\ THE TRUE NARRATIVE OF THE 1 EARS' BY Miss Barter; ^ 7 WIFE OF "SQUATTING BEAR," A CELEBRATED SIOUX CHIEF. MISS BARBEft, a native of Massachusetts, in kr religions enthusiasm, retired to ga BDIilS, as missionary, and with that purpose in view married Squatting Bear, at Washington, D, C, ve years of suffering and stirring adventures, this beautiful young lady has just returned EasV and her narrative 13 one of deep and entrancing interest, feature of this work is the given by J^tlss ^Barber, for t?te cure of various diseases. They are very efficacious. ACOVUATE B A B C L A Y & O., 'P U B L I S II E HP No. 2-1 NORTH SEVSNTH STRKZT. Eated such hardships and bravely lay me down to sleep. I had no Uificulty in doing this, for nature soon asserted her control, and refreshing staer claimed possession o* my exhausted energies. In the f 3 - --!---. _'.' -iLJ ._=r7i MY MARRIAGE TO " SQUATTING BEAR," 1HB INDIAN CHIEF, AT WASHINGTON, O. A Heine 9Bcr&irat&Hifl rait ,.aek-n oscapes^kicks and blows. llow I digress again, to be sure; but I cant lieh- it, I have so much to relate that I scarcely know how to com me! r second night's halt was on the stream of a beautiful roarni<_' >> k, called by the Indians " Naog," which signifies roaring. Nev ! forget the scene which took place on that stream that nSigfu The moon shone brightly, and not a sound, except the fall in;.- ^.sturbed my meditation. I should judge that it was about u- o'clock when we were both startled by the sound of horses' feet, m \ ;< .- band ever o* 26 MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE. the alert stood upon his guard. The horse soon dashed by us, disclo& ing an Indian rider. Temulle (I like that name better than " Squat- ting-Bear ") hailed him ; he reined up, and seemed in doubt as to the advisability of returning. My husband advanced and pointed his gun at him, at the same time ordering him to advance and dismount which he did. The following coversation, in the Brule tongue, wbich my husband repeated in English, ensued: "Whence come ye?" H From the Blackfeet nation." " You are a nord-Sioux." " Yes, my brother speaks truly (Here a long silence ensued, which was broken by Temulle, who during thia time had eyed the other Indian in a manner which set him ill at ease.) " There has been blood between the Sioux and Blackfeet ? " " Yes." "Why did you leave?" 1 We were in battle with our enemies against great number ; The dead lay around us counting many. The Great Spirit forsook as." " And you fled ? lt " Yes " (hanging his head down). "Your name?" " Manamoor." " Go thou to the Great Spirit and tell him I, TemulJe, have sent him a coward that he may know thee as thou art," As Temulle sai^ these words he drew a pistol whic presented to him at Washington and shot Manamoor to the heart, lie then took the lifeless body and tied it to a tree ; this done, he took his seal ping-knife and drew two peculiar marks across the forehead, which he informed me signified that the dead Indian had lived a toward. This was the first of a series of horrible sights which I was afterwards doomed to behold, and the reader may perhaps imagine the dreadful eftect it produced upon my nerves, which were MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE. IT *n no manner strengthened by the words shortly after spoken by my husband : " Squaw, prepare to mo-^e ; my tribe is at war, Temulle goes tc, meet his enemies, Blackfeet die by hundreds. Come I " So I was forced to continue my journey, and at last completely worn out I, in company with Temulle, reached the Brule villaga. ^Li*, in village dkl not differ, in point of appearance, from most of those I have since seen. And I will here take occasion to con- elude one chapter and commence another, which will give my readers some idea of the Indian physically and morally, their religion euperfititiona being duly CHAPTER n. THE INDIANS, PHYSICALLY AND MORALLY CONSIDERED. Indians generally are disposed to rove ; and in their excursions they frequently encroach on the privileges of their neighbors, which is seldom suffered to pass unnoticed, and usually terminates in war ; a result frequently courted with no other view than to school the young warriors, and Afford the older ones opportunities to acquire distinction. These wars are sometimes of short duration ; at others they only cease with the extermination, or removal of one of the parties. When a nation of Indians becomes too numerous conveniently to procure subsistence from its own hunting-grounds, it is no uncommon occurrence for it to send out a colony, or in other words, to separate into tribes, or families. Thus with the Sioux there arc the Brulos, ^my husband's tribe), the Nordos, Washaukee, Wannie, etc. Pre paratory to such a measure, runners or spies are sent in various directions to ascertain the most suitable location. A nat council next hears the several reports, determines on the plan, and elects chiefs to carry it into operation. The pipe is then sr^it round, and all who smoke it are considered volunteers. Wben the number is properly proportioned the ceremony of separati place, is at once accomplished, and is truly affecting. The tribe so separated maintains all its relations, independent of the ---ont nation, though the most friendly intercourse is commonly in.u ta 1, and they are almost uniformly allies. Separations sorn< v jpiace from party dissensions, growing generally out of t: of the principal chiefs, and not unfrequently out of petty / 3 These divisions seldom last long, reconciliation follows OS MISS BARBER'S NARRATIYE. 2-9 and a re-union is effected. Instances, however, I have known, in which the two parties become the most irreconcilable, rancorous, and deadly foes, and raised the tomahawk against each other, with a malignity surpassing, if possible, that exercised U-' nations totally distinct in consanguinity. It has been supposed by some, that all the Indian nations speak Different dialects of the same language, but the case is far otherwise. There are scarcely two nations between whom no intercourse exists, whose languages are so similar, as to be mutually understood by the respective individuals of each ; indeed, I fully believe there are none, although the circumstance of origin, descent, immediate neigh borhood, intermarriages, voluntary associations, friendly intercourse, and- the incorporation of the vanquished of one tribe with another, have material 1 / modified, and, in many instances, effected a strong i some of them. Among n#i! ms more remote, some words of the same pronuncia tion, and of the same and different imports, are used ; but instances f this nature do not occur sufficiently often to materially alter their character, and they maintain their distinctiveness, with as much force perhaps as do the English, French, German, and Russian Inn guages. It is true that an individual of one nation may, by the assistance of signs, make himself sufficiently understood to hold a conversation on all ordinary subjects, with strangers of almost every other ; but then it should be remembered, that their languages r ~4-pi greatly of the pantomimic, and that their poverty is, to a able degree, made up for by those impressive and common ies. The Indian languages suffer frequent and considerable JLU icgard to the signs used by Indians to connect their words or fender their languages intelligible, very little of a satisfactory nature can be said ; because they are so variously adapted to their different subjects of conversation as in general to baffle description. In order to comprehend them fully it is necessary to understaud their 'dinms and habits. 80 MISS JABBER'S NARKATIVK. In talking of an enemy they assume a ferocious attitude and aspect, seize hold of, and brandish their weapons of war, in precisely the same manner as they would do if they were in his presence, and about to engage in a deadly conflict. The wampum and pipe are handled in conversations on peaceful subjects, and everything con nected with them is diametrically reversed. In speaking of men, game, birds, trees, marching, hunting, swim ming, etc., etc., the Indian displays a wonderful power for acting and imitating, and the peculiarity of each, individually, is imitated in so happy a manner, as to be readily understood by those ac quainted with the qualities of the subject intended to be described, although they should be entire strangers to the language. In their writing and correspondence, the Indians make use alto gether of hieroglyphics. It is doubtful if they had a knowledge of methodical combination whether their language would admit of its use. They inscribe their correspondence, and such subjects as require to be recorded, on the inner bark of the white birch, or on skins prepared for the purpose. In the reasoning, the judgment and perceptions of an Indian are, generally speaking, clear and quick, and their arguments ingenious and cogent. In respect to the origin of their religion, the Indians themselves are altogether ignorant. It is certain, however, that they acknowl edge, at least so far as my acquaintance extends, one supreme, ali powerful, and intelligent Being, viz.: the "Great Spirit," or the Giver of Life, who created and governs all things. They believe, in general, that after the hunting grounds had been formed and supplied with game, that he created the first red man and woman, who were very large in their stature, and lived to axj exceedingly old age ; that he often held councils with them, gav them laws to be observed, and taught them how to take game and cultivate corn, but that in consequence of their disobedience, h withdrew from, and abandoned them to the Wallertozcor, (Bad Spirit,) who had since been instrumental to all their degeneracy arid sufferings, [This fact singularly coincides, in a great measure, MY DOMESTIC DUTIES PRACTISED UNDER DIFFICULTY. JEALOUSY OF ME-EM-O-LE. v SReine &du$Hdjcn ^fli^ten un^c? Oc^roierigfeit auSQeubt. Giferfuc^t Don MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE. l S* Bible view of, earth's formation, and the story of Adam and Eve in the- " Happy Land of Paradise," and will aflbrd a subject for meditation, when we consider that the story has been familiar to the Indians before the white man came among them.] They believe the Great Spirit to be of a too exalted character to be -directly the author of evil, and that, notwithstanding the offences of his red children he continues to shower down on them