -allowed a little daughter of the chief’s, whose name was Yellow Bird, -to accompany me, and I was then conducted to several feasts, at each -of which I was received with kindness, and promised good will and -protection. It was here that the chief himself first condescended to -speak kindly to me, and this and the companionship of the child Yellow -Bird, who seemed to approach me with a trusting grace and freedom -unlike the scared shyness of Indian children generally, inspired hope. - -The chief here told me that henceforth I could call Yellow Bird my own, -to take the place of my little girl that had been killed. I did not -at once comprehend all of his meaning, still it gave me some hope of -security. - -When at nightfall we returned to the lodge, which, they told me, I must -henceforth regard as home, I found the elder women busily pounding a -post into the ground, and my fears were at once aroused, being always -ready to take alarm, and suggested to me that it betokened some evil. -On the contrary, it was simply some household arrangement of her own, -for presently, putting on a camp kettle, she built a fire, and caused -water to boil, and drew a tea, of which she gave me a portion, assuring -me that it would cure the tired and weary feeling and secure me a good -rest. - -This proved true. Soon a deep drowsiness began to steal over the weary -captive. My bed of furs was shown me. Yellow Bird was told to share my -couch with me, and from this time on she was my constant attendant. I -laid down, and the wife of the chief tenderly removed my moccasins, -and I slept sweetly—the first true sleep I had enjoyed in many weary -nights. - -Before my eyes closed, in slumber, my heart rose in gratitude -unspeakable to God for his great and immeasurable mercy. - -I readily adapted myself to my new position. The chief’s three sisters -shared the lodge with us. - -The following day commenced my labors, and the chief’s wife seemed to -feel a protecting interest in me. - -The day of the 25th of July was observed by continual feasting in honor -of the safe return of the braves. - -There was a large tent made by putting several together, where all -the chiefs, medicine-men, and great warriors met for consultation and -feasting. I was invited to attend, and was given an elevated seat, -while the rest of the company all sat upon the ground, and mostly -cross-legged, preparatory to the feast being dealt out. - -In the center of the circle was erected a flag-staff, with many scalps, -trophies, and ornaments fastened to it. Near the foot of the flag-staff -were placed, in a row on the ground, several large kettles, in which -was prepared the feast. Near the kettles on the ground, also, were a -number of wooden bowls, in which the meat was to be served out. And in -front, two or three women, who were there placed as waiters, to light -the pipes for smoking, and also to deal out the food. - -In these positions things stood, and all sat with thousands climbing -and crowding around for a peep at me, as I appeared at the grand -feast and council, when at length the chief arose, in a very handsome -costume, and addressed the audience, and in his speech often pointed to -me. I could understand but little of his meaning. - -Several others also made speeches, that all sounded the same to me. I -sat trembling with fear at these strange proceedings, fearing they were -deliberating upon a plan of putting me to some cruel death to finish -their amusement. It is impossible to describe my feelings on that day, -as I sat in the midst of those wild, savage people. Soon a handsome -pipe was lit and brought to the chief to smoke. He took it, and after -presenting the stem to the north, the south, the east, and the west, -and then to the sun that was over his head, uttered a few words, drew -a few whiffs, then passed it around through the whole group, who all -smoked. This smoking was conducted with the strictest adherence to -exact and established form, and the feast throughout was conducted in -the most positive silence. - -The lids were raised from the kettles, which were all filled with dog’s -meat alone, it being well cooked and made into a sort of stew. Each -guest had a large wooden bowl placed before him, with a quantity of -dog’s flesh floating in a profusion of soup or rich gravy, with a large -spoon resting in the dish, made of buffalo horn. - -In this most difficult and painful dilemma I sat, witnessing the -solemnity; my dish was given me, and the absolute necessity of eating -it was painful to contemplate. I tasted it a few times after much -urging, and then resigned my dish, which was taken and passed around -with others to every part of the group, who all ate heartily. In this -way the feast ended, and all retired silently and gradually, until the -ground was left to the waiters, who seemed to have charge of it during -the whole occasion. - -The women signified to me that I should feel highly honored by being -called to feast with chiefs and great warriors; and seeing the spirit -in which it was given, I could not but treat it respectfully, and -receive it as a very high and marked compliment. - -Since I witnessed it on this occasion, I have been honored with -numerous entertainments of the kind, and all conducted in the same -solemn and impressive manner. - -As far as I could see and understand, I feel authorized to pronounce -the dog-feast a truly religious ceremony, wherein the superstitious -Indian sees fit to sacrifice his faithful companion to bear testimony -to the sacredness of his vows of friendship for the Great Spirit. He -always offers up a portion of the meat to his deity, then puts it on -the ground to remind him of the sacrifice and solemnity of the offering. - -The dog, among all Indian tribes, is more esteemed and more valued than -among any part of the civilized world. The Indian has more time to -devote to his company, and his untutored mind more nearly assimilates -to the nature of his faithful servant. - -The flesh of these dogs, though apparently relished by the Indians, is -undoubtedly inferior to venison and buffalo meat, of which feasts are -constantly made, where friends are invited, as they are in civilized -society, to a pleasant and convivial party; from which fact alone, -it would seem clear that they have some extraordinary motive, at all -events, for feasting on the flesh of that useful and faithful animal, -even when as in the instance I have been describing. - -Their village was well supplied with fresh and dried meat of the -buffalo and deer. The dog-feast is given, I believe, by all tribes -of America, and by them all, I think, this faithful animal, as well -as the horse, is sacrificed, in several different ways, to appease -offended spirits or deities, whom it is considered necessary that they -should conciliate in this way, and when done, is invariably done by -giving the best in the herd or the kennel. - -That night was spent in dancing. Wild and furious all seemed to me. I -was led into the center of the circle, and assigned the painful duty of -holding above my head human scalps fastened to a little pole. The dance -was kept up until near morning, when all repaired to their respective -lodges. The three kind sisters of the chief were there to convey me to -mine. - - - - - CHAPTER IX. - - PREPARATIONS FOR BATTLE—AN INDIAN VILLAGE ON THE MOVE—SCALP - DANCE—A HORRIBLE SCENE OF SAVAGE EXULTATION—COMPELLED TO - JOIN THE ORGIES—A CAUSE OF INDIAN HOSTILITY—ANOTHER BATTLE - WITH THE WHITE TROOPS—BURIAL OF AN INDIAN BOY—A HASTY - RETREAT—MADE TO ACT AS SURGEON OF THE WOUNDED—MAUVE TERRE, OR - BAD LANDS. - - -The next morning the whole village was in motion. The warriors were -going to battle against a white enemy, they said, and old men, women, -and children were sent out in another direction to a place of safety, -as designated by the chief. Every thing was soon moving. With the -rapidity of custom the tent-poles were lowered and the tents rolled -up. The cooking utensils were put together, and laid on cross-beams -connecting the lower ends of the poles as they trail the ground from -the horses’ sides, to which they are attached. Dogs, too, are made -useful in this exodus, and started off, with smaller burdens dragging -after them, in the same manner that horses are packed. - -The whole village was in commotion, children screaming or laughing; -dogs barking or growling under their heavy burdens; squaws running -hither and thither, pulling down tipi-poles, packing up every thing, -and leading horses and dogs with huge burdens. - -[Illustration: Indian Family on the Move.] - -The small children are placed in sacks of buffalo skin and hung upon -saddles or their mothers’ backs. The wrapped up lodges, which are -secured by thongs, are fastened to the poles on the horses’ backs, -together with sundry other articles of domestic use, and upon these -are seated women and children. To guide the horse a woman goes before, -holding the bridle, carrying on her back a load nearly as large as the -horse carries. Women and children are sometimes mounted upon horses, -holding in their arms every variety of plunder, sometimes little dogs -and other forlorn and hungry looking pets. In this unsightly manner, -sometimes two or three thousand families are transported many miles -at the same migration, and, all being in motion at the same time, the -cavalcade extends for a great distance. - -The men and boys are not so unsightly in their appearance, being -mounted upon good horses and the best Indian ponies, riding in groups, -leaving the women and children to trudge along with the burdened horses -and dogs. - -The number and utility of these faithful dogs is sometimes astonishing, -as they count hundreds, each bearing a portion of the general household -goods. Two poles, about ten or twelve feet long, are attached to the -shoulders of a dog, leaving one end of each dragging upon the ground. -On these poles a small burden is carried, and with it the faithful -canine jogs along, looking neither to the right nor to the left, but -apparently intent upon reaching the end of his journey. These faithful -creatures are under the charge of women and children, and their pace -is occasionally encouraged with admonitions in the form of vigorous -and zealous use of whips applied to their limbs and sides. It was -quite painful to me to see these poor animals, thus taken from their -natural avocation, and forced to a slavish life of labor, and compelled -to travel along with their burdens; yet, when this change has been -made, they become worthless as hunters, or watchers, and even for the -purpose of barking, being reduced, instead, to beasts of burden. It was -not uncommon to see a great wolfish-looking dog moodily jogging along -with a lot of cooking utensils on one side, and on the other a crying -papoose for a balance, while his sulking companion toils on, supporting -upon his back a quarter of antelope or elk, and is followed by an old -woman, or some children, who keep at bay all refractory dogs who run -loose, occasionally showing their superiority by snapping and snarling -at their more unfortunate companions. - -This train was immensely large, nearly the whole Sioux nation having -concentrated there for the purpose of war. The chief’s sisters brought -me a horse saddled, told me to mount, and accompany the already -moving column, that seemed to be spreading far over the hills to the -northward. We toiled on all day. Late in the afternoon we arrived -at the ground of encampment, and rested for further orders from the -warriors, who had gone to battle and would join us there. - -I had no means of informing myself at that time with whom the war was -raging, but afterward learned that General Sully’s army was pursuing -the Sioux, and that the engagement was with his men. - -In three days the Indians returned to camp, and entered on a course -of feasting and rejoicing, that caused me to believe that they had -suffered very little loss in the affray. - -They passed their day of rest in this sort of entertainment; and here I -first saw the scalp dance, which ceremonial did not increase my respect -or confidence in the tender mercies of my captors. - -This performance is only gone through at night and by the light of -torches, consequently its terrible characteristics are heightened by -the fantastic gleams of the lighted brands. - -The women, too, took part in the dance, and I was forced to mingle -in the fearful festivity, painted and dressed for the occasion, and -holding a staff from the top of which hung several scalps. - -The braves came vauntingly forth, with the most extravagant boasts -of their wonderful prowess and courage in war, at the same time -brandishing weapons in their hands with the most fearful contortions -and threatenings. - -A number of young women came with them, carrying the trophies of their -friends, which they hold aloft, while the warriors jump around in a -circle, brandishing their weapons, and whooping and yelling the fearful -war-cry in a most frightful manner, all jumping upon both feet at the -same time, with simultaneous stamping and motions with their weapons, -keeping exact time. Their gestures impress one as if they were actually -cutting and carving each other to pieces as they utter their fearful, -sharp yell. They become furious as they grow more excited, until their -faces are distorted to the utmost; their glaring eyes protrude with a -fiendish, indescribable appearance, while they grind their teeth, and -try to imitate the hissing, gurgling sound of death in battle. Furious -and faster grows the stamping, until the sight is more like a picture -of fiends in a carnival of battle than any thing else to which the -war-dance can be compared. - -No description can fully convey the terrible sight in all its fearful -barbarity, as the bloody trophies of their victory are brandished aloft -in the light of the flickering blaze, and their distorted forms were -half concealed by darkness. The object for which the scalp is taken -is exultation and proof of valor and success. My pen is powerless to -portray my feelings during this terrible scene. - -This country seemed scarred by countless trails, where the Indian -ponies have dragged lodge-poles, in their change of habitations or -hunting. The antipathy of the Indian to its occupation or invasion by -the white man is very intense and bitter. The felling of timber, or -killing of buffalo, or traveling of a train, or any signs of permanent -possession by the white man excites deadly hostility. It is their last -hope; if they yield and give up this, they will have to die or ever -after be governed by the white man’s laws; consequently they lose no -opportunity to kill or steal from and harass the whites when they can -do so. - -The game still clings to its favorite haunts, and the Indian must press -upon the steps of the white man or lose all hope of independence. Herds -of elk proudly stand with erect antlers, as if charmed by music, or as -if curious to understand this strange inroad upon their long-secluded -parks of pleasure; the mountain sheep look down from belting crags that -skirt the perpendicular northern face of the mountains, and yield no -rival of their charms or excellence for food. The black and white-tail -deer and antelope are ever present, while the hare and the rabbit, the -sage hen, and the prairie-chicken are nearly trodden down before they -yield to the intrusion of the stranger. - -Brants, wild geese, and ducks multiply and people the waters of -beautiful lakes, and are found in many of the streams. The grizzly and -cinnamon bears are often killed and give up their rich material for -the hunter’s profit; and the buffalo, in numberless herds, with tens of -thousands in a herd, sweep back and forth, filling the valley as far as -the eye can reach, and adding their value to the red man both for food, -habitation, fuel, and clothing. The Big Horn River, and mountains and -streams beyond, are plentifully supplied with various kinds of fish. -The country seems to be filled with wolves, which pierce the night air -with their howls, but, like the beavers whose dams incumber all the -smaller streams, and the otter, are forced to yield their nice coats -for the Indian as well as white man’s luxury. - -The Indians felt that the proximity of the troops and their inroads -through their best hunting-grounds would prove disastrous to them and -their future hopes of prosperity, and soon again they were making -preparations for battle; and again, on the 8th of August, the warriors -set forth on the war-path, and this time the action seemed to draw -ominously near our encampment. - -An Indian boy died the night before, and was buried rather hastily -in the morning. The body was wrapped in some window curtains that -once draped my windows at Geneva. There was also a red blanket and -many beads and trinkets deposited on an elevated platform, with the -moldering remains, and the bereaved mother and relatives left the -lonely spot with loud lamentations. There seemed to be great commotion -and great anxiety in the movements of the Indians, and presently I -could hear the sound of battle; and the echoes, that came back to me -from the reports of the guns in the distant hills, warned me of the -near approach of my own people, and my heart became a prey to wildly -conflicting emotions, as they hurried on in great desperation, and even -forbid me turning my head and looking in the direction of the battle. -Once I broke the rule and was severely punished for it. They kept their -eyes upon me, and were very cross and unkind. - -Panting for rescue, yet fearing for its accomplishment, I passed the -day. The smoke of action now rose over the hills beyond. The Indians -now realized their danger, and hurried on in great consternation. - -General Sully’s soldiers appeared in close proximity, and I could -see them charging on the Indians, who, according to their habits -of warfare, skulked behind trees, sending their bullets and arrows -vigorously forward into the enemy’s ranks. I was kept in advance of the -moving column of women and children, who were hurrying on, crying and -famishing for water, trying to keep out of the line of firing. - -It was late at night before we stopped our pace, when at length we -reached the lofty banks of a noble river, but it was some time before -they could find a break in the rocky shores which enabled us to reach -the water and enjoy the delicious draught, in which luxury the panting -horses gladly participated. - -We had traveled far and fast all day long, without cessation, through -clouds of smoke and dust, parched by a scorching sun. My face was -blistered from the burning rays, as I had been compelled to go with my -head uncovered, after the fashion of all Indian women. Had not had a -drop of water during the whole day. - -Reluctant to leave the long-desired acquisition, they all lay down -under the tall willows, close to the stream, and slept the sleep of the -weary. The horses lingered near, nipping the tender blades of grass -that sparsely bordered the stream. - -It was not until next morning that I thought of how they should cross -the river, which I suppose to have been the Missouri. It was not very -wide, but confined between steep banks; it seemed to be deep and quite -rapid; they did not risk swimming at that place, to my joy, but went -further down and all plunged in and swam across, leading my horse. -I was very much frightened, and cried to Heaven for mercy. On that -morning we entered a gorge, a perfect mass of huge fragments which had -fallen from the mountains above; they led my horse and followed each -other closely, and with as much speed as possible, as we were still -pursued by the troops. During the day some two or three warriors were -brought in wounded. I was called to see them, and assist in dressing -their wounds. This being my first experience of the kind, I was at some -loss to know what was best to do; but, seeing in it a good opportunity -to raise in their estimation, I endeavored to impress them with an air -of my superior knowledge of surgery, and as nurse, or medicine woman. -I felt now, from their motions and meaning glances, that my life was -not safe, since we were so closely pursued over this terrible barren -country. - -My feelings, all this time, can not be described, when I could hear -the sound of the big guns, as the Indians term cannon. I felt that -the soldiers had surely come for me and would overtake us, and my -heart bounded with joy at the very thought of deliverance, but sunk -proportionately when they came to me, bearing their trophies, reeking -scalps, soldiers’ uniforms, covered with blood, which told its sad -story to my aching heart. One day I might be cheered by strong hope -of approaching relief, then again would have such assurance of my -enemies’ success as would sink me correspondingly low in despair. For -some reason deception seemed to be their peculiar delight; whether -they did it to gratify an insatiable thirst for revenge in themselves, -or to keep me more reconciled, more willing and patient to abide, was -something I could not determine. - -The feelings occasioned by my disappointment in their success can be -better imagined than described, but imagination, even in her most -extravagant flights, can but poorly picture the horrors that met my -view during these running flights. - -My constant experience was hope deferred that maketh the heart sick. It -was most tantalizing and painful to my spirit to be so near our forces -and the flag of liberty, and yet a prisoner and helpless. - -On, and still on, we were forced to fly to a place known among them as -the Bad Lands, a section of country so wildly desolate and barren as to -induce the belief that its present appearance is the effect of volcanic -action. - -Great boulders of blasted rock are piled scattering round, and hard, -dry sand interspersed among the crevices. - -Every thing has a ruined look, as if vegetation and life had formerly -existed there, but had been suddenly interrupted by some violent -commotion of nature. A terrible blight, like the fulfilling of an -ancient curse, darkens the surface of the gloomy landscape, and the -desolate, ruinous scene might well represent the entrance to the -infernal shades described by classic writers. - -A choking wind, with sand, blows continually, and fills the air with -dry and blinding dust. - -The water is sluggish and dark, and apparently life-destroying in its -action, since all that lies around its moistened limits has assumed the -form of petrifaction. Rocks though they now seemed, they had formerly -held life, both animal and vegetable, and their change will furnish a -subject of interesting speculation to enterprising men of science, who -penetrate those mournful shades to discover toads, snakes, birds, and a -variety of insects, together with plants, trees, and many curiosities, -all petrified and having the appearance of stone. I was startled by the -strange and wonderful sights. - -The terrible scarcity of water and grass urged us forward, and General -Sully’s army in the rear gave us no rest. The following day or two we -were driven so far northward, and became so imminently imperiled by -the pursuing forces, that they were obliged to leave all their earthly -effects behind them, and swim the Yellow Stone River for life. By this -time the ponies were completely famished for want of food and water, so -jaded that it was with great difficulty and hard blows that we could -urge them on at all. - -When Indians are pursued closely, they evince a desperate and reckless -desire to save themselves, without regard to property or provisions. - -They throw away every thing that will impede flight, and all natural -instinct seems lost in fear. We had left, in our compulsory haste, -immense quantities of plunder, even lodges standing, which proved -immediate help, but in the end a terrible loss. - -General Sully with his whole troop stopped to destroy the property, -thus giving us an opportunity to escape, which saved us from falling -into his hands, as otherwise we inevitably would have done. - -One day was consumed in collecting and burning the Indian lodges, -blankets, provisions, etc., and that day was used advantageously in -getting beyond his reach. They travel constantly in time of war, -ranging over vast tracts of country, and prosecuting their battles, or -skirmishes, with a quiet determination unknown to the whites. - -A few days’ pursuit after Indians is generally enough to wear and tire -out the ardor of the white man, as it is almost impossible to pursue -them through their own country with wagons and supplies for the army, -and it is very difficult for American horses to traverse the barren, -rugged mountain passes, the Indians having every advantage in their -own country, and using their own mode of warfare. The weary soldiers -return disheartened by often losing dear comrades, and leaving them in -a lonely grave on the plain, dissatisfied with only scattering their -red foes. - -But the weary savages rest during these intervals, often sending the -friendly Indians, as they are called and believed to be, who are -received in that character in the forts, and change it for a hostile -one, as soon as they reach the hills, to get supplies of ammunition and -food with which they refresh themselves and prosecute the war. - -After the attack of General Sully was over an Indian came to me with -a letter to read, which he had taken from a soldier who was killed by -him, and the letter had been found in his pocket. The letter stated -that the topographical engineer was killed, and that General Sully’s -men had caught the red devils and cut their heads off, and stuck them -up on poles. The soldier had written a friendly and kind letter to his -people, but, ere it was mailed, he was numbered with the dead. - - - - - CHAPTER X. - - MOURNING FOR THE SLAIN—THREATENED WITH DEATH AT THE FIERY - STAKE—SAVED BY A SPEECH FROM OTTAWA—STARVING CONDITION OF THE - INDIANS. - - -As soon as we were safe, and General Sully pursued us no longer, the -warriors returned home, and a scene of terrible mourning over the -killed ensued among the women. Their cries are terribly wild and -distressing, on such occasions; and the near relations of the deceased -indulge in frantic expressions of grief that can not be described. -Sometimes the practice of cutting the flesh is carried to a horrible -and barbarous extent. They inflict gashes on their bodies and limbs an -inch in length. Some cut off their hair, blacken their faces, and march -through the village in procession, torturing their bodies to add vigor -to their lamentations. - -Hunger followed on the track of grief; all their food was gone, and -there was no game in that portion of the country. - -In our flight they scattered every thing, and the country through which -we passed for the following two weeks did not yield enough to arrest -starvation. The Indians were terribly enraged, and threatened me with -death almost hourly, and in every form. - -I had so hoped for liberty when my friends were near; but alas! all my -fond hopes were blasted. The Indians told me that the army was going in -another direction. - -They seemed to have sustained a greater loss than I had been made aware -of, which made them feel very revengeful toward me. - -The next morning I could see that something unusual was about to -happen. Notwithstanding the early hour, the sun scarcely appearing -above the horizon, the principal chiefs and warriors were assembled in -council, where, judging from the grave and reflective expression of -their countenances, they were about to discuss some serious question. - -I had reason for apprehension, from their unfriendly manner toward me, -and feared for the penalty I might soon have to pay. - -Soon they sent an Indian to me, who asked me if I was ready to die—to -be burned at the stake. I told him whenever Wakon-Tonka (the Great -Spirit) was ready, he would call for me, and then I would be ready and -willing to go. He said that he had been sent from the council to warn -me, that it had become necessary to put me to death, on account of my -white brothers killing so many of their young men recently. He repeated -that they were not cruel for the pleasure of being so; necessity -is their first law, and he and the wise chiefs, faithful to their -hatred for the white race, were in haste to satisfy their thirst for -vengeance; and, further, that the interest of their nation required it. - -As soon as the chiefs were assembled around the council fire, the -pipe-carrier entered the circle, holding in his hand the pipe ready -lighted. Bowing to the four cardinal points, he uttered a short prayer, -or invocation, and then presented the pipe to the old chief, Ottawa, -but retained the bowl in his hand. When all the chiefs and men had -smoked, one after the other, the pipe-bearer emptied the ashes into the -fire, saying, “Chiefs of the great Dakota nation, Wakon-Tonka give you -wisdom, so that whatever be your determination, it may be conformable -to justice.” Then, after bowing respectfully, he retired. - -A moment of silence followed, in which every one seemed to be -meditating seriously upon the words that had just been spoken. At -length one of the most aged of the chiefs, whose body was furrowed with -the scars of innumerable wounds, and who enjoyed among his people a -reputation for great wisdom, arose. - -Said he, “The pale faces, our eternal persecutors, pursue and harass -us without intermission, forcing us to abandon to them, one by one, -our best hunting grounds, and we are compelled to seek a refuge in the -depths of these Bad Lands, like timid deer. Many of them even dare to -come into prairies which belong to us, to trap beaver, and hunt elk -and buffalo, which are our property. These faithless creatures, the -outcasts of their own people, rob and kill us when they can. Is it just -that we should suffer these wrongs without complaining? Shall we allow -ourselves to be slaughtered like timid Assinneboines, without seeking -to avenge ourselves? Does not the law of the Dakotas say, Justice to -our own nation, and death to all pale faces? Let my brothers say if -that is just,” pointing to the stake that was being prepared for me. - -“Vengeance is allowable,” sententiously remarked Mahpeah (The Sky). - -Another old chief, Ottawa, arose and said, “It is the undoubted right -of the weak and oppressed; and yet it ought to be proportioned to the -injury received. Then why should we put this young, innocent woman to -death? Has she not always been kind to us, smiled upon us, and sang for -us? Do not all our children love her as a tender sister? Why, then, -should we put her to so cruel a death for the crimes of others, if they -are of her nation? Why should we punish the innocent for the guilty?” - -I looked to Heaven for mercy and protection, offering up those earnest -prayers that are never offered in vain; and oh! how thankful I was when -I knew their decision was to spare my life. Though terrible were my -surroundings, life always became sweet to me, when I felt that I was -about to part with it. - -A terrible time ensued, and many dogs, and horses, even, died of -starvation. Their bodies were eaten immediately; and the slow but -constant march was daily kept up, in hope of game and better facilities -for fish and fruit. - -Many