<br/><SPAN name="XXX" id="XXX"></SPAN>
<hr style="width: 35%;" /><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</SPAN></span>
<br/>
<h2>CHAPTER XXX.</h2>
<h2>CONCLUSION.</h2>
<br/>
<p>About this time rumors were rife that the Indians were contemplating a
raid on the mine, and operations were temporarily suspended. Meetings
were called, and a committee of defence organized, with a view to taking
such measures as would place the settlement in a position to
successfully resist all, or any attempts of the savages. Those who had
had any experience in Indian warfare were called to the council, and
consulted on the best means to avert the impending calamity. The panic
was more painfully apparent among those who had come upon the scene
hampered with goods and chattels of various kinds. These worthies were
brimful of wrath and whiskey, and gave free vent to the expression of
their opinions regarding the outside world generally, and Indians in
particular. They were fertile in suggestion; and the many schemes they
advanced for the total destruction of all who threatened their private
interests would have reflected credit, not to say renown, on a Don
Quixote.</p>
<p>The thought of my enslaved wife was never absent <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</SPAN></span>from my mind. Day and
night, sleeping and waking, her image haunted me. I fancied her
suffering every degree of misery; and the consciousness that I was
powerless to snatch her from the toils of relentless captors, caused me
the most poignant anguish. I had a vague, half formed notion of seeking
her unaided, and by once more assuming my Indian trappings and cognomen,
advance in to the Apache country, penetrate to their villages, and by a
bold dash, seize my wife and bear her defiantly off in the very teeth of
my adversaries. This would have been very spirited and chivalrous, no
doubt, but unfortunately, the obstacles that opposed themselves to this
plan were legion. No sooner did I convince myself of the
impracticability of such a mode of procedure, than other plans would
present themselves, which, in their turn would have to be relinquished
when submitted to the rigorous test of practicability. This constant
strain on my mind interposed stumbling blocks to my material prosperity,
as I had no heart for my work, and wandered about the diggings
aimlessly. I was rallied by my comrades on my morose temper, and
recommended to try work as an effectual antidote for the causes that
were preying on my health.</p>
<p>One balmy afternoon, as I sauntered among the working parties, gazing
abstractedly at their operations, my attention was attracted to a group,
who seemed to be very much excited by some event. A few had gathered
about an object lying upon the <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</SPAN></span>ground, while others were running
frantically in different directions as if they were possessed. My
curiosity being excited I approached the group, and found that the cause
of this alarm was one of their comrades, who had been bitten by a snake.
The poor fellow was moaning piteously; and so sure was he that his death
was only a matter of a few hours time, that he had begun to make the few
bequests that would dispose of all his worldly goods, including the
little hoard of "dust," so long and patiently sought for. One of his
friends knelt at his side, and was endeavoring to pour the contents of a
flask of whiskey down his throat. The poison had taken immediate effect,
and he doubtless would have been a corpse in a few hours. I was
immediately recognized, and one of the miners accosted me with "Hullo!
Eastman, just the man we want; now is your time to produce some of those
marvelous herbs you have told us about, and see what you can do for this
poor fellow."</p>
<p>My sympathies were awakened; my mind threw off its semi-stupor; and
hastily glancing about me on the ground, I sought for some of those
simple herbs and plants, that I had seen so effectually used in similar
cases. Hastily gathering what I needed, I soon had leaves bandaged about
the swollen parts, and then turned my attention to making a decoction of
the herbs. This I forced the patient to take, and after caring for him
assiduously during a few hours, I had the satisfaction of noting a
marked change for the <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</SPAN></span>better. I was deluged with congratulations, and
in a short time the fame of this new exploit in the healing art was
noised abroad throughout the mine.</p>
<p>My new friends were not miners, in the proper sense of the term, but a
party of "mountain men," who had been allured hither by exaggerated
reports of the immense wealth that was represented as scattered
broadcast over the surface of the earth, and was only waiting for a
claimant. Arriving on the ground they had staked out a claim, and fell
to work without any delay. It is needless to add that they did not
realize the immense riches they had so fondly anticipated. The result
was that they had sickened of their bargain, and many were for pulling
up stakes and returning to the free and easy life among the mountains.</p>
<p>A short time after the episode just related, there came to our camp one
day, a trapper, who had but just returned from his traps, and was on his
way to the nearest trading post, to exchange his peltries for powder,
wearing apparel, etc. From him we learned that the Indians were
preparing for some extensive raid, as he had seen numerous parties who
were in their war paint. Among other items, he related how he had been
captured by a hand of Apaches, and had remained among them eight days
before he succeeded in eluding the vigilance of his guard. From him I