all the blessings they enjoy ; in consequence of this parental regard for them, they are truly filial and sincere in their devotions to him for such thing; as they need, and return thanks for such good things as they receive On the other hand, when in affliction, or suffering under anj great calamity, in the belief tnat it will appease his wrath or mit-i gate his chastisements, they pray with equal fervency to the Evi) Spirit, who, they conceive, is a character directly the reverse of the Good Spirit, to whom he is inferior, but, nevertheless, has sufficient power, and is constantly devising means to torment and punish them. 8y the terra spirit, the Indians have an idea of a being that can, at pleasure, be present, and yet invisible ; they nevertheless think th the abyss was impossible. To fire was a great riaka^t, hoot his wife or child. He then opened a parley with opponent. Wannotee would agree but to one thing- must swear by the Great Spirit to give him his squaw, s papoose where he chose. In the agony of despair, at 3e words, Sumsmmot fired upon Waunotee, the shot took or a moment he relinquished his hold upon the woman, id beyond description, stood perfectly still, nor made no sape. Wannotee staggered and seehicd about to drop with one last, almost superhuman effort,, he sprang Indian woman, seized her in his arms, and with a won- jleared the edge of the abyss. The shout of Wauootai 88 MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE. and the chilling scream of the woman greeted Sumsumot, a crashing ar-caa followed, and then all was still as death. Sumsumot, for a time, lay senseless, but recovering himself he arose with the face of a demon. His Indian nature panted for revenge ; he went back to the village, related his story to four chiefs, and then, with knife and gun, killed all of Wannotee'* *elatives. He then ran, followed by the braves of the village, who were s<* astounded at the murders, and the rapidity with which he committed them, that they were powerless for the time to restrain him. Sum- sumot ran until he arrived at the abyss where the tragedy occurred, and with a look and cry of despair, leaped into the darkness below. The remains were afterwards found by some Indians, who erected a rude monument on the spot, and ever afterwards the rock upon which Deitosie and I sat, was known as " Cantowinnie " (Abyss of Despair). Afterward, in conversation with Deitosie, I learned, with feelings of disgust and surprise, that the little Indian girl, and the old squaw whom I had seen entering Temulle's hut, were his wives. The girl could not have been fourteen years of age in fact was no, as I afterward learned and the old squaw was nearly sixty. Certainly this information was enough to upset all feelings of romance, had 1 ever entertained any ; but it was not that which hurt me so, it waa the idea of being wedded to a man who already had two other wives. Deitosie and myself soon arrived at the village, and there I was formally introduced by my husband to his wives, Nos. 1 and 2 ; and afterwards the chiefs came in one at a time and spoke some oily language relative to their feelings of respect and admiration for their * white daughter." . The next day found me awake bright and early, but not before Temulle, who had been up an hour sooner. As I made my exit from the door of the hut I met him. He saluted me, half in the manner of a cavalier, and that of a person who had gained a victory, and beheld his captive.. I asked him what were to be my duties, and expressed a willingness to commence at once. He answered mo thu* I MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE. 41 e squaw do to look at somwnme ; when me wank her work,, er so. Let the other tw. work for you." here remark, that my husband's English was not so pure f Deitosie. The latter, br the way, was of the Cheyenne Ler father had been one of a bony of Indiana who main body because of a quarrel, and being driven from to another, himself, daughter, 'and a young Cheyenne ssassa by name, had joined the Brule-Sioux. ; my second day I conversed religiously with all thfe villing to listen, who could understand English. My first attempt was anything but encouraging, and I finally concluded to p until I could master the Sioux language. This I did, I easily, and before long I was enabled to offer up prayers 'ho was, I taught them, the Great Spirit of all men, women, .ren, no matter what their color might be. My attempts to I reform the Indian children were treated with indifference and empt, and I may perhaps be allowed some credit, when 1 at I continued under the discouraging auspices nearly one during that time made two converts Deitosie and Winno- iy husband's young wife). i been among the Siotrx about six months, when an event which horrified me extremely. One day a number of eturned from a hunting expedition, accompanied by a >f the U. S. Army, en costume, whom they had captured, ves reported that he had deserted from his company, and Dmetime past been amusing himself by lying in arnbuscn 1*: >ting Indians as they passed. In conversation with 1 him fiber his arrival, he informed me that he had received ;, (which he showed me,) and had skirted home in conipait irty of hunters, from whom he became lost. He belonged rty-second U. S. Infantry ; but I have forgotten his name, ians had, without doubt, confounded him with another >m he had heard of, and whose name was Fly Jones, but. lined from the Indians the appellation of ' Indiamo A pea n *2 MISS BARBER'S NARRATIYK. My sympathies were, of course, aroused in this poor man's behalt 8ut what could I do ? And yet, perhaps, my husband might exert his influence for my sake. I concluded to ask him. Temulle'i jeal ousy was greatly aroused, when I appeared before him and upon my knees besought him to plead for the soldier's life. He accuged me of wishing the " pale face " to become my lover ; and this attempt at the " Pocahontas business " ended by my being placed in the hut under guard of th old hag, and the little child-wife. During the day of the capture the old hags and boys of the Til lage were permitted to torment the prisoner with taunts, shooting headless arrows at him, sticking him with Indian toy -knives, etc. At night the stake, at which he was to be burned, was driven in the ground ; and soon after the soldier was brought forward, bound securely, and dry brush heaped around him. Temulle, in a jealous fit, desired that I should witness the scene. I protested, but to no effect, and was forced to go to the spot. I endeavored to close my ^ves to this dreadful scene, but could wot. Once tied to the stake the Indians am used themselves for about ^ hour, by throwing the tomahawk ; the objeci being 10 see how near they could come to hitting his head .vithout touching it. None but experts were allowed to 'participate in thin amusement, and their dexterity was truly astonishing With closed eyes the prisoner stood, and awaited his death, for he evidently did not know but what they were trying, in this manner, to split his head open. This amusement over, the brush was carefully placed around him. Then the Indians drew lots, but for what, 1 could not at the moment perceive. I was not left long in doubt, for the ^successful Indian stepped out from the circle, and in a moment had completely scalped the soldier. At this horrible sight I fainted; and when I returned to consciousness, the prisoner's body was burned as far up as his chest, and the crisp flesh was rapidly falling into the fire beneath him. Life by this time was extinct ; but there, with the eyes start ing from their sockets, was his head, with ghastly appe*~ince, still the post, his neck having beer) secur** 1 *' '*W, im ftdL of whioh I propose making a separate . CHAPTER IV. WHICH WAJLNATAA RELATES HIS STORY OF 8TRANG r0i AW ING ADVENTURE, EXTREMELY THRILLING IN ITS ff )Y tribe is that which was once known only as tas," but the greater part of which is now Sioux. My people have wronged me greatly never return to them. My people are rnostl term savages, and many of them are drunk j fiuence of your civilization being forced upon them pi the shape of " fire-water." To become a chief among one must, at least, have scalped a warrior of another trib< to have done so, by producing the scalp ; I was not n; posed to acquire either of these bloody trophies, and c- I was despised as a coward by my people; although I shown any fear in fighting or exposing my life, when vade< tion of my provisions taken along with me, looking and siniliiiL' * each other. Some hours past until we thought of leaving, a diih culty by n* means easily got over, when, as if to aid our flight, the sun oecame obscured by passing clouds, which were of a settled nature, and would thus hide the moon's rising, and favor our flight toward mr borne *6 MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE. We / Jked along swiftly, but in silence, until the 1 star ar aded from beyond the far mountains, and jo^ face ; -t a welcome to us gave. Suddenly I heard a and V/ifore long the war whoop of the Pawnee ran Diora, trembled, and exclaimed : " Mackatana-Nam Th under.) His band, they are going to invade your trifl to aoothe my frightened dove, who now informe ' me, in * won Is, that she had some time ago refused to become the squaw of Black Thunder, the leader of the body of Pawnee no\ I had almost given up in despair, when, to my gre* intense gratification, 1 beheld three horses, caparisone* -* me some very interesting incidents of her father's and grand- tiuher's tribes, which I now try to repeat in her own words, as near as possible : *' Wher my father was still very young, though he had already 4 50 MTSS P> A RP>KK'S~ NARRATIVE distinguished himsolf in battles, for which our people es< led as a chief, the Pnwnees made war on the Iteans, of whc gquaw was captured by one of our warriors. 'He gave her up to the rnedicine-man, who doomer r* barn 3d alive at the stake, in sacrifice to the Great Star. :, my great and famous grandfather, whom they called with g -.oct the Knife-chief, had always opposed that old cruel cus our people; but they listened more to the medicine-man, t' .