Memory grew busy as I reclined upon a little knoll overlooking the winding stream that threaded like a silver band the fertile valley that I had only a few months before regarded as a place for our home in our temporary sojourn upon earth.
As I contemplated, too, the scene before me, the picture of the home of my childhood, long left to strangers, came like a forgotten dream before my mind, and in fancy I stood once more upon the banks of the Shenango, where, years ago, even before my dear father was laid in the church-yard grave, I gathered wild flowers, and never dreamed that future years would bring anything less bright than the gay blossoms I twined amid my hair.
The next morning we pursued our journey, and the fourth day arrived at the city of Lawrence, just recov- ering from the dreadful shock of the merciless mas- sacre and destruction inflicted by Quantrell and his murderous band of marauders.
The ruined walls of once elegant buildings frowned dark and gloomy, still showing the marks of the smoke of the consuming fire that destroyed them. As we passed these grim monuments of man's remorse- less hatred, I recalled the beautiful lines of Campbell:
"On Susquehanna's side, fair Wyoming,
Although the wild flowers on thy ruined wall
And roofless homes a sad remembrance bring
Of what thy people did befall,
Yet thou wast once the loveliest land of all."
From Lawrence we travelled across the country to
2* B
18 THE CAPTURE AND ESCAPE;
the Blue River, now noted for Indian outrages perpe- trated upon the peaceful and unprotected settlers, and from thence to Fort Kearny, in Nebraska. At this place our road came to the southern bank of the Platte River.
In seasons of high water this river assumes a beau- tiful appearance; its broad bosom is dotted with islands of richest verdure, and adorned with gorgeous- hued flowers and delicate vining vegetation. These islands are of the height of the adjacent shores, having been formed by the action of the changing currents that have forced their way around them. Some are miles in length, while others are mere dots of verdure on the breast of the broad water.
Near Fort Kearny the emigrant trains from various parts of the country concentrated, and the scene upon the banks of the river was beautiful—the green liter- ally dotted with white wagon-covers, and the rich
pasture numbered thousands of horses and cattle, rest-
ing in the lovely valley, before attempting the passage of the plains and penetrating the unknown heights of the rocky peaks that rise beyond.
From this place hundreds of persons with their teams and herds sometimes travelled together, consid- ering that it was prudent to be in large companies while pursuing their journey to the valley of the saints, the mountains of Montana, or the western slope of the long chain whose base is washed by the waters of the Pacific Ocean; while others were seen going in small companies or alone, that the clouds of dust
OR, LIFE AMONG THE SIOUX. 19
that are nowhere more annoying than on the plains,
where there were lines of wagons, sometimes extending
farther than the eye could range, might be avoided. And it being the time when the fearful struggle was agitating our country, conflicting sentiments of politi- cal disturbers were sometimes met with violence and danger, which it was also desirable to avoid. Kearny town was passed three miles west of Fort Kearny. It was a small village, built of adobe or sunburnt brick, and was then in its pristine glory, but now is remem- bered as a town of the past.
Our road lay along the Platte River for one hun- dred and eighty miles, without a tree or bush to break the horizon of plain or sky, except a few cot-
tonwoods and willows, which stood like solitary senti-
nels guarding the magnificent stream that meanders through the valley.
Each day brought its burden of care and toil, while night offered the balmy sweetness of repose. At Cottonwood Springs there was a settlement of some magnitude, and a military post. There all the wagons that belonged to emigrants were searched by officers and soldiers detailed for that purpose, in order to recover any Government arms that might be clandes- tinely carried away. We continued to pass ranches, at intervals of ten or fifteen miles. These ranch- men were clever, energetic men, who dared to live a frontier life, and often proved themselves to be of the bravest and most generous. Some of them aspired to comfort and even luxury. As a general thing, their
20 THE CAPTURE AND ESCAPE;
houses were built one story high, of adobe or sod, and
large enough to accommodate quite a number of guests,
In winter, the ranchmen offer accommodations for travellers and their teams; but in the season in which
we made their acquaintance their hospitality was not so
much required, as the travellers usually slept in their wagons, and their animals were turned loose to find pasture.
Many needful things, however, could be purchased of them, as they invariably kept useful articles for sale. One of these ranchmen, a Mr. Morrow, had, disregarding the prevailing custom, built his house two stories high; and having given attention to its completion, produced a residence in the far West that would have done honor to an Eastern farm of pre- tentious extent.
One hundred and eighty miles from Fort Kearny was the fording of the Platte, where the first Califor- nia emigrants crossed, and in consequence it is called the "Old California Crossing." At that place we overtook seemingly thousands of persons, with their flocks and teams, encamped in the valley; for that being the warmest season, the snow was melting on the mountains, causing the river to be high.
The Platte, though over a thousand miles in length, is a shallow stream, and would be fordable at almost any place, if it were not for the quicksands, which render it extremely dangerous.
It is subject to great variations, however—now fear-
fully rapid and broad, inundating the adjacent val-
OR, LIFE AMONG THE SIOUX. 21
ley, then sinking into an insignificant stream, running through a desert; and, at other times, except the main channel, disappearing in the porous strata of its bed, leaving only here and there a pond inhabited by small fish and tadpoles.
Some of the islands were covered with wild fruits, plums and grapes growing there in abundance, enjoy- ing the security of isolation from the dry country, which is sometimes swept by fire that destroys every species of vegetation that it meets with remorseless fury.
Sufficient water for family use was obtained by digging pits two or three feet into the ground, which soon filled with cold water—a refreshing beverage that is very desirable when on a toilsome journey.
To cross a wide and rapid stream without the aid of a boat or bridge, was a feat requiring some ingenu- ity; and after no little consideration, the men took the wheels from the wagons, and placed the boxes upon the water, and filled them with their own wheels and former loading, which was equal to transforming the wagons into boats or rafts. Though peculiar in appearance, these newly made boats soon floated to the other side, transporting very many persons, of all ages, from the infant at its mother's breast to the bowed form and silvered head of the old, to a wilder and less explored country than the plains they had left.
The day we crossed, the air was very heavy and oppressively hot. When we were upon the river, the sky began suddenly to darken, and, just as we arrived upon the opposite side, a gleam of lightning, like a
22 THE CAPTURE AND ESCAPE;