gained the first information concerning my wife. He had been captured by
some of Mahtocheega's band, and by the description he gave of the white
captives <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</SPAN></span>at that time in the village, I felt sure that my wife was one
of the number. Learning that on his return he would proceed to the same
locality in quest of "beaver plew," I determined to accompany him. About
half a dozen signified their intention of following my example, and a
party was soon made up. The trapper bade us adieu, promising to return
as soon as his skins were traded for the supplies of which he stood in
need. Gathering together what little money I had, I purchased a horse,
rifle and pistol, and prepared to go in search of my lost wife.</p>
<p>We had not long to wait for our new friend; he returned in less than a
week's time, and all being in readiness, we gathered up our traps, and
took a final leave of the mine of San Ildefonso.</p>
<p>Passing out at the northern end of the settlement, we struck the Santa
Fé road, and followed its sinuous windings for some days. We passed
through the sleepy Mexican towns, that were situated along the route,
without disturbing in the least degree the habitual drowsiness of their
inhabitants. On the fourth day we made a stretch of sixty miles through
that terror of travelers in this section—the "jornado del muerto."
After having crossed in safety, we rested one day to recuperate the
animals, and soon after arrived in Santa Fé, halting at the inn that had
been the scene of the shooting affray on my former visit. Our stay in
the capital of New Mexico was not of long duration, and once more we
resumed our journey, <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</SPAN></span>striking out in a westerly direction towards the
mountains.</p>
<p>Our first encampment was on the banks of one of the tributaries of the
Rio Colorado. Staking our horses out, as is the custom, we gathered
around the camp fire, discussing our evening meal of fresh antelope
steaks. Many were the stories told of trapper life, and as we filled our
pipes for a smoke before retiring, the subject of conversation was upon
food. All had some anecdote to relate and after each had spun his yarn,
Harding, who up to the present had been silent, drawled out, "Wal, I
'spect as how yer have had some tol'rable bad jints in yer time, but I
think I kin jest lay over anything in this yer party in the way o'
supper. Howsumever, I will give yer a chance to hear how this nigger
once got his supper up on the Yallerstone, last season.</p>
<p>"Yer see, I had been in them parts arter beaver, which war plenty, an'
no mistake; an' one day, when I had gone to <i>cache</i> some skins, I left
my rifle in the grass near my traps, like a gosh darned fool. Who should
came along but a party of them black niggers, the Crows; and the first
thing they sot eyes upon was my shootin' iron. In course, I seed it all,
and jist had to lay low and cuss my tarnal stupidity, while them 'ere
Crows hopped around like mad at finding my rifle and things. They was so
pleased, 'peared like they forgot theirselves, and didn't foller up my
trail, but galloped off, carryin' my plunder along with <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</SPAN></span>them. He! he!
they mount a did as well, and let ole Harding alone."</p>
<p>"I reckon that, too," remarked one; "'taint like they made much out of
that spekalashun."</p>
<p>"Yer see, I war cleaned out, an' left with jest a pair o' leggins,
better than two hunderd miles from anywhur. The company's post war the
nearest, so I jest took down the river in that direcshun. I never seed
varmint so shy. They wouldn't a been, blast 'em, if I had er had my
traps, but there wa'n't a critter, from the minners to the buffler, that
didn't take on as if they knowed how this nigger war fixed. I could get
nothing for two days but lizard, an' scarce at that. I chewed up the old
leggings, until I was as naked as Pike's Peak."</p>
<p>"Golly! was it winter?"</p>
<p>"No, 'twur calf time, and warm enuff for that matter. I didn't mind the
want o' garments in that way, but I kud a eat more o' it. I soon struck
a town of sand rats, and I made snares of my hair, and trapped some on
'em, but <i>they</i> grow shy, too, cuss 'em, and I had to give up that
claim. This war the third day, and I wur gettin' powerful weak. I 'gin
to think this child's time had come, and I would have ter pass in my
chips. 'Twur a little arter sun up, an' I war sittin' on the bank, when
I seed something cur'ous like floatin' down stream. When it kim closer,
I seed it wur the karkidge of a buffler, and a couple of buzzards
floppin' about on the thing, pickin' <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</SPAN></span>its peepers out. 'Twur far out,
an' the water deep; but I said I was goin' to fetch it ashore, an' I
did. I took to the water an' swum out. I could smell the animal afore I
wur half way. I wur soon close up, and seen at a glimpse that the calf
wur as rotten as punk. The birds, they mizzled. I wa'n't agoin' to have
my swim for nothin', so I tuk the tail atween my teeth, and wagged my
flippers for the shore. I hadn't made three strokes When the tail pulled
out. I then swum round and pushed that 'ere thing afore me, until I had
got it high and dry on a sandbar. 'Twur like to melt when I pulled it
out o' the water. 'Twa'n't eatable nohow. I see the buzzards still
flying about, and fresh ones comin', an' I took a idee that I might get
some, so I laid down close to the buffler, and played possum. I wa'n't
long there 'fore a big cock com a floppin' up, and lit on the karkidge.