>im, except in warfare. So the unfortunate Itean squaw w? ,-.1 to the stake around which our people assembled in largo Bee her die in the flames. "My father was sitting silent among the spectators. Tl e /braes had nearly reached their intended victim, when, lo! the y stood suddenly by her side, tore the binding ropes a: carried her in his arms past the perplexed crowds, to some distance, where he had previously fastened two s These horses they mounted and soon disappeared from the astonished multitude. lie conveyed her safe to the try ; and returned to his own, unconcerned at the cons- his daring act, which no other Pawnee warrior would but none durst censure him, not even the medicine-mo the most disappointed of all; and the virtuous Lcteel a} good action of his noble son, of whom he was not a littl " Before getting married, my father was sent by ou the Great Father at Washington, the big village of where their fine and young squaws tried every means heart, and loved him very much ; because they had he v he rescued the young Itean squaw, telling him he was >od, everything that was noble, and they gave him a mec .-leaf metal bright which they called sijyer, and on it were mA~k* which were to mean such fine words, thaW learned them by heart 0- > my mother, who to me repeated them so often : ' Brother, a token of our esteem ; always wear it for our sakes, and when agaia TOW h*ve the power to save a young woman from torture or from MISS BABBERV NAEBATIVK 51 death, remember this and us, and fty o her rescue.' He wore that medal attached to a string, and was .ery proud of it. When he died, he requested to be buried with iv till around his neck. "After his return from the wigwam of the white chief, he went to the Itean village, and brought back with him the maiden whom he had saved; and she was my mother. I am justly proud of my , father the 'Bravest of the Braves.'" (Here Waaiiataa sighed deeply ; and after quite a silence, he pro ceeded with his story.) t was a fine sunny morning when we reached my native place ; one of the villages in the Sioux country, and belonged to the Lo tribe. The appearance of a Pawnee squaw there was sp extraordi nary an event, that in a few moments after our arrival, we were sur rounded by a crowd of men, women, and children. Our Siou? gquaws looked first with evident jealousy at my beautiful Diora; however, they could not for a long time resist her charming inno cence ; and when she entreated them, with teurs in her handsome eyes, to adopt her as a sister and daughter, their hearts melted to wards her. My fellow-warriors did not, particularly the younger ones, show any marks of opposition when I publicly declared her to be my wife ; but eventually, some of the aged warriors, in accord ance with, and probably instigated by our old medicine-man, became violently opposed to my union with a Pawnee squaw. They stuck to their old customs, which did not allow intermarriage between Sioux and Pawnees; and the present war between the two tribes was far from favoring an exception in our behalf. My friendly endeavors to conciliate my old, stubborn opponents failed; and I was too isolated among niy companion^ on account of my peaceable disposition, and my antipathy to scalping and kill ing our prisoners, or else I would have made a violent resistance tu such cruel oppression. I determined upon the use of cunning to circumvent my oppressors, who had really organized a conspiracy to ruin me; which purported that I myself had conspired against rth retreated when they saw me. With one leap I was by her snde, and with raised tomakawk, exclaimed, " Who dares strike iJiora strikes through me. Who will fight with Waanataa ? Let h im come forward and say he dares to raise his tomahawk against the grand son of the great Waanataa I " None stirred, and all, even the old chiefs and warriors, remained silent, while I looked around with a calm fury which showed my resolution t fight, and to dir> if needs be, for my beloved wife ; but she placed her soft hand up< i my mouth, and said with the true meekness of a daughter of tb Great Spirit: "No bloodshed, Waanataa; let me die for you Diora does not fear death." And casting a steadfast look upon the cruel homicide priest, she said in a firm and loud voice : " Prepare roar stake ' I am the gramd-daughter of Leteftl, and the daughtv 58 MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE. of Petalso, the Bravest of the Braves,' I will show you that I deserved to be Waanataa's wife, in dying for him without fea All sat in silence, as if they were struck by the streaked ugli* from heaven; but before any of them could answer, I had t.-cized Diora, and carried her out of the assembly to our lodge, whe my good ^runner stood ready for any emergency, and mounting Diora, I left my country and my people, who, laboring ur eaceable Sioux. I was unfortunately greatly mistaken In 1 1. icy had, or presumed to have, strong reasons for consider- ii)g aod U -ating every Sioux as an enemy. In their last war which they waged under " Black Eagle " against the whites, their chief ws* mad<' prisoner by a band of one hundred Sioux, who killed Sacs and Foxes in one fight, and delivered Black Eagle es. In consequence of these bloody and wicked acts, r a number of Sioux, the hatred of the Sac and Fox tribes fell upon all the Sioux, and as I had the misfortune of being latter, although a mere boy when the circumstance . was doomed to suffer for the acts of my people who Jed me to leave my home with them for one in the arcely come within arrow-shot of the village when the sounded, a-nd in a few minutes I was surrounded by a bod y sir warriora. An old Fox chief made a motion of silence panions, who immediately obeyed him, and he said with ' Why las the Sioux dared to approach our village? Your ive slain many of our best warriors, and delivered our r enemies. Although we have since buried tLe bloody and smoked the calumet of peace with our pale-face TK-" e have not done so with our red ones, the Sioui., who are , and therefore you shall die in sacrifice to the Great have spoken." right, wise and brave warrior," answered I, with a calm knowing that a contradictory reply would have iused my death. " If you say so, I must die ; but I know that si cs and Foxes are great warriors and no cowards; and they are right in killing their enemies ; I know that r ought to be killed like a rattle-snake ; I know that th* 60 MISS BARBER'S NARRATIYE. have been traitors to you, and that they are worse than the rattle-snakes. Now listen to me ! / am no more a Sioux , my people have acted worse toward me and mine than they ever did to you, and I have left them never to join them again. Adopt me 48 your brother ; give me an opportunity of proving to you my &ithfulness. I have spoken I " " Our council can alone decide upon your fate," replied the old ehief. " I will neither give warrant for your veracity, because you are still a Sioux in appearance, nor will I seek to raise doubt of your aincerity, because truth shines in your face. In the meantime, till the decision of our council, you are a prisoner among us and must submit to the common treatment of such." I was pinioned, and led through the village, like a culprit, sur rounded by a body of warriors, and followed by a crowd of women nd children, hooting after me, " Dog of a Sioux I Traitor ! Kill him ! kill him ! " and throwing stones at me, and otherwise heaping indignities upon my person. My prison was a large, miserable, decaying lodge, palisaded and continually watched by three warriors, who never answered my frequent inquiries as to the decision of my fate. How can I give you an idea of my sufferings when I thought of my wife and child? What would become of them if I returned not before the falling of the snow, and winter sun by sun drawing nearer ? Agony, agony, mid no other prospect of release from my prison, but a prisoner's death. My pinions, the high palisades around my prison, and my con stant three watchers, reminded me at every moment of the impossi bilities of escape, and a fit of madness came over me when, with feelings of horror and despair, I beheld flakes of snow slowly falling to the ground. I groaned in my agony ; and my silent watchers exchanged significant looks with each other, as if they understood my firy, which they ascribed to a mere feeling of revenge at my Ion/ cnptivity ; they showed me their tomahawks, as if these were means to stop my groans and check my fury. I had MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE. 61 ly to my story, but without any success; for none of my watcher, had ' eturned, so that I supposed, at length, allthe Sacs and Foxes would come successively to watch me till my Wth, and three had had their turn to see a suffering Sioux they would proceed to effect their purpose. Winte< 3d and spring came, while no change took place in iny terr : nation: my despair became permanent, and would Have tr ) indifference, had it not been kept up by every thought of m / poor Diora, and our dear child. I hoped against 7 were in a comfortable situation. Six full moons had flov-v fill 1 the cup of my sufferings to the brim. I had a thousand tirr w invoked the aid of the Great Spirit to my rescue fror, of living misery. The scanty food which I received had reduced r y strength to that of a child; when one evening the hief, of -horn I have previously spoken, came into the lodge and aid : f oux, to-morrow you shall appear before our peoplo." . . ?. ag for my answer, he left me again to my despair, as I oould not g ACSS whether or not my death was to be the topic of his peoples conversation or amusement, on the following sun. The suti was yet young when the old chief appeared again, caused my pinions to be taken off, and bade me follow him, which com mand I \* ' ifficulty obeyed. A -wide v mi-circle of warriors was opened at our approach, and closed after 'e had entered. The old chief took a seat in the middle c bow, and between other chiefs, and gave me a seat amoog ti> h which was so placed that they could see my face when i . A deep silence prevailed for a few moments, but on the left wing of the semicircle began to beat upon b pat is, to the time of which those who formed the other eno left me. Shortly after her departure little Leeonoge (Temulle's foung squaw) entered, and we were soon conversing in quite an animated and friendly manner, in fact Leeonoge and I had been good friends from our first acquaintance. What was my surprise to learn from her lips that Temulle intended, that very day, to take unto himself another squaw. Soon we heard the Indian drums beat, and sounds of " Kee-wan-ah " were yelled by hundreds of voices. With difficulty I almost dragged myself to the entrance of the