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Updated: June 5, 2025
"There is no doubt about it," exclaimed Gideon; "what you see is a cross, with a man, well-nigh stripped, bound to it." The spot was one difficult of access, but it had been reached shortly before, and, Piomingo declared, by Indians, whose trail he discovered on the hard rock, where Gideon and I could not perceive the slightest marks. "That is Bartle," cried Gideon as we were climbing on.
The report he gave us of Bartle, however, was truly alarming. There could be no doubt that he had been captured by the Indians, and, Gideon feared, must have been put to death by them; but when I told him what Piomingo said, he became more hopeful as to the fate of his old friend. "If he is alive, we will find him out, wherever he may be!" he exclaimed.
"Little chance, however, of the poor fellow being alive. The cruel varmints! I'll punish them one of these days for what they have done." The expressions which his indignation drew forth were very natural, but they were not in accordance with the precepts I had been endeavouring to inculcate on Piomingo. As we hastened on Gideon cried, "I think I saw his head move; if so, he must be alive.
The chief had said nothing to me about Piomingo, and I now felt satisfied that it was the intention of his people to sacrifice him with the rest of the prisoners. I resolved, however, to plead for him, as well as for them, and make special endeavours to save the life of the young squaw. According to the savage Indian custom, she would be barbarously tortured before being put to death.
Piomingo told us that he himself had been present at some of the scenes he described. It showed me how debased men, formed in the image of God, can become, when they have departed from Him, and how cruel by nature is the human heart, which can devise and take satisfaction in the infliction of such barbarities.
His example was followed by his former enemy Piomingo, whose young wife and himself became industrious settlers the greater number of their tribe completely abandoning their old barbarous customs.
I hurried back to where Piomingo lay, and at once undid the cords which bound him. "I feel that my strength has returned, and that I shall be able to perform whatever I undertake," he said. "I do not wish to do things by halves," I remarked. "You shall have my horse; I will place the animal in yonder wood. If you have an opportunity, you can return him; but if not, I will give him to you."
A squaw followed him. He stopped and gazed at me. Then, as I rode on, he advanced, and, putting out his hand, exclaimed "You know me! Piomingo. This my squaw, you save my life and her life, and I am ever your friend." I told him that I was very glad to see him, and that he could give me information I very much desired.
"Give me the opportunity, and you will see how I shall act." Feeling a strong desire to save the lives of these two young people at every risk, I immediately went back to the chief, and used every argument in my power to induce him to set Piomingo at liberty.
I thought it better not to question him as to his intentions in regard to the young squaw, although I had my suspicions on the subject. I forthwith went for my horse, which I led to the wood, as I had promised. All the Indians were so much engaged that they took no notice of my proceedings; and when every arrangement had been made, I returned to Piomingo.
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