I grabbed him by the leg. The cussed thing wur nearly as stinkin' as the
other; but it wur die dog, buzzard, or buffler; so I skinned the
buzzard."</p>
<p>"And ate it?" inquired one.</p>
<p>"No-o" slowly drawled the trapper, "it ate me." A general laugh followed
this remark.</p>
<p>"The rest o' the birds got shy, and kept away on t'other side. 'Twa'n't
no use tryin' <i>that</i> dodge over again. Jest then I 'spied a coyoat
comin' lopin' down the bank, an' another follerin' upon his heels, an'
two or three more on the same trail. I know'd it would be no joke
grippin' one o' them by the leg, but I made <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</SPAN></span>up my mind to try it, an' I
laid down jist as afore, 'side the calf. 'Twur no go! they smelt a rat,
an' kep' cl'ar. Then I tuk a fresh idee in my head. I went for some o'
the driftwood an' made a pen around the buffler; an' in the wink o' my
eye I had six o' the varmints in the traps."</p>
<p>"Then you had 'em, eh, old boy?" said one.</p>
<p>"You bet; I jest took a lot of stones, clomb up on the pen, an' killed
the hull kit o' them. Such a jumpin' an' yowlin, as when I peppered them
varmints; he! he! he! ho! ho! Arter this I had some 'at to eat; an' in a
few days reached the company's post."</p>
<p>"Did you ever see any of those redskins again?" I inquired.</p>
<p>"Wal, you jest better believe I did. Yer see those five notches on this
ere rifle? wal, they stand for Crows, they do."</p>
<p>A general laugh followed this yarn, and all averred that his experience
in the eating line was unequalled. After the trapper had finished his
story, we wrapped ourselves in our blankets, and were with the exception
of the horse guard, soon in a deep slumber.</p>
<p>The next morning we were up and moving at sunrise; and after a march of
twenty miles, came to a small stream heading in the Piñon range. It was
fringed with cottonwood trees, and there was grass in abundance for our
horses. We made a halt for an hour, and then proceeded on our journey.
We had <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</SPAN></span>not gone far when we made a discovery that changed all our
plans. Harding had been riding about a hundred yards ahead of the main
party, when we observed him suddenly stop, bend down, and then throwing
up his hands, beckon us on. We were soon up to the spot, asking in a
breath what was the matter. He pointed to the ground, and sententiously
replied, "<i>fresh Injun sign</i>." A consultation was held, and after an
interchange of opinions, it was agreed that the trail was made by
Apaches, and that from the trampled nature of the ground, it indicated
the presence of a large party. We had no doubt as to their intentions.