lodge, and there for the first time witnessed an Indian marriage. The young Indians are led, both by precept and example, to adopt the married life ; and instances of celibacy very rarely continue, more particularly on the part of males, much beyond the period of mature puberty. Old bachelors, settled in their towns and villages, tre a race of beings altogether unknown ; I have however known A few who led a wandering life, sometimes attaching themselves to >ne tribe, and sometimes fco another. Early marriages ar more frequent in tribes bordering on th ttiemQpts than *n those which are more remotely situated SB MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE. ;r%ctice is encouraged by the old men, who however say that when they were young they did not marry, nor even think of being called men, \inti 1 twenty winters had passed over their heads. The inter- 'eoure with whites, they maintain, has enervated the warriors, caused the Indians to be more indolent, quarrelsome, and wicked ; 'and materially shortened the period of their existence. *X)n the occasion of Temulle's marriage to his fourth wife, he walked majestically toward the North first, and then successively toward the East, South, and West. During this time the horrible drums were fiercely beaten, yells were heard on all sides, and great exr ite- ment appeared to prevail. Then came silence, and with it the sq law to whom he was to be married, and who really was far from being an ill looking woman. She went through the same performancr , but after walking a certain distance westward she turned, and retrac ing her steps about half the way, halted, and taking an ear of corn from beneath the folds of her dress, deposited it upon the ground. Temulle then walked forward, picked up the ear of corn, and amid furious yells, threw it far above him. This signified an acceptance. She went immediately up to him and seized his right wrht, and said: " Meernole is proud, happy, humble, and will do all woik for the great chief Temulle." He then, in a loud voice, candidly pro claimed the warm attachment he entertained for Meemole, T idow of Stameollo the warrior, and at the same time presented her with the heart of an elk (as I afterward learned), a buffalo r . ai d, to my astonishment, a gold chain and locket, which I had worn before our marriage. The reader may readily imagu tkist*hole scene as being somewhat of a sensation to me, and will I am vire forgive my weakness when it is taken into consideration that I bad at least a one-fourth interest in the possession of the man tfms rock- ^lessly throwing himself away. But what of that, on my own h *ad fell the folly of my deeds ; so let us look at the next chapter, and, if possible, digest the matter therein contained avr or lo WOc: OL AFTER V. TILLS A GREAT MANY THINGS CONNECTED WITH MY LIFi AMOJTQ THE INDIANS, AND HOW I DID NOT ESCAPE, ETC., ETC. JEEMOLE, widow of Stameollo, brought an addition into the family besides herself. This addition was in the shape of a nine-year-old boy, who then and in after years proved one of my greatest tormentors. For instance, he would, instigated by his mother, place himself in a favorable position, and then with his toy bow and arrows (a very uncivilized specie of toy I may here remark), he would aim at any portion of my limbs which might accidentally become exposed while I attended to cooking and other domestic arrangements. I did not dare to retaliate, for such a proceeding would not have been tolerated by either his mother or step-father. Temulle had since his marriage. with Meemole become a perfect tyrant, and I resolved to escape if. possible. I gave up in despair being ever able to accomplish good. in a missionary point of view, and therefore rny religious views did not deter me from a fixed determination to immediately attempt the step. But, in the midst of thoughts of escape, a serious accident occurred to me which bade fair to put an end to my lease of life. -Whilst .stand ing in conversation, one evening, with Deitosie and Waanataa, 1 felt a cold substance next the flesh of my leg, aud jumping from the spot, I with a shudder heard the rattle, and beheld a rattlesnake! At first I was thankful for my escape from the venomous bite of the reptile ; but suddenly I felt a stinging sensation, and upon exami nation found that I had actually been badly bitten. Waaiiataa, immediately discovered the true state of affairs, and with a spring, 69 TO MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE forward lie reached the rattlesnake, with one blow of his tomahawk severed its head from its body, and quickly commenced skinning and cutting it to pieces. Meanwhile, from fright, I lay senseless. The squaws in the village soon gained intelligence of the occurrence, and were seen running about, and stooping now and then ; but Doitosie had not been idle, and was soon by my side, and with her a utensil, formed of buffalo hide, containing water and two or three handfuls of green leaves of a peculiar virtue. Meantime Waanataa had beeli busily engaged in placing upon the rattlesnake's bite the inner parts of the sliced pieces of its body. Each slice upon being applied to the wound would almost immediately turn black; and just as Waanataa was about removing a third piece I awoke. This slice was only black to a small extent, and thus proved that the poison was nearly all extracted. During the application Deitosie had poured down my throat the potion she had prepared, and afterwards she bathed my limb with it. I recovered, but my nerves undergoing another severe shock, I was again prostrated. Old Babasho, Temulle's eldest \vife, in con junction with Meemole, were my constant enemies, and left nothing undone to annoy me. I had now been with the Brule-Sioux nearly one year, and had fully resolved to escape at the first opportunity. There occurred, however, about this time, an event which turned my thoughts back again in their old direction. This event was the appearance among us of an old Methodist preacher, na<} John Madler, a native of New York State, and a resident of "i e City; where, I have since learned, he is quite well k^^,. .,. i^ vras accompanied by a sinister looking man calling himself Maer, ft Canadian- Frenchman, who came from Manitoba, over the border ,. ( Dakota. Maer was a sort of independent trader, and remained with us some time. He related to me, with great glee, a transaction with a party of Fox Indians. These Indians were thoroughly uncivilized, and after trading every available article in his possession, excepting MISS BAKBER'S NARRATIVE. 73 kit gun and ammunition, he fired it off to their intense delight, and afterwards showed them the gunpowder which caused the great noise. This, he explained, was a seed which could be planted in the groumd the same as corn, and would produce a large crojr They gave him many articles of value in exchange for one- hall hi* stock of gunpowder, and he went upon his way rejoicing. Aiier- wards, in his trading expeditions he was careful not to trespass upon their territory, for fear the " seed " might prove an unpleasant and unprofitable harvest for him. That was his part of the story, but there came an unexpected sequel. Some six months after leaving our village, he started on a trading expedition in the Blackfeet territory. Ho exposed his wares in one of their villages ; but what was his surprise to behold some four or five Indians walk up and carry off all his property. He laid his complaint before the chief, who informed him that the Indians, who had his property, were honest Fox who had joined his tribe, and that they promised to pay their white brother when the black seea grew. Rev. John Madler and I had many warm religious conversations. He spoke hopefully of making many converts among the Indians. Htf denounced in strong terms the habit, so prevalent among the whites, of breaking nearly all their treaties with the red men, which itter to harbor nothing but distrust in their dealings with the flona of civilization. With great earnestness he besought ni\3 t without fear in the path that I had chosen ; and re- at good could not be accomplished without some sauri nee. in fact so strong were his arguments, that I decided to remain ' \ my present position ; and again resolved upon rigidly following out my early missionary intentions. ir territory, and leave us nothing in exchange ..but fire-water, to madden our brains and destroy our bodies." This was their theory, and nothing which the Rev. Madler could advance in opposition to it, would in any way combat their ideas. " You are good pale face to-day ; " they said, "but to-morrow's sun may see thee bad pale face, for we have seen, we cannot but know." It was the eve of Mr. Madler's departure, and that of his com panion, Maer. We had been sitting outside the door of our lodge. I had just related thu incident of the snake bite, and mentioned the leaves which Deitosie had used as a remedy. Maer expressed a ?reat desire to gather some, in which Mr. Madler also joined. Deitosie, who was present, volunteered to show them a spot, but A short distance from the village, where they grew in abundance. Temulle had been absent some two or three days, and not fearing his displeasure, I aiso volunteered to accompany the party. The moon shone brightly that night, as we set forth upon our botanical trip. We had proceeded something over half a mile from the village, when, quick as thought, Maer with a furious blow struck Mr. Mad ler to the ground, and turning dealt Deitosie one equally as hard. Before I could gather my senses he had completely enveloped my head and shoulders in his cloak, thus stifling all cries for help, which I might have given vent to. Seizing me in his strong arms he ran quickly forward. I heard the neighing of a horse near by .