Exhumed [pp. 333-337]

EXH UMED.
savage instantly had the boy pinioned,
and then dragged them, regardless of
their cries, deeper into the forest, where
he was joined by his companions; and
for days, with worn and weary feet, they
were obliged to keep pace with their captors, until they reached the encampment.
For a period of five toilsome and bitter years, the two incessantly sought
every means of escape from a captivity
more terrible than death, but without
success-the slightest suspicion of even
a desire on their part to escape bringing upon them unmrnerciful chastisement.
With the increasing severity of their
treatment, the yearning for parents and
home increased. Their growing years,
and the evident regard exhibited by the
old Chief toward Susan, who, as she
approached womanhood, became in his
eyes-as she was in fact-exceedingly
comely ("as you mayjudge for yourself,"
said he, "for there she sits," pointing to
an aged woman sitting near him), made
them desperate, and they determined to
seize the first opportunity to escape, or
perish in the attempt. The opportunity
soon presented itself, on the occasion
of a grand feast and war-dance, to celebrate a victory over their enemies, the
Wyandots -from whom they had taken
several prisoners, who were to be put to
the customary torture and the stake.
The powwow, with its feasting, carousing, and drinking, continued for three
days and nights, by which time the "firewater" had so stupefied the Indians as
to render them unconscious of the silent
preparations and departure of the two
youthful, but resolute fugitives, who,
mounted on two of their fleetest horses,
rode furiously through the darkness, and
before the setting of another sun had so
distanced their pursuers as to justify the
repose they so sorely needed. Fastening their horses to a tree, they soon
slept soundly and contentedly, on their
couches of dried leaves, until, toward
morning, they were aroused by the sharp
bark and whine of a dog. Springing
up, their attention was attracted by his
singular actions-as he kept running
back and forth. His piteous cries and
continual bark suggested to Karl that it
might be a good omen, and lead to the
discovery of their lost homes. So, following, he led them to a spot where lay
the body of a man, apparently asleep,
but who, to their horror, they soon discovered was dead. Covering him with
leaves and earth, they took his rifle,
ammunition, and provisions-to them
the means, through God's mercy, of saving their lives.
They journeyed on, followed by the
dog who had so faithfully served his
master, and who looked into their faces
with a pathos that almost asked their
protection, until they reached the spot
which was now echoing back the principal actors in the foregoing narrative.
For over twenty miles their pursuers
tracked them, but, entering the domain
of a hostile tribe, with whom they were
then at war, they were suddenly arrested,
and driven back, with great loss.
The Chief, thus foiled in his designs
toward Susan, placed his affections on
the young and budding beauty of an Indian captive, who, having been the friend
of Susan, had grieved at her absence;
but now, dreading the designs of the
Chief, she readily agreed to the plan
proposed by a young Chief-to whom
she had long given her affections-to
escape, under his guidance, and find, if
possible, the home of Karl and Susan.
Starting on foot, they wandered for two
weary months, through dangers and privations, until, at last, they discovered
and joined their lost friends. Making
a home together, they formed the nucleus
of the community.
Such was the old man's story; and
such was their love of that home and
mode of life that they had no desire for
change, and even dreaded the restraints
civilization would impose upon them.
J36
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