They were evidently bound south on their annual foray. Now was my time
beyond peradventure. Never could I have had such another opportunity;
perhaps even if I waited patiently for years.</p>
<p>I briefly related to my companions the circumstances of my capture,
captivity, and subsequent escape, and asked their aid in rescuing my
wife. Each grasped me cordially by the hand, and expressed their
willingness to "see me through;" and after a few moments more spent in
consultation, we agreed on the following plan: To push on at once and as
speedily as possible for the Indian village, secrete ourselves in the
adjacent mountains until nightfall, and then leaving the horses
concealed in the bushes that fringe the base of the mountain, advance on
foot to the chief's lodge. Once within its portal, it would be the work
of a moment to seek out my wife, apprise her of what <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</SPAN></span>was transpiring,
and quietly leading her out, hasten to our animals, mount, and ride
away. This plan seemed feasible, and as moments were precious, we
resumed the march.</p>
<p>About noon we debouched through the mountain pass into a country of
"openings;" small prairies bounded by jungly forests, and interspersed
with timber islands. These prairies were covered with tall grass; and
buffalo signs appeared as we rode into them. We saw their "roads,"
"chips," and "wallows." These signs filled us with pleasurable
anticipations; as who has not longed for the delicious "hump ribs,"
which, when once tasted in all their juicy richness, are never to be
forgotten. The full-grown forms of the cacti were around us, bearing red
and yellow fruit in abundance. We plucked the pears of the pita-haya,
and ate them greedily; in short, we dined on fruits and vegetables of
many varieties, indigenous only to this wild region. But our stomachs
longed for the favorite food, and we pushed on through the openings. We
had ridden about an hour among the chaparral, when Harding, who was
riding in advance, pointed downward, and intimated by signs that he had
struck fresh buffalo tracks. Very soon after the animals came in view,
and by using the bushes as cover, we made a very effectual "surround,"
killing some three or four. That night we regaled ourselves on buffalo,
and the following morning pushed on with renewed vigor, and in the best
of spirits.</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</SPAN></span>Near evening on the fourth day following, we arrived at the foot of the
Sierra; and directly in front of us, about midway up the valley, or
pass, more properly speaking, lay the Apache village. An exclamation of
joy escaped my lips. At last, then, the hopes and longings of nine weary
years were about to be satisfied. My reflections were abruptly
terminated by Harding remarking that it was highly important that we
seek cover and approach the village cautiously, if we expected our
efforts to be crowned with success. All felt the justness of this
observation, and seeking the cover of the mountain, we proceeded on our
journey. In a short time we had advanced as near as we deemed it
prudent, until the night should close in. Our reins were tightened, and
we sat on our weary horses, looking over the plain. A magnificent
panorama under any circumstances lay before us; but its interest was
heightened by the peculiar circumstances under which we viewed it. The
lodges were dotted over the plain in picturesque profusion, the smoke
curling gracefully up in their dreamy spirals. One lodge stood apart,
and from its size and decorations, we at once guessed it to be the abode
of the chief. Harding confirmed our conjectures. Several droves of
horses were quietly browsing on the open prairie. The sun was setting.
The mountains were tinged with an amber colored light; and the quartz
crystals sparkled on the peaks of the southern Sierras. It was a scene
of silent beauty.</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</SPAN></span>We remained for some time gazing up the valley, without any one uttering
his thoughts. It was the silence that precedes resolve. An hour has
fled; the sun sinks below the horizon, and the mountains take on a
sombre hue. It is night. We urge our horses forward once more, keeping
close to the mountain foot; conversing in whispers, we crawl around and
among the loose boulders that have fallen from above, and after an
hour's ride we find ourselves opposite the town.</p>
<p>The night passes slowly and silently; one by one the fires are
extinguished, and the plain is wrapped in the gloom of a moonless night.