^d soon felt myself lifted upon its back, and knew that Maer was there beside me. The villain had planned the whole affair and soon the >orse was galloping ov, at a pushed speed. My thoughts during Jhis Lime were of an unenviable kind. What object could he have in this abduction? Madman, did he not realize that we should aoon be pursued and overtaken. We had probably gone some ten or fifteen miles before he reined *D, H< dismounted and lifted me fpom the horse'a back. Then MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE. 75 long silence ensued, which was at length broken by shouts from Maer, and sounds of a switch descending upon the back of the horse, & neigh of terror from the animal, and then as of some heavy body noting down a ravine. The cloak was then withdrawn from my head, and I in a half in fusible manner regained my power of speech, and looked around one. There stood Maer with the face of a demon, his eyes bloodshot and a ghastly smile on his unprepossessing countenance. " You are now the wife of Mier. Do you not comprehend me ? M he said. I could make no reply. * You don't mind it, eh ? Good I Well, I will tell you some thing. In a short time those red-skin devils will be upon us. Ar riving at this spot they will notice something unusual, and will trace that something to the edge of this ravine, down which I caused my horse to leap. They will suppose us to have been on the horse when he went down. Now, in order to reach the bottom, they will foe obliged to retrace their steps some eight miles. Duri T j/ that time, and that which we have gained in advance of them, v.'C can walk a little ways can't we, my dear ? and after we do wv,'.k a little ways I know a nice little hiding place. Now aint I s schemer ? It's all for you, too ! " The villain evidently considered that I did not object to his plans, and knowing my helplessness, I concluded for the p/.'dsent not to undeceive him. So on we went, until we arrived at the banks of a Before emerging from the woods, Maer removed his \ desired me to do the ame. He then procured four targe pieces of wancton bark. Two of these pieces he tied to his feet, ono under each foot. The other two pieces he tied to mine. We then started for the stream ; after reaching which we untied trar ** bark shoes," and walked down the brook. How far we walked I have no idea ; but at last in an exhausted condition, my feet badly swollen, we reached a hut, or lodge, of construction Upon our arrival, there appeared at tkt 76 MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE. door, gun in hand, a strange looking creature, whom one cowW scarcely name a man. His legs were twisted in a manner such as I have never seen possessed by a human being. One shoulder waa drnwn high up above the other; and his eyes, which cannot be described as being of any known color, were overhung by eyebrows of great thickness. One arm was, or appeared to be, much longer than the other ; and a more singular looking object, in the shape of man, could not be found. " Ah, this is my true friend, Red Rappo," said Maer, and added he, aside, " he is a sort of half-breed. His father was a Blackfeet, and his mother was, well there's no knowing exactly what, only she was not an Indian ; " and, added he, this time addressing the creature before him : "Rappo, we are hunted by Sioux, and would hide, show us to your cave beneath the Anonmaho." " I see a friend," answered the strange being thus addressed, " and will serve him. Serve him falsely, never. Come ! " Into the hut we followed Red Rappo. Looking round me I could tee no other entrance save the one through which we came. The lodge or hut was built against a large rock, the sides of which served for the wall at the back. Rappo went directly to the wall and pushing it in a peculiar manner several times, a large stone fell, leaving a hole large enough for one person at a time to crawl through. Maer bade me enter first. This I objected to, expressing a fear as to what might meet me beyond. At this both Rappo and the Canadian laughed, the latter informed me that there was nothing to fear, as we were about entering a natural cave. Knowing that further objections might cost me my life I reluctantly entered, followed by Maer, who, when inside, raised the stone to its former position. We walked through a dark cave for some distance, when we suddenly came to a lighted torch placed in a notch in the rocks. Here, to my surprise, I beheld a running brook. Maer, who ap peared to be perfectly familiar with his surroundings, retraced his atepa, but before leaving me. told me to venture no further. t*s to do MISS BARBER'S NARRATiVK 77 mo would be certain death. He said that in less than half an hour he should return, and then all would be well. Moved by some incomprehensible power I walked quite a ways from the spot upon which my abductor had left me. Want of courage caused me to stop. I then contemplated the hopeless position in which I was placed, and preferred death to remaining iu the power of the viHain Maer. I continued to advance, slowly and cautiously, through the underground brook, which was scarcely fcnee-high. I walked probably half a mile, when with a prayer tu God, and renewed courage I kept upon my uncertain way. Sud denly I bethought myself of the torch burning in the notch, and feeling assured that its possession by me would be of great value, 1 went back to my starting point, obtained the light, and almost ran the distance I had walked, before. The splashing water echoed and re-echoed* throughout the cave, I desperately fought the feeling of fear within me, and determined to continue, even if death should toe the consequence ; on, on I went. I know not the distance I had traversed after obtaining the torch, but suddenly a thousand lights danced before my eyes ; and all the fairy tales that I had read in my childhood seemed about to be verified. Twas as if all the rubies, and precious stones of the world, were imbedded in the rocks around me ; and in an ecstasy of wonder and delight I paused to view this scene of gorgeousness. But sud denly I was renj? 3d of my perilous situation, and the immediate necessity for action ; so on I went, carefully searching for signs of danger, I must have gone several miles, when, to my great joy, I beheld an opening bc jv uu. With hastened steps I walked toward t, and upon my arrival was met by an unexpected difficulty. The broo! rushed down the rocks at a height of full two hundred feet ; am> upon neither side could I find means of exit from the cave, f stood gazing upon this truly grand work of nature, and fully re aolved, that in case of pursuit, I would jump into the basin bei satt r knelt and sent up a prayer to God, and there upon my kneea, I T8 MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE. thought of my past life, reviewed it calmly, and with a resigned mind, awaited my fate. In the midst of such thoughts I wa aroused by a great splashing sound, and turning found myself i the firms of Maer. His face was covered with blood, and from & hole in his forehead the blood was slowly trickling down. His ex pression I shall never forget, as with an oath he seized me, an<5 hissed into my ear these words: " Vou thought to escape me, my beauty, did you ? But I have you now, despite the endeavors of that canting preacher to trick; me of my prize. Curse him ! He shall pay for every drop oi blood I have lost. Thought to kill me, did he? And I do believe Rappo is dead, shot by that hellish squaw. Come, we must get away from here." So saying he dragged me back towards the entrance to the cave: reaching which he pushed me through the hole in the Took, andt quickly followed. As I gained my feet upon the floor of the cabio I beheld Deitosie, who was about to spring forward to meet me> when seeing the head and shoulders of Maer emerging from the cave, she darted toward him instead, and seizing him dragged him through, and administed a sound beating to his Canadian majesty. But once firmly upon his feet he would have proved too much fosr her ; but fortunately, at this critical moment, good Mr. Madler ap peared upon the scene, and by a well-directed blow from the butt of his gun, succeeded in rendering our antagonist powerless, andi without uttering a sound he fell to the floor. 1 now observed that Mr. Madler's left arm hung upon a strip oi linen suspended from his neck. This was all duly explained to me As soon as Mr. Madler recovered his senses, after being knocked down by Maer, near the Sioux village, he ran back, arid (crazy frons the unexpected circumstances attending our walk, and a severe paii* in the head, occasioned by Maer's blow,) mounted the first horse he came to, without giving any particulars to the Indian who stood nea? him, and galloped furiously away. Arriving at the spot where he had left Deitosie insensible, bfc MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE. $1 found her standing up, and when she saw him she begged to accom pany him. So the two thus mounted rode on, little knowing where, "but, directed by a kind and all-seeing Providence, they came upo* Rappo's hut. Standing in the door was Maer, who upon seeing them fired his gun, the ball from which took effect in Mr. Madlc^s left arm. With great effort Mr. Madler returned the shot, and fortunately it also took effect, for Maer put his hand to his forehead and -disap peared within. Rappo now came to the front and fired, but with no effect, his ball passing harmlessly by. Rev. Madler had now drop ped his gun, and was attending to his wound, which had become 'by this time exceedingly troublesome. Deitosie with great firmness .picked up the fallen gun and fired. The smoke cleared away, a -id Rappo lay dead! Mr. Madler then seized the gun, and rushn.g forward fearlessly entered the cabin; but to his surprise, and tb;a1 of Deitosie, who had followed him, Maer was nowhere to be seen. He and the Indian maiden searched everywhere, but without sue cess, and they had given up all hopes of being able to rescue me Madler had just left the hut for the fourth or fifth time, and Deitosie had stood near the door wonderingly, when my appearance, foi lowed by that of Maer, and the attending consequences, took place Deitosie and myself were seated upon the horse's back, arid with great thankfulness we wended our way toward our village, accom panied by good Mr. Madler. About half way we were met by a large body of mounted Sioux warriors, who in surprise greeted our arrival. The story was soon told, and Rev. Madler was the hero, and I)eitosie the heroine of the day. Two days afterward Mr. John Madler set out upon his journey. accompanied by an " Anee " (bachelor) Indian who had formed * warm attachment for him. With the good doctor I in sorrow parted, but cheerfully remarked that we should meet again. " If not in this world, then in the next," he said. Shortly after this commenced a series of persecutions beyond Christian forbearance. Maer, the trader, had left a quantity of the \ j * >PT1/ 8B MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE. worst whiskey ever distilled, and