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. reassure 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 succeding 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 abright 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 spring-ing 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 suspicions 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-clianopa," 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 i!I. 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 I 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 oId 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 o f 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