The swan utters its wild note, the gruya whoops over the stream, and the
wolf howls on the skirts of the sleeping village.</p>
<p>Dismounting, we gather in a little knot, and consult as to what plan we
shall pursue. It is finally determined that Harding and myself shall
penetrate into the village, enter the chief's lodge, abduct my wife, and
hastily rejoin our comrades, who will hold themselves in readiness to
cover our retreat, and, if the worst comes to the worst, keep our
pursuers at bay until we have made good our escape.</p>
<p>Hastily divesting ourselves of all unnecessary accoutrements, we started
out on the plain, and cautiously approached the chief's lodge, which
loomed up in the darkness like some hideous genii.</p>
<p>An Indian dog that was lurking about the door gave the alarm, but
Harding's knife entered his vitals ere he could repeat it.</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</SPAN></span>Now was the critical moment. Drawing the flap aside that served as a
door, I peered cautiously in; all was silent; a small fire was burning
in the center of the lodge, its fitful gleam dimly illuminating the
interior. A number of low couches were ranged around the wall.</p>
<p>But at this juncture a dilemma presented itself. Here were a number of
women, one of when was certainly my wife; but how was I to ascertain in
which of these couches she reposed. If I should trust to chance, advance
to the first one and peer in, and by so doing startle its inmate, even
though that inmate were my wife, the peculiar nature of the visit would
so startle her that she would not be enabled to recognize the intruder.</p>
<p>However, I determined to approach the first bed and trust to the chapter
of accidents for the rest. Advancing noiselessly to the side of the
couch, I lifted the curtain of dressed buffalo hide. The fire cast a dim
light over the face of the sleeper, and, oh, joy, it was the loved
features of my wife. I tried to speak, whisper her name; my tongue clove
to the roof of my mouth. I trembled like an aspen, and had to grasp the
bed for support. This movement awakened the sleeper, and with an
half-suppressed exclamation, she sprung to a sitting posture.</p>
<p>To breathe her name, clasp her in my arms, and rush for the door, was
the work of an instant, and hastily snatching a robe that was suspended
from the <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</SPAN></span>side of the lodge, I enveloped her in it, and rapidly gained
the cover of the mountain. In a few moments our party was in full gallop
down the valley.</p>
<p>Leaving the Indian village, we started with all speed on our return. I
did not anticipate pursuit, and we made no attempt to conceal our trail.</p>
<p>Indeed, my mind was so occupied with the grand fact that I had recovered
my long-lost darling, that I thought of nothing else. As we rode along,
each recounted to the other the story of their toils, trials, and
sufferings; a thousand question were asked and answered; and in the joy
of the present and hope for the future, we were for a time happy.</p>
<p>About the middle of the forenoon we approached a thick chaparral, and
were just entering it, when a party of about sixty Apaches suddenly
rushed out from its leafy coverts, and with the rapidity of thought we
were surrounded and captured. My wife was able, by her influence with
the leader of the party, to save us from indignity, and a lengthy parley
followed. I made known to the chief my desire to recover my wife, and
endeavored to arrange some terms of purchase or barter. In this I was,
after a time, successful, and, after an interminable siege of pipe
smoking and discussion, relative to the price, we came to terms, and in
a few minutes I had <i>purchased</i> my wife at the cost of all my <i>worldly</i>
possessions. But I cared not for this; on the contrary, I was only too
glad to recover my wife at any cost, and felt no regret at parting <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</SPAN></span>from
the accumulations of two years of toil and hardship.</p>
<p>Resuming our journey, we reached Santa Fé in safety, in a few days, and
commenced making preparations for our return to the East. The
kind-hearted Mexican women overwhelmed my wife with attentions, and she
was soon provided with apparel more suitable than the barbaric, although
beautiful, Indian costume. My principal difficulty was the want of
money, and I was much perplexed to know how to secure a sufficient sum
to enable us to return to our friends. It is probable that had I freely
stated our circumstances and narrated our sad story, generous hearts
might have been found among the many American miners and trappers
sojourning in the town; for many a noble heart beats beneath a rough and
unpromising exterior; but my pride shrank from appearing in the
character of a mendicant, and I finally came to the conclusion that we
must remain at Santa Fé for a time, until I could find some employment
by which to earn sufficient means to enable us to return to our former
home. I had forgotten the fact that I possessed a warm friend in Ned
Harding, or, if I had thought of him in this connection, it was not with
any idea that he could aid me.</p>
<p>In this I was mistaken, as the sequel will show. On the third morning
after my return, Ned called me out under pretence of taking a walk, and
after strolling about for a time in silence, he opened his mind as
<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</SPAN></span>follows: "Well lad, what are ye goin' to do next? I suppose you don't
intend to stay here in this 'ere God forsaken hole, that these
yaller-bellies calls a city; the Lord forgive their ignorance; if they
could only see Lunnon, once—well, as I was a sayin', you can't stay
here, and you can't take your little girl back into the mining kentry,
very well; so what do you mean to do? let old Ned know, and don't go
round, keepin' as close as an ister, and never sayin' nothin' to
nobody." Thus admonished, I forgot my reserve, and fully explained to
him my dilemma. He listened in silence until I had finished, and then
broke forth with—"Why, Lord bless ye, lad, yer gettin' foolish,
certain, ho! ho! yer little woman has turned yer head, sure; why, you
forgot all about the mine, and I reckon there's vally enough to that to
send ye home like a nabob, if you like to travel that way."</p>
<p>"The mine!" I exclaimed in surprise, "why Ned, I thought we had
abandoned it altogether, you don't mean to tell me that I can realize
anything from the claim?"</p>
<p>"You bet, I mean just that;" said Harding, his features expanding into a
broad grin as he marked my look of utter astonishment. "Why lad, if we
were all agreed on the thing, I've got a party here that'll give us five
thousand apiece for our claim—I ain't such a fool as I look, and it
wa'nt for nothin' that I left Pete there a holdin' possession, and there
he'll stay till he hears from me—so now if you're willin' to take five
<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</SPAN></span>thousand for your sher, just say the word, and we'll have it settled in
no time."</p>
<p>Further inquiry elicited the information that during the two days
previous, while I had spent my time in unprofitable cogitation, Ned had
been "kinder prospectin' round among the speckilaters," as he termed it,
and had found parties willing and anxious to buy the claim held jointly
by Ned, Pete Jackson, and myself, for fifteen thousand dollars in cash.
Ned had brought with him some specimens of the quartz which he had shown
to the intending purchasers, and some of which they had subjected to
assay, and the result of this had determined them to buy the claim if
everything could be satisfactorily arranged.</p>
<p>It did not take me long to decide, in fact, I fairly jumped at the
offer. The sum mentioned seemed a princely fortune at the time, and, in
fact, to one in my situation it really was so, for wealth is but
comparative, after all. The following morning the trade was arranged,
the necessary papers drawn up, and Ned left the same afternoon for the
mine in company with the buyers, to deliver the property and complete
the transaction. In a few days he returned, and I soon found myself in
possession of five thousand dollars in gold coin, the largest amount of
money I ever owned.</p>
<p>I now hurried the preparations for our departure, and a few days later
we joined an eastward bound train, and journeyed with it towards the
rising sun! With the details of our journey I will not weary the
<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</SPAN></span>reader, suffice it to say that we made the trip without trouble or
molestation of any sort, and reached St. Louis in safety. How strange it
all seemed, to walk about the streets of the great city of the West, and
as the residents fondly term it "the future great city of the world;"
everything seemed so unreal, after the long years of my captivity and
wild life among the mountains, that I used sometimes to fancy that it
was all but a dream and I would presently awake to find myself again in
the temple with Wakometkla, in that strange and far off land hidden
among the mighty mountains of the Sierra Madre.</p>
<p>We remained but a few days in the metropolis of the West, and then
journeyed to a point further eastward, where my wife had relatives
living, or at least supposed that some might yet be surviving. On our
arrival we found such to be the case, and a joyful reunion was the
result; we being received as two risen from the dead.</p>
<p>And now our cup of happiness was indeed full; reunited after so long a
separation and such bitter suffering we had returned at last to friends
and home!</p>
<p>In conclusion, I can only express my thanks to those kind readers who
have followed me patiently through all my wanderings, and listened to my
simple, yet I hope not uninteresting narrative of the hardships and
perils through which I have passed.</p>
<p>If the story of our captivity has proved a source of <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</SPAN></span>entertainment to
the reader—if it haply excites a feeling of sympathy and interest for
the many wretched captives who yet remain in a servitude worse than
death among the rude tribes of the West—if it renders the general
public more familiar with a region of which so little is known—if
should chance to afford to those officials of our government, to whom
the subject is relegated, any new views in reference to the proper
method of dealing with the Indians—if it accomplishes any of these
ends, I shall be more than repaid for my labor in its preparation.</p>
<p>My thanks are also due to my kind friend, Dr. Clark Johnson, without
whom opportune aid this book would never have been written.</p>
<p>And now kind reader, for the present at least, <i>farewell</i>.</p>
<br/>
<br/>
<br/>
<br/>
<h4>THE END.</h4>
<br/>
<br/>
<br/>
<br/>
<hr style="width: 35%;" />
<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</SPAN></span><br/>
<h3>TO THE PUBLIC.</h3>
<br/>
<p>As there has been considerable inquiry concerning the remedy to which
allusion is herein made, I will, by way of explanation, make the
following statement, which will relieve me from a large amount of
correspondence with anxious inquirers.</p>
<p>The remedy is the most remarkable purifier of the blood that I have ever
known; it is a tonic, a diuretic, a nervine, and a gentle laxative. Is
