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Updated: June 5, 2025
Some of Winnemak and Piomingo's people, who were now on good terms, scoured the country as scouts; and from the reports they brought us we were satisfied that the chief body of the enemy had completely deserted the neighbourhood. Still, the party of whom Piomingo had heard might have remained behind, and we therefore at once commenced our search for their trail. But I must be brief in my account.
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.
"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 chief, I observed, now pointed to his prisoner, by which I feared the worst for poor Piomingo. As soon as I could venture to address the braves, I inquired for Clarice and the officer; and great was my dismay to find that they had not arrived at the camp, nor had Uncle Jeff appeared. The chief now asked for his daughter. Maysotta had gone out hunting with her favourite dog Keokuk.
"I will give you my knife and sword, but you must promise me not to use them against any of the people of this tribe except in self-defence, should they attempt to recapture you." Piomingo swore by the Great Spirit that he would act as I desired. "I will leave the sword and knife close to the tree to which I will secure my horse," I said on leaving him.
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.
For two days we searched in every direction, scarcely resting, till at length we discovered a trail which Piomingo was confident was that of our foes; and, moreover, he said they had a white man with them. They had, however, he thought, passed some days before.
"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.
They have been carrying him about with them from place to place; but whether they intend to kill him, as they have done the other prisoners, I could not learn." I thanked Piomingo for his information, which, I felt sure, gratitude had prompted him to give. And, of course, I resolved to urge the chief to act upon it.
The chief, I observed, now pointed to his prisoner, by which I feared the worst for poor Piomingo. As soon as I could venture to address the braves, I inquired for Clarice and the officer; and great was my dismay to find that they had not arrived at the camp, nor had Uncle Jeff appeared. The chief now asked for his daughter. Maysotta had gone out hunting with her favourite dog Keokuk.
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