days in succession I tasted no food, save what I could gather on -my way; a few rose leaves and blossoms was all I could find, except -the grass I would gather and chew, for nourishment. Fear, fatigue, and -long-continued abstinence were wearing heavily on my already shattered -frame. Women and children were crying for food; it was a painful sight -to witness their sufferings, with no means of alleviating them, and no -hope of relief save by traveling and hunting. We had no shelter save -the canopy of heaven, and no alternative but to travel on, and at night -lie down on the cold, damp ground, for a resting place. - -If I could but present to my readers a truthful picture of that Indian -home at that time, with all its sorrowful accompaniments! They are -certainly engraved upon faithful memory, to last forever; but no touch -of pen could give any semblance of the realities to another. - -What exhibitions of their pride and passion I have seen; what ideas of -their intelligence and humanity I have been compelled to form; what -manifestations of their power and ability to govern had been thrust -upon me. The treatment received was not such as to enhance in any wise -a woman’s admiration for the so-called noble red man, but rather to -make one pray to be delivered from their power. - -Compelled to travel many days in succession, and to experience the -gnawings of hunger without mitigation, every day had its share of toil -and fear. Yet while my temporal wants were thus poorly supplied, I was -not wholly denied spiritual food. It was a blessed consolation that no -earthly foe could interrupt my communion with the heavenly world. In my -midnight, wakeful hours, I was visited with many bright visions. - - He walks with thee, that angel kind, - And gently whispers, be resigned; - Bear up, bear on, the end shall tell, - The dear Lord ordereth all things well. - - - - - CHAPTER XI. - - MEET ANOTHER WHITE FEMALE CAPTIVE—SAD STORY OF MARY BOYEAU—A - CHILD ROASTED AND ITS BRAINS DASHED OUT—MURDER OF MRS. - FLETCHER—FIVE CHILDREN SLAUGHTERED—FATE OF THEIR MOTHER. - - -It was about this time that I had the sorrowful satisfaction of meeting -with a victim of Indian cruelty, whose fate was even sadder than mine. - -It was a part of my labor to carry water from the stream at which we -camped, and, awakened for that purpose, I arose and hurried out one -morning before the day had yet dawned clearly, leaving the Indians -still in their blankets, and the village very quiet. - -In the woods beyond I heard the retiring howl of the wolf, the shrill -shriek of the bird of prey, as it was sweeping down on the unburied -carcass of some poor, murdered traveler, and the desolation of my life -and its surroundings filled my heart with dread and gloom. - -I was so reduced in strength and spirit, that nothing but the dread of -the scalping-knife urged my feet from task to task; and now, returning -toward the tipi, with my heavy bucket, I was startled to behold a -fair-faced, beautiful young girl sitting there, dejected and worn, -like myself, but bearing the marks of loveliness and refinement, -despite her neglected covering. - -Almost doubting my reason, for I had become unsettled in my -self-reliance, and even sanity, I feared to address her, but stood -spell-bound, gazing in her sad brown eyes and drooping, pallid face. - -The chief stood near the entrance of the tipi, enjoying the cool -morning air, and watching the interview with amusement. He offered me a -book, which chanced to be one of the Willson’s readers, stolen from our -wagons, and bade me show it to the stranger. - -I approached the girl, who instantly held out her hand, and said: “What -book is that?” - -The sound of my own language, spoken by one of my own people, was too -much for me, and I sank to the ground by the side of the stranger, and, -endeavoring to clasp her in my arms, became insensible. - -A kindly squaw, who was in sight, must have been touched by our -helpless sorrow; for, when recovering, she was sprinkling my face with -water from the bucket, and regarding me with looks of interest. - -Of course, we realized that this chance interview would be short, -and, perhaps, the last that we would be able to enjoy, and, while -my companion covered her face and wept, I told my name and the main -incidents of my capture; and I dreaded to recall the possible fate of -my Mary, lest I should rouse the terrible feelings I was trying to -keep in subjection as my only hope of preserving reason. - -The young girl responded to my confidence by giving her own story, -which she related to me as follows: - -“My name is Mary Boyeau; these people call me Madee. I have been among -them since the massacre in Minnesota, and am now in my sixteenth year. -My parents were of French descent, but we lived in the State of New -York, until my father, in pursuance of his peculiar passion for the -life of a naturalist and a man of science, sold our eastern home, and -came to live on the shores of Spirit Lake, Minnesota. - -“The Indians had watched about our place, and regarded what they had -seen of my father’s chemical apparatus with awe and fear. Perhaps -they suspected him of working evil charms in his laboratory, or held -his magnets, microscopes, and curiously-shaped tubes in superstitious -aversion. - -“I can not tell; I only know that we were among the first victims of -the massacre, and that all my family were murdered except myself, and, -I fear, one younger sister.” - -“You fear!” said I. “Do you not hope that she escaped?” - -The poor girl shook her head. “From a life like mine death is an -escape,” she said, bitterly. - -“Oh! it is fearful! and a sin to rush unbidden into God’s presence, but -I can not live through another frightful winter. - -“No, I must and will die if no relief comes to me. For a year these -people regarded me as a child, and then a young man of their tribe gave -a horse for me, and carried me to his tipi as his wife.” - -“Do you love your husband?” I asked. - -A look, bitter and revengeful, gleamed from her eyes. - -“Love a savage, who bought me to be a drudge and slave!” she repeated. -“No! I hate him as I hate all that belong to this fearful bondage. He -has another wife and a child. Thank God!” she added, with a shudder, -“that I am not a mother!” - -Misery and the consciousness of her own degraded life seemed to have -made this poor young creature desperate; and, looking at her toil-worn -hands and scarred arms, I saw the signs of abuse and cruelty; her feet, -too, were bare, and fearfully bruised and travel-marked. - -“Does he ill treat you?” I inquired. - -“His wife does,” she answered. “I am forced to do all manner of slavish -work, and when my strength fails, I am urged on by blows. Oh! I do so -fearfully dread the chilling winters, without proper food or clothing; -and I long to lie down and die, if God’s mercy will only permit me to -escape from this hopeless imprisonment. I have nothing to expect now. -I did once look forward to release, but that is all gone. I strove to -go with the others, who were ransomed at Fort Pierre, and Mrs. Wright -plead for me with all her heart; but the man who bought me would not -give me up, and my prayers were useless. - -“Mr. Dupuy, a Frenchman, who brought a wagon for the redeemed women and -children, did not offer enough for me; and when another man offered a -horse my captor would not receive it. - -“There were many prisoners that I did not see in the village, but I -am left alone. The Yanktons, who hold me, are friendly by pretense, -and go to the agencies for supplies and annuities, but at heart they -are bitterly hostile. They assert that, if they did not murder and -steal, the Father at Washington would forget them; and now they receive -presents and supplies to keep them in check, which they delight in -taking, and deceiving the officers as to their share in the outbreaks.” - -Her dread of soldiers was such that she had never attempted to escape, -nor did she seem to think it possible to get away from her present -life, so deep was the despair into which long-continued suffering had -plunged her. - -Sad as my condition was, I could not but pity poor Mary’s worse fate. -The unwilling wife of a brutal savage, and subject to all the petty -malice of a scarcely less brutal squaw, there could be no gleam of -sunshine in her future prospects. True, I was, like her, a captive, -torn from home and friends, and subject to harsh treatment, but no such -personal indignity had fallen to my lot. - -When Mary was first taken, she saw many terrible things, which she -related to me, among which was the following: - -One day, the Indians went into a house where they found a woman making -bread. Her infant child lay in the cradle, unconscious of its fate. -Snatching it from its little bed they thrust it into the heated oven, -its screams torturing the wretched mother, who was immediately after -stabbed and cut in many pieces. - -Taking the suffering little creature from the oven, they then dashed -out its brains against the walls of the house. - -One day, on their journey, they came to a narrow but deep stream of -water. Some of the prisoners, and nearly all of the Indians, crossed on -horseback, while a few crossed on logs, which had been cut down by the -beaver. A lady (by name Mrs. Fletcher, I believe), who was in delicate -health, fell into the water with her heavy burden, unable, on account -of her condition, to cross, and was shot by the Indians, her lifeless -body soon disappearing from sight. She also told me of a white man -having been killed a few days previous, and a large sum of money taken -from him, which would be exchanged for articles used among the Indians -when they next visited the Red River or British Possessions. They -went, she told me, two or three times a year, taking American horses, -valuables, etc., which they had stolen from the whites, and exchanging -them for ammunition, powder, arrow points, and provisions. - -Before they reached the Missouri River they killed five of Mrs. -Dooley’s children, one of which was left on the ground in a place -where the distracted mother had to pass daily in carrying water from -the river; and when they left the camp the body remained unburied. So -terrible were the sufferings of this heart-broken mother, that, when -she arrived in safety among the whites, her reason was dethroned, and I -was told that she was sent to the lunatic asylum, where her distracted -husband soon followed. - -Mary wished that we might be together, but knew that it would be -useless to ask, as it would not be granted. - -I gave her my little book and half of my pencil, which she was glad to -receive. I wrote her name in the book, together with mine, encouraging -her with every kind word and hope of the future. She could read and -write, and understood the Indian language thoroughly. - -The book had been taken from our wagon, and I had endeavored to teach -the Indians from it, for it contained several stories; so it made the -Indians very angry to have me part with it. - -For hours I had sat with the book in my hands, showing them the -pictures and explaining their meaning, which interested them greatly, -and which helped pass away and relieve the monotony of the days of -captivity which I was enduring. Moreover, it inspired them with a -degree of respect and veneration for me when engaged in the task, which -was not only pleasant, but a great comfort. It was by this means they -discovered my usefulness in writing letters and reading for them. - -I found them apt pupils, willing to learn, and they learned easily and -rapidly. Their memory is very retentive—unusually good. - - - - - CHAPTER XII. - - FIRST INTIMATION OF MY LITTLE MARY’S FATE—DESPAIR AND - DELIRIUM—A SHOWER OF GRASSHOPPERS—A FEAST AND A FIGHT—AN - ENRAGED SQUAW—THE CHIEF WOUNDED. - - -One day, as I was pursuing what seemed to me an endless journey, an -Indian rode up beside me, whom I did not remember to have seen before. - -At his saddle hung a bright and well-known little shawl, and from the -other side was suspended a child’s scalp of long, fair hair. - -As my eyes rested on the frightful sight, I trembled in my saddle and -grasped the air for support. A blood-red cloud seemed to come between -me and the outer world, and I realized that innocent victim’s dying -agonies. - -The torture was too great to be endured—a merciful insensibility -interposed between me and madness. - -I dropped from the saddle as if dead, and rolled upon the ground at the -horse’s feet. - -When I recovered, I was clinging to a squaw, who, with looks of -astonishment and alarm, was vainly endeavoring to extricate herself -from my clutches. - -With returning consciousness, I raised my eyes to the fearful sight -that had almost deprived me of reason; it was gone. - -The Indian had suspected the cause of my emotion, and removed it out of -sight. - -They placed me in the saddle once more, and not being able to control -the horrible misery I felt, I protested wildly against their touch, -imploring them to kill me, and frantically inviting the death I had -before feared and avoided. - -When they camped, I had not the power or reason to seek my own tent, -but fell down in the sun, where the chief found me lying. He had been -out at the head of a scouting party, and knew nothing of my sufferings. - -Instantly approaching me, he inquired who had misused me. I replied, -“No one. I want to see my dear mother, my poor mother, who loves me, -and pines for her unhappy child.” - -I had found, by experience, that the only grief with which this red -nation had any sympathy was the sorrow one might feel for a separation -from a mother, and even the chief seemed to recognize the propriety of -such emotion. - -On this account I feigned to be grieving solely for my dear widowed -mother, and was treated with more consideration than I had dared to -expect. - -Leaving me for a few moments, he returned, bringing me some ripe wild -plums, which were deliciously cooling to my fever-parched lips. - -Hunger and thirst, sorrow and fear, with unusual fatigue and labor, -had weakened me in mind and body, so that, after trying to realize the -frightful vision that had almost deprived me of my senses, I began to -waver in my knowledge of it, and half determined that it was a hideous -phantom, like many another that had tortured my lonely hours. - -I tried to dismiss the awful dream from remembrance, particularly as -the days that followed found me ill and delirious, and it was some time -before I was able to recall events clearly. - -About this time there was another battle; and many having already sank -under the united misery of hunger and fatigue, the camp was gloomy and -hopeless in the extreme. - -The Indians discovered my skill in dressing wounds, and I was called -immediately to the relief of the wounded brought into camp. - -The fight had lasted three days, and, from the immoderate lamentations, -I supposed many had fallen, but could form no idea of the loss. - -Except when encamped for rest, the tribe pursued their wanderings -constantly; sometimes flying before the enemy, at others endeavoring to -elude them. - -I kept the record of time, as it passed with the savages, as well as I -was able, and, with the exception of a few days lost, during temporary -delirium and fever at two separate times, and which I endeavored to -supply by careful inquiry, I missed no count of the rising or setting -sun, and knew dates almost as well as if I had been in the heart of -civilization. - -One very hot day, a dark cloud seemed suddenly to pass before the sun -and threaten a great storm. The wind rose, and the cloud became still -darker, until the light of day was almost obscured. - -A few drops sprinkled the earth, and, then, in a heavy, blinding, -and apparently inexhaustible shower, fell a countless swarm of -grasshoppers, covering every thing and rendering the air almost black -by their descent. - -It is impossible to convey an idea of their extent; they seemed to -rival Pharaoh’s locusts in number, and no doubt would have done damage -to the food of the savages had they not fallen victims themselves to -their keen appetites. - -To catch them, large holes are dug in the ground, which are heated by -fires. Into these apertures the insects are then driven, and, the fires -having been removed, the heated earth bakes them. - -They are considered good food, and were greedily devoured by the -famishing Sioux. Although the grasshoppers only remained two days, and -went as suddenly as they had come, the Indians seemed refreshed by -feasting on such small game, and continued to move forward. - -Halting one day to rest beside good water, I busily engaged myself in -the chief’s tipi, or lodge. I had grown so weak that motion of any kind -was exhausting to me, and I could scarcely walk. I felt that I must -soon die of starvation and sorrow, and life had ceased to be dear to me. - -Mechanically I tried to fulfill my tasks, so as to secure the continued -protection of the old squaw, who, when not incensed by passion, was not -devoid of kindness. - -My strength failed me, and I could not carry out my wishes, and almost -fell as I tried to move around. - -This met with disapprobation, and, better fed than myself, she could -not sympathize with my want of strength. She became cross, and left the -lodge, threatening me with her vengeance. - -Presently an Indian woman, who pitied me, ran into the tipi in great -haste, saying that her husband had got some deer meat, and she had -cooked it for a feast, and begged me to share it. As she spoke, she -drew me toward her tent, and, hungry and fainting, I readily followed. - -The chief saw us go, and, not disdaining a good dinner, he followed. -The old squaw came flying into the lodge like an enraged fury, -flourishing her knife, and vowing she would kill me. - -I arose immediately and fled, the squaw pursuing me. The chief -attempted to interfere, but her rage was too great, and he struck her, -at which she sprang like an infuriated tiger upon him, stabbing him in -several places. - -Her brother, who at a short distance beheld the fray, and deeming me -the cause, fired six shots, determining to kill me. One of these shots -lodged in the arm of the chief, breaking it near the shoulder. I then -ran until I reached the outskirts of the village, where I was captured -by a party who saw me running, but who knew not the cause. - -Thinking that I was endeavoring to escape, they dragged me in the tent, -brandishing their tomahawks and threatening vengeance. - -After the lapse of half an hour some squaws came and took me back to -the lodge of the chief, who was waiting for me, before his wounds could -be dressed. He was very weak from loss of blood. - -I never saw the wife of the chief afterward. - -Indian surgery is coarse and rude in its details. A doctor of the tribe -had pierced the arm of the chief with a long knife, probing in search -of the ball it had received, and the wound thus enlarged had to be -healed. - -As soon as I was able to stand, I was required to go and wait on the -disabled chief. I found his three sisters with him, and with these I -continued to live in companionship. - -One of them had been married, at the fort, to a white man, whom she had -left at Laramie when his prior wife arrived. - -She told me that they were esteemed friendly, and had often received -supplies from the fort, although at heart they were always the enemy of -the white man. - -“But will they not suspect you?” asked I. “They may discover your -deceit and punish you some day.” - -She laughed derisively. “Our prisoners don’t escape to tell tales,” she -replied. “Dead people don’t talk. We claim friendship, and they can not -prove that we don’t feel it. Besides, all white soldiers are cowards.” - -Shudderingly I turned away from this enemy of my race, and prepared to -wait on my captor, whose superstitious belief in the healing power of a -white woman’s touch led him to desire her services. - -The wounds of the chief were severe, and the suppuration profuse. It -was my task to bathe and dress them, and prepare his food. - -Hunting and fishing being now out of the question for him, he had sent -his wives to work for themselves, keeping the sisters and myself to -attend him. - -War with our soldiers seemed to have decreased the power of the chief -to a great extent. - -As he lay ill, he evidently meditated on some plan of strengthening -his forces, and finally concluded to send an offer of marriage to the -daughter of a war-chief of another band. - -As General Sully’s destructive attack had deprived him all ready -offerings, he availed himself of my shoes, which happened to be -particularly good, and, reducing me to moccasins, sent them as a gift -to the expected bride. - -She evidently received them graciously, for she came to his lodge -almost every day to visit him, and sat chatting at his side, to his -apparent satisfaction. - -The pleasure of this new matrimonial acquisition on the part of the -chief was very trying to me, on account of my limited wardrobe, for as -the betrothed continued in favor, the chief evinced it by giving her -articles of my clothing. - -An Indian woman had given me a red silk sash, such as officers wear. -The chief unceremoniously cut it in half, leaving me one half, while -the coquettish squaw received the rest. - -An Indian husband’s power is absolute, even to death. - -No woman can have more than one husband, but an Indian can have as many -wives as he chooses. - -The marriage of the chief was to be celebrated with all due ceremony -when his arm got well. - -But his arm never recovered. Mr. Clemens, the interpreter, tells me (in -my late interview with him), that he still remains crippled, and unable -to carry out his murderous intentions, or any of his anticipated wicked -designs. - -He is now living in the forts along the Missouri River, gladly claiming -support from the Government. - - - - - CHAPTER XIII. - - ARRIVAL OF “PORCUPINE”—A LETTER FROM CAPTAIN MARSHALL—HOPES - OF RESCUE—TREACHERY OF THE MESSENGER—EGOSEGALONICHA—THE - TABLES TURNED—ANOTHER GLEAM OF HOPE—THE INDIAN “WHITE - TIPI”—DISAPPOINTED—A WHITE MAN BOUND AND LEFT TO STARVE—A - BURIAL INCIDENT. - - -Before the Indians left this camping-ground, there arrived among us an -Indian called Porcupine. He was well dressed, and mounted on a fine -horse, and brought with him presents and valuables that insured him a -cordial reception. - -After he had been a few days in the village, he gave me a letter -from Captain Marshall, of the Eleventh Ohio Cavalry, detailing the -unsuccessful attempts that had been made to rescue me, and stating that -this friendly Indian had undertaken to bring me back, for which he -would be rewarded. - -The letter further said that he had already received a horse and -necessary provisions for the journey, and had left his three wives, -with thirteen others, at the fort, as hostages. - -My feelings, on reading this letter, were indescribable. My heart -leaped with unaccustomed hope, at this evidence of the efforts of my -white friends in my behalf; but the next instant, despair succeeded -this gleam of happy anticipation, for I knew this faithless messenger -would not be true to his promise, since he had joined the Sioux -immediately after his arrival among them, in a battle against the -whites. - -My fears were not unfounded. Porcupine prepared to go back to the fort -without me, disregarding my earnest prayers and entreaties. - -The chief found me useful, and determined to keep me. He believed that -a woman who had seen so much of their deceitfulness and cruelty could -do them injury at the fort, and might prevent their receiving annuities. - -Porcupine said he should report me as dead, or impossible to find; nor -could I prevail on him to do any thing to the contrary. - -When reminded of the possible vengeance of the soldiers on his wives, -whom they had threatened to kill if he did not bring me back, he -laughed. - -“The white soldiers are cowards,” he replied; “they never kill women; -and I will deceive them as I have done before.” - -Saying this, he took his departure; nor could my most urgent entreaties -induce the chief to yield his consent, and allow me to send a written -message to my friends, or in any way assure them of my existence. All -hope of rescue departed, and sadly I turned again to the wearisome -drudgery of my captive life. - -The young betrothed bride of the old chief was very gracious to me. On -one occasion she invited me to join her in a walk. The day was cool, -and the air temptingly balmy. - -“Down there,” she said, pointing to a deep ravine; “come and walk -there; it is cool and shady.” - -I looked in the direction indicated, and then at the Indian girl, who -became very mysterious in her manner, as she whispered: - -“There are white people down there.” - -“How far?” I asked, eagerly. - -“About fifty miles,” she replied. “They have great guns, and men -dressed in many buttons; their wagons are drawn by horses with long -ears.” - -A fort, thought I, but remembering the treacherous nature of the people -I was among, I repressed every sign of emotion, and tried to look -indifferent. - -“Should you like to see them?” questioned Egosegalonicha, as she was -called. - -“They are strangers to me,” I said, quietly; “I do not know them.” - -“Are you sorry to live with us?” - -“You do not have such bread as I would like to eat,” replied I, -cautiously. - -“And are you dissatisfied with our home?” - -“You have some meat now; it is better than that at the other -camping-ground. There we had no food, and I suffered.” - -“But your eyes are swollen and red,” hinted she; “you do not weep for -bread.” - -These questions made me suspicious, and I tried to evade the young -squaw, but in vain. - -“Just see how green that wood is,” I said, affecting not to hear her. - -“But you do not say you are content,” repeated she. “Will you stay here -always, willingly?” - -“Come and listen to the birds,” said I, drawing my companion toward the -grove. - -I did not trust her, and feared to utter a single word, lest it might -be used against me with the chief. - -Neither was I mistaken in the design of Egosegalonicha, for when we -returned to the lodge, I overheard her relating to the chief the -amusement she had enjoyed, in lying to the white woman, repeating what -she had said about the fort, and inventing entreaties which I had -used, urging her to allow me to fly to my white friends, and leave the -Indians forever. - -Instantly I resolved to take advantage of the affair as a joke, and, -approaching the chief with respectful pleasantry, begged to reverse the -story. - -“It was the squaw who had implored me to go with her to the white man’s -fort,” I said, “and find her a white warrior for a husband; but, true to -my faith with the Indians, I refused.” - -The wily Egosegalonicha, thus finding her weapons turned against -herself, appeared confused, and suddenly left the tent, at which the -old chief smiled grimly. - -Slander, like a vile serpent, coils itself among these Indian women; -and, as with our fair sisters in civilized society, when reality fails, -invention is called in to supply the defect. They delight in scandal, -and prove by it their claim to some of the refined conventionalities of -civilized life. - -Porcupine had spread the news abroad in the village that a large reward -had been offered for the white woman, consequently I was sought for, -the motive being to gain the reward. - -One day an Indian, whom I had seen in different places, and whose wife -I had known, made signs intimating a desire for my escape, and assuring -me of his help to return to my people. - -I listened to his plans, and although I knew my position in such a case -to be one of great peril; yet I felt continually that my life was of so -little value that any opportunity, however slight, was as a star in the -distance, and escape should be attempted, even at a risk. - -We conversed as well as we could several times, and finally -arrangements were made. At night he was to make a slight scratching -noise at the tipi where I was, as a sign. The night came, but I was -singing to the people, and could not get away. Another time we had -visitors in the lodge, and I would be missed. The next night I arose -from my robe, and went out into the darkness. Seeing my intended -rescuer at a short distance, I approached and followed him. We ran -hastily out of the village about a mile, where we were to be joined by -the squaw who had helped make the arrangements and was favorable to -the plan for my escape, but she was not there. White Tipi (that was -the Indian’s name) looked hastily around, and, seeing no one, darted -suddenly away, without a word of explanation. Why the Indian acted thus -I never knew. It was a strange proceeding. - -Fear lent me wings, and I flew, rather than ran, back to my tipi, or -lodge, where, exhausted and discouraged, I dropped on the ground and -feigned slumber, for the inmates were already aroused, having just -discovered my absence. Finding me apparently asleep, they lifted me up, -and taking me into the tent, laid me upon my own robe. - -The next evening White Tipi sent for me to come to his lodge, to a -feast, where I was well and hospitably entertained, but not a sign -given of the adventure of the previous night. But when the pipe was -passed, he requested it to be touched to my lips, then offered it to -the Great Spirit, thus signifying his friendship for me. - -In this month the Indians captured a white man, who was hunting on the -prairie, and carried him far away from the haunts of white men, where -they tied him hand and foot, after divesting him of all clothing, and -left him to starve. He was never heard of afterward. - -There were twin children in one of the lodges, one of which sickened -and died, and in the evening was buried. The surviving child was placed -upon the scaffold by the corpse, and there remained all night, its -crying and moaning almost breaking my heart. I inquired why they did -this. The reply was, to cause the mate to mourn. The mother was on one -of the neighboring hills, wailing and weeping, as is the custom among -them. Every night nearly, there were women among the hills, wailing for -their dead. - - - - - CHAPTER XIV. - - LOST IN THE INDIAN VILLAGE—BLACK BEAR’S WHITE WIFE—A SMALL - TEA PARTY—THE WHITE BOY-CAPTIVE, CHARLES SYLVESTER—THE SUN - DANCE—A CONCILIATING LETTER FROM GENERAL SIBLEY—A PUZZLE OF - HUMAN BONES—THE INDIAN AS AN ARTIST—I DESTROY A PICTURE AND - PUNISHED WITH FIRE-BRANDS—A SICK INDIAN. - - -About the 1st of October the Indians were on the move as usual, and -by some means I became separated from the family I was with, and was -lost. I looked around for them, but their familiar faces were not to be -seen. Strangers gazed upon me, and, although I besought them to assist -me in finding the people of my own tipi, they paid no attention to my -trouble, and refused to do any thing for me. - -Never shall I forget the sadness I felt as evening approached, and we -encamped for the night in a lonely valley, after a wearisome day’s -journey. - -Along one side stood a strip of timber, with a small stream beside it. -Hungry, weary, and lost to my people, with no place to lay my head, and -after a fruitless search for the family, I was more desolate than ever. -Even Keoku, or “Yellow Bird,” the Indian girl who had been given me, -was not