is alterative, sudorific, soporific, and deobstruent.</p>
<p>These qualities, harmoniously blended into one single remedy, make one
of the very best combinations which can possibly be taken into the human
system.</p>
<p>It is a very remarkable remedy in disease of the stomach. Dyspepsia
cannot exist any length of time if the remedy be taken as directed,
<i>instantly</i> after eating.</p>
<p>All Diseases of the Liver and Bowels readily succumb to its magic
influence, while all nervous diseases and all diseases of the blood are
speedily eradicated by the peculiar elements in its composition, which
act directly upon such difficulties.</p>
<p>We have thousands upon thousands of certificates from persons who have
been afflicted with various maladies, and who have been cured by the use
of this remedy; and I am, myself, frequently made surprised to learn
what wonderful results follow the use of this medicine.</p>
<p>The remedy, Dr. <span class="smcap">Clark Johnson's Indian Blood Syrup</span>, is sold by
agents in nearly every post-village in the United States; but wherever
it happens that I do <i>not</i> have an agent, I shall be glad to make one,
and would invite honorable persons to communicate with me upon the
subject of an agency.</p>
<p><i>I require no money from agents except as the medicines are sold.</i></p>
<p>Trusting that the afflicted will make a trial of this remarkable remedy,
which has providentially fallen upon my notice,</p>
<p class="right">
<span style="padding-right: 12em;">I am, with respect,</span><br/>
<span style="padding-right: 11em;">Yours, truly,</span><br/>
<span style="padding-right: 6em;">C. JOHNSON,</span><br/>
<span style="padding-right: .5em;"><i>Jersey City, N.J.</i></span><br/></p>
<br/>
<p style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>July 1st, 1873.</i><br/></p>
<br/>
<br/>
<br/>
<br/>
<div class="tr">
<p class="cen"><SPAN name="TN" id="TN"></SPAN>Transcriber's Note</p>
<br/>
Some inconsistent spelling in the original
document has been preserved.<br/>
<br/>
Typographical errors corrected in the text:<br/>
<br/>
Page 10 temporarly changed to temporarily<br/>
Page 29 by changed to my<br/>
Page 34 gutteral changed to guttural<br/>
Page 64 gutterals changed to gutturals<br/>
Page 68 rythmic changed to rhythmic<br/>
Page 70 discernable changed to discernible<br/>
Page 73 Hugh changed to Huge<br/>
Page 86 Shoshoness changed to Shoshones<br/>
Page 94 Stanhawon changed to Stonhawon<br/>
Page 95 removed repeated word "the"<br/>
Page 109 orgie changed to orgy<br/>
Page 114 tassajo changed to tasajo<br/>
Page 116 use changed to uses<br/>
Page 118 apalling changed to appalling<br/>
Page 120 unforseen changed to unforeseen<br/>
Page 122 cascass changed to carcass<br/>
Page 136 otb-to-toa changed to oth-to-toa<br/>
Page 153 vanqueros changed to vaqueros<br/>
Page 168 circuituous changed to circuitous<br/>
Page 176 buffoloes changed to buffaloes<br/>
Page 234 conlcude changed to conclude<br/>
Page 235 occaions changed to occasions<br/>
Page 235 foreseen changed to foreseen<br/>
Page 236 goverment changed to government<br/>
Page 236 deseerts changed to desserts<br/>
Page 239 wierd changed to weird<br/>
Page 242 Is changed to It<br/>
Page 244 Stonawon changed to Stonhawon<br/>
Page 247 imperitive changed to imperative<br/>
Page 249 "tying the cattle" should read "tying
the horses"<br/>
Page 259 by changed to my<br/>
Page 260 meritricious changed to meretricious<br/>
Page 260 encirling changed to encircling<br/>
Page 264 soubriquet changed to sobriquet<br/>
Page 266 deleted extra word "under" before
"undertaken"<br/>
Page 267 mental changed to metal<br/>
Page 269 rifs changed to rifts<br/>
Page 270 goverment changed to government<br/>
Page 291 praticability changed to practicability<br/>
Page 296 buzzarts changed to buzzards<br/>
Page 297 buzzart changed to buzzard<br/>
Page 297 buzzarts changed to buzzards<br/></div>
<div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />