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.
Early History—Canada to Kansas—Death of my Father—My Marriage—“Ho! for Idaho!”—Crossing the Platte River—A Storm, 11
My Husband’s Escape—Burial of the Dead—Arrival of the Survivors at Deer Creek—An ill-timed Ball, 28
Plan for Little Mary’s Escape—Tortures of Uncertainty—Unsuccessful Attempt to Escape, 45
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
Powder River—Another Attempt to Escape—Detection and Despair—A Quarrel—My Life saved by “Jumping Bear,” 62
The Storm—Arrival at the Indian Village—The old Chief’s Wife—Some Kindness shown me—Attend a Feast, 72
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
Mourning for the Slain—Threatened with Death at the Fiery Stake—Saved by a Speech from Ottawa—Starving Condition of the Indians, 106