with me that day, making it still more lonely. - -[Illustration: The Sun Dance] - -I sat down and held my pony. It was autumn, and the forest wore the -last glory of its gorgeous coloring. Already the leaves lay along -the paths, like a rich carpet of variegated colors. The winds caught -a deeper tone, mournful as the tones of an Æolian harp, but the air -was balmy and soft, and the sunlight lay warm and pleasant, as in -midsummer, over the beautiful valley, now occupied with numberless -camps of tentless Indians. It seemed as if the soft autumn weather was, -to the last moment, unwilling to yield the last traces of beauty to -the chill embraces of stern winter, and I thought of the luxuries and -comforts of my home. I looked back on the past with tears of sorrow -and regret; my heart was overburdened with grief, and I prayed to die. -The future looked like a dark cloud approaching, for the dread of the -desolation of winter to me was appalling. - -While meditating on days of the past, and contemplating the future, -Keoku came suddenly upon me, and was delighted to find the object of -her search. - -They had been looking for me, and did not know where I had gone, were -quite worried about me, she said, and she was glad she had found me. I -was as pleased as herself, and rejoiced to join them. - -One has no idea of the extent of an Indian village, or of the number of -its inhabitants. - -It would seem strange to some that I should ever get lost when -among them, but, like a large city, one may be separated from their -companions, and in a few moments be lost. - -The Indians all knew the “white woman,” but I knew but few -comparatively, and consequently when among strangers I felt utterly -friendless. - -The experience of those days of gloom and sadness seem like a fearful -dream, now that my life is once again with civilized people, and -enjoying the blessings that I was there deprived of. - -Some twenty-five years ago an emigrant train, en route for California, -arrived in the neighborhood of the crossing of the North Platte, and -the cholera broke out among the travelers, and every one died, with the -exception of one little girl. - -The Indian “Black Bear,” while hunting, came to the wagons, now a -morgue, and, finding the father of the girl dying with cholera, took -the child in his arms. The dying parent begged him to carry his little -one to his home in the East, assuring him of abundant reward by the -child’s friends, in addition to the gold he gave him. These facts I -gleaned from a letter given to Black Bear by the dying father, and -which had been carefully preserved by the daughter. - -Instead of doing as was desired, he took the money, child, and every -thing valuable in the train, to his own home among the hills, and -there educated the little one with habits of savage life. - -She forgot her own language, her name, and every thing about her -past life, but she knew that she was white. Her infancy and girlhood -were, therefore, passed in utter ignorance of the modes of life of -her own people, and, contented and happy, she remained among them, -verifying the old adage, that “habit is second nature.” When she was -of marriageable age, Black Bear took her for his wife, and they had a -child, a boy. - -I became acquainted with this white woman shortly after I went into -the village, and we were sincere friends, although no confidants, as I -dared not trust her. It was very natural and pleasant also to know her, -as she was white, and although she was an Indian in tastes and habits, -she was my sister, and belonged to my people; there was a sympathetic -chord between us, and it was a relief to be with her. - -On the occasion of my first visit with her, Black Bear suggested the -idea that white women always drank tea together, so she made us a cup -of herb tea, which we drank in company. - -I endeavored to enlighten her, and to do her all the good I could; told -her of the white people, and of their kindness and Christianity, trying -to impress her with the superiority of the white race, all of which she -listened to with great interest. - -I was the only white woman she had seen, for whenever they neared any -fort she was always kept out of sight. - -She seemed to enjoy painting herself, and dressing for the dances, -as well as the squaws, and was happy and contented with Indian -surroundings, for she knew no difference. - -I know not what has become of her, for I have never heard; neither can -I remember the name of her father, which was in the note handed the -Indian by his dying hand. - -A little boy, fourteen years old, whose name was Charles Sylvester, -belonging in Quincy, Illinois, who was stolen when seven years of age, -was in the village, and one day I saw him playing with the Indian boys, -and, discovering immediately that he was a white boy, I flew to his -side, and tried to clasp him in my arms, in my joy exclaiming, “Oh! -I know you are a white boy! Speak to me, and tell me who you are and -where you come from?” He also had forgotten his name and parentage, but -knew that he was white. - -When I spoke to him, the boys began to plague and tease him, and he -refused to speak to me, running away every time I approached him. - -One year after, one day, when this boy was out hunting, he killed a -comrade by accident, and he dared not return to the village; so he -escaped, on his pony, to the white people. On his way to the States, -he called at a house where they knew what Indians he belonged to, and -they questioned him, whether he had seen a white woman in the village; -he replied in the affirmative, and a bundle of pictures being given -him, he picked mine out from among them, saying, “That is the white -woman whom I saw.” - -After awhile, being discontented with his own people, he returned to -his adopted friends on the North Platte, and became an interpreter and -trader, and still remains there, doing business at various posts. - -When the Indians went to obtain their annuities, they transferred me -to the Unkpapas, leaving me in their charge, where there was a young -couple, and an old Indian, who had four wives; he had been very brave, -it was said, for he had endured the trial which proves the successful -warrior. He was one of those who “looked at the sun” without failing in -heart or strength. - -This custom is as follows: The one who undergoes this operation is -nearly naked, and is suspended from the upper end of a pole by a cord, -which is tied to some splints which run through the flesh of both -breasts. The weight of his body is hung from it, the feet still upon -the ground helping support it a very little, and in his left hand -he holds his favorite bow, and in his right, with a firm hold, his -medicine bag. - -A great crowd usually looks on, sympathizing with and encouraging him, -but he still continues to hang and “look at the sun,” without paying -the least attention to any one about him. The mystery men beat their -drums, and shake their rattles, and sing as loud as they can yell, -to strengthen his heart to look at the sun from its rising until its -setting, at which time, if his heart and strength have not failed -him, he is “cut down,” receives a liberal donation of presents, which -are piled before him during the day, and also the name and style of -a doctor, or medicine man, which lasts him, and insures him respect, -through life. It is considered a test of bravery. Superstition seems -to have full sway among the Indians—just as much as in heathen -lands beyond the sea, where the Burmah mother casts her child to the -crocodile to appease the Great Spirit. - -Many of these Indians were from Minnesota, and were of the number that -escaped justice two years before, after committing an indiscriminate -slaughter of men, women, and children. One day, I was sent for by -one of them, and when I was seated in his lodge, he gave me a letter -to read, which purported to have been written by General Sibley, as -follows: - -“This Indian, after taking part in the present outbreak of the Indians -against the white settlers and missionaries, being sick, and not able -to keep up with his friends in their flight, we give you the offerings -of friendship, food and clothing. You are in our power, but we won’t -harm you. Go to your people and gladden their hearts. Lay down your -weapons, and fight the white men no more. We will do you good, and not -evil. Take this letter; in it we have spoken. Depart in peace, and ever -more be a friend to the white people, and you will be more happy.” - - H. H. SIBLEY, - _Brig.-Gen., Commanding Expedition_. - - • • • • • - -Instinctively I looked up into his face, and said: “Intend to keep -your promise?” He laughed derisively at the idea of an Indian brave -abandoning his profession. He told of many instances of outrageous -cruelties of his band in their marauding and murderous attacks on -traveling parties and frontier settlers; and, further, to assure me of -his bravery, he showed me a puzzle or game he had made from the finger -bones of some of the victims that had fallen beneath his own tomahawk. -The bones had been freed from the flesh by boiling, and, being placed -upon a string, were used for playing some kind of Indian game. This is -but one of the heathenish acts of these Indians. - -The Indians are fond of recounting their exploits, and, savage like, -dwell with much satisfaction upon the number of scalps they have taken -from their white foes. They would be greatly amused at the shuddering -horror manifested, when, to annoy me, they would tauntingly portray the -dying agonies of white men, women, and children, who had fallen into -their hands; and especially would the effect of their description of -the murder of little Mary afford them satisfaction. I feel, now, that I -must have been convinced of her death, yet I could not then help hoping -that she had escaped. - -These exploits and incidents are generally related by the Indians, -when in camp having nothing to do. The great lazy brutes would sit by -the hour, making caricatures of white soldiers, representing them in -various ways, and always as cowards and inferior beings; sometimes -as in combat, but always at their mercy. This was frequently done, -apparently to annoy me, and one day, losing patience, I snatched a -rude drawing from the hands of an Indian, who was holding it up to my -view, and tore it in two, clasping the part that represented the white -soldier to my heart, and throwing the other in the fire. Then, looking -up, I told them the white soldiers were dear to me; that they were my -friends, and I loved them. I said they were friends to the Indians, and -did not want to harm them. I expressed myself in the strongest manner -by words and signs. - -Never did I see a more enraged set of men. They assailed me with -burning fire-brands, burning me severely. They heated the points of -arrows, and burned and threatened me sorely. - -I told them I meant no harm to them. That it was ridiculous, their -getting angry at my burning a bit of paper. I promised I would -make them some more; that they should have pictures of my drawing, -when, at last, I pacified them. They were much like children in this -respect—easily offended, but very difficult to please. - -I was constantly annoyed, worried, and terrified by their strange -conduct—their transition from laughing and fun to anger, and even -rage. I knew not how to get along with them. One moment, they would -seem friendly and kind; the next, if any act of mine displeased them, -their faces were instantly changed, and they displayed their hatred -or anger in unmeasured words or conduct—children one hour, the next, -fiends. I always tried to please them, and was as cheerful as I could -be under the circumstances, for my own sake. - -One day, I was called to see a man who lay in his tipi in great -suffering. His wasted face was darkened by fever, and his brilliantly -restless eyes rolled anxiously, as if in search of relief from pain. -He was reduced to a skeleton, and had endured tortures from the -suppuration of an old wound in the knee. - -He greeted me with the “How! how!” of Indian politeness, and, in answer -to my inquiry why he came to suffer so, replied: - -“I go to fight white man. He take away land, and chase game away; then -he take away our squaws. He take away my best squaw.” - -Here his voice choked, and he displayed much emotion. - -Pitying his misery, I endeavored to aid him, and rendered him all the -assistance in my power, but death was then upon him. - -The medicine man was with him also, practicing his incantations. - -We were so constantly traveling, it wearied me beyond expression. The -day after the Indian’s burial we were again on the move. - - - - - CHAPTER XV. - - PREPARING THE CHI-CHA-CHA, OR KILLIKINNICK—ATTACK ON CAPTAIN - FISK’S EMIGRANT TRAIN—FOURTEEN WHITES KILLED—A BIG HAUL OF - WHISKY—A DRUNKEN DEBAUCH—I WRITE A LETTER TO CAPTAIN FISK - UNDER DICTATION—POISONED INDIANS—THE TRAIN SAVED BY MY - CLERICAL STRATEGY. - - -One of the occupations given me, while resting in the villages between -war times, was to prepare the bark of a red willow called killikinnick, -for smoking instead of tobacco. - -They discovered that I could sing, and groups of idle warriors would -gather around me before the tent, urging me to sing as I worked. A -dreary, dreary task! chanting to please my savage companions while I -rubbed and prepared the bark of willow, my heart ready to burst with -grief. - -On the 5th of September they went to battle, and surprised a portion -of Captain Fisk’s men passing in escorting an emigrant train—fourteen -of whom they killed, and captured two wagons loaded with whisky, -wines, and valuable articles. There was a quantity of silver-ware and -stationery also taken by them. - -Among the articles captured and brought into camp were a number of -pickles in glass jars, which the Indians tasted. The result was comical -in the extreme, for there is nothing that an Indian abhors more than -a strong acid. The faces they made can be imagined but not described. -Thinking they might be improved by cooking, they placed the jars in the -fire, when of course they exploded, very much to their disgust for the -“white man’s kettles.” - -I could hear the firing plainly, and when they returned that night in -triumph, bringing with them the plundered stores, they committed every -description of extravagant demonstration. In the wild orgies which -followed, they mocked and groaned in imitation of the dying, and went -through a horrid mimicry of the butchery they had perpetrated. - -They determined to go out again, and capture a quantity of horses -corralled in the neighborhood, and sweep the train and soldiers with -wholesale massacre; but they feared the white man’s cannon, and -deliberated on means of surprising by ambush, which is their only idea -of warfare. - -Indians are not truly brave, though they are vain of the name of -courage. Cunning, stealth, strategy, and deceit are the weapons they -use in attack. - -They endure pain, because they are taught from infancy that it is -cowardly to flinch, but they will never stand to fight if they can -strike secretly and escape. - -Fearing the cannon, yet impatient for the spoil almost within view, -the Indians waited for three days for the train to move on and leave -them free to attack. - -For two days I implored and begged on my knees to be allowed to go with -them, but to no avail. At last I succeeded in inducing them to allow me -to write, as they knew I understood the nature of correspondence, and -they procured for me the necessary appliances and dictated a letter to -Captain Fisk, assuring him that the Indians were weary of fighting, and -advising him to go on in peace and safety. - -Knowing their malicious designs, I set myself to work to circumvent -them; and although the wily chief counted every word dictated, and -as they were marked on paper, I contrived, by joining them together, -and condensing the information I gave, to warn the officer of the -perfidious intentions of the savages, and tell him briefly of my -helpless and unhappy captivity. - -The letter was carefully examined by the chief, and the number of its -apparent words recounted. - -At length, appearing satisfied with its contents, he had it carried to -a hill in sight of the soldier’s camp, and stuck on a pole. - -In due time the reply arrived, and again my ingenuity was tasked to -read the answer corresponding with the number of words, that would not -condemn me. - -The captain’s real statement was, that he distrusted all among the -savages, and had great reason to. - -On reading Captain Fisk’s words, that seemed to crush my already -awakened hopes, my emotion overcame me. - -Having told the Indians that the captain doubted their friendliness, -and explained the contents of the letter as I thought best, the next -day I was entrusted with the task of writing again, to solemnly assure -the soldiers of the faith and friendship professed. - -Again I managed to communicate with them, and this time begged them to -use their field-glasses, and that I would find an excuse for standing -on the hills in the afternoon, that they might see for themselves that -I was what I represented myself to be—a white woman held in bondage. - -The opportunity I desired was gained, and to my great delight, I had a -chance of standing so as to be seen by the men of the soldier’s camp. - -I had given my own name in every communication. As soon as the soldiers -saw that it truly was a woman of their own race, and that I was in the -power of their enemies, the excitement of their feelings became so -great that they desired immediately to rush to my rescue. - -A gentleman belonging to the train generously offered eight hundred -dollars for my ransom, which was all the money he had, and the noble, -manly feeling displayed in my behalf did honor to those who felt it. -There was not a man in the train who was not willing to sacrifice all -he had for my rescue. - -Captain Fisk restrained all hasty demonstrations, and even went so -far as to say that the first man who moved in the direction of the -Indian camp should be shot immediately, his experience enabling him to -know that a move of that kind would result fatally to them and to the -captive. - -The Indians found a box of crackers saturated with water, and, eating -of them, sickened and died. - -I afterward learned that some persons with the train who had suffered -the loss of dear relatives and friends in the massacre of Minnesota, -and who had lost their all, had poisoned the crackers with strychnine, -and left them on one of their camping-grounds without the captain’s -knowledge. - -The Indians told me afterward that more had died from eating bad bread -than from bullets during the whole summer campaign. - -Captain Fisk deserves great credit for his daring and courage, with his -meager supply of men, against so large an army of red men. - -After assurance of my presence among them, Captain Fisk proceeded to -treat quietly with the savages on the subject of a ransom, offering to -deliver in their village three wagon loads of stores as a price for -their prisoner. - -To this the deceitful creatures pretended readily to agree, and the -tortured captive, understanding their tongue, heard them making fun of -the credulity of white soldiers who believed their promises. - -I had the use of a field-glass from the Indians, and with it I saw my -white friends, which almost made me wild with excited hope. - -Knowing what the Indians had planned, and dreading lest the messengers -should be killed, as I knew they would be if they came to the village, -I wrote to Captain Fisk of the futility of ransoming me in that way, -and warned him of the treachery intended against his messengers.[1] - -[1] The original letters written by me to Captain Fisk are now on file -in the War Department at Washington. Officially certified extracts from -the correspondence are published elsewhere in this work. - -No tongue can tell or pen describe those terrible days, when, seemingly -lost to hope and surrounded by drunken Indians, my life was in constant -danger. - -Nights of horrible revelry passed, when, forlorn and despairing, I -lay listening, only half consciously, to the savage mirth and wild -exultation. - -To no overtures would the Indians listen, declaring I could not -be purchased at any price—they were determined not to part with -me. Captain Fisk and his companions were sadly disappointed in not -obtaining my release, and, after a hopeless attempt, he made known the -fact of my being a prisoner, spreading the news far and wide. - -His expeditions across the plains had always been successful, and the -Indians, knowing him to be very brave, gave him the name of the “Great -Chief, who knows no fear,” and he richly deserves the appellation, for -the expeditions were attended with great danger. The reports of his -various expeditious have been published by Government, and are very -interesting, giving a description of the country. - -In September the rains were very frequent, sometimes continuing for -days. - -This may not seem serious to those who have always been accustomed to -a dwelling and a good bed, but to me, who had no shelter and whose -shrinking form was exposed to the pitiless storm, and nought but the -cold ground to lie upon, bringing the pains and distress of rheumatism, -it was a calamity hard to bear, and I often prayed fervently to God to -give me sweet release in a flight to the land where there are no storms. - -Soon the winter would be upon us, and the cold, and sleet, and stormy -weather would be more difficult to bear. Would I be so fortunate, -would Heaven be so gracious as to place me in circumstances where the -wintry winds could not chill or make me suffer! My heart seemed faint -at the thought of what was before me, for hope was lessening as winter -approached! - - - - - CHAPTER XVI. - - SCENES ON CANNON BALL PRAIRIE—REFLECTIONS. - - -Well do I remember my thoughts and feelings when first I beheld the -mighty and beautiful prairie of Cannon Ball River. With what singular -emotions I beheld it for the first time! I could compare it to nothing -but a vast sea, changed suddenly to earth, with all its heaving, -rolling billows; thousands of acres lay spread before me like a mighty -ocean, bounded by nothing but the deep blue sky. What a magnificent -sight—a sight that made my soul expand with lofty thought and its frail -tenement sink into utter nothingness before it! Well do I remember -my sad thoughts and the turning of my mind upon the past, as I stood -alone upon a slight rise of ground, and overlooked miles upon miles -of the most lovely, the most sublime scene I had ever beheld. Wave -upon wave of land stretched away on every hand, covered with beautiful -green grass and the blooming wild flowers of the prairie. Occasionally -I caught glimpses of wild animals, while flocks of birds of various -kinds and beautiful plumage skimming over the surface here and there, -alighting or darting upward from the earth, added life and beauty and -variety to this most enchanting scene. - -It had been a beautiful day, and the sun was now just burying himself -in the far-off ocean of blue, and his golden rays were streaming along -the surface of the waving grass and tinging it with a delightful hue. -Occasionally some elevated point caught and reflected back his rays -to the one I was standing upon, and it would catch, for a moment, his -fading rays, and glow like a ball of golden fire. Slowly he took his -diurnal farewell, as if loth to quit a scene so lovely, and at last hid -himself from my view beyond the western horizon. - -I stood and marked every change with that poetical feeling of pleasant -sadness which a beautiful sunset rarely fails to awaken in the breast -of the lover of nature. I noted every change that was going on, and yet -my thoughts were far, far away. I thought of the hundreds of miles that -separated me from the friends that I loved. I was recalling the delight -with which I had, when a little girl, viewed the farewell scenes of -day from so many romantic hills, and lakes, and rivers, rich meadows, -mountain gorge and precipice, and the quiet hamlets of my dear native -land so far away. I fancied I could see my mother move to the door, -with a slow step and heavy heart, and gaze, with yearning affection, -toward the broad, the mighty West, and sigh, wondering what had become -of her lost child. - -I thought, and grew more sad as I thought, until tears filled my eyes. - -Mother! what a world of affection is comprised in that single word; how -little do we in the giddy round of youthful pleasure and folly heed -her wise counsels; how lightly do we look upon that zealous care with -which she guides our otherwise erring feet, and watches with feelings -which none but a mother can know the gradual expansion of our youth -to the riper years of discretion. We may not think of it then, but it -will be recalled to our minds in after years, when the gloomy grave, -or a fearful living separation, has placed her far beyond our reach, -and her sweet voice of sympathy and consolation for the various ills -attendant upon us sounds in our ears no more. How deeply then we regret -a thousand deeds that we have done contrary to her gentle admonitions! -How we sigh for those days once more, that we may retrieve what we have -done amiss and make her kind heart glad with happiness! Alas! once -gone, they can never be recalled, and we grow mournfully sad with the -bitter reflection. - -“O, my mother!” I cried aloud, “my dearly beloved mother! Would I ever -behold her again? should I ever return to my native land? Would I -find her among the living? If not, if not, heavens! what a sad, what -a painful thought!” and instantly I found my eyes swimming in tears -and my frame trembling with nervous agitation. But I would hope for -the best. Gradually I became calm; then I thought of my husband, and -what might be his fate. It was sad at best, I well knew. And lastly, -though I tried to avoid it, I thought of Mary; sweet, lost, but -dearly beloved Mary; I could see her gentle features; I could hear -her plaintive voice, soft and silvery as running waters, and sighed -a long, deep sigh as I thought of her murdered. Could I never behold -her again? No; she was dead, perished by the cruel, relentless savage. -Silence brooded over the world; not a sound broke the solemn repose -of nature; the summer breeze had rocked itself to rest in the willow -boughs, and the broad-faced, familiar moon seemed alive and toiling as -it climbed slowly up a cloudless sky, passing starry sentinels, whose -nightly challenge was lost in vast vortices of blue as they paced their -ceaseless round in the mighty camp of constellations. With my eyes -fixed upon my gloomy surroundings of tyranny, occasionally a slip of -moonshine silvered the ground. I watched and reflected. Oh, hallowed -days of my blessed girlhood! They rise before me now like holy burning -stars breaking out in a stormy, howling night, making the blackness -blacker still. The short, happy spring-time of life, so full of noble -aspirations, and glowing hopes of my husband’s philanthropic schemes of -charitable projects in the future. - -We had planned so much for the years to come, when, prosperous and -happy, we should be able to distribute some happiness among those -whose fate might be mingled with ours, and in the pursuit of our daily -avocations we would find joy and peace. But, alas! for human hopes and -expectations! - -It is thus with our life. We silently glide along, little dreaming of -the waves which will so soon sweep over us, dashing us against the -rocks, or stranding us forever. We do not dream that we shall ever -wreck, until the greater wave comes over us, and we bend beneath its -power. - -If some mighty hand could unroll the future to our gaze, or set aside -the veil which enshrouds it, what pictures would be presented to our -trembling hearts? No; let it be as the All-wise hath ordained—a -closed-up tomb, only revealed as the events occur, for could we bear -them with the fortitude we should if they were known beforehand? -Shrinking from it, we would say, “Let the cup pass from me.” - -[Illustration: PRAIRIE ON FIRE.] - - - - - CHAPTER XVII. - - A PRAIRIE ON FIRE—SCENES OF TERROR. - - -In October, we were overtaken by a prairie fire. At this season of the -year the plants and grass, parched by a hot sun, are ready to blaze in -a moment if ignited by the least spark, which is often borne on the -wind from some of the many camp fires. - -With frightful rapidity we saw it extend in all directions, but we were -allowed time to escape. - -The Indians ran like wild animals from the flames, uttering yells like -demons; and great walls of fire from the right hand and from the left -advanced toward us, hissing, crackling, and threatening to unite and -swallow us up in their raging fury. - -We were amid calcined trees, which fell with a thundering crash, -blinding us with clouds of smoke, and were burned by the showers of -sparks, which poured upon us from all directions. - -The conflagration assumed formidable proportions; the forest shrunk -up in the terrible grasp of the flames, and the prairie presented one -sheet of fire, in the midst of which the wild animals, driven from -their dens and hiding-places by this unexpected catastrophe, ran about -mad with terror. - -The sky gleamed with blood-red reflection; and the impetuous wind swept -both flames and smoke before it. - -The Indians were terrified in the extreme on seeing around them -the mountain heights lighted up like beacons; to show the entire -destruction. The earth became hot, while immense troops of buffalo made -the ground tremble with their furious tread, and their bellowings of -despair would fill with terror the hearts of the bravest men. - -Every one was frightened, running about the camp as if struck by -insanity. - -The fire continued to advance majestically, as it were, swallowing up -every thing in its way, preceded by countless animals of various kinds, -that bounded along with howls of fear, pursued by the scourge, which -threatened to overtake them at every step. - -A thick smoke, laden with sparks, was already passing over the camp. -Ten minutes more, and all would be over with us, I thought, when I saw -the squaws pressing the children to their bosoms. - -The Indians had been deprived of all self-possession by the presence of -our imminent peril—the flames forming an immense circle, of which our -camp had become the center. - -But fortunately, the strong breeze which, up to that moment, had lent -wings to the conflagration, suddenly subsided, and there was not a -breath of air stirring. - -The progress of the fire slackened. Providence seemed to grant us time. - -The camp presented a strange aspect. On bended knee, and with clasped -hands, I prayed fervently. The fire continued to approach, with its -vanguard of wild beasts. - -The Indians, old and young, male and female, began to pull up the grass -by the roots all about the camp, then lassoed the horses and hobbled -them in the center, and, in a few moments, a large space was cleared, -where the herbs and grass had been pulled up with the feverish rapidity -which all display in the fear of death. - -Some of the Indians went to the extremity of the space, where the grass -had been pulled up, and formed a pile of grass