nearly all the Indians parto freeJy of it ; Temulle among the rest. After drinking a quant of the poisonous liquid he would come to the lodge, and ordering ) out would devise all sorts of plans for his own amusement. Soi I dare not mention, but others I will. At one time he came to i and said that the council had ordered me to swim the river, whi was near the village. Accordingly I was seized by two squaws, w forced me toward the river, followed by Indians, both men a women, in a beastly state of intoxication. Arrived at the river, r tormentors waded out, dragging me with them. Fortunately th had hold of the wrong person to gratify them in the manner th desired, as I was an expert swimmer and readily swam to the opp tiite bank. Finding that they were foiled in their Intentions regai ing myself, the male Indians forced all the squaws, who had acco panied us, into the river, where they were followed and forced ir deep water. Some five or six of the women could not swim, a of these three were drowned, to the great amusement of the drunk wretches on shore. At another time, Temulle, still under the influence of liqu shipped me severely, and then painted my face with the blc which ran from the wounds upon my body. His passion for t menting me was at its height, when fortunately for me, but unfor oately for others, two teamsters were brought in as prisonc A. n d wiry n eed dwell upon the horrible scene ? these men were t to the stake, and surrounded by howling, drunken Indians, t\ were burned to death. Not long after this terrible affair, two white girls were broughl our village and forced to take braves as husbands or die at the sta From them I learned a sad history of Indian cruelties. Their na was Howson. Three years previous the father, John W. Hows and his wifc and three children, from Kentucky, had sought found a home in the far West. Everything had prospered, and their happy home few thoughts of evil came. But the destrc was on their track. One day there oame seven Indknp ^ MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE. 83 exhibited ever} sign of peaceable intentions. They asked for food and received it. After st&ffing themselves to their hearts' content tlhey asked for fire-water. Mr. Howson and his wife, who were both in the house, informed them that he had none, in fact neve' used it. " White man lie I " said one of the Indians, "and me kill him, he ao give us fire-water." Mr. flowson still persisting that there was nothing of that kind in the house, the Indians rushed upon, and struck him to the ground, where they scalped him alive before the e^es of his distracted family. Mrs. Howson, an invalid, unable to move from her chair, sat wring ing her hands and calling for mercy. The Indians, now thoroughly maddened at the sight of blood, next directed their attention toward a boy of about four years of age, and one tall powerful brute took him by the heels and dashed his brains out against the door post. The daughters, Annie and Lizzie, had fainted at this horrible eight, and when they became conscious their home was in ashes, and their mother buried beneath. The Indians who committed this dastardly deed were of the Lo tribe, but they brought their captive? *o our village. Lizzie Howson was a very pretty blonde, and her sister Annie & brunette of rare beauty. All my sympathies were enlisted in their favor; but what could I do to aid them? Nothing, absolutely nothing, for / was a captive in reality. Thoughts of escape, with out any fixed plan to accomplish it, were again running through my and well, the next chapter will let you into se?ral nform yov ** to several ad^nturea of mine. 86 MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE. himself at our fright! Soon he will rend us limb from limb! Some such wild thoughts presented themselves to my now crazed Irain, and with them came the feeling of faintness again. My com- anion stood like a bronze statue, nor uttered she one word. With no belief in things supernatural, the idea slowly crept ia upon me that we were looking at the spirit of Red Rappo. 1 gained, at length, sufficient courage to advance a few steps. As I did so I bade the object before us to come forward, if he were man or spirit. But there staring at us, with a look that chilled my very blood, stood Red Rappo! Suddenly yells were echoed throughout the cave. What meant those shouts? Whence dfcl they proceed? With feelings none can describe, I turned to my companion, who by this time had regained her power of speech. Our people have found, and followed our trail," she said. Again the yells were sounded in our ears, and the truth soon became apparent to me. Rushing forward, I know not why, I ran against the object which had caused us so much terror, and as I did so it fell 'twas the body of Red Rappo. Here was another mys tery. Holding the torch high above my head I beheld a hole neai where the body had been placed, and, on examination, I found another cave adjoining the one we were in. Hurriedly . bade Deitosie follow me, and soon I found myself in a cavern ci huge dimensions. A large rock lay at our feet, and, with the a~ Lance of the Indian maiden, we, upon trial, found it to exactly fit uu hole through which we had crawled. We had scarcely been in our new hiding place a minute, when we heard the echo of voices, and the tramping of many feet in the adjoining cave. Three days and nights, I should judge, we passed ii thie cavern. Often we heard voices and other sounds, but our hiding place remained undiscovered by our pursuers. At last, weary of :ur n- finement we concluded to carefully advance along the cavern. Our torch had burned to its last knot, and, in the darkness, we were obliged to grope our way. It is a singular fact that the air of this cave wag not, as far as we could judge from our feelings, the leaf 86 MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE. himself at our fright! Soon he will rend us limb from limbl Some such wild thoughts presented themselves to my now crazed Jrein, and with them came the feeling of faintness again. My com- anion stood like a bronze statue, nor uttered she one word. With no belief in things supernatural, the idea slowly crept in Rpon me that we were looking at the spirit of Red Rappo. 1 gained, at length, sufficient courage to advance a few steps. As I did so I bade the object before us to come forward, if he were man or spirit. But there staring at us, with a look that chilled my very blood, stood Red Rappo! Suddenly yells were echoed throughout the cave. What meant those shouts? Whence dfil they proceed? With feelings none can describe, I turned to my companion, who by this time had regained her power of speech. Our people have found, and followed our trail," she said. Again the yells were sounded in our ears, and the truth soon became apparent to me. Rushing forward, I know not why, I ran against the object which had caused us so much terror, and as I did so it fell 'twas the body of Red Rappo. Here was another mys tery. Holding the torch high above my head I beheld a hole neai where the body had been placed, and, on examination, I found another cave adjoining the one we were in. Hurriedly .. bade Deitosie follow me, and soon I found myself in a cavern ci huge dimensions. A large rock lay at our feet, and, with the a~ Lance of the Indian maiden, we, upon trial, found it to exactly fit ^u hole through which we had crawled. We had scarcely been in our new hiding place a minute, when we heard the echo of voices, and the tramping of many feet in the adjoining cave. Three days and nights, I should judge, we passed in thL cavern. Often we heard voices and other sounds, but our hiding plac remained undiscovered by our pursuers. At last, weary of :ur 300. finement we concluded to carefully advance along the cavern. Our torch had burned to its last knot, and, in the darkness, we were obliged to grope our way. It is a singular fact that the air of this cave wag not, as far aa we could judge from our feelings, the .' . MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE. , bh impure. We were reduced in provisions to one piece of cooked be* steak weighing about two pounds. Fear prevented us from re' -rnirig the way we came, even if we had been able to find the entrance, which is doubtful, and our situation was desperate. T 1 1 T 1 . remain was certain starvation, and so out we were obliged to go A^ Bui how? Was there an exit to this cave? We pushed hopefully on, knowing not what was before us. At any moment we might be plunged down some deep abyss. Oh, it was terrible, but there was .... no help for it, so on, on we went. We had traversed the cavern a great while when we suddenly beheld before us what appeared to be a star of heaven. Towards it we went, and after walking quite a distance came to a hole scarcely large enough to admit a person to crawl through. I first reached out far enough to take a view of itg surroundings, when with feelings of despair I beheld, directly to the right of me, the self same brook,, rushing down the rocks, which I had before seen in the other cavern, But joy ! joy, to the left of me I saw a ledge of rock upon which we r with care, could crawl. I told Deitosie of my discovery, and crawled /. 11 1 A 1 Mi, followed soon alter by my companion. The rock upon which we stood was some one hundred and fifty , two hundred feet above the plain beneath us. Deitosie, after Bulking around some time, came to me with the news that to the loft of us was a natural path by which we could descend. Acuity, we managed, at last, to reach the valley and with thankful hearts we knelt, I with a prayer, which waa 'ted by the Indian maiden. After a long rest we rose to our- feet and had walked some distance, when we heard the sound of wheels belonging evidently to heavy emigrant wagons, and soon after we met a party of twenty men, and with them tliree wagon* and twelve horses. I entered into conversation with them anct warned them to go to the extreme right, as our people would, in air probability, engage them in battle under some pretence, and rob them of everything. They were pleased to learn that T was the wife of Teraulte (or Squatting Bear as they called him), told me they MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE. -.4 irere on their way, with supplies, to Fort Berthald, and wished to stop at the Brule village. I did not like to own that I was then f,tempting to escape from my husband, and therefore, after again tepcatirg my warning, at which they only laughed, I left :hem to go their way , They had been gone about half an hour when who should suddenly appear before us but Temulle. The game was up 1 It bad been fairly played, but our antagonist held the winning card. Without a word Temulle pointed toward the Brule village, and I, in company with my companion, led the way, followed closely by f Arrived at the village, we were hailed by the Indians with all sorts of exclamations, and I was glad to get into the lodge, to escape their taunts. But my trouble was by no means at an end. Temulle walked in soon after and whipped me so severely that I expected nothing short of death to ensue. Not content with this he pounded me with his fists, until, overcome by such treatment, I fainted. Nor was this all, for in the morning I awoke to learn that the council, then more than half crazy with liquor, had condemned me to be burned at the stake. All my Christian fortitude was required to bear up under these trials. The time appointed for the sacrifice, as the Indians termed it, arrived, and with trembling limbs, but a strong faith in God, I walked forth to meet my doom. Tied to the stake I waited the sig nal that would start the flames around me. The sky was dark with clouds, heavy winds were blowing, when suddenly vivid flashes of lightning illumined the heavens above. \Vaanataa now appeared ~jpon the scene, and addressed the Indians, lie hade them beware >" the Great Spirit's wrath. They were about to burn a woman who fwl never harmed them, and the Great Spirit would talk to them, Jls he spoke a loud peal of thunder rent the air, and the Indians dropped as if struck by some unseen power. There I stood a wit- to this scene of so much import to myself. The elements were vow let loose in all their fury. The wind blew MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE. 91 .8. V "rAHHA WL c?H3FTHAa ^ m perfect hurricane, peal after peal crashed as if in contentitn -with some great antagonist, and the vividness of the lightning clearly exposed each object to view, when suddenly the earth trembled, then shook and shook again, till with one mighty heave it seemed to throw off all the weight upon it, and the next flash of lightning showed the land not far off, to be split as far as the eye eould reach. During these events Waanataa could be seen standing erect, calm and collected. Presently the storm abated, and Waanataa walked up to the stake and severed the cords which bound me, and then, turning to the Indians, huddled together like sheep, he said : " Sioux, the Great Spirit has spoken, and do you not know what the lightning was saying ? " After the storm had passed over I went to my lodge, and thert offered up a prayer of thanksgiving for my rescue from death. Temulle, for some time subsequently, treated me with great res pect, as did also the rest of the tribe, but this soon wore oflj and again did I submit to seemingly never-ending persecutions. The following day a white man approached the village on horse back, and informed us that he was one of a party en route for Fort Berthald. He it was with whom I had conversed and warned not to entor the Brule village. After great parley he was ordered to bring his companions before the chief, and accordingly did so, when commenced a general massa cre, only one of th arty escaping to tell the tale. Things in the neighborhood were getting too hot for a longer stay on the part of the Sioux, and owing to the late murders and depredations, ih~j . ' <* . '' ,-(.' ... . *o'*!3A6w "' >'-" BTCMH '' *O -:Jif? yOi;, possessed me. "WaanAtaa came and in a whisper, advised me to stand up bravely MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE. 93 .and fight it out, for " she is not likely to kill you," be said, ' and if you watch your opportunity and seize with a firm hand her right wrist, and cut her slightly across the stomach the victory is yours. Nothing," he added, " will cause greater fear in such an encounter than a cut on that particular part of the body. I have known Vaves to receive severe, and sometimes death wounds, in more vital ry\rts, and continue fighting, not knowing that they were badly cut A hilst at other times I have seen them conqured by a little scratch a -TOSS the stomach." Knowing that Waanataa, next to Deitosie, stood my best friend, I Jecided to act upon his advice. It is perhaps necessary, though I hesitate through modesty, in asserting it, to state that I am what is termed a well made woman. Brought up in the country, and having at the same time a cesire to avail myself of the exercise which may there be obtain***.*. 5 .o* -. be a strong girl, and at fifteen there were few of the boys in oui neighborhood who cared to test my strength in fact, I was at that age a perfect " torn boy." My opponent, in this contest, possessed a well knit body, and no doubt we were equally matched. And now came preparations for the " tug of war." Face to face we stood, knives in hand. On her face malice, and a fixed look which boded me no good. Upon my face there was, I am sure, an expression of determination. I resolved not to kill her unless mished to rlo *r> in self-defence. The signal to commence hostilities id quick as lightning Meemole sprang forward, and are of it, gave me a severe cut across the face with her knife. For a moment I was bewildered, but remembering my danger, and I may truly say, my American blood being up, I went in for dear life. My first effort was to seize her right wrist, which fortunately I succeeded in doing, but she too had learned that trick, and so I found myself non-combattant. Now commenced a struggle for supremacy. Locked in each other's arms, we neither of us could the knife. At last wth an effort I threw my antagonist, and SLS *4 MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE. he fell she pulled me with her, leaving me however "on top." Several Indians now stepped forward and separated us, and we were commanded to stand upon our feet, which we did, and having learned a lesson from Meemole at the commencement of the encounter, I pro ceeded immediately to put it to practical use, and this time it was her turn to receive the cut upon the face. The quickness with which I accomplished this served to call forth the applause of the drunken Indians, and Meemole in no manner relishing this good opinion of my powers, rushed forward, the blood Htreaming from her face, with the fury of an eni-uged tigress. The blade of her knife clashed against mine, and centring all my strength in the one arm, I threw my antagonist off. Again she came at me, and, acting on the defensive, I backed a step or two, and she in miscalculating the distance would have fallen, had I not instantly seized her, and doing so we both fell. This time there was no interference, and we rolled over and over, cutting and slashing at each other in a manner which appeared to be terrible, but which was in reality of no great effect, except to start a considerable quantity of bld. Temulle at last, seeing that I was getting the best of the squaw, ordered us to be separated. Again we stood face to face, and a sorry appearance we must have presented. Meeraole had decidedly the worst of it, but her courage was by no means gone, and it bade fair to be a long and deadly encounter. She lost no time in acting on the offensive, and it was with great difficulty that I avoided several savage thrusts, any one of which, I doubt not, would have proved fatal to my existence. Many times had I attempted the " cut " which Waanataa advised me to make, , but without success. My antagonist was now becoming weak from loss of blood, and in her despair was fighting wildly, and in such a manner that I could not have longer warded off her stabs, had not fortune at last favored me, for in another attempt I succeded in grasping Meemole's wrist, and quick as thought, dealt her a cut across the stomach, whicb thoroughly unnerved her, and the victory was mine I SS BARBER'S NARRATIVE. VT of blood, and unnerved through excitement, I "aanataa, to my lodge, the Indians making way for ide my courage was lauded to the skies. In a day tiently recovered to be able to assist in the care of eemole, who was very grateful, and ever afterward id firm friend of mine. nously mentioned as living a few miles from 4he janie to our encampment two or three days after ntest, and having heard of it, he expressed a great ne. indered a short distance from our temporary vil- r the Indian trader, and his attentions becoming e to satisfy my sense of propriety, I started to detained me, and despite my endeavors to escape > his hut. We had scarcely arrived there, when appearance, and then commenced a hand to hand i these two red men, in which however my husbana best of his antagonist, and soon-overpowered him. nd him hand and foot, and dragged him to the vil- s roasted alive. The Brules afterward confiscated burned his hut to the ground. ., T ,. , ur encampment W aanataa discovered a cave or , in which were found skulls and skeltons of a race nee extinct,. The shortest one of these skeletons en less than seven feet nine in length, and several measured over eleven feet. Tomahawks of queer peculiar make, and other articles were found in which, an ornament cut from a solid block of gold, possession. Kxssible to narrate in one volume the many exciting luring my five years' sojourn among the Indians, templation the compilation of another book of thig 3 comprised of adventures among the Cheyenne 3 I have a gre*fcar respect for than that which J 8 MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE. tnfortair. for the B rule-Sioux. During my life among the latter, met and conversed with Spotted Tail and many other well kno*n Indians. In the month of August, 1872 (the year of my return), 7 was on a visit to Kew York city, and again met and conversed with Spotted Tail, and his squaw, who, by the way, is a sister to th 41 Little Leeonoge," of whom I have spoken. Our tribe was on the move for a long while, and during that time wo visited the winter Trading Post, Blackfeet territory, having travelled along a very beautiful little river known as the Mouse, afterwards striking the Plum river. We were at one time near Fort Ellice, and tberice along the Qu Appelle river, and afterwards stop ped at the Qu Appelle Post. We spent some time on the Fishing Lakes among the Blackfeet Indians, and again along the Red D*; ill- .<*'. ; _'-: i^a, :,-...' .-.'i.-.i i.i , ^>t>] ' ' ' -\& B who was ui *nd ready to meet him again. They clinched *Oake a strong infusion, and drink freely through the day. The Indians while doctoring rheumatism make a free use of cold water applied to the parts afflicted, and give the patient a severe rubbing two or three times a day. HOARSENESS, AWTHMA, COMPLAINTS OF THE BREAST, LUN(*8, ETC. Take of the leaves of hoarhound, dried, 2 ounces; infuse them for twenty-four hours in half a pint of boiling water (and I advise the addition of half a pint of spirits) ; strain, and add quarter of a pound of honey, and one teaspoonful of the essence of lemon. % For adult one or two tablespoonfuls every two hours. PULMONARY DISEASES. (Especially efficacious for bleeding at the lungs.) Ne-bra-ta-hea (liverwort), \ pound ; Sa-bas-sa (Solo mon's seal), \ pound; Kee-chi-hee (skunk cabbage), \ pound; Shu-jee (blood-root), 2 ounces ; Pin-nee-se-ah (water 'hoarhound), \ pound. Add a sufficient quantity of water ; boil, and pour off the water till the strength is obtained; strain, and boil say to six porter bottlefuls, and add five pounds of strained honey ; remove from the fire ; (I then advise the addition of half a pint of brandy ;) let it settle, and bottle for use. Dose. A wine glassful three or four times a day. N. B. The Indians, by a preparation known only to themselves, make a liquid which forms an ingredient in nearly all their medi cines. It takes the place of brandy and spirits, and therefore I the use of those liquids in several of the receipts given. A VALUABLE POWDER. Take equal parts of Wee-ne oh (pol arized mandrake); See-tu-bar (pulverized spearmint); Wanc-to- Ccream of tartar). Mix. Dose. -A. teaspoonful in tea or syrup. The above receipt is useful in dieases of the liver, dyspepsia, obstructed menses, dropsy, in venereal diseases, and in every taiai if the ay atom 104 MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE. CATARRH. (Snuff powder.) Hon-kos-ka (high laurefy 1 ounce; Sa-wah-ja (sassafras), 1 ounce; Shu-jee (blood-root), 1 ounoe. Pulverize; mix well. INDIAN POULTICE. Scrape the common carrot, add to it a deco- Ag-ga-ga (spikenard root), and stir in Indian meal. They owe the above poultice in case of inflammation bordering on gangrene or mortification. TONIC TINCTURE. Take of good soui or hard cider, 1 gallon; ^.okee (white-oak bark), 2J ounces ; Whal-lo-ke (horseradish root), 4 ounces; Senecka-oko (Seneca snake root), 1J ounce; carbonate of aroa, 1J ounce; Boel-lo-kee (golden seal root), 1 ounce; Mael-to- foa-nee (capsicum), J ounce. Use. A sure remedy for intermittent fevers, debility, and impoverished state of the blood. It is also excellent in obstructed menses, and the dropsy, worms, etc. TINCTURE OF STRAMONIUM. Pulverized seeds of Stramonium, 2 ounces ; proof spirits, 1 quart. Let it stand one week. Dose. Twenty-five drops twice a day. Use. Cure of epilepsy, neuralgia, >alpitation of the heart, and fits. The proof spirits act the same ae 3i*e Indian ingredient " Va-va-so-lee." A VALUABLE VEGETABLE CAUSTIC. Make a strong ley of hickory >r oak ashes, put it into an iron kettle, and evaporate till dry ; pul verize, and preserve it in closed vessels. The Indians use this caustic with great success. It is highly useful in the treatment of J&falas, also in indolent ukers of every kind. ]'<- remove tiesh without exciting any inflammation, and acts spongy or soft flesh. It is useful in cancers, and in every case where caustic is required. j EXCELLENT EYEWATER. Take of Sa-wah-ja (pith of sassafras) 1 drachm. Add to it a suitable quantity of rose-water. It will be tabued beneficial in the treatment of ophthalmia, or inflammation of efceeyes MISS BARBEB'S NARRATIVE. GABGLS. Take Sa-moon (sage), 1 ounce ; Rave-o-ee (hyssop^ 1 ounce ; pour on one quart of boiling water, and let it stand half an hour, then straiu, and add 1 drachm of fine borax. Use. This gargle is usefully employed by the Sioux tribe in aphthae, and in quinsy or sore throat, particularly where there is acute inflammation. GARGLE FOR PUTRID SORE THROAT. Gee- sumach (bark of upland sumach); Lee-lo-we-nee (high blackberry); Alo-as-ter (com mon white elrn bark) ; Alo-o-e-oh (white oak bark) ; Was-char-ee (gmall black snake-roof) ; Sum-me, ah-ah (nanny berry bark). Take of each a handful, except the snake-root, which must be only half the quantity ; make a strong decoction, add a piece of alum, and sweeten well with honey, then bottle for use. Apply often to the sores with a rag. It may at first irritate a little, but then cures. I have seen hundreds cured by this gargle where all other meanf were of no avail. In place of alum the Indians use a peculiar kind of grass, but the alum I know to be an excellent substitute from experience. INFUSIONS. Infusions, or, as they are usually called, teas, are a very common and good method used by the Indians, of administer ing the virtues of various medical agents. A two-fold benefit is derived from infusions: 1st, the medicinal properties of the article made use of; 2dly, the heat and diluent properties of the water. During the year of my return (1872), which will be long remem bered as one of epidemics, and general sickness, my success among my friends and acquaintances, in the treatment of various diseases, was so great that I was frequently urged by them to practise medicine professionally; and by the use of herb teas this success was accomplished. An excellent method to make teas or infusions is to put the plant or root into a tea-pot, pour on boiling water, and let it stand a short time by the side of the fire. In this way the infusion is readily made ^ery clear. For infusions generally, put a handful of the herb into a tea-pot, and add a quart of boiling water ; when cool, drink freely. For kidney complaint an excellent tea can be made of Tat-ta-lo* MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE. For weak lungs, coughs, pain in the breast, loss of appetite, pepsia, etc., the following tea will be found very beneficial. Char-ee (snake-root) ; Boel-art (gold thread) ; Ga-no-ee-ah (cen- teury); "Worlo-wanct (wormwood); Sy-an-zee (tansy); Dee-no-ee (boneset) ; Pin-nee-se-ah (hoarhound) : of each one handful. Dose. To a large tablespoonful pour one pint of boiling water : when cold drink a wine glassful four times a day. An excellent tea to expel worms is the following : Ta-taa-ore (Carolina pink), J an ounce ; Ano-ano (senna), J an- ounce ; Eno-ano (manna), j an ounce. Dose. Half a tea-cupful three or four times a day for a child six years old, or sufficient to purge. The following tea, as a cleansing and cooling purgative, cannot be excelled. It is useful in fevers and inflammatory diseases. Ano-ano (senna), J an ounce ; Eno-ano (manna), J an ounce ;. Sa-sa-poh (fennel seed, bruised), I teaspoonful. Add to the above half an ounce of cream of tartar, after having put the senna and manna in one pint of boiling water, and strained it, then sweeten. In place of cream of tartar the Indians use a powder which they manufacture from laurel leaves, but as I do no* inow the formula, and do know the beneficial effect of cream of tartar, I advise the use of the latter. .... Dose. A wine glassful every hour till it purges. The following preparation is used by the Indians in the treat jnent of retention of urine, etc. They use an ingredient called by them " Va-va-so-lee," but as that cannot be obtained, Ho 11 ""' 4 ~ ; - will be found an excellent substitute. ; Take of spearmint, green, bruise, and add sufficient q 1 saturate about one quart of Holland gin. Joq-ftdJ & o4ai loo ; j% 5e . The dose must be regulated according to the patients habits. Some will require half, others a gill at a time, and repeated every thirty minutes. The patient should take it till it produces relief In cases where the green mint cannot be procured, the dry may be used, but it is not so good. This liquid may also be wed beneiftcially, both externally and internally, in oases of nevew MISS BAKBEK'S NARRATIVE. COMMON POULTICE. Take of slippery elm bark (pulverized) a sufficient quantity ; stir it in hot or warm milk and water, to the consistence of a poultice. This poultice exceeds every other in point of efficacy. It is of almost universal application, and removes inflammation sooner than any other. Compared to this, every other poultice dwindles into insignificance. I will nere add a bit of useful information not of Indian origin, but one of great benefit to suffering humanity. In scarlet fever, measles, whooping cough, and small pox (and all kindred diseases), give freely of brewer's yeast. Its effect is wonderful, the disease is forced out, and all fears of sore throat may be discarded where the yeast is given. In small pox, a regulation of the bowels, use of the yeast, and good, careful nursing (the room, in which the patient is placed, to be kept of an even temperature), will do more than all the doctors to be had. The patient's diet in this disease should consist chiefly of gruels, and warm teas should be frequently given. Take of saffron and catnip equal parts, make a tea, and give it warm. Use the fever remedies when fever appears. Best nourishment for the disease is barky water, Indian meal gruel, buttermilk and water, roasted apples, and ripe fruit moderately. Let there be a current of air in the room, but avoid the same coming in contact with the patient. Great attention must be paid to cleanliness. Change linen and clothes often. If eruptions are lirge, full of water and irritating, puncture same, and sprinkle same with dry flour of slippery elm, and the pitting of the face will be greatly diminished. In conclusion allow me to assure the reader that all the fore going receipts are of great value, and may be fully relied upon. When you *o to the druggist be particular to write the exact quantity as given by me, and make use of the English name*, only, as very few druggists have any knowledge of the Indian languages, he Indians have great faith in the healing qualities of tobacco MISS BARBER'S NARRATIVE. and I have seen many cures by its use, suoh LA stings of bees, biter of insects, etc. [We have seen several persona who have been cured by Miss Barber, and we have no hesitation in asserting that her Indian receipts are of great value. The lady previous to her life among the ,*UK was a great iudeuk, and principal among her studies was bat of medicine. THI laa lo lo ifumiro sd 9"! oi^ rf^iw torfJ'---- nV: *: w