and plants with their -feet; then, with their flint, set fire to the mass, and thus caused -“fire to fight fire,” as they called it. This was done in different -directions. A curtain of flames rose rapidly around us, and for some -time the camp was almost concealed beneath a vault of fire. - -It was a moment of intense and awful anxiety. By degrees the flames -became less fierce, the air purer; the smoke dispersed, the roaring -diminished, and, at length, we were able to recognize each other in -this horrible chaos. - -A sigh of relief burst from every heart. Our camp was saved! After the -first moments of joy were over, the camp was put in order, and all felt -the necessity of repose, after the terrible anxieties of the preceding -hours; and also to give the ground time enough to cool, so that it -might be traveled over by people and horses. - -The next day we prepared for departure. Tents were folded, and packages -were placed upon the ponies, and our caravan was soon pursuing its -journey, under the direction of the chief, who rode in advance of our -band. - -The appearance of the prairie was much changed since the previous -evening. In many places the black and burnt earth was a heap of smoking -ashes; scarred and charred trees, still standing, displayed their -saddening skeletons. The fire still roared at a distance, and the -horizon was still obscured by smoke. - -The horses advanced with caution over the uneven ground, constantly -stumbling over the bones of animals that had fallen victims to the -embrace of the flames. - -The course we took in traveling wound along a narrow ravine, the dried -bed of some torrent, deeply inclosed between two hills. The ground -trodden by the horses was composed of round pebbles, which slipped -from under their feet, augmenting the difficulty of the march, which -was rendered still more toilsome to me by the rays of the sun falling -directly upon my uncovered head and face. - -The day passed away thus, and, aside from the fatigue which oppressed -me, the day’s journey was unbroken by any incident. - -At evening, we again camped in a plain, absolutely bare; but in -the distance we could see an appearance of verdure, affording -great consolation, for we were about to enter a spot spared by the -conflagration. - -At sunrise, next morning, we were on the march toward this oasis in the -desert. - - - - - CHAPTER XVIII. - - LAST DAYS WITH THE OGALALLA SIOUX—MASSACRE OF A PARTY RETURNING - FROM IDAHO—A WOMAN’S SCALP—A SCALP DANCE—SUSPICIOUS - CIRCUMSTANCE—ARRIVAL OF BLACKFEET INDIANS—NEGOTIATIONS FOR MY - RANSOM—TREACHERY. - - -My last days with the Ogalalla Sioux Indians were destined to be marked -by a terrible remembrance. - -On the first of October, while the savages lingered in camp about the -banks of the Yellowstone River, apparently fearing, yet almost inviting -attack by their near vicinity to the soldiers, a large Mackinaw, or -flat-boat, was seen coming down the river. - -From their hiding-places in the rocks and bushes, they watched its -progress with the stealthy ferocity of the tiger waiting for his prey. - -At sundown the unsuspecting travelers pushed their boat toward the -shore, and landed for the purpose of making a fire and camping for the -night. - -The party consisted of about twenty persons, men, women, and children. -Suspecting no danger, they left their arms in the boat. - -With a simultaneous yell, the savages dashed down upon them, dealing -death and destruction in rapid strokes. - -The defenseless emigrants made an attempt to rush to the boat for arms, -but were cut off, and their bleeding bodies dashed into the river as -fast as they were slain. Then followed the torture of the women and -children. - -Horrible thought! from which all will turn with sickened soul, and -shuddering, cry to Heaven, “How long, O Lord! how long shall such -inhuman atrocities go unpunished?” - -Not a soul was left alive when that black day’s work was done; and the -unconscious river bore away a warm tide of human blood, and sinking -human forms. - -When the warriors returned to camp, they brought their frightful -trophies of blood-stained clothes and ghastly scalps. - -My heart-sick eyes beheld the dreadful fruits of carnage; and, among -the rest, I saw a woman’s scalp, with heavy chestnut hair, a golden -brown, and four feet in length, which had been secured for its beauty. -The tempting treasure lost the poor girl her life, which might have -been spared; but her glorious locks were needed to hang on the chief’s -belt. - -Nearly all the flat-boats that passed down the Yellowstone River to the -Missouri, from the mining regions, during that season, were attacked, -and in some instances one or more of the occupants killed. The -approach of this boat was known, and the Indians had ample time to plan -their attack so that not a soul should escape. - -That night the whole camp of braves assembled to celebrate the fearful -scalp dance; and from the door of my tent I witnessed the savage -spectacle, for I was ill, and, to my great relief, was not forced to -join in the horrid ceremony. - -A number of squaws occupied the center of the ring they formed, and -the pitiless wretches held up the fresh scalps that day reaped in the -harvest of death. - -Around them circled the frantic braves, flourishing torches, and -brandishing weapons, with the most ferocious barks and yells, and wild -distortions of countenance. - -Some uttered boasts of bravery and prowess, and others lost their own -identity in mocking their dying victims in their agony. - -Leaping first on one foot, then on the other, accompanying every -movement with wild whoops of excitement, they presented a scene never -to be forgotten. - -The young brave who bore the beautiful locks as his trophy, did not -join in the dance. He sat alone, looking sad. - -I approached and questioned him, and he replied that he regretted his -dead victim. He brought a blood-stained dress from his lodge, and told -me it was worn by the girl with the lovely hair, whose eyes haunted -him and made him sorry. - -After being cognizant of this frightful massacre, I shrank more than -ever from my savage companions, and pursued my tasks in hopeless -despondence of ever being rescued or restored to civilized life. - -One day I was astonished to notice a strange Indian, whom I had never -seen before, making signs to me of a mysterious nature. - -He indicated by signs that he wanted me to run away with him to the -white people. I had become so suspicious, from having been deceived so -many times, that I turned from him and entered the chief’s tent, where, -despite his cruelty and harshness to me, I felt comparatively safe. - -I afterward saw this Indian, or rather white man, or half-breed, as I -believe him to have been, though he could not, or would not speak a -word of English. His long hair hung loosely about his shoulders, and -was of a dark brown color. He had in no respect the appearance of an -Indian, but rather that of a wild, reckless frontier desperado. I had -never seen him before, though he seemed well known in the camp. - -One thing that perhaps made me more suspicious and afraid to trust any -one, was a knowledge of the fact that many of the Indians who had lost -relatives in the recent battles with General Sully, were thirsting for -my blood, and would have been glad to decoy me far enough away to -wreak their vengeance, and be safe from the fury of the old chief, my -task-master. - -This stranger came one day into a tent where I was, and showed me a -small pocket bible that had belonged to my husband, and was presented -to him by his now sainted mother many years before. His object was to -assure me that I might trust him; but such an instinctive horror of the -man had taken possession of me that I refused to believe him; and at -last he became enraged and threatened to kill me if I would not go with -him. - -I plead with him to give me the bible, but he refused. How dear it -would have been to me from association, and what strength and comfort -I would have received from its precious promises, shut out, as I was, -from my world and all religious privileges and surrounded by heathen -savages. - -Soon after the foregoing incident, the old chief and his three sisters -went away on a journey, and I was sent to live with some of his -relatives, accompanied by my little companion, Yellow Bird. We traveled -all day to reach our destination, a small Indian village. The family -I was to live with until the return of the chief and his sisters, -consisted of a very old Indian and his squaw, and a young girl. - -I had a dread of going among strangers, but was thankful for the -kindness with which I was received by this old couple. I was very -tired, and so sad and depressed, that I cared not to ask for -any thing, but the old squaw, seeming to understand my feelings, -considerately placed before me meat and water, and kindly ministered to -my wants in every way their means would allow. - -I was with this family nearly three weeks, and was treated with almost -affectionate kindness, not only by them, but by every member of the -little community. The children would come to see me, and manifest in -various ways their interest in me. They would say, “Wasechawea (white -woman) looks sad; I want to shake hands with her.” - -I soon began to adapt myself to my new surroundings, and became more -happy and contented than I had ever yet been since my captivity began. -My time was occupied in assisting the motherly old squaw in her sewing -and other domestic work. - -There was but once a cloud come between us. The old chief had given -orders that I was not to be permitted to go out among the other -villagers alone, orders of which I knew nothing. Feeling a new sense -of freedom, I had sometimes gone out, and on one occasion, having been -invited into different tipis by the squaws, staid so long that the old -Indian sent for me, and seemed angry when I returned. He said it was -good for me to stay in his tent, but bad to go out among the others. I -pacified him at last by saying I knew his home was pleasant, and I was -happy there, and that I did not know it was bad to go among the other -tents. - -The old chief returned, finally, and my brief season of enjoyment -ended. He seemed to delight in torturing me, often pinching my arms -until they were black and blue. Regarding me as the cause of his -wounded arm, he was determined that I should suffer with him. - -While in this village “Man-Afraid-of-His-Horses” arrived, and I was -made aware of his high standing as a chief and warrior by the feasting -and dancing which followed. He was splendidly mounted and equipped, as -also was another Indian who accompanied him. - -I have since learned from my husband that the treacherous chief made -such statements of his influence with the hostile Indians as to induce -him to purchase for them both an expensive outfit, in the hope of my -release. I saw and conversed with him several times, and though he told -me that he was from the Platte, he said nothing of the real errand on -which he was sent, but returned to the fort and reported to Mr. Kelly -that the band had moved and I could not be found. - -Captain Fisk had made known to General Sully the fact of my being among -the Indians, and the efforts he had made for my release; and when the -Blackfeet presented themselves before the General, asking for peace, -and avowing their weariness of hostility, anxious to purchase arms, -ammunition, and necessaries for the approaching winter, he replied: - -“I want no peace with you. You hold in captivity a white woman; deliver -her up to us, and we will believe in your professions. But unless you -do, we will raise an army of soldiers as numerous as the trees on the -Missouri River and exterminate the Indians.” - -The Blackfeet assured General Sully that they held no white woman in -their possession, but that I was among the Ogalallas. - -“As you are friendly with them,” said the General, “go to them and -secure her, and we will then reward you for so doing.” - -The Blackfeet warriors appeared openly in the village a few days -afterward, and declared their intentions, stating in council the -determination of General Sully. - -The Ogalallas were not afraid, they said, and refused to let me go. -They held solemn council for two days, and at last resolved that the -Blackfeet should take me as a ruse, to enable them to enter the fort, -and a wholesale slaughter should exterminate the soldiers. - -While thus deliberating as to what they thought best—part of them -willing, the other half refusing to let me go—Hunkiapa, a warrior, -came into the lodge, and ordered me out, immediately following me. - -He then led me into a lodge where there were fifty warriors, painted -and armed—their bows strung and their quivers full of arrows. - -From thence, the whole party, including three squaws, who, noting my -extreme fear, accompanied me, started toward a creek, where there were -five horses and warriors to attend us to the Blackfeet village. - -Placing me on a horse, we were rapidly pursuing our way, when a party -of the Ogalallas, who were unwilling, came up with us, to reclaim me. - -Here they parleyed for a time, and, finally, after a solemn promise on -the part of my new captors that I should be returned safely, and that I -should be cared for and kindly treated, we were allowed to proceed. - -In their parleying, one of the warriors ordered me to alight from -the horse, pointing a pistol to my breast. Many of them clamored for -my life, but, finally, they settled the matter, and permitted us to -proceed on our journey. - -After so many escapes from death, this last seemed miraculous; but God -willed it otherwise, and to him I owe my grateful homage. - -It was a bitter trial for me to be obliged to go with this new and -stranger tribe. I was unwilling to exchange my life for an unknown one, -and especially as my companionship with the sisters of the chief had -been such as to protect me from injury or insult. A sort of security -and safety was felt in the lodge of the chief, which now the fear of my -new position made me appreciate still more. - -Savages they were, and I had longed to be free from them; but now I -parted with them with regret and misgiving. - -Though my new masters, for such I considered them, held out promise of -liberty and restoration to my friends, knowing the treacherous nature -of the Indians, I doubted them. True, the Ogalallas had treated me at -times with great harshness and cruelty, yet I had never suffered from -any of them the slightest personal or unchaste insult. Let me bear -testimony to this redeeming feature in their treatment of me. - -At the time of my capture I became the exclusive property of Ottawa, -the head chief, a man over seventy-five years of age, and partially -blind, yet whose power over the band was absolute. Receiving a severe -wound in a melee I have already given an account of, I was compelled -to become his nurse or medicine woman; and my services as such were so -appreciated, that harsh and cruel as he might be, it was dangerous for -others to offer me insult or injury; and to this fact, doubtless, I owe -my escape from a fate worse than death. - -The Blackfeet are a band of the Sioux nation; consequently, are allies -in battle. The chief dared not refuse on this account; besides, he was -an invalid, and wounded badly. - -The Blackfeet left three of their best horses as a guarantee for my -safe return. - -The chief of the Ogalallas had expressed the desire that, if the Great -Spirit should summon him away, that I might be killed, in order to -become his attendant to the spirit land. - -It was now the commencement of November, and their way seemed to lead -to the snowy regions, where the cold might prove unendurable. - -When I heard the pledge given by the Blackfeet, my fears abated; hope -sprang buoyant at the thought of again being within the reach of my own -people, and I felt confident that, once in the fort, I could frustrate -their plans by warning the officers of their intentions. - -I knew what the courage and discipline of fort soldiers could -accomplish, and so hoped, not only to thwart the savage treachery, but -punish the instigators. - -[Illustration: Mode of Indian Burial.] - - - - - CHAPTER XIX. - - INDIAN CUSTOMS. - - -During my forced sojourn with the Ogalallas, I had abundant opportunity -to observe the manners and customs peculiar to a race of people living -so near, and yet of whom so little is known by the general reader. A -chapter devoted to this subject will doubtless interest all who read -this narrative. - -Nothing can be more simple in its arrangement than an Indian camp when -journeying, and especially when on the war path. The camping ground, -when practicable, is near a stream of water, and adjacent to timber. -After reaching the spot selected, the ponies are unloaded by the -squaws, and turned loose to graze. The tents, or “tipis,” are put up, -and wood and water brought for cooking purposes. All drudgery of this -kind is performed by the squaws, an Indian brave scorning as degrading -all kinds of labor not incident to the chase or the war path. - -An Indian tipi is composed of several dressed skins, usually of the -buffalo, sewed together and stretched over a number of poles, the -larger ones containing as many as twenty of these poles, which are -fifteen to twenty feet long. They are of yellow pine, stripped of -bark, and are used as “travois” in traveling. Three poles are tied -together near the top or small ends, and raised to an upright position, -the bottoms being spread out as far as the fastening at the top will -permit. Other poles are laid into the crotch thus formed at the top, -and spread out in a circular line with the three first put up. This -comprises the frame work, and when in the position described is ready -to receive the covering, which is raised to the top by means of a -rawhide rope, when, a squaw seizing each lower corner, it is rapidly -brought around, and the edges fastened together with wooden pins, a -squaw getting down on all fours, forming a perch upon which the tallest -squaw of the family mounts and inserts the pins as high as she can -reach. A square opening in the tent serves for a door, and is entered -in a stooping posture. A piece of hide hangs loosely over this opening, -and is kept in position by a heavy piece of wood fastened at the bottom. - -When in position, the Indian tipi is of the same shape as the Sibley -tent. In the middle is built a fire, where all the cooking is done, a -hole at the top affording egress for the smoke. The preparation for a -meal is a very simple affair. Meat was almost their only article of -diet, and was generally roasted, or rather warmed through over the -fire, though sometimes it was partially boiled, and always eaten -without salt or bread. They have no set time for eating; will fast all -of one day, and perhaps eat a dozen times the next. - -The outer edge of the tent contains the beds of the family, which are -composed of buffalo robes and blankets. These are snugly rolled up -during the day, and do service as seats. - -If there is reason to suppose an enemy near, no fire is allowed in the -camp; and in that case each one satisfies appetite as best he or she -can, but generally with “pa-pa,” or dried buffalo meat. - -An Indian camp at close of day presents a most animated picture. The -squaws passing to and fro, loaded with wood and water, or meat, or -guiding the sledges drawn by dogs, carrying their all; dusky warriors -squatted on the ground, in groups, around fires built in the open -air, smoking their pipes, or repairing weapons, and recounting their -exploits; half naked and naked children capering about in childish -glee, furnish a picture of the nomadic life of these Indians of strange -interest. Not more than ten minutes are required to set up an Indian -village. - -When it becomes necessary to move a village, which fact is never known -to the people, a crier goes through the camp, shouting, “Egalakapo! -Egalakapo!” when all the squaws drop whatever work they may be engaged -in, and in an instant are busy as bees, taking down tipis, bringing -in the ponies and dogs, and loading them; and in less than fifteen -minutes the cavalcade is on the march. - -The squaws accompany the men when they go to hunt buffalo, and as fast -as the animals are killed, they strip off their hides, and then cut off -the meat in strips about three feet long, three to four inches wide, -and two inches thick; and such is their skill that the bones will be -left intact and as free from meat as though they had been boiled. The -meat is then taken to camp and hung up to dry. It is most filthy, being -covered with grass and the excrement of the buffalo. - -The medicine men treat all diseases nearly alike. The principal efforts -are directed to expelling the spirit, whatever it may be, which it is -expected the medicine man will soon discover, and having informed the -friends what it is, he usually requires them to be in readiness to -shoot it, as soon as he shall succeed in expelling it. - -Incantations and ceremonies are used, intended to secure the aid of -the spirit, or spirits, the Indian worships. When he thinks he has -succeeded, the medicine man gives the command, and from two to six or -more guns are fired at the door of the tent to destroy the spirit as it -passes out. - -Many of these medicine men depend wholly on conjuring, sitting by the -bedside of the patient, making gestures and frightful noises, shaking -rattles, and endeavoring, by all means in their power, to frighten -the evil spirit. They use fumigation, and are very fond of aromatic -substances, using and burning cedar and many different plants to -cleanse the tent in which the sick person lies. - -The native plants, roots, herbs, and so forth, are used freely, and are -efficacious. - -They are very careful to conceal from each other, except a few -initiated, as well as from white men, a knowledge of the plants used -as medicine, probably believing that their efficacy, in some measure, -depends on this concealment. - -There is a tall, branching plant, growing abundantly in the open woods -and prairies near the Missouri River, which is used chiefly by the -Indians as a purgative, and is _euphorbia corrallata_, well known to -the botanist. - -Medicines are generally kept in bags made of the skin of some animal. - -All the drinks which are given the sick to quench thirst are -astringent, sometimes bitter and sometimes slightly mucilaginous. - -The most common is called red-root (_ceanothus canadensis_), a plant -abounding in the western prairies, although they seem to have more -faith in some ceremony. - -A dance peculiar to the tribe where I was, called the pipe dance, is -worth mentioning, and is called by the Indians a good medicine. A small -fire is kindled in the village, and around this the dancers, which -usually consist of young men, collect, each one seated upon a robe. - -The presiding genius is a chief, or a medicine man, who seats himself -by a fire, with a long pipe which he prepares for smoking. Offering it -first to the Great Spirit, he then extends it toward the north, south, -east, and west, muttering unintelligibly. Meanwhile an equally august -personage beats a drum, singing and leaping and smoking. The master -of ceremonies sits calmly looking on, puffing away with all the vigor -imaginable. - -The dance closes with piercing yells, and barking like frightened dogs, -and it lasts an hour or more. - -When the mother gives birth to her child, it is not uncommon for no -other person to be present. She then lives in a hut or lodge by herself -until the child is twenty-five or thirty days old, when she takes it to -its father, who then sees his child for the first time. - -Females, after parturition, and also in other conditions, bathe -themselves—swim, as they express it—in the nearest river or lake. - -This is, no doubt, a most efficacious means of imparting strength and -vigor to the constitution, and it is certain that Indian females are -less subject to what are termed female complaints than white women. - -It is an uncommon occurrence that an Indian woman loses her life in -parturition. - -When the child is old enough to run alone, it is relieved of its -swathings, and if the weather is not too cold, it is sent off without a -particle of clothing to protect it or impede the action of its limbs, -and in this manner it is allowed to remain until it is several years -old, when it receives a limited wardrobe. - -Despite the rugged and exposed life they lead, there are comparatively -few cripples and deformed persons among them. It is said that deformed -infants are regarded as unprofitable and a curse from the Great Spirit, -and disposed of by death soon after birth. Sometimes, at the death -of a mother, the infant is also interred. An incident of this kind -was related to me. A whole family had been carried off by small-pox -except an infant. Those who were not sick had as much to do as they -could conveniently attend to, consequently there was no one willing -to take charge of the little orphan. It was placed in the arms of its -dead mother, enveloped in blankets and a buffalo-robe, and laid upon a -scaffold in their burying-place. Its cries were heard for some time, -but at last they grew fainter, and finally were hushed altogether in -the cold embrace of death, with the moaning wind sounding its requiem, -and the wolves howling in the surrounding gloom, a fitting dirge for so -sad a fate. - -The Indians believe that God, or the Great Spirit, created the universe -and all things just as they exist. - -They believe the sun to be a large body of heat, and that it revolves -around the earth. Some believe it is a ball of fire. They do not -comprehend the revolution of the earth around the sun. They suppose -the sun literally rises and sets, and that our present theory is an -invention of the white man, and that he is not sincere when he says the -earth moves around the sun. - -They say that paradise, or the happy hunting-grounds, is above, but -where, they have no definite idea, though all think the future a -happier state. They regard skill in hunting or success in war as the -passport to eternal happiness and plenty, where there is no cold or -wet season. Still they all acknowledge it is the gift of the “Wa-hon -Tonka,” the Great Spirit. - -The manner of disposing of their dead is one of the peculiar customs -of the Indians of the plains which impresses the beholder for the -first time most forcibly. Four forked posts are set up, and on them -a platform is laid, high enough to be out of reach of wolves or -other carnivorous animals, and on this the body is placed, wrapped -in buffalo-robes or blankets, and sometimes both, according to the -circumstances of the deceased, and these are wound securely with a -strip of buffalo hide. If in the vicinity of timber, the body is -placed on a platform, securely fixed in the crotch of a high tree. The -wrappings of buffalo-robe or blankets protect the body from ravenous -birds that hover around, attracted by the scent of an anticipated feast. - -All that pertained to the dead while living, in the way of furs, -blankets, weapons, cooking utensils, etc., are also deposited with the -body. In some instances, the horse belonging to the deceased is shot. -They believe that the spirit wanders off to distant hunting-grounds, -and as it may have to pass over a country where there is no game, a -quantity of dried buffalo meat is usually left with the body for its -subsistence. While on a journey, these burial places are held sacred -as those of a Christian nation, and when a tribe is passing such -localities they will make a detour rather than go the more direct road -by the resting-place of their dead, while the relatives leave the trail -and go alone to the spot, and there renew and repeat their mourning as -on the occasion of his death. They also leave presents for the dead of -such little trinkets as he most prized before he departed to his new -hunting-grounds. - -The boys are early taught the arts of war. A bow and arrows are among -the first presents that an Indian youth receives from his parents, -and he is soon instructed in their use. Indeed, the skill of a hunter -seems to be a natural endowment, and, although some are more accurate -and active than others, they all shoot with wonderful precision and -surprising aptitude, seeming to inherit a passionate love for the -sports of the chase. - -The Indian boy receives no name until some distinguishing trait of -character or feat suggests one, and changes it from time to time as -more fitting ones are suggested. Some of their names are very odd, and -some quite vulgar. - -The wife is sometimes wooed and won, as if there was something of -sentiment in the Indian character, but oftener purchased without the -wooing. When the desired object is particularly attractive, and of a -good family, the courting and purchasing both may be required. When -a young brave goes courting, he decorates himself out in his best -attire, instinctively divining that appearances weigh much in the eyes -of a forest belle, or dusky maiden, who receives him bashfully, for a -certain kind of modesty is inherent in Indian girls, which is rather -incongruous when considered in connection with their peculiar mode of -life. Discretion and propriety are carefully observed, and the lovers -sit side by side in silence, he occasionally producing presents for -her acceptance. These express a variety of sentiment, and refer to -distinct and separate things; some signifying love; some, strength; -some, bravery; others allude to the life of servitude she is expected -to live if she becomes his wife. If they are accepted graciously, and -the maiden remains seated, it is considered equivalent to an assurance -of love on her part, and is acted upon accordingly. Although no woman’s -life is made less slavish by the marriage connection, and no one is -treated with respect, it is scarcely known in Indian life that a girl -has remained unmarried even to middle age. - -When a chief desires to multiply the number of his wives, he often -marries several sisters, if they can be had, not because of any -particular fancy he may have for any but the one who first captivated -him, but because he thinks it more likely to have harmony in the -household when they are all of one family. Not even squaws can live -happily together, when each may have a part interest in the same man -as their husband jointly. Polygamy is inconsistent with the female -character, whether in barbarism or civilization. - -As many skins as they can transport on their ponies, of the game killed -while on their hunts, are dressed by the squaws, and then taken to -some trading post, military station, or agency, and bartered off for -such articles as are most desired by them, such as beads, paints, -etc., and powder, lead, and caps. They are willing to allow much more -proportionately for ammunition than any other articles. They are most -outrageously swindled by the traders whom our Government licenses to -trade with them. A buffalo-robe which the trader sells for from ten to -fifteen dollars, is bought from the Indians for a pint cup of sugar and -a small handful of bullets, while furs of all kinds are exchanged for -paints and trinkets at equally disproportionate rates. The Indians know -they are cheated whenever they barter with the white traders, but they -have no remedy, as there is no competition, and hence much of their -disaffection. - -Buffalo-robes, bearskins, and deer, and antelope skins are brought in -in great numbers; they shoot and trap the beaver and otter expressly -for their furs. - -The Indians are almost universally fond of whisky, and have a strong -propensity for gambling. They will risk at cards almost every thing -they own, and if unsuccessful appear quite resigned to their loss, -resting in the gambler’s hope of “better luck next time.” - -The squaws play a game with small bones of oblong shape, which seems to -have a great fascination for them, as I have known them to spend whole -days and nights at it, and in many instances gambling away every thing -they owned. Five of these pieces are used, each possessing a relative -value in the game, designated by spots from one to five on one side, -the other being blank. They are placed in a dish or small basket, which -is shaken and then struck upon the ground with a jar, tossing the -pieces over, and according to the number of spots up, so is the game -decided, very similar, I imagine, to the white man’s game of “high-die.” - -They have a peculiar way of defining time. When they wish to designate -an hour of the day, they point to the position the sun should be in -at that time. The number of days is the number of sleeps. Their next -division of time is the number of moons, instead of our months; and the -seasons are indicated by the state of vegetation. For instance, spring -is when the grass begins to grow, and the autumn when the leaves fall -from the trees, while years are indicated by the season of snows. - -There is a language of signs common to all the tribes, by which one -tribe may communicate with another without being able to speak or -understand its dialect. Each tribe is known by some particular sign. - -The Indian is noted for his power of endurance of both fatigue and -physical pain. I have thought much upon the fear manifested by these -reputed brave barbarians; they seem to be borne down with the most -tormenting fear for their personal safety at all times, at home or -roaming for plunder, or when hunting, and yet courage is made a virtue -among them, while cowardice is the unpardonable sin. When compelled to -meet death, they seem to muster sullen, obstinate defiance of their -doom, that makes the most of a dreaded necessity, rather than seek a -preparation to meet it with submission, which they often dissemble, but -never possess. - -Instinct, more than reason, is the guide of the red man. He repudiates -improvement, and despises manual effort. For ages has his heart been -imbedded in moral pollution. - -The blanket, as worn by the Indian, is an insuperable barrier to his -advance in arts or agriculture. When this is forever dispensed with, -then his hands will be free to grasp the mechanic’s tools or guide the -plow. It is both graceful and chaste in their eyes, and to adopt the -white man’s dress is a great obstacle, a requirement too humiliating, -for they have personal as well as national pride. No hat is worn, but -the head is covered with feathers and rude ornaments. A heavy mass of -wampum, often very expensive, adorns the neck. Frequently the entire -rim of each ear is pierced with holes, and adorned with jewels of -silver, or something resembling it. - -The Indian does every thing through motives of policy. He has none -of the kindlier feelings of humanity in him. He is as devoid of -gratitude as he is hypocritical and treacherous. He observes a treaty, -or promise, only so long as it is dangerous for him to disregard it, -or for his interest, in other ways, to keep it. Cruelty is inherent -in them, and is early manifested in the young, torturing birds, -turtles, or any little animal that may fall into their hands. They -seem to delight in it, while the pleasure of the adult in torturing -his prisoners is most unquestionable. They are inveterate beggars, but -never give, unless with a view to receive a more valuable present in -return. - -The white man, he has been taught, is his enemy, and he has become the -most implacable enemy of the white man. His most fiendish murders of -the innocent is his sweetest revenge for a wrong that has been done by -another. - -The youth are very fond of war. They have no other ambition, and -pant for the glory of battle, longing for the notes of the war song, -that they may rush in and win the feathers of a brave. They listen -to the stories of the old men, as they recall the stirring scenes -of their youth, or sing their war songs, which form only a boasting -recapitulation of their daring and bravery. They yearn for the glory -of war, which is the only path to distinction. Having no arts or -industrial pursuits, the tribes are fast waning from war, exposure, and -disease. - -But few of the tribes cultivate the soil, the nature of the Indian -rendering in his eyes as degrading all labor not incident to the chase -or the war-path; and notwithstanding the efforts of missionaries, -and the vast sums of money expended by the Government to place them -on reservations and teach them the art of agriculture, the attempts -to civilize the Indian in that way may be considered almost a total -failure. The results bear no comparison to their cost. - -Their ideas of the extent and power of the white race are very limited, -and after I had learned the language sufficiently to converse with -them, I frequently tried to explain to them the superior advantages -of the white man’s mode of living. They would ask me many questions, -as to the number of the white men on this side of the big water, and -how far that extended; and on being told of two big oceans, they would -ask if the whites owned the big country on the other side, and if -there were any Indians there. Many of my statements were received with -incredulity, and I was often called a liar, especially when I told of -the number and rapid increase of the white race; sometimes the older -ones would get angry. The younger ones were often eager listeners, and -especially in times of scarcity and hunger would they gather around me -to learn about the white man, and then would I endeavor to impress them -with the advantages of a fixed home and tilling the soil over their -wild, roaming life. - - - - - CHAPTER XX. - - AN INDIAN TRADITION—ARRIVAL AT THE BLACKFEET VILLAGE—AN OFFER - TO PURCHASE ME INDIGNANTLY REJECTED—A YANKTON ATTEMPTS MY - CAPTURE. - - -The Blackfeet village was one hundred and fifty miles from the -Ogalallas, and the way thither lay often over the tops of bare and -sandy hills. - -On the summits of these heights I found shells such as are picked up -at the sea-side. The Indians accounted for their appearance there by -saying, that once a great sea rolled over the face of the country, and -only one man in a boat escaped with his family. He had sailed about in -the boat until the waters retired to their place, and, living there, -became the father of all the Indians. - -These savages proved very kind to me. Though their nation is regarded -by the whites as very vindictive and hostile, they showed me nothing -but civility and respect. - -On the third morning we reached a small village, where we halted. -The Indians of the village were rejoiced to see me. Among them I -recognized many familiar faces, and they imparted to us their mistrust -and apprehension lest I had been stolen from the Ogalallas; but the -Blackfeet assured them to the contrary; and, after questioning me, they -became satisfied, and gave us food, promising to send warriors to our -village, and giving us another horse. - -The journey to the village of the Blackfeet was exceedingly -wearisome—completely exhausting me by its length; and I suffered from -the intense cold weather. - -Approaching their village, they entered it with loud demonstrations of -joy, singing and whooping after the manner of their race, with noises -defying description. - -I was received with great joy; and even marks of distinction were shown -me. That night there was a feast, and every thing denoted a time of -rejoicing. - -My life was now changed—instead of waiting upon others, they waited -upon me. - -The day of my arrival in the Blackfeet village was a sad one, indeed, -being the first anniversary of my wedding. The songs and shouts of -exultation of the Indians seemed like a bitter mockery of my misery and -helplessness. - -I met in the village many warriors whom I had seen during the summer, -and knew that they had participated in the battles with General Sully. -They saw that something had made me sad and thoughtful, and asked what -it was. I told them it was my birth-day. - -Soon after my arrival, Egosegalonicha was sent to me, and inquired how -I was treated, and particularly wished to know if they were respectful -to me. She told me that she was sent to inquire for my safety and -well-being, and that any remissness on the part of the Blackfeet would -be visited with vengeance. - -She told me that her people mourned the captive’s absence, and grieved -for her presence. From others I learned the same. - -Next morning there was great commotion in the camp, caused by the -arrival of a delegation from the Yanktons, with a handsome horse and -saddle, as a present for me. - -The saddle was of exquisite workmanship, embroidered with beads, and -richly decorated with fringe. - -The Yanktons desired to purchase me, offering five of their finest -horses for me, which the Blackfeet were quite indignant at, replying, -that they also had fine horses; and, deeming it an insult, returned the -horse and its saddle. Fearing my disappointment, they, in council that -night, decided to present me with something as worthy as the Yanktons -had sent. - -Accordingly, at the door of the tent next morning were four of their -best animals; eight beautiful robes were brought in by the young men, -and given me also. - -The Yanktons were told to return to their tribe, and if such a message -was again sent, the hatchet would be painted and given to them. - -This closed the negotiation, but not their efforts to obtain me. - -The large reward which had been offered for my recovery caused the -Indians much trouble, as frequently large parties from other tribes -would come in, offering to purchase me from those who held me captive. -Several such instances occurred while I was with the Ogalallas; nor -were the Blackfeet exempt from similar annoyances. - -One day, while in Tall Soldier’s tipi, there was a large body of -mounted warriors seen approaching the village. The women gathered -around me, and told me I must stay in the tent, concealed. All -was excitement, and the women seemed frightened. Soon I knew that -preparations were being made for a feast on a large scale. The strange -warriors came into camp and held a council, at which Tall Soldier made -a speech, which, from the distance, I could not understand; they then -had a feast, and departed. The Blackfeet gave me to understand that -the visit of these Indians was on my account, as had been that of the -Yanktons. - -Soon after, I noticed that parties of warriors would leave the camp -daily and return, bringing ammunition and goods of various kinds. I -learned from the squaws and children that a party of traders from the -Platte River had arrived in the neighborhood with four wagons, to trade -with the Indians, and that they wanted to buy me, but that the Indians -would not part with me. I pretended to the Indians that I did not -desire to leave them, but plead that I might go with them to see the -white men, which was refused, as was also a request that I might write -a letter to them. - -Soon after, the traders were murdered, only one man escaping, who -reached Fort Laramie nearly dead from hunger and exposure, having -traveled the whole distance from the Missouri River on foot. - -I have since learned that the men were sent out by Mr. Beauve, a -trader, near Fort Laramie, with instructions to procure my release if -it required all they possessed. - -Since learning these facts, I am more than ever convinced that the -reluctance of the Indians to give me up grew out of their hope of -capturing Fort Sully through my involuntary agency, and securing a -greater booty than any ransom offered; as also of obtaining revenge for -the losses inflicted upon their nation by the soldiers under General -Sully. - -The Blackfeet appeared in every respect superior to the tribe I had -left. The chief, “Tall Soldier,” displayed the manners and bearing of a -natural gentleman. - -They kept up an air of friendliness, and communicated frequently with -the whites; but, in reality, were ready to join any hostile expedition -against them, and were with the Ogalalla Sioux when our train was -attacked at Box Elder. - -The Blackfeet seemed to be stationary in their village, only sallying -out in small parties for plunder and horses; and, during that time, -keeping up a succession of entertainments at the tipi of the chief, -where a constant arrival of warriors and many Indians from other -tribes, who were warmly welcomed, added to the excitement of the days. - -I sympathized with the poor wife of the chief, who was the only woman, -beside myself, in the tent, and to whose labor all the feasts were due. - -She was obliged to dress the meat, make fires, carry water, and wait -upon strangers, besides setting the lodge in order. - -These unceasing toils she performed alone—the commands of the chief -forbidding me to aid her. - -While with the Ogalallas, I had never crossed their will or offered -resistance to my tasks, however heavy, having learned that obedience -and cheerful industry were greatly prized; and it was, doubtless, my -conciliating policy that had at last won the Indians, and made them -bewail my loss so deeply. - -The squaws are very rebellious, often displaying ungovernable and -violent temper. They consider their life a servitude, and being beaten -at times like animals, and receiving no sort of sympathy, it acts upon -them accordingly. - -The contrast between them and my patient submission had its effect -upon the Indians, and caused them to miss me when separated from them. - -During my sojourn in this village I received invitations to every -feast, and to the different lodges. One day, when visiting one of these -lodges, a package of letters was given me to read. They had been taken -from Captain Fisk’s train, and were touchingly beautiful. Some of them -were the correspondence of a Mr. Nichols with a young lady, to whom he -seemed tenderly attached. I was asked to read these letters and explain -them to the Indians. - -I was removed at different times to various lodges, as a sort of -concealment, as I learned that the Yanktons had not yet given up the -idea of securing me; and, one night, I awoke from my slumbers to behold -an Indian bending over me, cutting through the robes which covered me, -after making a great incision in the tent, whereby he entered. Fearing -to move, I reached out my hand to the squaw who slept near me (whose -name was Chahompa Sea—White Sugar), pinching her, to arouse her, which -had its effect; for she immediately arose and gave the alarm, at which -the Indian fled. This caused great excitement in the camp, and many -threats were made against the Yanktons. - -The intense cold and furious storms that followed my arrival among the -Blackfeet precluded the possibility of their setting out immediately -on the proposed journey to Fort Sully. - -The snow-drifts had rendered the mountain passes impassable, and the -chief informed me that they must wait until they were free from danger, -before taking leave of the shelter and security of their protected -village. - -[Illustration: Jumping Bear Promising by the Moon, to Carry My Letter -to the White Chief at Fort Sully.] - - - - - CHAPTER XXI. - - APPEARANCE OF JUMPING BEAR—I PREVAIL ON HIM TO CARRY A LETTER TO - THE FORT—A WAR SPEECH—INTENDED TREACHERY—RESUME OUR JOURNEY - TO THE FORT—SINGULAR MEETING WITH A WHITE MAN—“HAS RICHMOND - FALLEN?”—ARRIVAL AT THE FORT—I AM FREE! - - -“Jumping Bear,” who rescued me from the revengeful arrow of the Indian -whose horse the chief shot, one day presented himself to me, and -reminded me of my indebtedness to him in thus preserving my life. - -Trembling with fear, I listened to his avowal of more than ordinary -feeling, during which he assured me that I had no cause to fear -him—that he had always liked the white woman, and would be more than a -friend to me. - -I replied, that I did not fear him; that I felt grateful to him for his -kindness and protection, but that unless he proved his friendship for -me, no persuasion could induce me to listen. - -“Will you carry a letter to my people at the fort, delivering it into -the hands of the great chief there? They will reward you for your -kindness to their sister; they will give you many presents, and you -will return rich.” - -“I dare not go,” he replied. “Nor could I get back before the warriors -came to our village.” - -“My people will give you a fast horse,” said I, “and you may return -speedily. Go now, and prove your friendship by taking the letter, and -returning with your prizes.” - -I assured him that the letter contained nothing that would harm him or -his people; that I had written of him and of his kindness, and of his -good will toward them. After many and long interviews, the women of -the lodge using their influence, I at last prevailed upon him to go, -and invoking the bright moon as a witness to my pledge of honor and -truth, he started on his journey, bearing the letter, which I believed -was to seal my fate for weal or woe. In the moonlight I watched his -retreating form, imploring Heaven to grant the safe delivery of the -little messenger, upon which so much depended. - -Daring and venturesome deed! Should he prove false to me, and allow any -one outside the fort to see the letter, my doom was inevitable. - -Many days of intense anxiety were passed after his departure. The -squaws, fearing that I had done wrong in sending him, were continually -asking questions, and it was with difficulty I could allay their -anxiety, and prevent them from disclosing the secret to the other women. - -The contents of the letter were a warning to the “Big Chief” and the -soldiers of an intended attack on the fort and the massacre of the -garrison, using me as a ruse to enable them to get inside the fort; and -beseeching them to rescue me if possible. - -The messenger reached the fort, and was received by the officer of the -day, Lieutenant Hesselberger, and conducted to the commander of the -post, Major House, and Adjutant Pell, who had been left there to treat -with the Indians on my account.[1] - - [1] A written statement from Lieutenant Hesselberger, setting forth - the fact of my writing and sending the letter of warning, and that - it undoubtedly was the means of saving the garrison at Fort Sully - from massacre, is on file in the Treasury Department at Washington. - A certified copy is published in connection with this narrative. - -General Sully was absent at Washington, but every necessary precaution -was taken to secure the fort. - -Jumping Bear received a suit of clothes and some presents, and was sent -back with a letter for me, which I never received, as I never saw him -again. These facts I learned after my arrival at Fort Sully. - -The night before our departure from the Blackfeet village, en route -for the fort, I was lying awake, and heard the chief address his -men seriously upon the subject of their wrongs at the hands of the -whites. I now understood and spoke the Indian tongue readily, and so -comprehended his speech, which, as near as I can recollect, was as -follows: - -“Friends and sons, listen to my words. You are a great and powerful -band of our people. The inferior race, who have encroached on our -rights and territories, justly deserve hatred and destruction. These -intruders came among us, and we took them by the hand. We believed them -to be friends and true speakers; they have shown us how false and cruel -they can be. - -“They build forts to live in and shoot from with their big guns. Our -people fall before them. Our game is chased from the hills. Our women -are taken from us, or won to forsake our lodges, and wronged and -deceived. - -“It has only been four or five moons since they drove us to -desperation, killed our brothers and burned our tipis. The Indian cries -for vengeance! There is no truth nor friendship in the white man; -deceit and bitterness are in his words. - -“Meet them with equal cunning. Show them no mercy. They are but few, we -are many. Whet your knives and string your bows; sharpen the tomahawk -and load the rifle. - -“Let the wretches die, who have stolen our lands, and we will be free -to roam over the soil that was our fathers’. We will come home bravely -from battle. Our songs shall rise among the hills, and every tipi -shall be hung with the scalp-locks of our foes.” - -This declaration of hostilities was received with grunts of approval; -and silently the war preparations went on, that I might not know the -evil design hidden beneath the mask of friendship. - -That night, as if in preparation for the work he had planned, the -gracious chief beat his poor tired squaw unmercifully, because she -murmured at her never-ending labor and heavy tasks. - -His deportment to me was as courteous as though he had been educated in -civilized life; indeed, had he not betrayed so much ignorance of the -extent and power of the American nation, in his address to his band, I -should have thought him an educated Indian, who had traveled among the -whites. Yet in his brutal treatment of his squaw, his savage nature -asserted itself, and reminded me that, although better served than -formerly, I was still among savages. - -When morning came to my sleepless night, I arose, still dreading lest -some terrible intervention should come between me and the longed-for -journey to the abodes of white men. - -The day before leaving the Blackfeet village, I gave all my Indian -trinkets to a little girl who had been my constant companion, and by -her gentle and affectionate interest in the captive white woman, had -created within me a feeling akin to love. She was half white, and was -grand-daughter of a chief called Wichunkiapa, who also treated me with -kindness. - -The morning after the chief’s address to his warriors, the savages were -all ready for the road, and, mounting in haste, set up their farewell -chant as they wound in a long column out of the village. - -I have frequently been asked, since my restoration to civilization, -how I dressed while with the Indians, and whether I was clothed as the -squaws were. A description of my appearance as I rode out of the Indian -village that morning, will satisfy curiosity on this point. - -My dress consisted of a narrow white cotton gown, composed of only two -breadths, reaching below the knee, and fastened at the waist with a red -scarf; moccasins, embroidered with beads and porcupine quills, covered -my feet, and a robe over my shoulders completed my wardrobe. - -While with the Ogalallas, I wore on my arms great brass rings that had -been forced on me, some of them fitting so tight that they lacerated my -arms severely, leaving scars that I shall ever retain as mementos of my -experience in Indian ornamentation. I was also painted as the squaws -were, but never voluntarily applied the article. - -It was winter, and the ground was covered with snow, but so cold was -the air that its surface bore the horses’ feet on its hard, glittering -breast, only breaking through occasionally in the deep gullies. - -It was two hundred miles from the Blackfeet village to Fort Sully, in -the middle of winter, and the weather intensely cold, from the effects -of which my ill-clad body suffered severely. I was forced to walk a -great part of the way, to keep from freezing. Hoping for deliverance, -yet dreading lest the treacherous plans of the Indians for the capture -of the fort and massacre of its garrison might prove successful, and my -return to captivity inevitable, I struggled on, striving to bear with -patience the mental and bodily ills from which I suffered. My great -fear was that my letter had not fallen into the right hands. - -On our journey we came in sight of a few lodges, and in among the -timber we camped for the night. While in one of the lodges, to my -surprise, a gentlemanly figure approached me, dressed in modern style. -It astonished me to meet this gentlemanly-looking, well-mannered -gentleman under such peculiar circumstances. He drew near and addressed -me courteously. - -“This is cold weather for traveling. Do you not find it so?” he -inquired. - -“Not when I find myself going in the right direction,” I replied. - -I asked him if he lived in that vicinity, supposing, of course, from -the presence of a white man in our camp, that we must be near some -fort, trading-post, or white settlement. - -He smiled and said, “I am a dweller in the hills, and confess that -civilized life has no charms for me. I find in freedom and nature all -the elements requisite for happiness.” - -Having been separated from the knowledge and interests of national -affairs just when the struggle agitating our country was at its height, -I asked the question: - -“Has Richmond been taken?” - -“No, nor never will be,” was the reply. - -Further conversation on national affairs convinced me that he was a -rank rebel. - -We held a long conversation, on various topics. He informed me he had -lived with the Indians fourteen years; was born in St. Louis, had an -Indian wife, and several children, of whom he was very proud; and he -seemed to be perfectly satisfied with his mode of living. - -I was very cautious in my words with him, lest he might prove a -traitor; but in our conversation some Indian words escaped my lips, -which, being overheard, rumor construed into mischief. What I had said -was carried from lodge to lodge, increasing rather than diminishing, -until it returned to the lodge where I was. The Indians, losing -confidence in me, sent the young men, at midnight, to the camp of the -white man, to ascertain what had been said by me, and my feelings -toward them. - -He assured the messengers that I was perfectly friendly, had breathed -nothing but kindliness for them, and was thoroughly contented; had so -expressed myself, and there was no cause to imagine evil. - -This man trafficked and traded with the Indians, disposing of his goods -in St. Louis and in eastern cities, and was then on his way to his -home, near the mouth of the Yellowstone River. - -Early in the forenoon of the last day’s travel, my eager and anxious -eyes beheld us nearing the fort. The Indians paused and dismounted -to arrange their dress and see to the condition of their arms. Their -blankets and furs were adjusted; bows were strung, and the guns -examined by them, carefully. They then divided into squads of fifties, -several of these squads remaining in ambush among the hills, for the -purpose of intercepting any who might escape the anticipated massacre -at the fort; the others then rode on toward the fort, bearing me with -them. - -A painfully startling sight (the last I was destined to see), here met -my gaze. One of the warriors, in passing, thrust out his hand to salute -me. It was covered by one of my husband’s gloves, and the sight of such -a memento filled me with inexpressible dread as to his fate. Nothing -in the least way connected with him had transpired to throw any light -upon his whereabouts, or whether living or dead, since we had been so -suddenly and cruelly separated. All was darkness and doubt concerning -him. - -Mr. Kelly had been a Union soldier, and happening to have his discharge -papers with me at the time of my capture, I had been able to secrete -them ever since, treasuring them merely because they had once belonged -to him and contained his name. - -Now, as we approached the place where his fate would be revealed to -me, and, if he lived, we would meet once more, the appearance of that -glove, on the savage hand, was like a touch that awakened many chords, -some to thrill with hope, some to jar painfully with fear. - -In appearance I had suffered from my long estrangement from home life. -I had been obliged to paint daily, like the rest of my companions, and -narrowly escaped tattooing, by pretending to faint away every time the -implements for the marring operation were applied. - -During the journey, whenever an opportunity offered, I would use a -handful of snow to cleanse my cheeks from savage adornment; and now, -as we drew nearer the fort, and I could see the chiefs arranging -themselves for effect, my heart beat high, and anticipation became so -intense as to be painful. - -Eight chiefs rode in advance, one leading my horse by the bridle, and -the warriors rode in the rear. The cavalcade was imposing. As we -neared the fort they raised the war song, loud and wild, on the still, -wintry air; and, as if in answer to its notes, the glorious flag of our -country was run up, and floated bravely forth on the breeze from the -tall flag-staff within the fort. - -[Illustration: My Arrival at Fort Sully.] - -My eyes caught the glad sight, and my heart gave a wild bound of joy; -something seemed to rise in my throat and choke my breathing. Every -thing was changed; the torture of suspense, the agony of fear, and -dread of evil to come, all seemed to melt away like mist before the -morning sunshine, when I beheld the precious emblem of liberty. How -insignificant and contemptible in comparison were the flaunting Indian -flags that had so long been displayed to me; and how my heart thrilled -with a sense of safety and protection as I saw the roofs of the -buildings within the fort covered by the brave men who composed that -little garrison. - -The precious emblem of liberty, whose beloved stripes and stars floated -proudly out, seemed to beckon me to freedom and security; and as the -fresh breeze stirred its folds, shining in the morning light, and -caused them to wave lightly to and fro, they came like the smile of -love and the voice of affection, all combined, to welcome me to home -and happiness once more. - -An Indian hanger-on of the fort had sauntered carelessly forward a -few minutes previous, as if actuated by curiosity, but in reality to -convey intelligence to his fellow-savages of the state of the fort and -its defenses. - -Then the gate was opened, and Major House appeared, accompanied by -several officers and an interpreter, and received the chiefs who rode -in advance. - -Meanwhile, Captain Logan (the officer of the day), a man whose kind and -sympathetic nature did honor to his years and rank, approached me. My -emotions were inexpressible, now that I felt myself so nearly rescued. -At last they overcame me. I had borne grief and terror and privation; -but the delight of being once more among my people was so overpowering -that I almost lost the power of speech, or motion, and when I faintly -murmured, “Am I free, indeed free?” Captain Logan’s tears answered me -as well as his scarcely uttered “Yes,” for he realized what freedom -meant to one who had tasted the bitterness of bondage and despair. - -As soon as the chiefs who accompanied me entered the gate of the fort, -the commandant’s voice thundered the order for them to be closed. - -The Blackfeet were shut out, and I was beyond their power to recapture. - -After a bondage lasting more than five months, during which I had -endured every torture, I once more stood free, among people of my own -race, all ready to assist me, and restore me to my husband’s arms. - -Three ladies, residing at the fort, received me, and cheerfully -bestowed every care and attention which could add to my comfort -and secure my recovery from the fatigues and distresses of my past -experience. - - - - - CHAPTER XXII. - - RETROSPECTION—A BORDER TRADING POST—GARRISON HOSPITALITY—A - VISIT FROM THE COMMANDANT OF FORT RICE—ARRIVAL OF MY - HUSBAND—AFFECTING SCENE. - - -At first, and some time afterward, at intervals, the effects of my -life among the savages preyed upon my mind so as to injure its quiet -harmony. I was ill at ease among my new friends, and they told me -that my eyes wore a strangely wild expression, like those of a person -constantly in dread of some unknown alarm. - -Once more free and safe among civilized people, I looked back on the -horrible past with feelings that defy description. - -The thought of leaving this mortal tenement on the desert plain for -the wolves to devour, and the bones to bleach under the summer sun -and winter frosts, had been painful indeed. Now, I knew that if the -wearied spirit should leave its earthly home, the body would be cared -for by kind Christian friends, and tenderly laid beneath the grass and -flowers, and my heart rejoiced therein. - -Hunger and thirst, long days of privation and suffering, had been -mine. No friendly voices cheered me on; all was silence and despair. -But now the scene had changed, and the all-wise Being, who is cognizant -of every thought, knew the joy and gratitude of my soul. - -True, during the last few weeks of my captivity, the Indians had done -all in their power for me, all their circumstances and condition would -allow, and the women were very kind, but “their people were not my -people,” and I was detained a captive, far from home, and friends, and -civilization. - -With Alexander Selkirk I could say, “Better dwell in the midst of -alarms, than reign in this horrible place.” - -Being young, and possessed of great cheerfulness and elasticity of -temper, I was enabled to bear trials which seemed almost impossible for -human nature to endure and live. - -Soon after my arrival at the fort, Captain Pell came and invited me to -go to a trader’s store to obtain a dress for myself. I needed it very -much, having no clothing of my own to wear. - -A kind lady, Mrs. Davis, accompanied me, and the sight that presented -itself to my wondering eyes will never be erased from memory. - -By the door-steps, on the porches, and every-where, were groups of -hungry Indians of all sizes and both sexes, claiming to be friendly. - -Some of them were covered with every conceivable kind of superficial -clothing and adornment, and critically wanting in cleanliness, a -peculiar trait among the Indians of the Northwest. - -There was the papoose, half-breeds of any number, a few absolutely -nude, others wrapped slightly in bits of calico, a piece of buckskin, -or fur. - -Speculators, teamsters, and interpreters, mingled with the soldiers of -the garrison—squaws, with their bright, flashing shawls, or red cloth, -receiving, in their looped-up blanket, the various articles of border -traffic, such as sugar, rice, flour, and other things—tall warriors -bending over the same counter, purchasing tobacco, brass nails, knives, -and glass beads, all giving words to thought, and a stranger might -well wonder which was the better prototype of tongues. The Cheyennes -supplement their words with active and expressive gestures, while the -Sioux amply use their tongues as well as their arms and fingers. - -To all, whether half-breed, Indian, or white man, the gentlemanly -trader gave kind and patient attention, while himself and clerks seemed -ready and capable of talking Sioux, French, or English, just as the -case came to hand. - -It was on the 12th of December when I reached the fort, and like heaven -the place appeared after the trials of savage life. - -The officers and men were like brothers to me; and their tender -sympathy united me to them in the strongest bonds of friendship, which -not even death can sever. - -A party and supper was made for my special benefit, and on New Year’s -morning I was serenaded with cannon. Every attention and kindness was -bestowed upon me; and to Dr. John Ball, post surgeon, I owe a debt -of gratitude which mere words can never express. He was my attendant -physician during my sojourn at the fort, and, as my physical system had -undergone very severe changes, I needed great care. Under his skillful -treatment and patient attention I soon recovered health and strength. -I had been severely frozen on the last days of my journey with the -Indians toward the fort. - -Colonel Diamond, from Fort Rice, came to visit me ere I left Fort -Sully. He was attended by an escort of one hundred and eighty men. - -He told me of his efforts to obtain my release, and that he, with his -men, had searched the Indian village for me, but found no warriors -there, as they had already taken me to the fort. The Indian women had -made him understand by signs that the “White Woman” had gone with the -chiefs. - -He said the Indians were so enraged about giving me up, that they -killed three of his men and scalped them, by orders from the chief, -Ottawa, who was unable to do any service himself, being a cripple. He -bade them bring him the scalps of the white men. - -An Indian, who killed one of the men, fell dead in his lodge the -same day, which frightened his people not a little; for, in their -superstition, they deemed it a visitation of the Great Spirit for a -wrong done. - -Colonel Diamond did not forget me, neither did he cease in his efforts -in my behalf. - -During all this time no tidings had been received by me of my husband. -But one day, great commotion was occasioned in the fort by the -announcement that the mail ambulance was on the way to the fort, and -would reach it in a few moments. An instant after, a soldier approached -me, saying: “Mrs. Kelly, I have news for you. Your husband is in the -ambulance.” - -No person can have even a faint idea of the uncontrollable emotions -which swept over me like an avalanche at that important and startling -news. But it was not outwardly displayed. The heart-strings were -stirred to their utmost depths, but gave no sound. Trembling, quivering -in their strong feeling, they told not of the deep grief and joy -intermingled there. - -Mechanically, I moved around, awaiting the presence of the beloved, -and was soon folded to his breast, where he held me with a grasp as if -fearful of my being torn from him again. - -Not an eye present but was suffused with tears. Soldiers and men, the -ladies who had been friends to me, all mingled their tears and prayers. -Language fails to describe our meeting. For seven long months we had -not beheld each other, and the last time was on the terrible field of -slaughter and death. - -His personal appearance, oh! how changed! His face was very pale, and -his brown hair was sprinkled with gray. His voice was alone unchanged. -He called me by name, and it never sounded so sweet before. His very -soul seemed imbued with sadness at our separation, and the terrible -events which caused it. - -My first question was concerning my little Mary; for her fate had been -veiled in mystery. He gave me the account of her burial—a sad and -heart-rending story, sufficient to chill the lightest heart—which -account comprises the succeeding chapter. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIII. - - SAD FATE OF LITTLE MARY. - - -The reader will please go back with me to that fearful first night of -my captivity, and to the moment when I put into execution the plan -for dear little Mary’s escape, which I prayed might result in her -restoration to our friends. - -It must have been something more than a vague hope of liberty to be -lost or won that guided the feeble steps of the child back on the trail -to a bluff overlooking the road where, weary from the fatigue and -terror of a night passed alone on the prairie, she sat, anxious, but -hopeful, awaiting the coming of friends. - -Rescue was seemingly near, now that she had reached the great road, and -she knew that there would be a passing train of emigrants ere long. - -It was in this situation she was seen by some passing soldiers, holding -out her little trembling hands with eager joy and hope, imploring them -to save her. - -It was a party of but three or four soldiers returning from Fort -Laramie, where they had been to meet the paymaster. They had been -pursued by Indians the day before; had also passed the scene of the -destruction of our train; and believed the country swarming with -Indians. Their apprehensions were, therefore, fully aroused, and, -fearing the little figure upon the distant bluff might be a decoy to -lead them into ambush, hesitated to approach. There was a large ravine -between, and it is not strange that their imagination should people it -with lurking savages. However, they were about crossing to the relief -of the little girl, when a party of Indians came in sight, and they -became convinced it was a decoy, and turned and fled. - -They returned to Deer Creek Station, and related the circumstance. Mr. -Kelly, arriving soon after, heard it, and his heart sank within him at -the description of the child, for he thought he recognized in it the -form of our little Mary. - -He applied to the officer in command for a detail of soldiers to go -with him to search for her, but all entreaty and argument were in vain. - -The agony that poor child endured as the soldiers turned away, and the -war-whoop of the savage rang upon her terrified soul, is known only to -God. Instead of the rescue and friends which, in her trusting heart and -innocent faith, she had expected to find, fierce Indians stood before -her, stringing their bows to take her life, thus to win another trophy, -marking the Indian murderer. - -The whizzing arrows were sent into the body of the helpless child, and -with the twang of the bow-strings, the delicate form of the heroic -child lay stretched upon the ground, and the bright angel spirit went -home to rest in the bosom of its Father. - -On the morning of the 14th, two days after Mary was seen, Mr. Kelly -succeeded in obtaining a squad of soldiers at the station, and went out -to search for the child, and after a short march of eight miles, they -discovered the mutilated remains of the murdered girl. - -Mr. Kelly’s grief and anguish knew no bounds. - -Three arrows had pierced the body, and the tomahawk and scalping-knife -had done their work. When discovered, her body lay with its little -hands outstretched as if she had received, while running, the fatal -arrows. - -Surely He who numbers the sparrows and feeds the ravens was not -unmindful of her in that awful hour, but allowed the heavenly kingdom, -to which her trembling soul was about to take its flight, to sweeten, -with a glimpse of its beatific glory, the bitterness of death, even as -the martyr Stephen, seeing the bliss above, could not be conscious of -the torture below. - -Extracting the arrows from the wounds, and dividing her dress among the -soldiers, then tenderly wrapping her in a winding sheet, Mr. Kelly had -the sad satisfaction of smoothing the earth on the unconscious breast -that had ceased to suffer, and when this duty was performed, they left -the little grave all alone, far from the happy home of her childhood, -and the brothers, with whom she had played in her innocent joy. - -Of all strange and terrible fates, no one who had seen her gentle face -in its loving sweetness, the joy and comfort of our hearts, would -have predicted such a barbarous fate for her. But it was only the -passage from death into life, from darkness into daylight, from doubt -and fear into endless love and joy. Those little ones, whose spirits -float upward from their downy pillows, amid the tears and prayers of -broken-hearted friends, are blest to enter in at heaven’s shining gate, -which lies as near little Mary’s rocky, blood-stained pillow in the -desolate waste as the palace of a king, and when she had once gained -the great and unspeakable bliss of heaven, it must have blotted out the -remembrance of the pain that won it, and made no price too great for -such delight. - - In the far-off land of Indian homes, - Where western winds fan “hills of black,” - ’Mid lovely flowers, and golden scenes, - They laid our loved one down to rest. - - Where brightest birds, with silvery wings, - Sing their sweet songs upon her grave, - And the moonbeam’s soft and pearly beams - With prairie grasses o’er it wave. - - No simple stone e’er marks the spot - Where Mary sleeps in dreamless sleep, - But the moaning wind, with mournful sound, - Doth nightly o’er it vigils keep. - - The careless tread of savage feet, - And the weary travelers, pass it by, - Nor heed they her, who came so far - In her youth and innocence to die. - - But her happy spirit soared away - To blissful climes above; - She found sweet rest and endless joy - In her bright home of love. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIV. - - WHAT OCCURRED AT FORT LARAMIE AFTER MY CAPTURE—EFFORTS TO - RESCUE—LIEUTENANT BROWN KILLED—REWARD OFFERED—IT IS THE - MEANS OF RESTORING ANOTHER WHITE WOMAN AND CHILD—HER RESCUERS - HUNG FOR FORMER MURDERS—A LETTER ANNOUNCING MY SAFE ARRIVAL AT - FORT SULLY. - - -Immediately after Mr. Kelly reached Deer Creek, at the time of our -capture, he telegraphed to Fort Laramie of the outbreak of the Indians, -and the capture of his wife. - -Colonel Collins, of the Eleventh Ohio Cavalry, commandant of the -military district, ordered two companies, under Captain Shuman and -Captain Marshall, two brave and daring men, to pursue and rescue me, -and chastise the savages in case of resistance. - -But the distance of one hundred miles lay between these forts, and -they only arrived on their way too late for rescue. They continued -their march, however, and after an absence of three days returned -unsuccessful. - -Sad to relate, a young and daring officer, Lieutenant Brown, of the -Eleventh Ohio Volunteers, fell a victim to savage cruelty in my -behalf, for with a view of prospecting the neighborhood, he, with Mr. -Kelly, left the main body with a small squad of men in quest of the -Indians. - -Coming suddenly upon a band of warriors, in their encampment, the brave -Lieutenant indiscreetly ordered an attack, but the men, seeing the -futility of opposing such numbers, fled, and left Mr. Kelly and the -officer. - -Becoming conscious of his dangerous situation, he feigned friendship, -addressing them in the usual way, “How koda?” which means, How do you -do, friend? - -But they were not to be deceived, and sent an arrow, causing him to -fall from his horse, and the effects of which caused his death a few -hours afterward. - -He was immediately reported dead, and with all the speed the men could -command they pursued his murderers; but the fresher horses of the -savages carried them off beyond their reach, and the soldiers were -compelled to return in disappointment. - -Brave young man! the ardent friend of Mr. Kelly, and the husband and -father of an affectionate wife and child, stricken down in his early -manhood, we would humbly lay the wreath of “immortelles” upon thy -lonely grave. - -After several expeditions in like manner which proved unsuccessful, Mr. -Kelly offered a reward of nineteen horses, the money value of which was -deposited with the commander of Fort Laramie, and it was circulated -through all the Indian villages, that upon my safe delivery the reward -would be paid. - -Every effort possible was made by my husband and his brothers to -procure my rescue or ransom. No money or efforts were spared, and the -long days of agonizing suspense to them were worse than death. - -The reward which had been offered for my ransom was the means of -rescuing another white woman, a Mrs. Ewbanks, and her child, held by -the Indians. - -The Indian Two-Face and his son, having a desire to enhance their -fortunes, paid a few small sums to the other Indians who claimed her, -and, taking her with them, set out for Fort Laramie. - -When they arrived within a few miles of the fort, the prisoners were -left with the son and some others, while Two-Face preceded them to -arrange the terms of sale. - -The commander agreed to the price, and on the following day Mrs. -Ewbanks and her child were brought in—the Indians thinking it made no -difference which white woman it was. This was several months after my -capture. - -Instead of paying the price, the commandant seized and confined them -in the guard-house, to await trial for the murder of the ranch-men and -the stealing of women and children. The testimony of Mrs. Ewbanks was -proof sufficient. They confessed their crimes, and were executed in May -following. - -In crossing the North Platte River, five miles below the fort, Mrs. -Ewbanks had suffered intensely, her child being bound to her back, and -she holding on to a log bound by a rope fastened to the saddle of the -Indian’s horse. - -The chief passed over easily, but mother and child were nearly frozen -to death by clinging and struggling among masses of broken ice, and -protected only by a thin, light garment. - -Mr. Kelly sent deputations of Indians with horses, to the Indian -villages, with letters to me, which were never delivered. They were not -true to their trust, but would come to see me without giving me the -messages, then return with the declaration that I could not be found. - -He would furnish a complete outfit for an Indian, costing about four -hundred dollars, and send him to find me; but the Indian cared only for -the money; he would never return. - -Having despaired of accomplishing any thing further toward my rescue -at Fort Laramie, he left for Leavenworth, to obtain help from citizens -there, to get permission of the commander of the division to raise an -independent company for my release. - -There he met with his brother, General Kelly, who had just returned -from the South, and had received a letter from me, acquainting him with -my freedom. - -Mr. Kelly would not at first be convinced, but, after being shown the -letter, he said, “Yes, I know that is Fanny’s writing, but it can not -be possible,” and by daylight he was on his way to Dakota. - -Who can tell his varied emotions, during that long and wearisome -journey, when, at the end, hope held out to him the cup of joy which, -after the long suffering of months, he was about to drink. Let only -those judge who have been separated from the dearest on earth, and -whose fate was involved in mysterious silence, more painful than if the -pallid face rested beneath the coffin-lid. - - - - - CHAPTER XXV. - - SUPPER IN HONOR OF OUR RE-UNION—DEPARTURE FROM FORT - SULLY—INCIDENTS BY THE WAY—ARRIVAL AT GENEVA—MOTHER AND - CHILD—A HAPPY MEETING. - - -Fort Sully was garrisoned by three companies of the Sixth Iowa Cavalry, -and I should be recreant to every sense of justice did I not more -particularly express my gratitude to them all—officers and men—for -the delicate, more than brotherly, kindness shown me during my stay of -two months among them. - -They had fought gallantly during that summer, and punished severely the -Indians who held me captive; and though my sufferings at the time were -increased tenfold thereby, I believe the destitute condition of the -Indians had much to do with my final restoration to freedom. Had there -been plenty of food in the Indian villages, none would have gone to -Fort Sully to make a treaty. - -On each of the two evenings we remained at the fort after my husband’s -arrival, we were honored with a “feast,” in marked contrast with those -I had attended while with the savages. Stewed oysters relished better -than stewed dog, and the abundance of other good things, with the -happy-looking, kind, sympathetic faces of my own people around the -board, filled me with a feeling of almost heavenly content. - -Mr. Harry Chatterton presided at the first, and, in a feeling manner, -expressed the delight and satisfaction his comrades and himself -experienced in this hour of our re-union: - - “Sweet is this dream—divinely sweet— - No dream! no fancy! that you meet; - Tho’ silent grief has shadowed o’er - To crush your love—it had no power— - Tho’ long divided, you’ve met once more - To tell your toils and troubles o’er; - Renew the pledge of other days, - And walk in sweet and pleasant ways. - -“May the good Father of mercies ever protect and bless you; make the -sun of happiness to brightly shine upon you, and may it never again be -dimmed by stern misfortune! is the earnest and heartfelt wish of every -person in this fort to-day.” - -With deep emotion these words were spoken, and we felt convinced they -were from the innermost depths of the heart. - -How many affectionate, generous natures are among us, whom we can never -appreciate until some heavy cloud drops down upon us, and they, with -their cheerful words and kind acts, assist us to rise, and in hours of -joy they are ready to grasp us by the hand, and welcome us to happiness? - -Anxious for a re-union with our friends, and to be once more with -my dear mother, we bade farewell to those who had shown us so much -kindness and attention, and commenced our journey at daylight, to -prevent the Indians, many of whom remained about the fort, knowing of -my departure, as I was in constant dread of recapture. - -Fort Sully is on the Missouri River, three hundred miles from Sioux -City, by land, which distance we traveled in an ambulance. At all -the military posts, stations, and towns through which we passed, -all—military and civilians—seemed to vie with each other in kindness -and attention. Those living in frontier towns know what the nature of -the Indian is, and could most heartily sympathize with one who had -suffered from captivity among them. - -At Yankton I received particularly kind attention, from Mrs. Ash, of -the Ash Hotel, who also gave me the information, elsewhere written, of -the fate of Mrs. Dooley and Mrs. Wright. Here, also, I met a number -of the Sixth Iowa Cavalry, to which gallant regiment I was under so -great obligation. Dr. Bardwell, a surgeon of that regiment, who was -at Fort Sully at the time the Blackfeet came in to make a treaty, and -were sent off after me, and who, I had previously been informed, was -active in measures tending to my release, was stationed at Yankton, and -manifested the kindness of his heart in many ways. - -At Sioux City, Council Bluffs, and St. Joe, crowds of visitors flocked -to see the white woman who had been a captive with the Indians; and I -was compelled to answer many questions. From St. Joe, we made all haste -for Leavenworth, Kansas, where I was received by friends and relatives -as one risen from the dead. - -At last we reached our old home in Geneva; the home from which we had -departed but a few months before, lured to new fields by the brightest -hopes of future prosperity. Alas! what disappointments had fallen to -our lot! But soon I was clasped in my dear mother’s arms, and all my -sorrows were swallowed up in the joy of that re-union. - -On the morning of our departure for the plains, she said (while tears -of sorrow filled her eyes) that she felt as though it was our final -farewell. Her fears were agonizing in my behalf. She seemed to have a -presentiment of evil—a dark, portentous cloud hung over my head, she -felt, that would burst upon me, and scatter dismay and grief—which too -well was realized in the days that followed. - -I endeavored to cheer her with hope, and smilingly assured her that, as -soon as the Pacific Railroad was completed, I should visit my home and -her; and, though many miles might separate us, we still would be one -in heart; and the facilities for traveling were becoming so easy and -rapid, we could not be separated for any great length of time. But her -sad heart refused to be comforted. A mother’s unchanging love—stronger -than death, faithful under every circumstance, and clinging with -tenacity to the child of her affection, could not part with me without -a pang of anguish, which was increased tenfold when the news of my -capture reached her. - -Gradually she sank under this heavy affliction; health rapidly gave -way, and for three long months she lay helpless, moaning and bewailing -the loss of her children; for, scarcely had she aroused from the -terrible stupor and grief which the news of my brother’s death from -poison, while a soldier in the Union army, had plunged her, when this -new and awful sorrow came like a whirlwind upon her fainting spirit. - -But God is good. In his great mercy he spared us both, to meet once -more, and a letter from my hand, telling her of my safety, reached her -in due time; and in each other’s fond embrace we were once more folded. - -Oh! happy hour! Methinks the angels smiled in their celestial abodes -when they witnessed that dear mother’s joy. - -The reader naturally supposes that here my narrative ought to end; -that, restored to husband, mother, and friends, my season of sorrow -must be over. But not so. Other trials were in store for me, and, even -fortified as I was by past tribulation, I sank almost despairingly -under their affliction. Nor was I yet done with the Indians. - -Anxious to again establish a home, we left Geneva, went to Shawneetown, -where we prospered; but better prospects offering farther west, we -went to Ellsworth, a new town just staked out on the western line of -Kansas. I was the first woman who located there. We lived in our wagon -for a time, then built a hotel, and were prospering, when fears of the -Indians again harassed us. - -The troops at Fort Harker, four miles east of Ellsworth, had been -out, under General Hancock, in pursuit of the Indians, to punish them -for murders and depredations committed along the line of the Pacific -Railroad, and coming upon an Indian camp, destroyed it, inflicting a -severe chastisement. This we knew would so exasperate the Indians as to -render the situation of the exposed settlements one of great danger; -and after my experience, a terrible dread of again falling into their -hands intensified my apprehensions for our safety. - -The scouts, Jack Harvey and “Wild Bill,” were constantly on the -lookout, and eagerly would we look toward the hills for any one who -could give us news, and gather around them, when they came from the -front, with anxious faces and listening ears. - -Meantime the population of Ellsworth had rapidly increased, and -military companies were formed for protection. Thus we lived in a -continual state of alarm, until at last one night the signal was given -that the Indians were approaching, when every man flew to his post, -and the women and children fled to the places of refuge that had been -prepared for them, an iron-clad house and a “dug-out,” or place under -ground. I fled to the latter place, where about fifty altogether had -congregated, and among them were three young men who were the sole -survivors of a large family—father, mother, and two sisters—murdered -and horribly mutilated in the Minnesota massacres. - -The Indians were repulsed, but they continued to harass us and threaten -the town, so that it became necessary to apply for military protection. -Accordingly, a number of colored troops were sent there, which imparted -a feeling of security. - -But Ellsworth was doomed to a more terrible scourge, if possible, than -the Indians had threatened to be. The troops were recently from the -South. Soon after their arrival among us, the cholera broke out among -them, and, spreading among the citizens, created a terrible panic. The -pestilence was most destructive, sweeping before it old and young, and -of all classes. - -My husband fell a victim to the disease. - -On the 28th day of July, 1867, a violent attack of this terrible -disease carried him off, and, in the midst of peril and cares, I was -left a mourning, desolate widow. - -Being in delicate health, I was forced to flee to the East, and stopped -at St. George, where one week after my little one was ushered into this -world of sorrow. - -The people were panic-stricken in relation to the cholera, and when -I went there, they were afraid to receive me into their homes, -consequently I repaired to a small cabin in the outskirts of the town, -and my adopted son and myself remained there alone for several days. - -A young lady, Miss Baker, called on me in great sympathy, saying she -was not afraid of cholera, and would stay with me until after my -confinement. - -I was very thankful for her kindness, and after the fear was over with -the people, every attention that humanity could suggest was given me; -but, alas! my heart was at home, and so deep were my yearnings, the -physician declared it impossible for me to recover until I did go home. - -The events that had transpired seemed like a fearful dream. - -The physician who attended me went to Ellsworth to see if it was -prudent for me to go, sending a letter immediately after, bidding me -come, as the cholera had disappeared. - -Oh! how changed was that home! The voice that had ever been as low, -sweet music to my ear was hushed forever; the eye that had always -met mine with smiling fondness was closed to light and me, and the -hand so often grasped in tender love was palsied in death! Mr. Kelly, -the noble, true, and devoted husband, my loved companion, the father -of my innocent child, was gone. Oh! how sad that word! My heart was -overwhelmed with grief, and that did its work, for it prostrated me on -a bed of illness nigh unto death. - -Dr. McKennon very faithfully attended me during my illness, and as I -was recovering, he was seized by severe sickness himself, which proved -fatal. - -He was anxious to see me before he died, and desired assistance that he -might be taken down stairs for the purpose. - -His attendants allowed him to do so, but he fainted in the attempt, and -was laid on the floor until he recovered, then raised and placed on the -sofa. - -I was then led into the room, and, seating myself beside him, he -grasped my hand, exclaiming: “My friend, do not leave me. I have a -brother in New York”—but his lips soon stiffened in death, and he was -unable to utter more. - -It was a severe shock to my nervous system, already prostrated by -trouble and illness, and I greatly missed his attention and care. - -No relative, or friend, was near to lay his weary head upon the -pillow; but we laid him to rest in the burial ground of Ellsworth with -sad hearts and great emotion. - -In the spring I went to the end of the road further west, with an -excursion party, to a place called Sheridan. On our return we stopped -at Fort Hays, where I met two Indians who recognized me, and I also -knew them. We conversed together. I learned they had a camp in the -vicinity, and they were skulking around, reconnoitering. They were -well treated here and very liberally dealt with. They inquired where I -lived; I told them way off, near to the rising sun. - -The next morning, when the train left town, the band, riding on -horseback, jumped the ditch, and looked into the windows of the cars, -hoping to see me. - -They told the people that I belonged to them, and they would take my -papoose and me way off to their own country; we were their property, -and must go with them. - -It was supposed that if I had been in the cars the Indians would have -attempted to take the train. - - - - - CHAPTER XXVI. - - ELIZABETH BLACKWELL—MORMON HOME—A BRUTAL FATHER—THE MOTHER - AND DAUGHTERS FLEE TO THE MOUNTAINS—DEATH OF THE MOTHER AND - SISTERS FROM EXPOSURE—ELIZABETH SAVED BY AN INDIAN—A WHITE - WOMAN TORTURED—RESCUED CHILDREN—THE BOXX FAMILY—CAPTURE OF - MRS. BLYNN. - - -Some few weeks after the events just related, I received a note from -a stranger, requesting me to call on her at the dwelling of a hunter, -where she was stopping. Her name was Elizabeth Blackwell, and emigrated -with her parents from England, who became proselytes of the ruling -prophet of Salt Lake City, where they remained until Elizabeth’s father -took another wife. This created trouble; words ensued, soon followed by -blows, and Elizabeth, in endeavoring to protect her mother, was struck -by her brute of a father with a knife, and one of her eyes destroyed. - -Being discouraged and broken-hearted, the wretched mother and daughters -(for Elizabeth had two sisters) resolved to escape. They wandered away -among the mountains, and, having no place of shelter, all perished -with the cold, except Elizabeth, who was found by the Indians, nearly -frozen to death. They lifted her up and carried her to camp, where they -gave her every attention requisite for restoration. - -She remained with the Indians until she was able to go east, where she -underwent the severe operation of having both legs amputated above the -knee. - -The treatment received from the Indians so attached her to them that -she prefers to live a forest life, and when she gave me her narrative, -she was on her way from the States to her Indian home. - -Her father soon wearied of his Mormon wife, and escaped to the Rocky -Mountains, where he became a noted highwayman. Hearing of Elizabeth’s -residence among the Indians, he visited her, and gave her a large sum -of money. The fate of his family had great effect on him, and remorse -drove him to desperation. - -The husband of Elizabeth took his second wife and Elizabeth’s child -from Salt Lake to Cincinnati, where they now live. - -She was twenty-six years old when I saw and conversed with her, a lady -of intelligence, and once possessed more than ordinary beauty. - -She had just received the news of her father’s death. He was killed -near Fort Dodge, Kansas. - -Elizabeth related to me many acts of cruelty she had witnessed among -the savages, one of which was to the following effect: - -A woman was brought into the camp on horseback, who had been captured -from a train, and an Indian who was attempting to lift her from the -horse, was shot in the act, by her own hand. This so enraged the -savages that they cut her body in gashes, filled them with powder, and -then set fire to it. - -The sight of the woman’s sufferings was too much for Elizabeth to -endure, and she begged the savages to put an end to the victim at once, -which accordingly was done. - -But although Elizabeth saw many heartless acts—many terrible -scenes—still she had a kindly feeling toward the Indians, for they -saved her from a horrible death by starvation and exposure, and had -been very tender with her. She was somewhat embittered toward the white -people, on account of her sufferings, and treatment. - -A short time after, General Sully invited me to Fort Harker, to see -two white captive children, a girl of fourteen and a boy of six. They -had been captured two years before, and the account of their treatment -given me by the girl, was any thing but favorable. The boy was as wild -as a deer. - -A Sioux woman at Fort Harker had taken these children into her own -family and cared for them as a mother. She was the daughter of a white -man, was born at Fort Laramie, and had married an interpreter by the -name of Bradley. She was quite intelligent, having been educated by her -husband. - -In January, 1868, two other children were captured in the State of -Texas by the Kiowah Indians. They were girls, aged five and three -years. Their parents and all the known relatives had been murdered, and -the children had been recently recovered from the Indians, and were in -the care of J. H. Leavenworth, United States Indian Agent. Having no -knowledge of their parentage, they were named Helen and Heloise Lincoln. - -Another interesting family was taken from Texas by the Indians, their -beautiful home destroyed, and all killed with the exception of the -mother and three daughters. - -Their name was Boxx. The ages of the children were respectively -eighteen, fourteen, and ten, and they were allowed to be together for a -time, but afterward were separated. - -They experienced great cruelties. The youngest was compelled to stand -on a bed of live coals, in order to torture the mother and sisters. - -Lieutenant Hesselberger, the noble and brave officer, whose name will -live forever in the hearts of the captives he rescued, heard of this -family, and, with a party of his brave men, went immediately to the -Indian village, and offered a reward for the captives, which at first -was declined, but he at length succeeded in purchasing the mother and -one girl; he afterward procured the release of the others. - -Lieutenant Hesselberger braved death in so doing, and his only -reward is the undying gratitude of those who owe their lives to his -self-sacrificing, humane devotion and courage. - -In the fall of 1868, the Indians commenced depredations on the frontier -of Kansas, and after many serious outbreaks, destroying homes and -murdering settlers, the Governor issued a call for volunteers to assist -General Sheridan in protecting the settlers and punishing the Indians. -Among those who volunteered was my youngest brother, and many of my old -schoolmates and friends from Geneva, who related to me the following -incidents, which are fully substantiated by General Sheridan and others. - -Mrs. Morgan, an accomplished and beautiful bride, and Miss White, an -educated young lady, were both taken from their homes by the Indians. -They were living on the Republican River. - -During their captivity they suffered much from the inclemency of the -weather, and it was March before they were released by General Sheridan. - -The troops, the Kansas boys, were all winter among the mountains, -endeavoring to protect the frontier. - -They suffered great privation, being obliged sometimes to live -on the meat of mules, and often needing food. All honor to these -self-sacrificing men, who braved the cold and hunger of the mountains -to protect the settlers on the frontier. - -A Mrs. Blynn, whose maiden name was Harrington, of Franklin County, -Kansas, who was married at the age of nineteen, and started with her -young husband for the Pacific coast, was taken prisoner by the Indians -and suffered terrible brutality. - -About that time the savages had become troublesome on the plains, -attacking every wagon-train, killing men and capturing women. But the -train in which Mr. Blynn and his wife traveled was supposed to be very -strong, and able to repel any attack made upon them, should there be -any such trouble. - -Mrs. Blynn had a presentiment of evil—of the fate of their unfortunate -company, and her own dark impending destiny, in a dream, the -realization of which proved too true. - -When she related her dream to her husband, he tried to laugh away her -superstitious fears, and prevent its impression on her mind. - -It was not many days after that a large number of warriors of the Sioux -tribe were seen in the distance, and the people of the train arranged -themselves in a shape for attack. - -The Indians, seeing this preparation, and, fearing a powerful -resistance, fired a few shots, and, with yells of rage and -disappointment, went off. - -Within the succeeding days the travelers saw Indians, but they did not -come near enough to make trouble. - -Confident of no disturbance or hinderance to their journey, the happy -emigrants journeyed on fearless (comparatively) of the red skins, and -boasting of their power. - -But the evil hour at last approached. When the column had reached Sand -Creek, and was in the act of crossing, suddenly the wild yells of -Indians fell upon their ears, and soon a band of Cheyennes charged down -upon them. - -Two wagons had already got into the stream, and, instead of hastening -the others across, and thus putting the creek between themselves and -their pursuers, the whites drove the two back out of the water, and, -entangled in the others, threw every thing in confusion. This confusion -is just what the Indians like, and they began whooping, shouting, and -firing furiously, in order to cause a stampede of the live-stock. - -In five minutes all was accomplished; all the animals, except those -well fastened to the wagons, were dashing over the prairie. The Indians -then circled around and fired a volley of bullets and arrows. Mr. Blynn -was killed at the second fire, while standing before the wagon in which -were his wife and child. - -“God help them!” was all he said, as, firing his rifle at the Indians -for the last time, he sank down dead. - -The men returned the fire for awhile, then fled, leaving their wounded, -all their wagons, and the women and children in the hands of the -relentless victors. - -Santana, who led the band, sprang in first, followed by his braves, -whom he ordered to let the cowardly pale faces run away without pursuit. - -The dead and wounded were scalped, and the women and children taken -captive. All were treated with brutal conduct; and, having secured all -the plunder they could, the savages set fire to every wagon, and, with -the horses they had taken from the train, set out in the direction of -their villages. - -Mrs. Blynn’s child, Willie, two years old, cried very much, which so -enraged Santana that he seized him by the heels, and was ready to dash -out his brains, but the poor mother, in her agony, sprang forward, -caught the child, and fought so bravely with the infuriated murderer, -that he laughed, and told her to keep it; for he feared she would fret -if he killed it. - -Mounted on a pony, her child in her arms, she endeavored to please her -savage captor by appearing satisfied, dwelling on the hope that some -event would occur, whereby she might be rescued and restored to her -friends. It was for her darling child that she endeavored to keep up -her heart and resolve to live. - -When they arrived at Santana’s village, Mrs. Blynn was left alone of -all the seven who were taken. Group after group dropped away from the -main body, taking with them the women whom they had prisoners. - -Her hardships soon commenced. For a day or two she was fed -sufficiently; but afterward all that she had to eat she got from the -squaws in the same lodge with her; and, as they were jealous of her, -they often refused to give her any thing, either for herself or Willie. - -An Indian girl, in revenge for an injury done her by Santana, the -murder of her best friend, became a spy for General Sheridan, and -endeavored by every means in her power to rescue Mrs. Blynn from the -grasp of these savages; but her efforts were unsuccessful. She was a -true friend to the unfortunate lady, giving her food, and endeavoring -to cheer her with the promise of rescue and safe deliverance. - -The squaws abused her shamefully in the absence of Santana, burning her -with sharp sticks and splinters of resinous wood, and inflicting the -most excruciating tortures upon her. Her face, breasts, and limbs were -one mass of wounds. Her precious little one was taken by the hair of -the head and punished with a stick before her helpless gaze. - -Mrs. Blynn, the captive, previous to this torture, had written a letter -to the general commanding the department, whoever he might be, and sent -it by the Indian girl. - -We insert a copy of this letter, which is sufficient to draw tears from -the eye of any one who may read it. - - “KIOWAH VILLAGE, ON THE WASHITA RIVER. } - Saturday, _November 7, 1868_. } - - “KIND FRIEND: - - “Whoever you may be, if you will only buy us from the Indians with - ponies or any thing, and let me come and stay with you until I can - get word to my friends, they will pay you well; and I will work for - you also, and do all I can for you. - - “If it is not too far to this village, and you are not afraid to - come, I pray you will try. - - “The Indians tell me, as near as I can understand, they expect - traders to come, to whom they will sell us. Can you find out by - the bearer, and let me know if they are white men? If they are - Mexicans, I am afraid they will sell us into slavery in Mexico. - - “If you can do nothing for me, write, for God’s sake! to W. T. - Harrington, Ottawa, Franklin County, Kansas—my father. Tell him we - are with the Kiowahs, or Cheyennes; and they say when the white men - make peace we can go home. - - “Tell him to write to the Governor of Kansas about it, and for them - to make peace. Send this to him, please. - - “We were taken on October 9th, on the Arkansas, below Fort Lyon. My - name is Mrs. Clara Blynn. My little boy, Willie Blynn, is two years - old. - - “Do all you can for me. Write to the Peace Commissioners to make - peace this fall. For our sake do all you can, and God will bless - you for it! - - “If you can let me hear from you, let me know what you think about - it. Write to my father. Send him this. Good-by! - - “MRS. R. F. BLYNN. - - “P. S.—I am as well as can be expected, but my baby, my darling, - darling little Willie, is very weak. O, God! help him! Save him, - kind friend, even if you can not save me. Again, good-by.” - - • • • • • - -Mrs. Blynn passed her time in drudgery, hoping against hope up to the -morning of the battle, when General Sheridan’s gallant soldiers, under -the command of General Custer, came charging with loud huzzahs upon the -village. - -Black Kettle’s camp was the first attacked, though all the village was, -of course, aroused. - -The heart of Mrs. Blynn must have beat wildly, mingling with hope and -dread, when she heard the noise and firing, and saw the United States -soldiers charging upon her captors. - -Springing forward, she exclaimed: “Willie, Willie, saved at last!” but -the words were scarce on her lips, ere the tomahawk of the revengeful -Santana was buried in her brain; and in another instant little Willie -was in the grasp of the monster, and his head dashed against a tree; -then, lifeless, he was thrown upon the dying mother’s breast, whose -arms instinctively closed around the dead baby boy, as though she -would protect him to the last moment of her life. - -General Sheridan and his staff, in searching for the bodies of Major -Elliott and his comrades, found these among the white soldiers, and -they were tenderly carried to Fort Cobb, where, in a grave outside the -stockade, mother and child lie sleeping peacefully, their once bruised -spirits having joined the loved husband and father in the land where -captivity is unknown. - -Surely, if heaven is gained by the sorrows of earth, this little family -will enjoy the brightest scenes of the celestial world. - - - - - CHAPTER XXVII. - - MOVE TO WYOMING—FALSE FRIENDS—THE MANUSCRIPT OF MY NARRATIVE - TAKEN BY ANOTHER PARTY AND PUBLISHED—I GO TO WASHINGTON. - - -Mr. Kelly’s sudden death, my own sickness, and the scourge of cholera, -all coming at one time, proved disastrous to me in a pecuniary way. I -was defrauded in every way, even to the robbing of my husband’s body -of the sum of five hundred dollars the day of his death. However, I -finally disposed of the remnant of property left, and started for -Wyoming, where lived the only persons beside myself who survived the -attack on our train. They had prospered, and in a spirit of kindness, -as I then thought, invited and prevailed on me to share their home. - -It proved a most disastrous move for me. My leisure hours, since my -release from captivity, had been devoted to preparing for publication, -in book form, a narrative of my experience and adventures among the -Indians, and it was completed. The manuscript was surreptitiously -taken, and a garbled, imperfect account of my captivity issued as the -experience of my false friend, who, by the aid of an Indian, escaped -after a durance of only one day and night. - -[Illustration: Red Cloud, the Orator Sioux Chief.] - -I remained in Wyoming one year, then started for Washington, resolved -to present a claim to the Government for losses sustained at the hands -of the Indians. I knew what difficulties beset my path, but duty to my -child urged me on, and I was not without some hope of success. - -After learning of my captivity through Captain Fisk, President Lincoln -had issued orders to the different military commanders that my freedom -from the Indians must be purchased at any price; and my sad story -was well known to the then existing authorities when I arrived in -Washington. - -President Grant, learning through a friend from Colorado of my -presence, sent for me, and assured me of his warmest sympathy. He was -cognizant of what had already transpired relative to me, and told me -the papers were on file in the War Department, in charge of General -Sherman. - -In presenting my claim, many difficulties had to be encountered; but -members of Congress, realizing that some compensation was due me, and -understanding the delay that would result from a direct application to -the Indian Bureau, introduced a bill appropriating to me five thousand -dollars for valuable services rendered the Government in saving Captain -Fisk’s train from destruction, and by timely warning saving Fort Sully -from pillage, and its garrison from being massacred. This was done -without my having any knowledge of it until after the bill had passed -both houses of Congress and become a law. - -During my stay in Washington, Red Cloud, and a delegation of chiefs and -head warriors from the different tribes of the Dakota or Sioux nation, -arrived. They all recognized me as once having been with their people, -and seemed quite rejoiced at the meeting. - -Some of the good Christian people of the city extended to the Indians, -through me, an invitation to attend church one Sabbath, which I made -known to Red Cloud, telling him of the great organ, the fine music they -would hear, and of the desire the good people had to benefit their -souls. - -Red Cloud replied with dignity that he did not have to go to the big -house to talk to the Great Spirit; he could sit in his tipi or room, -and the Great Spirit would listen. The Great Spirit was not where the -big music was. No, he would not go. - -None of the Indians accepted the invitation; but some of the squaws -went, escorted to the church in elegant carriages; but they soon -left in disgust. The dazzling display of fine dresses, the beautiful -church, and the “big music”—none of these had interest for them, if -unaccompanied by a feast. - -I attended several of the councils held with the Indians. At one of -them, Red Cloud addressed Secretary Cox and Commissioner Parker in a -lengthy speech on the subject of his grievances, in which he referred -to me as follows. Pointing me out to the Secretary and Commissioner, he -said: - -“Look at that woman; she was captured by Silver Horn’s party. I wish -you to pay her what her captors owe her. I am a man true to what I say, -and want to keep my promise. I speak for all my nation. The Indians -robbed that lady there, and through your influence I want her to be -paid out of the first money due us.” Placing his finger first upon the -breast of the Secretary and then of the Commissioner, as if to add -emphasis to what he was about to say, he added, “Pay her out of our -money; do not give the money into any but her own hands; then the right -one will get it.” - -In one of my interviews with the chiefs, Red Cloud, Spotted Tail, and -others desired me to get up a paper setting forth my claims against -their people, and they would sign it. I accordingly made out a bill -of items and presented it to them, with my affidavit, and a statement -setting forth the circumstances of capture and robbery, which was fully -explained to them by their interpreter. - -This document the chiefs representing the different bands signed -readily. It is inserted elsewhere, with other documents corroborative -of the truth of this narrative. It is also signed by another -delegation of chiefs I met in New York. - -With this last interview with the delegation of Indians I met in New -York ends, I trust forever, my experience with Indians. The preparation -of the manuscript for this plain, simple narrative of facts in my -experience, has not been without its pangs. It has seemed, while -writing it, as if with the narration of each incident, I was living -over again the fearful life I led while a captive; and often have I -laid aside the pen to get rid of the feelings which possessed me. But -my task is completed; and with the ending of this chapter, I hope to -lay aside forever all regretful remembrances of my captivity, and, -looking only at the silvery lining to be found in every cloud, enjoy -the happiness which every one may find in child-like trust in Him who -ordereth all things well. - - - - - CHAPTER XXVIII. - - GENERAL SULLY’S EXPEDITION. - - -During the summer of 1864, and while I was a prisoner with the Indians, -an expedition, composed of Iowa and Minnesota volunteers, with a few -independent companies of Nebraska and Dakota men, with one company of -friendly Indians of various tribes, started from Fort Sully, in Dakota, -with the double purpose, under instructions from the War Department, -of escorting a large emigrant train safely through the Indian country -on their way to Idaho, and, if possible, to inflict such punishment on -the hostile bands they might meet as would make them willing to sue for -peace. - -The expedition was commanded by General Alfred Sully, of the United -States Army, a brave, skillful officer, and veteran Indian fighter, -having spent the best part of twenty-five years’ service on the -frontier. He was a captain of infantry under General Harney, in -his memorable campaign of 1857, and was present at the battle of -Ash Hollow, where Harney surprised a large band of Indians, with -their families, who were slaughtered indiscriminately, inflicting -such punishment as made the name of General Harney a terror to the -Indians, and, at the same time, brought upon his head the execration -of thin-skinned philanthropists, who thought savages—the “noble red -men” of their imagination—should be conquered only by a sugarplum and -rose-water policy. - -For many interesting particulars of this expedition, and its bearing -upon some of the incidents of my captivity and final ransom, I -am indebted to the correspondence of one who was a member of the -expedition, written to his family during its progress. - -The first day’s march carries the command to the Cheyenne River, where -the topographical engineer, to whom I have referred, was killed. His -fate was sad, indeed. An officer in the regular army, he served with -distinction in the South during the rebellion, participating in over -fifty battles, and passing through all without a wound. He was captured -by the rebels, paroled, and sent to join General Sully’s expedition, to -make a topographical survey of the country. - -Having faced danger on many a well-contested field, he held the Indian -in utter contempt, and roamed the country along the line of march with -reckless indifference to danger. - -A short time before reaching the place where the command intended to -go into camp, Captain Fielner started in advance, accompanied by only -one man, a half-breed. Reaching the river, they dismounted, and were -about fastening their horses to graze near a grove of wild plum-trees, -when two Indians stepped out, and one of them shot Captain Fielner, -the ball from his rifle passing through both arms and the breast. The -advance guard arriving soon after, word was sent back to General Sully, -who ordered the company of Dakota Cavalry to deploy and occupy so much -of the country as to make it impossible for the Indians to escape. This -was done, and, closing toward a center, the two savages were found in a -“buffalo wallow,” a depression in the ground made by the buffaloes, and -forming a very good rifle-pit. Being addressed in their own language, -they refused to surrender, and were shot. General Sully afterward had -their heads cut off: and when the command left camp next morning, they -graced two pointed stakes on the bank of the river, placed there as a -warning to all straggling Indians. - -The feeling manifested by General Sully on the occasion of Captain -Fielner’s death was intense. A brave officer, a scientific scholar, -and a gentleman of rare social qualities, he had won upon the kindlier -feelings of his associates in rank, and was respected by all. His -untimely death was sincerely mourned by the whole command. - -Death by the hand of the enemy had seldom touched that little army—so -seldom, that when a companion failed to answer at roll-call, his -absence was felt. The only other officer killed during the three -years of General Sully’s operations against the Indians was Lieutenant -Thomas K. Leavitt, of Company B, Sixth Iowa Cavalry. At the battle -of Whitestone Hill, in September, 1863, after the Indians had been -utterly routed, Lieutenant Leavitt went through their deserted camp on -foot, his horse having been shot under him; and, approaching a buffalo -robe, raised it with the point of his saber, revealing an Indian and -squaw, who sprang upon him so suddenly that he had no opportunity to -defend himself, and, with their knives, stabbed him in several places. -Darkness came on, and, separated from his companions, stripped of his -clothing, and wounded mortally, he was all night exposed to bitter -cold. Despite his wounds, he crawled over the ground fully a half mile, -was found next morning, and conveyed to camp, where he died soon after. -A young man of superior education, of a wealthy family, he relinquished -a lucrative position in a bank, and enlisted as a private, but was soon -promoted to a lieutenancy; and, at the time of his death, was acting -Adjutant-General on General Sully’s staff. - -The emigrant train to be escorted by General Sully’s command came -across from Minnesota, and were met at a point on the Missouri River -about four hundred miles above Sioux City. Here the whole party crossed -to the west bank of the Missouri, where they went into camp, and -remained long enough to recruit their jaded animals, preparatory to a -long and fatiguing march into an almost unknown wilderness, jealously -guarded by a savage foe. - -During this halt, Fort Rice, now one of the most important -fortifications on the Missouri River, was built, and, when the march -was resumed, a considerable portion of the command was left to garrison -it. - -Here, also, General Sully learned that all the tribes of the Sioux -nation had congregated in the vicinity of Knife River, determined to -resist his passage through their country, and confident that superior -numbers would enable them to annihilate the whole expedition, and gain -a rich booty in horses and goods, to say nothing of the hundreds of -scalp-locks they hoped to win as trophies of their prowess. - -About the middle of July the expedition took up its march westward, and -after a few days reached Heart River. Meantime, information had been -received, from Indians employed as scouts, that the enemy had gathered -in strong force at a place called Ta-ka-a-ku-ta, or Deer Woods, -about eighty miles to the northwest, and that distance out of the -proposed route of the expedition. Accordingly, General Sully ordered -the emigrant train and heavy army wagons corralled, rifle-pits were -dug, and, as the emigrants were generally well armed, it was deemed -necessary to leave only a small force of cavalry to protect them in -case of attack. - -Putting the balance of the command in light marching order, leaving -behind tents and all other articles not absolutely necessary, the -little band of determined men started for the camp of the enemy. -Although the Indians were aware of the contemplated attack, such was -the celerity of General Sully’s movements, he came within sight of -their camp at least twenty-four hours sooner than they thought it -possible the distance could be accomplished, taking the Indians by -surprise, they not having time, as is their custom, to remove their -property and women and children beyond the reach of danger. - -I was present with this body of Indians when the white soldiers—my -countrymen—came in sight. Alternating between hope and fear, -my feelings can be better imagined than described. I hoped for -deliverance, yet feared disaster and death to that little army. - -At 1 o’clock in the afternoon the fight commenced, and raged, with -great fury, until night closed on the scene of conflict, leaving the -whites masters of the field and in possession of the Indian camp. - -Early in the day, I, with the women and children and old men, and such -property as could be gathered in our hasty flight, was sent off so as -to be out of the way, not to impede the flight of the Indians in case -of defeat. - -This was a terrible blow to the Indians. About eight thousand of them -were gathered there, and their village, with all their property -(except their horses and dogs), including all the stores of provisions -they had gathered for the winter, were lost. Without shelter, without -food, driven into a barren, desolate region, devoid of game, death from -starvation seemed inevitable. - -Early next morning pursuit was commenced, but after a march of about -five miles was abandoned, as the country beyond was impassable for -cavalry. Returning to the scene of the previous day’s battle, General -Sully spent several hours in destroying the property abandoned by the -Indians in their flight. Lodge poles were piled together and fired, -and into the flames was cast furs, robes, tents, provisions, and every -thing that fell into the hands of the soldiers. - -That night the command camped about six miles from, but within sight -of, the battle-ground, going into camp early in the afternoon. Picket -guards were stationed on the hills, three at a post, and soon after -the camp was thrown into commotion by the appearance of one of the -guard dashing toward camp, at the full speed of his horse, with Indians -in pursuit. His companions, worn out with the arduous service of the -preceding three days, had laid down to sleep, and before the one -remaining on guard could give the alarm, a body of Indians was close -upon them. Discharging his rifle to arouse his companions, he had -barely time to reach his horse and escape. The bodies of the other two -were found next day horribly mutilated; and that night, being within -sight of the battle-ground, the firelight revealed the forms of a large -body of savages dancing around the burning ruins of their own homes. - -Returning to Heart River, General Sully took the emigrants again in -charge, and resumed the march toward Idaho. - -Traversing a country diversified and beautiful as the sun ever shone -upon, presenting at every turn pictures of natural beauty, such as no -artist ever represented on canvas, the expedition at last struck the -“Mauvais Terra,” or Bad Lands, a region of the most wildly desolate -country conceivable. No pen of writer, nor brush of painter, can give -the faintest idea of its awful desolation. - -As the command halted upon the confines of this desert, the mind -naturally reverted to political descriptions of the infernal regions -reached in other days. - -The Bad Lands of Dakota extend from the confluence of the Yellow Stone -and Missouri Rivers toward the southwest, a distance of about one -hundred miles, and are from twenty-five to forty miles in width. The -foot of white man had never trod these wilds before. - -The first day’s march into this desert carried the expedition ten miles -only, consuming ten hours of time, and leaving the forces four miles -from, and within sight of, the camp, they left in the morning. On the -7th of August, the advance guard were attacked in the afternoon by a -large party of Indians. After a toilsome march of many days, a valley -in the wilderness was reached, presenting an opportunity for rest, and -here the first vegetation was found for the famished horses. In this -valley the troops camped; the advance guard were brought back, having -suffered some from the attack of the ambushed savages. - -Next day commenced one of the most memorable battles ever fought with -Indians in the whole experience of the Government. The whole Dakota -nation, including the supposed friendly tribes, was concentrated there, -and numbered fully eight thousand warriors. Opposed to them was a mere -handful, comparatively, of white men. But they were led by one skilled -in war, and who knew the foe he had to contend against. - -For three days the fight raged, and, finally, on the night of the -third day, and after a toilsome march of ten days through the “Bad -Lands,” the command reached a broad, open country, where the savages -made a final, desperate stand to drive the invaders back. They were -the wild Dakotians, who had seen but little of the white settlements, -and had a contemptuous opinion. But a new lesson was to be learned, -and it cost them dearly. They had seen guns large and small, but the -little mountain howitzers, from which shells were sent among them, -they could not comprehend, and asked the Indian scouts accompanying -the expedition if all the wagons “shot twice.” Terrible punishment was -inflicted upon the Indians in that three days’ fight. - -At the close of the second day, the brigade wagon-master reported that -he had discovered the tracks of a white woman, and believed the Indians -held one captive. This was the first intimation General Sully received -of my captivity, and, not having received from the western posts any -report of captures by Indians, thought it must be some half-breed woman -who wore the foot gear of civilization. - -But the sympathetic nature of that brave, noble General was stirred to -its depths, when his Indian scouts brought in the report that they had -talked with the hostile foe, and they had tauntingly said, “we have a -white woman captive.” - -The Indians were badly whipped, and having accomplished that portion -of his mission, General Sully went on with his emigrant train to the -Yellow Stone River, and beyond that there were long, toilsome marches, -but no battles. - -Early in October the command arrived opposite Fort Rice, and went -into camp. The tents of the little band of white warriors were hardly -pitched before word came that Captain Fisk, with a large party of -emigrants and a small escort of soldiers, had been attacked by a large -party of Indians; had corralled their train, and could not move, but -were on the defensive, and were confident of holding out until relief -should come. They were distant about one hundred and eighty miles, and -the sympathetic nature of the veteran, while it condemned the action of -his junior officer, thrilled with an earnest desire to save the women -and children of that apparently doomed train. - -A detail of men from each company of the command was made, and -Captain Fisk and his train of emigrants rescued from their perilous -situation. Here was received proof positive of the fact that a white -woman was held captive by the Indians; and while every man would have -been willing to risk his life for her rescue, and many applications -were made to the General for permission to go out on expeditions for -that purpose, he had already adopted such measures as must secure her -release. - -Friendly Indians who had accompanied the expedition were sent out to -visit the various tribes, to assure them of an earnest desire on the -part of the whites for peace, and invite them to meet at Fort Sully to -make a treaty. The result was that about the latter part of October -the vicinity of the fort presented an unusual appearance of animation. -Several bands had come in, in anticipation of the big feast that had -hitherto preceded all talks. Their disappointment may be imagined when -they were told that no talk would be had, nor any feast given, until -they brought in the white woman. Their protestations, that she was not -their captive, and that they could not get her from the band who held -her, were of no avail, and, at length, Tall Soldier, who was thought to -be friendly, called for volunteers to go with him for the white woman. -About one hundred Indians responded, and the assurance was given that -they would get the captive, if even at the expense of a fight with -those they went to take her from. - -Weeks of painful suspense passed, and then came a letter from the -captive woman, brought by an Indian, in which warning was given of -an intent to capture the fort and murder the garrison. The warning -was acted upon; and when, on the 12th day of December, a large body -of Indians appeared on the bluffs overlooking the fort, that little -band of not more than two hundred men was prepared to give them a warm -reception should they come with hostile intent. Not only were arms in -prime condition, but every heart beat with high resolve. - -When the cavalcade drew up in front of the fort, and the captive woman, -with about twelve of her immediate savage attendants, had passed -through the gates, they were ordered closed, shutting out the main -body, and leaving them exposed to a raking fire from the guns in the -bastions. - -But no attack was made. The Indians seemed to know that the little -band of soldiers were prepared, and went quietly into camp, on an -island opposite the fort. Next day a council was held, and the terms -of the captives surrender agreed upon. Three unserviceable horses, -to replace ponies left with the Ogalallas by the Blackfeet, as a -pledge for the captives return; also, fifty dollars worth of presents, -some provisions, and a promise of a treaty when General Sully should -return. The Indians remained about the fort nearly two weeks, and -during that time efforts were made to induce the captive woman to -leave the fort and visit them at their lodges, doubtless with the -design of recapturing her. After making the captive some presents, -they bade adieu. Two months later they returned, apparently very much -disappointed when they found the captive had left for her home. They -were soon again upon the war path. - - - - - DEDICATED TO MRS. FANNY KELLY. - - BY A SOLDIER. - - - In early youth, far in the distant west, - With gentle steps the fragrant fields you pressed; - Then joy rebounded in thy youthful heart, - Nor thought of care, or trouble, bore no part. - The morn of life, whose sky seems ever bright, - And distant hills are tinged with crimson light, - When hope, bright hope, by glowing fancies driven, - Fill’d thy young heart with raptured thoughts of heaven - ’Twas there, ’neath yonder glorious western sky, - Where noble forests wave their heads on high, - And gentle zephyrs, filled with rich perfume, - Swept o’er vast prairies in undying bloom; - And there where silvery lakes and rippling streams - Go murmuring through the hills and valleys green, - And birds sing gayly, as they soar along, - In gentle notes, their ever-welcome song. - ’Twas there was passed thy youthful life away, - And all became a dread reality; - Then woo’d and wedded to the one you loved, - As partner of thy life all else above; - To share thy brightest hopes, or gloomy fears, - Or mingle in thy smiles, or gushing tears; - To be to thee a constant bosom friend, - Faithful and true till life’s last hours should end: - Those days and years so pleasantly passed by, - No tears of grief—thy bosom knew no sigh; - But, ah! those days, those halcyon days, are past, - Those sunny hours, they were too sweet to last! - For far out o’er the broadest prairie plain, - Onward you pressed a distant home to gain. - Days, even weeks, so pleasantly passed o’er, - That mem’ry brought back those sweet days of yore; - Those days of thy youth for which you did sigh, - But ne’er did ye think that some soon should die. - For days of sadness, those days that come to all, - From the humblest cot to the palace hall, - When gathering darkness cloud the clear, blue sky, - Our brightest prospects all in ruin lie. - While gathering round the camp at close of day, - As the sun shed forth her last but lingering ray, - The war-whoop of the Sioux Indian band - Was heard; “They come,” and all surrounded stand. - A moment more, and then around thee lay, - As the dark smoke had cleared itself away, - The lifeless forms of those in horror slain, - And thou, alas! the only one remain. - No bosom friend, no counselor is near, - To sooth thy troubled breast, or quell thy fear. - Those dearest by all earthly ties are fled, - And you, a captive, stand among the dead; - For months in bondage to this savage band, - With none to rescue from his cruel hand, - To rove with them o’er prairies far and wild, - Far from thy husband and thy murdered child. - No star of hope, nor sun’s resplendent light, - Sends down one gleam upon this fearful night; - No power to pierce the dark and hidden gloom, - That veils the heart while in this earthly tomb. - But, lo! a change, a wondrous change, to thee! - Once held a captive, but now from bondage free. - The great Jehovah reigns; His arm is strong, - He sets the captive free, though waiteth long, - And turns the darkest hours of midnight gloom, - Into the effulgent brightness of noon. - - W. S. V. H. - - - - - CERTIFICATE OF INDIAN CHIEFS. - - -Personally appeared before me, a Notary Public for the District of -Columbia, Mrs. Fanny Kelly, who is at this time a citizen of the State -of Kansas, and being duly sworn, deposes and says: - -That in the year 1864, she started from Geneva, Allen County, Kansas, -for the purpose of settling with her husband and family in Montana, and -for this purpose she with her husband took all the goods and chattels -they had, which are enumerated below, with amount and value. - -She further says she is now a widow and has a family to support. - -But she was for many months a prisoner, and taken captive by a band of -the Sioux Indians, at the time at war with the white people, and with -the United States, as follows: On the 12th day of July, 1864, while on -the usually traveled road across the plains, and west of Fort Laramie, -she, with her husband and family, with several other persons, were -attacked by these Indians, and five of the party were killed, while she -was taken captive. That the Indians took or destroyed all they had. She -was a captive for five months, suffered hardships and taunts, and was -finally delivered to the military authorities of the United States in -Dakota, at Fort Sully. - -That the following is a statement of their goods and effects, including -stock, as near as she can remember. The whole account was made out and -placed, as she is informed, in the hands of Dr. Burleigh, late delegate -from Dakota, but which she can not find at this time. The amount and -the leading items she knows to be as follows: - - • • • • • - - FANNY KELLY - -Subscribed and sworn to before me, this 24th day of February, A. D. -1870. - - JAS. H. MCKENNEY, Notary Public, - Washington County, D. C. - - CITY OF WASHINGTON, } - District of Columbia, } - June 9th, 1870. } - -We, the undersigned, chiefs and head men of the Dakota or Sioux -Indians, do hereby acknowledge and certify to the facts set forth -in the foregoing affidavit of Mrs. Fanny Kelly, as to her captivity -and to the destruction of her property by members of our nation. We -acknowledge the justness of her claim against us for the loss of her -goods, and desire that the same may be paid her out of any moneys -now due our nation, or that may become due us by annuity or by any -appropriation made by Congress; and we would respectfully request that -the amount as set forth in the foregoing bill be paid to Mrs. Fanny -Kelly by the Department, out of any funds that may now or hereafter -belong to us. - - SPOTTED ✕ TAIL, - Chief of Brule Sioux. - - SWIFT ✕ BEAR, - Chief of Brule Sioux. - - FAST ✕ BEAR, - Warrior, Brule Sioux. - - YELLOW ✕ HAIR, - Warrior, Brule Sioux. - -I certify that I was present when the above statement was signed by -said Brule Sioux chiefs and warriors, and that the same was fully -explained to them before they subscribed to same by the interpreter. - - CHAS. E. GUERU, - Sioux Interpreter. - - WASHINGTON, D. C., June 9, 1870. - - Witnessed by: - DEWITT C. POOLE, - Captain U. S. Army, and Agent for Sioux Indians. - - RED ✕ CLOUD, - RED ✕ DOG, - ROCKY ✕ BEAR, - LONG ✕ WOLF, - SWORD ✕ - SETTING ✕ BEAR, - LITTLE ✕ BEAR, - YELLOW ✕ - -I certify that I was present when the above statement was signed by the -Ogalalla chiefs and warriors, and that the same was fully explained to -them before they subscribed to the same by the interpreter. - - JOHN RICHARD. - - Witness: - JUELS COFFEY. - - WASHINGTON, D. C., June 11, 1870. - - LITTLE ✕ SWAN, - PRETTY ✕ BEAR, - BLACK ✕ TOMAHAWK, - RED ✕ FEATHER. - -I certify on honor that I was present when the above statement was -signed by the said chiefs and warriors of the Minnicconyon and Saus -Arcs bands of Sioux Indians, and that the same was fully explained to -them by - - his - BAZEL ✕ CLEMENS, - mark. - Interpreter. - - Witness: - M. A. VAN ZANDT. - - GEO. M. RANDALL, - Capt. and Brvt. Maj. U. S. A., - Indian Agent. - - NEW YORK, July 14, 1870. - - - - - CERTIFIED COPIES OF MY CORRESPONDENCE WITH CAPTAIN FISK. - - - WASHINGTON, D. C., January 13, 1865. - - L. THOMAS, Adjutant General, U. S. A., - Washington, D. C. - -GENERAL: - - • • • • • - -We made our start from Fort Ridgley, where I had received the kindest -attentions and important favors from the officers in charge, on the -afternoon of the 15th of July. - - • • • • • - - THE TRUCE—A CAPTIVE WHITE WOMAN. - -Soon there was a gathering of what appeared to be all the Indians -about, on an eminence of prairie one mile away, and in full sight of -the camp. There came from the crowd three unarmed warriors toward the -train, holding up a white flag which they planted in the ground about -seven hundred yards off, and then retired. - -This was an unexpected phase to the affair. While we were making extra -preparations for war, there came a truce. I sent Mitchell, my brave and -efficient officer of the guard, with two Sioux half-bred interpreters -to ascertain the meaning of this overture. They found, on reaching the -ground, a letter stuck in a stick, and directed to me. Without pausing -to converse with the Indians, who were a few rods distant, my assistant -returned to camp with the letter. That letter appeared to have been -written by a white woman, a captive in the hands of the Indians, and -read as follows: - - “Makatunke says he will not fight wagons, for they have been - fighting two days. They had many killed by the goods they brought - into camp. They tell me what to write. I do not understand them. I - was taken by them July 12. They say for the soldiers to give forty - head of cattle. - - “Hehutalunca says he fights not, but they have been fighting. Be - kind to them, and try to free me, for mercy’s sake. - - “I was taken by them July 12. - - (Signed) “MRS. KELLY.” - - “Buy me if you can, and you will be satisfied. They have killed - many whites. Help me if you can. - - “Unkpapas (they put words in, and I have to obey) they say for the - wagons they are fighting for them to go on. But I fear the result - of this battle. The Lord have mercy on you. Do not move.” - -I replied to this letter as follows: - - “MRS. KELLY: - - “If you are really a white woman captive in the hands of these - Indians, I shall be glad to buy you and restore you to your - friends, and if a few unarmed Indians will deliver you at the place - where your letter was received, I will send there for them three - good American horses, and take you to our camp. - - “I can not allow any party of Indians, few or many, to come to my - train, or camp, while in this country. - - “Tell them I shall move when I get ready, and halt as long as - I think proper. I want no advice or favor from the Indians who - attacked, but am prepared to fight them as long as they choose to - make war. I do not, in the least, fear the result of this battle. - - “Hoping that you may be handed to us at once for the offer I have - made, - - “I am truly, - (Signed) “JAS. L. FISK, Capt. Comd’g.” - -The above letter was sent back by the Indian messenger, and we awaited -the result. In the afternoon we received the following reply: - - “I am truly a white woman, and now in sight of your camp, but they - will not let me go. They say they will not fight, but don’t trust - them. They say, ‘How d’ye do.’ They say they want you to give them - sugar, coffee, flour, gunpowder, but give them nothing till you can - see me for yourself, but induce them, taking me first. They want - four wagons, and they will stop fighting. They want forty cattle - to eat; I have to write what they tell me. They want you to come - here—you know better than that. His name Chatvaneo and the other’s - name Porcupine. Read to yourself, some of them can talk English. - They say this is their ground. They say, ‘Go home and come back - no more.’ The Fort Laramie soldiers have been after me, but they - (the Indians) run so; and they say they want knives and axes and - arrow-iron to shoot buffalo. Tell them to wait and go to town, and - they can get them. I would give them any thing for liberty. Induce - them to show me before you give any thing. They are very anxious - for you to move now. Do not, I implore you, for your life’s sake. - - “FANNY KELLY. - - “My residence formerly Geneva, Allen County, Kansas.” - -I returned by the Indian the following reply: - - “DEAR MADAM: - - “Your second communication convinces me that you are what you - profess to be, a captive white woman, and you may be assured that - myself and my party are eager for release, but for the present - I can not accede to the demands, or gratify the wants of your - captors. We are sent on an important trust and mission, by order of - the great War Chief at Washington, westward to the mountain region, - with a small party of well-armed and determined men, feeling - entirely capable of defending ourselves; but we are not a war - party, and our train is not intended for war purposes. Powder and - shot we have, but no presents for the hostile Indians. - - “I am an officer of the Government, but am not authorized, by my - instructions to give any thing but destruction to Indians who try - to stop me on my march. However, I will, for your release, give - three of my own horses, some flour, sugar, and coffee, or a load of - supplies. Tell the Indians to go back for the night, and to-morrow - at noon, if they will send you with five men to deliver you to my - soldiers on the mound we occupied to-day, their main body not to - advance beyond their present position, I will hand over to them the - horses and provisions, which they will be permitted to take away to - their headquarters. - - “Should there be occasion, the same opportunity for communicating - will be granted to-morrow. - - “The Great Spirit tells me that you will yet be safely returned to - your friends, and that all wrongs that have been committed on the - defenseless and innocent shall be avenged. - - “In warmest sympathy, I am, Madam, - - “JAS. L. FISK, - “Capt. and A. Q. M. U. S. A.” - - • • • • • - - With high regard, I have the honor to be, - Yours, very truly, - JAS. L. FISK, - Capt. and A. Q. M. Commanding Expedition. - - ADJUTANT GENERAL’S OFFICE, } - WASHINGTON, March 17, 1870. } - OFFICIAL EXTRACT. } - - WM. BEECH, - Assistant Adjutant General. - - - - - STATEMENT OF LIEUTENANT G. A. HESSELBERGER. - - - WASHINGTON, D. C., Feb’y 16, 1870. - - To the Hon. JAMES HARLAN, - Chairman Com. Ind. Affairs, U. S. Senate. - - SIR: - - I have the honor to make the following statement in relation to the - captivity and release of Mrs. Fanny Kelly. - - In the summer of 1864, an expedition under the command of General - Alfred Sully, U. S. A., started against the hostile Sioux in - Dakota Territory, of which expedition I was a member, being then - an officer, First Lieutenant, in the Sixth Iowa Volunteer Cavalry. - Whilst on the expedition, we ascertained that Mrs. Fanny Kelly was - a prisoner of the Indians that we were then engaged against. After - the command returned to Fort Rice, in Dakota Territory, news was - received from Captain Fisk, an officer of the Engineer Department, - U. S. A., that he was surrounded, and his train corralled by the - same Indians that we had been fighting. I, with others, saw Fisk, - and was personally told by him that he had received notes and - letters of warning from Mrs. Kelly, telling him that he must not - break his train, that the Indians intended to fall upon the two - portions, if he did, and to massacre his guard and the emigrants - and children with him. - - In the fall, after the expedition had been abandoned, the troops - were scattered at different posts along the Missouri River, I, - with my company, being left at Fort Sully, Dakota Territory. About - the latter part of November, an Indian came inside the post. I, - being officer of the day, asked him what he wanted. He said he - came a long way, and wanted to know if I was the “big chief,” if - so, he had a paper for me to see. He gave it to me. It was a sheet - torn out of a business book, and numbered 76 in the corner. The - substance of the letter was as follows: - - “I write this letter, and send it by this Indian, but don’t know - whether you will get it, as they are very treacherous. They have - lied to me so often; they have promised to bring me to town nearly - every day. I wish you could do something to get me away from them. - If they do bring me to town, be guarded, as they are making all - kinds of threats and preparations for an attack. I have made a - pencil of a bullet, so it might be hard to read. Please treat this - Indian well. If you don’t, they might kill me.” After having the - Indian remain for a few days, and giving him plenty to eat, he - was sent on his return with a letter to Mrs. Kelly. A short time - after this, one morning, we discovered, back of the Fort on the - hill, a large body of Indians. The commanding officer was notified - of the fact. He immediately gave orders to prepare the fort for - defense. Since the warning received from Mrs. Kelly, we had been - unusually watchful of the Indians. The fort was poorly constructed, - having been built by soldiers for winter quarters. The Indians - were notified not to approach the fort, and only the chiefs, who - numbered ten or twelve, were allowed to come inside the gates, - bringing with them Mrs. Kelly, and when inside the fort, the gates - were immediately closed, shutting out the body of the Indians, who - numbered about 1,000 to 1,200. A bargain was made for her, and the - articles agreed upon were delivered for her in exchange. - - I believe, and it was the opinion of others, that the advice and - warning of Mrs. Kelly was very valuable to us, and was instrumental - in putting us on our guard, and enabled us to ward off the - threatened attack of the Indians. In my opinion, had the Indians - attacked the fort, they could have captured it. - - The day that Mrs. Kelly was brought into the fort was one of the - coldest I ever experienced, and she was very poorly clad, having - scarcely any thing to protect her person. Her limbs, hands, and - face were terribly frozen, and she was put in the hospital at Fort - Sully, where she remained for a long time, nearly two months, for - treatment. - - (Signed) G. A. HESSELBERGER, - First Lieutenant U. S. Army. - Res. Leavenworth City. - - TREASURY DEPARTMENT, - Second Auditor’s Office, June 3, 1870. - -The foregoing is a correct copy of the statement of Lieutenant -Hesselberger on file in this office. - - E. B. FRENCH. - - - - - STATEMENT OF OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF THE SIXTH IOWA CAVALRY. - - -We, the undersigned, late officers and members of the Sixth Iowa -Cavalry, being duly sworn, do hereby depose and say that, during the -winter of the years 1864 and 1865, the said Sixth Iowa Cavalry was -stationed, and doing military duty, at Fort Sully, in the Territory -of Dakota; that we, in our respective military capacities, were -present during the winter stated at the aforesaid post of Fort Sully. -Deponents further say that, on or about the 6th day of December, in -the year 1864, an Indian appeared before the fort, and signified to -the officer of the day, Lieutenant G. A. Hesselberger, that he had -something to communicate to those within the fort; and the said Indian -was allowed to enter, and presented to the commanding officer, Major -A. E. House, of the regiment before stated, a note, or letter, which -letter we all thoroughly knew the purport of, and it was seen and read -by ——. It was written, or purported to be, by one Mrs. Fanny Kelly, -who represented herself as a captive in the hands of certain Blackfeet -Sioux Indians; and that, under a pretext of delivering her up to her -people, they intended attacking the town or village to which they -purposed going. - -Deponents further say that, at the time of the receipt of this letter, -the said Fort Sully was not in such a state of defense as would have -enabled the garrison to hold it against the attack of any considerable -body of men; that, in consequence of the receipt of said letter, Major -House brought the cannon in position to bear on all sides of the fort, -and otherwise ordered and disposed of the garrison to withstand any -attempt to capture or destroy the fort. - -Deponents further say that, on or about the 9th day of December, the -said Mrs. Fanny Kelly was brought in as a captive and delivered by -the Indians to the commanding officer at Fort Sully; that the Indians -came up to the fort painted in war paint, and singing their war songs; -that as soon as Mrs. Kelly was within the gates of the fort, they were -closed, and all the Indians save those who had her directly in charge -were shut out from entrance into said fort. - -Deponents further say, that they verily believe, from information -then gained, and from that which they afterward learned, it was the -intention of the Indians to attack the fort, and they were only -prevented from doing so by the preparations which the letter of warning -from the said Mrs. Fanny Kelly had induced the commanding officer to -make; and they verily believe that, had the attack been made without -such preparations, it would have resulted in the capture of the fort -and the massacre of its inmates; and such was the expressed opinion of -nearly all the members of the said Sixth Iowa Cavalry then stationed -therein; and further deponents say not. - - { JOHN LOGAN, _Capt. Co. K, Sixth Reg. Iowa Cavalry_. - { DEAN CHEADLE, _O. S._ 〃 〃 〃 〃 - Signed. { JOHN M. WILLIAMS, _Q. M. S._ 〃 〃 〃 - { JOHN MAGEE, _Serg’t Co. H_, 〃 〃 〃 - { JOHN COOPER, _Corp. Co. K_, 〃 〃 〃 - { MERIT M. OAKLEY, _Corp. Co. H_, 〃 〃 〃 - -Personally appeared before me, A. J. McKean, Clerk of the District -Court, Linn County, State of Iowa, and made solemn oath that the -foregoing is true and correct in all particulars, and that neither of -the parties hereto subscribing is interested in any way in any effort -which the said Mrs. Kelly may make, or has made, for indemnity, on this -22d day of January, A. D., 1870. - - [SEAL.] A. J. MCKEAN, - _Clerk District Court, Linn County, Iowa_. - - TREASURY DEPARTMENT, } - SECOND AUDITOR’S OFFICE, _December_ 2d, 1870. } - -I certify the foregoing to be a true copy of the original filed in this -office. - - E. B. FRENCH, - _Second Auditor_. - - [_The memoranda below are written with pencil._] - -Captain Logan was the officer of the day when Mrs. Kelly was brought -into the fort (Sully). - -John Magee, Sergeant Co. H. Sixth Iowa Cavalry, was sergeant of the -guard at the same time. - - To HON. JAMES HARLAN, U. S. S., and HON. WM. SMYTH, M. C., - Second Congressional District, Iowa: - -GENTLEMEN:— - -I was at Fort Sully when the arrangement was made for the capture of -this woman. Was not there when the Indians brought her into the fort; -but am satisfied that the above affidavit, in the main, is correct. - - (Signed.) T. S. BARDWELL, - _Late Assistant Surgeon Sixth Iowa Cavalry_. - TREASURY DEPARTMENT, } - SECOND AUDITOR’S OFFICE, _December 24, 1870_. } - -I certify the foregoing to be a true copy of the original filed in this -office. - - E. B. FRENCH, - _Second Auditor_. - - -Transcriber’s Notes: - - - Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_). - - Blank pages have been removed. - - Obvious typographical errors have been silently corrected. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NARRATIVE OF MY CAPTIVITY AMONG THE -SIOUX INDIANS *** - -***** This file should be named 63673-0.txt or 63673-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/3/6/7/63673/ - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive -specific permission. If you do not charge anything for copies of this -eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook -for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, -performances and research. They may be modified and printed and given -away--you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks -not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the -trademark license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country outside the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and - most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no - restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it - under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this - eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the - United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where - you are located before using this ebook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and The -Project Gutenberg Trademark LLC, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is in Fairbanks, Alaska, with the -mailing address: PO Box 750175, Fairbanks, AK 99775, but its -volunteers and employees are scattered throughout numerous -locations. Its business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt -Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up to -date contact information can be found at the Foundation's web site and -official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -For additional contact information: - - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - |