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TEE INJ^IiJT OAPTlTli ■f"r. **** ■*»' "j 4^ *r i J ''%^0mm*K OV CTft i? i « .» 1 IDY B£S ANB SUFEEBU^ .€ OV ■If ^ MIWBEW B8 i ^ .l,.-(' '^'% *. _^ *- ^ •^'l MdMiUltoMkAiU^hUI Entered eeeording to the Aet of Concreu tn the year 1800^ hj DAVID BURNS, la the CSeih'i Office of the Diitrlet Court of the United States, for the Korthem Diitriet of Ohio. *■■ • /■■*i PREFACE. rthc • The following brief narrative of tlie unparalleled ad- ventures of Matthew Brayton is compiled for the sat- isfaction of those who wished to preserve a m^orial of his romantic history. Extraordinary as the incidents may appear, there is abundant proof of their entire truth. Living witnesses bear testimony to the circumstances of the mysterious loss of the hero, and his identity is established by incon- trovertible proofs. Numerous circumstances also confirm the account given by him of his adventures during the thbrty-four years spent among the Indians. 1? w- Mw^ANMMW THE INDIAN tIAPl'IVB. • ■ »* CHAPTER I. THB LOST CHILD. That portion of North-western Ohio, ■itosted to the Sont'h-east of the Black Swamp, was but sparse-* ]y settled at the close of the first qaarter of the present century. The hardy pioneers who Jiaid left their New England homes to open iip the western wilds, here and there bnilt their modest dwellings and tilled the few acres won from the dense forest and Inxnriant prairie. The dusky aborigin^Mf driv- en from all other parts of Ohio, clung t«|piouiy to this comptfratiyely neglected spot, and ^e smoke from the log hut of 1 e settler rose within sight of the Indian wigwam. Tae two races were at peace with each other, for neither cared to convert a )pa8- Bive neighbor into an active enemy. The In^ans had realised tiieir inability to drive back the eon* stantly advancing wave of civilization, and the white settlers had no desire to provoke the savage retalia- tions of their dusky neighbors unless compelled by necessity to do so. ^ In the neighborhood of the junction between the Sandusky and Tymochte riven, in Wyandot eoimlyt 6a MaUTiew Braylon, S-] .f^- . a reniDant of the once powerfal Wyandot tribe Rtill remained. One of their villages was at Upper San- dusky, and another at Springville, in Seneca coun- ty. A small band of Senecas were also located Id the jjieigtrborhood^ apd some scattered Ottawas had theil^ wigiramd on Blancbard*s Fork, a few miles to the west of the Wyandot settlen^|ts. An Indian trail led from Uppet^andusky^Bpringville, and thence, through the BlaoR Swar^^to Ferrysbnrgh. At the latter plaee it crossed the Maumee, and reached the sbor«ijC»f tht Detroit river opposite Mai- den, in Canada. Some of tjNe Indians living in the North-west of Ohio had sided with the British In the war' of 1 1 8 i 2, amd these annually erossed over to Mfdtden to receive :their; presents of gnus, ammuni- tion und bliMiJketf; The Canadian Indians some- timea visited thdr dusli^ brethren in Ohio, and thus the trittl was frequently travierse^^ t I ;;Amotfg .the settlers who had located , tbem- i^ves iu' the ndghboihood of <^ Wyandot villages :>iinB: Bmjab BjMi¥TOv, a < l^cifty farmer . from New Bngland, who hiul established himself near the Tymochte river in what is no^ Crawford township, : Wyandot county^ • In the year 18^5, Mr. Br^yton w»s thirtv^niae yearn of age* and his family con- sisted of his wife and their six ehildren^ Wh^liam* Habubt, liuer, Mi^TTHisw, ^rt and Purxit. In ]: > that year Mr; Brayik>n was bu6y ereeting a mill on ' this Tjmochte^ aAd towards the Fall of the year he -^ went to Gbillieotbe for the purpose of bringing up tbe miU-stcmes. The joum$^ at that* time wns long and tedious, and the home affairs were entrusted in iiis absence to Mrs. BaAvliGON and the i^est son -Tia^'WiiaaAM,^tlien«ladof sijEte^.u^^ . On the 20th of September, 1825, William BsAT- VON, with his younger brother Matthbw, then neai- '/ TAe Tndiatt Vaplice. ly seven and a half years old. started oat to hunt op some stray cattle. They proceeded for two or threid niiles in the direction of the spot where Wil*- LiAM Bratton at preMrtt lites, bat fomid no traoei of the missing cattle. Here they met a neighbor name^ Haet, who was also looking for stray cattle*. Matthew had become tired, and declared his ina* biMty to proceed any faither. After a short consvl^ tation it was agreed that William Bbatton and Hart should pBceed in search of the cattle, and that MATTHEw^hoold take the path which led t0 the house of Mr. Bakee, abottt sixty rods distant^ where he could amuse himself with his yonng play- mates until the retom of William. The two set out an tlieir cattle hunting expedition, leaving little Matthew to pursue his way along the narrow and ill-deined path. At the close of the day's search; William Beat- ton Called at Mr. Bakxe'b house for hi|B little brother. To his astonishment he learned that Mat- thew had not been seen by anv of the fhmily. He then turned his stetis homeward, thinking tliat Mat- thew had changed his mind and gone home, but on arriving there tio tidings of the missing boy met him. The alarm and apprehension that ilkd the breast of the mother may be conceived. A thousand fearful thoughts flitted tlirougfa her mind in rapid siiccession. But no time was lost in useless «rlev^ ing. The men and women who biiaved of frontier life were quick to think and act A little party tunied out at once t<>^iMK5k i# the missiug boy and restc»re him, if posidblei to^t^e anxious household. From the spot where the broth* ers had parted, the path to Mr. Bakee'b houis was narrowly searched, and the marks of tiie cMd'«fe6t were clearly discernible. At no great distance firoil ^r XI '■,-.«> .W^^ 8 MHatihew Braytort, 'the eommmieemeDt of the path it was ioteneeted hy a track made bj some logs recently drawn from the woods. At this point the traces showed that Mat- thew bad stopped in donbt. They also showed that he had finally taken the log track in mistake for tlio regular path. Up that track his little foot- st^s were traced for some distance, but, after awhile, they became fainter, and at last 4Rppeared alto- gether. The woods on the mar^n of the track were searched in vain for traces of his feet. The Indian trail, before spoken of, crossed the log track near where the footsteps became inyisible* , and it was possible that he had taken that trail*, but his footmarKS— if he had really followed that path, — had been obliterated by the feet of passing Indians. The party sorrowfully returned from their unsuc- cessful search, and met the anxious mother with heavy hearts. The night that followed wms one of sleepless agony^ to Mrs. Bratton. To what suffer- ing* or dreadful fate her little boy might be subject- ed, it was impossible to conjecture* but the dark night and the lonely woods were fraught with dangers to him and with terror to her. The absence of the Cither at this critical juncture on so long and distant ^ journey, aggravated the troubles and distress of ijoifi time. If oming broke at last, and never was daylight more eagerly welcomed. Witl» the first dawn of light, messengers set out in all directiops for assi3taoce, jsnd soon the woods were astir with searchli^g partie^ The Indian villages were examined, but t& Wj/Sfi^ dots professed entire ignorance as to the movemeati of the missing boy, and joined with much seal in the search. The relations between the BlUTVaMa md the Wyandots had been of Uie most frii^y character, and there seemed to be nq pos^bfo reason Vi d the sible, . I; but th,- V, lians. Th§ Indian OapHiM. i for their Interfering with the peace of that family. They stated, however, that a partv of Canadita Indians had passed np the trail on tne day that the boy disappeared, bnt could not say whether he had been carried off by that party or not. Another night came, and again the sorrowful mother met the dejected hunters at her door and received no conso- lation. At ^break the parties again sei out to search new tncts of country, but all without a? ail. Mr. Bows, who yet lives in the neighborhood, acted as storekeeper of the party, and filled the bags of the searchers with meal as tbej«retnmed from their long expeditions. The settlers for many miles around turned out in the exciting hunt. Days lengthened into weeks, and then it l^came evident that all far- ther search was useless. Every foot of territorj^for miles around had been examined, and no trace of the lost child <2puld be discovered. He could scarce'* ly have wandered off and perished by starvation or wild beasts, for in either case some trace would have been left. The only inference remaining was that he had been snatched up l>y the party of Canadian Indians and carried off into hopeless slavery, if not to meet a horrible death. Pursuit now was useless, had the boy been thus carried off, and the search was reluctantly abandoned. Meantime Mr. Bkatton had returned from hia Journey, and the sad affliction that had befallen his house, fell with crushing weight on his heart. For the sake of his wife and remaining children he bor# up nobly, but his distress was keen, and evenr stmw of hope that floated by was eagerly clutched at. From time to time came vague rumors of tlMd boy having b^en seen in different directions, wild the fah^t hope of success sufficed to send off ilia hw* rd||d flitner or some trusty messenger to fol 10 JUaUhew Brauforit . tl^e qloQj bat always vdtl^oiit saccess. The last ioforijiiatipii that a88Qme4 the appearance of proba- bility was received in 1 829, frbm a man who htul been traveling among the Indian tribes bf Illinofs, and who asserted that he had sieen among the Iii- dians of that country a white child who6e age and appearance corresponded generally with that of thel missing Matthew BiiAYTbN. Without an honr'ii delay Mr. Bbatton Wrote to Gen«|al Cass, then Indian Commissioner, but his answer crushed but the last remnant of hope. The letter bade the anxious father to renotiiice all hope based on such a rumor, for there was no such white child among the Indians of IlUnois. On what authority the General based his assertion, cannot be said, but it is more than probable that in this he was mistaken. ''"''^ The weary years passed on but brought no com- fort to the stricken household. As all strong im- pressions fade in the course of time, so faded away the memory of the loss from the minds of men. But deep in the hearts bf the parents remained the image of the lost boy, and the thrilling scenes and emotions coi^nected with the search of him recurred again and again long after others had nearly forgot^ ten the inci^ents^ The father never forgot him. His "lost Matthsw'' was ever in his heart, and his nfune was often on his tongue. The eldest brothef, WiLUAM, could not forget him, for the mother's reproaches, silent or spoken, for Ms neglect in send- ing so young a boy alone on such a path, sank deep into his heart. And could the mother that bore him forget the missing iamb of the fold? The paling cheek, the wasting tbrm, the decaying strength told hf>wdeep the love, how bitter the angi^sh of the pother for her lost son. If she were l)ut sure of his iate,<^|^^t one rag of his clothes, bitt a parti- \\ The Indian Captive. 11 cle of his body, had remained to assure her that her .^darling had perished by wild beasts, or been slain by still wilder men, it would at least have given rest to her weary heart ; but this tortarlng mystery was .too great to b^ borne. So thi^ years dragged slowly .onward, and each sncceeding anniversary of her j.l^oy'^ loss drove die sharp grief still deeper into her hearti until, sixteen yeajrs after the loss, she tired of this world, and the peaceful turf closed over her sorrows. . In her last thoughts the memory of the ilpst boy had a plac^. She died of a broken heart. ; |if A^HEW Brayion wa£(,born April 7th, 1818, ^nd \ was therefore seven year^, five months and thirteen days old lEit the time of his loss. ^ tlfiitTBE 11. BIAirrHl!tV BBA.TT0N'S KABBAllYE.' Stolen by Indians and Traded from iSribe to '..,. Tribe' — Siouxs-^Siotix Dog Danoe-^Soldto (he Snakee- — Digger Indians^^FigM iviffi, Jhs Dig' gere^^Utcth — Quarreh yrUh the Biabhfi6t^^ Flat SeadB-^Sriakes join UtahSf Or see, and IHat Eeada-'-^mn with Copper Seade* ; The first sevepi or eight years of my captivity among the Indians were so |hll of changes that I cannot diistino^y remember the events that occurred, and I am compdlied to trust to the accounts given me by the members of the various trib€» who were 12 Matthew SraytoUt cognizant of the circumstances. From their state- ments I learn that I was taken from Ohio by a party of Canadian Indians, and by them borne to their Tillage in Canada. The only motive alleged to me for the theft was that the party who stole me had a difference with some white families in Ohio, and that I was taken ont of revenge. Among these Indians I remained secreted for some time, the tribe fearing to let me be seen by white men lest I should be taken away. From all that I can learn, I remained some six or seven months with this tribe, and was then sold to a party of Pottawottomies, who took me across to Michigan. The compensation obtained for me by the Canadian tribe, consisted of three and a half gallons of whiskey. With my new owners I re- mained about half a year, when the Pottawottomies either being afraid to keep me any longer, or having an unappeasable thirst for whiskey, traded me off to the Paw-Paws for five and a half gallons of fire- water. I could not say how long I remained in Michigan with this tribe, but I was at length trans- ferred to thOv Winnebagoes of Illinois, my value having increased with my age to the amount of seven and a half gallons of whiskey. I did not re- main long with this tribe, but was sold to the Wis- cotisin Ohippewas for nine and a half gallons of whiskey, and with them remained one year From the Chippewas I passed into the hands of the Siouzs in Minnesota, aiud remained w|ih them nearly three years. Daring my stay wltt the Siouxs I visited the site of what now forms the city of St. Paul. In ib$,t vicinity there were then seven shanties or huts, made of poles and sticks set up endways. Two or three French and. i)atch, with some Indisus then occupied the place. The Indian CupHce. 13 . ) About the ninth year of my captivity among the Indians, the band of Sioaxs to which I belonged made an expedition westward. In the course of their hunt they came on a tribe of Snake Indians. The Snakes and Siouxs were generally at war, but there was peace between these two parties. Some differences that had occurred between the bands were settled at the meeting, and the Siouxs celebra- ted the fact by a great Dog-Dance. This dance is peculiar to the Siouxs, and I never saw it at any other time. The manner of doing it was this : — A party of warriors squat around in a circle, smoking and talking. A dog is then taken and its legs tied, after which it is thrown into the circle of warriors. One of the ''medicine men'' kills the animal with his tomahawk, cuts open its side and takes out its liver, which is cut into strips, and hung on a pole nearly the heignt of a man» The warriors spring to their feet and commence dancing around it; all the while smacking their lips and making grimaces as if they were anxiO'na to have a taste of the delicious meat. In a short time one of the dancers makes a grab at the liver and bites off a piece, which he chews and swaUows as he dances. Then the others follow his example until all the liver is eaten. If any of the pieces should drop, the ^'medicine man'' picks it up and carries it in the palm of his hand for the dancers ta eat, after doing which they lick his hand. As soon as the liver is all eaten, the warriors sit down aa before, and wait to see if another dog is thrown in. As long as any one gives a dog, they ure compelled to eat its liver raw and warm, and no one is allowed to handle it except the ''medicine man.*^ Womeii are forbidden to join in this dance. The Siosxt thinly tbftt those who thus eat the liver of the dog* u Matthew Brayton, will possess that animaPs bravery and sagacity. Before the meeting was over, the Snakes took a great fancy to me, and in order to celebrate their new made trace the Siouxs offered to trade me t6 the Snakes for eleven gallons of whiskey, which was done, and I was once more transferred to new mias- tersJ' ■ '"'■ My new owners made me change my dress and paint to conform to thMt stylb, arid I was adopted into the tribe. An Indtati who hieid lost a son in battle took me into his family, and frbkn that timd forth I was told to consider him as my father, and his sqoaw as my mother. But although thud made one of themselves, thid Indians did hot fdl to treat ma with consideirable harshniess, and I was compelled to do some of the severe dradgeiry nsaally imposed on the women. The l^nakes at that time hnnted in Iowa, but in aboat a year after my joiuiug them they had repeat- ed quarrels witlibther tribes, and with the whites.' '■ For a few months they remained in Missouri, btit eveiituall^ packed up aiid struck the' trail for the west 9ide of tlie Kocky Mountaips. * Our tribe ' hunte4 through Utal^ fo^f a While, l:iut oUJEirireled with the tribes already in that country, am therefore we once more pushed West, and crossiijiff the mountains thai divided us from California^ entered that coun- try, flere we Jived, for about five years, generally' at peace, but having occasional skirmishes with the ' Digger Indians. ' '' ^'•^^^' ^ These Indians aire a wretched and degenerate race, co^rdl^^^ treacherous, filthy and indolent. Ihsteaa' of living by hunting, aB was th<6 case with bur tribe and^ nearly all the bthers 6ast of the OaliforhB^ Mduntains, 4;hes^ obtained a seaiity subsistence by digging (6t roots. The women do the dlggfug i-4- 4 Ths Indian Captive, 15 whilst the Lien stay in the lodges or are playing at some game. I have seen hundreds of the women at a time out in this employment. They carry on their backs heavy baskets of the shape of old fash- ioned straw beehives, and in their hands long sticks with which to dig the roots. Early in the morning they go put andleep at wpr^ until evening, when they ref;urn with their baskets full of roots. Some- times they procure enough not only ^or their present eating, b,ut to lay up for winter use. The men among the I)igger Indians Wear very long^ hair, but that of the women is cut short. Bo^h are nearly naked, and filthy in the extreme. Most of them jiiTie tatoo^d, th,e women especially display- jng in general a lar^e number of designs on their person. They do this merely for ornament^ and not for the purpose of showing a dilTerence in rank as is the case in most, tribes where the custom exists . Their ,|u>usi^s . or lodges are very simple. In the summer tl^ey put a number of bushes together in the shape o^ a cone, and into this they creejp for shelter from the sun by day, a^d to sleep by mght. These lodgeef or ten,tfi| are morejlesigned to keep off the rays of the sun than, for shelter from jhclement , weather,. Fpr i)ie cqld and we^t [ seasons ' the dig- gers in tiie northern part pf Califorpia have a d|f- ferenij kind Q^ ^welling. They dig a pit seVeral feet deep , of the size pf tlf e proposed lodge, ^hien they drive poles into the earth around the edge of the pit, and.bjend them oyer |so that thity will liieet at the tpp» wheijp tfhey are fastened together, 'ijEiakihg ^ covering over jihe pit. iTjiey iten eoyer the w|iole building with earth, to the thfcknj^g olf severalinches, or even arpdt^ leaving a small hole at the tpo^ to setye as a chimney. , jAnpther hple is uoade a.rwe Bide, large enough to admit the body. Whenitfliey # 16 MdUkeu) Brayton, wish to sleep they bnild a firer^n the centre of the lodge, then creep in feet foremost and lie in th|kt po- sition to the fire. The Diggers have a curious way of marrying. Whjpn a man takes a fancy to a girl and wants her as his ^qnaw, }ie speaks to her parents and talks to her a little. Then he lies down with her, and if she lies still they are considered man and wife ; but if ahe gets up and runs away, the courtship is at an end, and the man never tries to get her again. A Digger man can have as many wives as he chooses, but the woman can only have one husband. When a Digger dies th^ burn him, with all his implements, and have a great mourning during the ceremony. They believe that when a man dies his spirit goes to the East, and keeps going until it /comes to a gpreat water. A large boat is there to to take him over. All the good get safely across And go to a very large house where they ea)b, drink, and gamble, until they are tired, when they go off Among the trees. The bad people who go in the boat reach the middle of the water, when the bot- tom falls out, and they are lost forever. Whilst in California we frequently visited what is liow San Francisco, but whish was then a small vil- Uge of a dozen houses, known by the Spaniards as /^Yerba Buena." A few French and Spanish tra- cers were the only white residents, and to those we carried down bear meat, buffalo robes, and furs of various kinds, together wilii small bits of gold found in the mountains, receiving in exchange blankets and "snakyeye, " or whiskey. These trips were made several times during the year, but were fiif^Uy ter- minated by the occurrence that resulted in our jleaying that part of the country. A large party of Diggers surprised a smAll hunting party of Snakes The Indian Captive, n . ) and took firom them their ponies. A number of warriors were sent oat from oar tr^be to demand them bock, bat the Diggers had surrendered the ponies to the Spaniards, and now ask«d their pro- tection from the vengeance of the Snakes The Spaniards granted their request, and warned our party off. As soon as the news arrived at the Snake village, there was a general excitement, and all who were able to bear arms at once took the war patii. The Diggers fled, bnt were tracked to the coa^, where they were supported by lereral Spaniards^ We attacked their camp at day br^k, and a desper- ' ate fight ensued. The Diggers are generally, lazy and cowardly, but their numbers far l^ceeded ours, and they were assisted by white men. In the end we were victors, and our party mercilessly toma- hawked and scalped all within their reach. Nearly a hundred and fifty scalps were borne off in triumph by the Snakes, and among the tropliies were the scalps of some white men. The result of this fight was a general movement of the whites on the one hand and ^e California tribes on the other, to drive us out of the country. For a time our tribe stood its ground, bat at length it became evident that we could not remain peile- ably in that region, so we once more tarned our faeei eastward and re-crossed the mountains to Utah. During our stay in this Territory, which ,dM not exceed six or seven moons, our principal encansp- ment was on the banks of the Great Salt Li^e, niir the present site of Salt Lake City. At that iiine not a white man lived in that vast wifdemess, though not many years afterwards a large city sprang up where our wigwams had formerly stood. Once more our tribe became restless and dissaAis-, fied with their location, and we changed our huntin|f ■'I ■ • Iff MaUhew Brayton, ground to Oregon, remftining there aboat tw:o jearB. Here we came into collision with the Blaclsfcet In- dians, one of the most ferocioas and cruel trijbes in existence. They are alwajs at war with the tribes around them, and make long journeys for the puF- pose of attacking some other nation. Several skir- mishes took place between our bands and tho^e of the Blackfeet, tn whicb sometimes one and spmetinea the other would be sueeessful. In order to defend eurselyes from the attacks of the Blackfeet our tribe made aa allianee with the Flat Heads. These are a very singular raee» who strap Iboaids on the illeads of tbcir children so as to change their shape. There are two kinds of Flat Heads, those who have' the head flattened from the foreliead baek, making the bead \o€^ like a wedge witli the sharp edge in front, whilst the others ha?e the sides flattened so a» to have the pOint of the wedge upwards. The par- : ty allied ^^^ °^ ^^'^ ^^ ^^ former kind. A part of the tltahs also joined us, about this time, as did the Crees. , ;: Onr associated tribes kept going farther IVortln ,iiit finding any place to settle, owing to the constant .attacks of the Indians through whose territories we passed. With the Bloods and the Blackfeet we had repeated fights until we got above their country, be- yond the territory of the Ifnited States, and into the country of the Copper Head Indians, who roamed ever a vast extent of territory extending to the Es- quimaux on the North. Our associated tribes united in the Nortli with the Copper Hea(fe, and here the whole lived in un- disputed possessiou, from that time to the present #■ The Indian Captive. II ♦ ,1 CHAPTER IIL MATTHEW BRATTON'S NAAftRTIYE CONTINUED. Government of Snake and Copper-Head Tribes — Wov^en worked hard—mMdirrUtge Laws — Chil' dren taught the use of weapons early— Funeral Ceremonies of the Copper-Beads -"Their Be- ligion. The Snakes and Co|)|(>er-£teiad« afie raled over hj one general chief, •or Inkupudia, who remains in poweif for life, unless deposed by the vote of all the tribes. Since the anion of the U'ibes there has beeii but one General Chief, n^w an old man, eightf years of Age, named O-tcakh-kah-ke'naw, Be reigns supreme to a certain extent and appoints fittb chiefe to ^v«rti tlie diffemnt tribes. These «ub-chiefs are appointed for a period of time, and not for ^|b The General Chief makes known his laws or d^ees for the government of the tribes in va^ rioas matters, and it is the daty of the snb-chiefii to eoMmtmieate these decides to tlie tribes ondei* their charge. The laws in relation to stealing are very strict. Any one proved to have stolen from a person belonging to the associated tribes Is con-^ demned to death, aod is generally bomed lit tbt stake. It 16 looked tipon as very disgraceM for a« Indian to tell a lie to his fellows. The men dress With leggings fastened to their moccasins. The leggings extend up to the knees. A tunic of furs is wora about the waist, and tEe bare place between the tunic and the leggings is '^ daubed wltli oil and paint* From the waist up- wards ijhe body is daubed vtHjUl oil and paint, and the hair is worn long, extending down over the' breast and back. The women are dressed in a^some- what similar manner. I to MaUKew Brayion, The men do nothing bnt hunt and fight, letfring thf women and eaptives to do the drndgery. The women are very hard worked, haying to collect wood for fires, cut np the game, carry the heary burdens and do the other work which the warrior considers beneath his dignity to perform. They are yery hardy and can perform with ease labors which many white men would shrink from. The marriage laws yary among different tribes. Among the Copper-Heads the marriage is for life. The Utahs mar^ for twelve moons, and if at the end of that time they separate they cannot re-marry at any subsequent time. If there is a boy bom of the marriage, it goes with the father, and if a girl the mother takes it. The Snakes marry for three years, and if after that time they choose to livMp- gether they are married for life. . ^^ The birw of a child is accomplished without any troable or assistance from either doctor, midwife or nurse. The mother retires to her lodge, or if on the march, steps aside and spreads her bjanket, and in the course of two or three hours slTe is up and about her accustomed work, or on the march, as if l^othing had happened. The child, when young, is wrapped around with bandages, strapped . to a board and carried on the mother's back. When in the lodge, or at any oth- er tinU^ that she wishes, to take the child down, the board with the infant on it, is set to lean against the wall, or is hung to a peg. As soon as a boy is able to run about bis educa- tion for the chase and the war path is commenced. A bow three and a half feet long, strung with the sinews of the deer or elk, is plac^ in his hand, and a bundle of two feet arrows, with flint heads and feathered shafts, is given him. With these he prae* The Indian Captive, fll • ; tices at a mark nntil he is proficient. A board^ls then set np, and a circle about six inches in diaM» ter is described on it. The yonng Indian takes mi position at a short distance from tbie board, and commences throwing his knife at it with the end^: or to strike the centre of the circle. When he Ab- ceeds in doing this freqaeutlj, he increases his ais- tance from the board, and keeps on retreating nn- til he can strike the circle with unerring aim from as great a distance as his strength will permit. The tontahawk practice comes next. A mark is described on the bark of a tree, and the young In- dian throws his tomahawk at it with gpreat force, endeavoring to make it whirl three times in the air. and then to strike with the sharp pick at the back of the az-head, so that it shall remain sticking in the mark. As in the knife practice, success at one distance is immediately followed by a retreat of a few paces, nntil the feat can be accomplished at a considerable distance. Hhe same routine is gone through with the ax part, so that it shall cleave the bark in the very centre of the mark. At about ten years of age, a long bow, with arrows of propo^^ tionate length, is put into the hands of the boy, and when he becomes of sufficient age to manage it pro- perly he is instructed in the use of the rifle. The boys are incited to begin hunting and trap- ping early, and their first success in trapping a beaver, shooting a martin^ or spearing a muskrat is celebrated with as much triumph as is the first Scalp taken in battle by a young warrior. When about twelve years old the boys joiii the hunting.parties, and are very expert in the use of the bow. Many widows are supported entirely by their sons wk<» have just passed their twelfth year. fe^ 22 Mdlthew Drayton, The small children and the very old people are allowed the use of cooked meat, but all others eat their food raw. Xo salt is uped, bat pepper is I.e- SuenUy obtained from the Russian find Hudson lay trading posts, and is eaten with the food as a great addUion. B«8il«6 the priyilege of eating cooked meat, the very old people are well cared for by the tribe, a^id are allowed to remain in their lodges without being called out to hunt or work. Everything l&doue for them, and they enjoy perfect rest uptil their death. The Copper-Heads do not, in general, bury their dead in the same manner with many of the tribes in the United States territory. In some eases, when a warrior dies, the dead body is placed in a bir^K bark canoe, in which are also laid the dead walrior's rifle, tomahawk, pipe, knife, and all the other articles belonging to him when alive. Two blaiikets, and provisions to lafit six months are also placed in the eaaoe# A poor miserable dog is next procured and hung up by the hind legs to a tree or pole stuck in the ground. The throat of the dog is cut and th^ anittal suffered to bleed to death. The object of this ceremony is to provide a dog to hunt with in the spirit land, ^nd the bad blood is let out 80 as to fit the animal for its new sphere of exist- ence. A poor dog is as serviceable as a good one for the happy bunting grounds, if the bad blood is taken out. Some powdered roots are then «prinkled over the body, and the canoe with its contents is launched on the river, if there is one in the neigh- borhood, and the deceased warrior goes on his way to the happy hunting grounds. If there is no river near, the canoe wiih it,fi . cofitents k placed on the branches of ^a tree, or on a t,emporary scaffold, and there left. ^oQietimes in conformity with the wishes \ % *•' 'S* The Indian Captive, 28 of the deceased, the body is buried und^r the roots of a tree, or placed in a hollow log, to wait until there is some good company to join in the Jonmey to the happy hunting grounds. The religion of these tribes is very simple. They worship the Great Spirit by standing and pray- ing, with arms uplifted to the sky. At times when they see a dark storm-cloud rising up the sky they address ^it, belieyfng the Great spirit to be hid within it. After a prayer, on some particular oc- casions, they drink "snakyeye'' or whisky, and dance with whooping and yelling. They do not be- Keye in a place of punishment hereafter. Those who haye committed crimes in this world will be punished here by their tribe, or else the Greet Spir- it will yi jit them with sickness or trouble. After this life is oyer, the spirits all go to the happy bunting grounds, where there is plenty of 'game» and where no enemies will come to disturb them. \ f . CHAPTER IV. MATTHEW BRATTON'S NARRATIVE OONTINrXI>. Climate — Esqmma'ua; — Trading — Mode of Sleep- ing-^Method of Tamis^ Ponie* and Elks — « ^0 Weapons — Making Pipes. ^ The territory occupied by the Oopper-Heitds and ^the associated tribes, lies west of the Rocky Moun- tains, in the high latitndes, extending so far bortb as the Russian Possessions. Their hunting grounds fi Matthew Braylon, ccver a space of several handred miles, and the nat- ural characteristics of the coautry are mnch diver-^ sified. Barren mountain ranges alternate with wide plains, fruitful valleys and dense forests. We met with but few rivers in onr hunt, but from the Esqui- maux, and a few stragglers belonging to tribes on the east side of the mountains, we had reports of many rivers and big waters on the other side. Our northern head-quarters was about three weeks' jour- ney from the Arctic Ocean. To the north east of as, about two weeks' journey, was Big Esquimaux village. The climate in the northern part of our hunting grounds is cold through the greater part of the year, and the ground mostly covered with snow. The trees in this region are of pine, c^dar,. white hemlock, and some other kinds. During^he great- er part of the year they remain bare, but as soon as the temperature begins to moderate a little, the leaves come out about the size of a squirrel's ear. They continue oat but for a short time, when they drop off, and the tree is once more bare. The elk, reindeer, and the ponies of the Indians all feed on the bark of the trees, and the moss. Snow falls repeatedly during the year, bat no rain. There are numerous storms. With the Esquimaux, who live on the shores of theoretic Pcean, our tribes have formerly had skir- mishes, but the difficulties have all been settled, and there is now a lasting peace, although but slight in- tercourse between the races. The Esquimaux- are a dirty people, generally^hort, thick set, with matted hair, and afflicted with the scurvy. They wrap themselves up in furs, and live on any kind of car- rion. They will eat worms, bugs or snakes when tiiej cannot get game; but their principal luxury is # ^ I T?ie Indian CapHve, S6 oil. Tbej make oil from the carcasses of the ani- mals they obtain, and enjoy it as a great luxnry. They live in hntg made of snow and ice, and when moving from place to place they have tents made of furs and skins. In traveling, they use sleds drawn by reindeer and dogs. The Copper* Heads never have sleds, bnt use ponies and elk, both for riding and packing gome and other burdens The Oopp^fHeads principally trade with the Rus- sian posts, and make trips to them several times a year. They also send an expedition twice a year to the Red River settlement, and from there to St. Paul. All the dried meats, furs and other articles are packed on the backs of ponies and elks or car- ried by women and such captives as are in the keep- ing of the tribe. The mode of packing on the backs of women is for a belt, three fingers wide, to be passed across the forehead, and lie down the back. The pack is placed so as to rest on the bot- tom of the belt, and lie on the shoulders and nqck. The bearer is obliged to stoop forward in walking, and the back is frequently bent from thifl^4au8e. Being a captive, I was sometimes compelled to car- ry a load but about fifteen pounds less than my own weight, and the squaws have to carry within about twenty pounds of their own weight From the Russians we obtain blankets, rifles, and other necessary articles, in eyol furs and dried meats. Among other thhi|(t/_ chased of the Russians, the toibe possesses a oi^if Eass and a watch, enclosed in a copper case. Tl^y ave learned the use df the compass sufficiently to enable them to travel by its aid. The lodges are made of poles stuck in the ground and tied together at the top, so as lo leave a nok in the centre. Furs and skins are then fastened aroand t*f':ti- ^1 1i!iu;v CHAPTER V. MATTHEW BBATTON'S VARRATTTS CONTINUED. ffurUing Buffalo — The attack — Cutting up the car- cass^ Packing to the camp — Drying the meat — Buffalo hunting in winter — Trapping hears and wolves — Spearing muskrats — Dressing skins — Different modes of fishing. • Hunting is the principal occupatiovi of the Indians, and their only means of subsistence. The olimatt does not admit the raising of crops, even if the In- *'• The Indian Captive, i% dians were disposed to till the ground, which they are pot. Daring the fall the camps are removed to the lower part of the British territory in order to hunt the buffalo. To show how the buffalo are killed, I m\\ relate my experience on one of the hunts in which I was engaged. fl|| Our hunting party, wit^ie families of the hunt- ers, traveled for seven days nefore reaching the tra- ces of any herds. A few stray bulls were killed, and some of their flesh eaten, but it was too hard and tough for good eating. At length we arrived at the place where there were strong hopes of find- ing buffalo, and our camp was fixed. Early next morning the hunting party rode off, leaving the squaws and children to make arrangements for pre- paring the meat when it should be brought to the camp. After riding a Short distance, we came on traces of a large herd, and then rode forward in high spirits. We soon came in sight of some bolls feed- ing quietly, and beyond them could discover a large herd of cows. The difference between the sexes can be seen at a longdistance by their mode of herd- ing. The bulls feed singly, and are scattered over the prairies^ whilst the cows huddle together as if for protection. The bulls are the most savage, but the cows are the fleetest of foot, and are very diffi- cult tQ approach. Their flesh is, however, more highly esteemed than that of the bulls, it being more tender and juicy. Or^reconnoitering the respective groups it beetime evident that we could not reach the cows without first breaking through the herd of bulls, and this we prepared to do at once. Hiding slowly up so as Hot to alarm them, we approached withia a few hmi* 30 Matthew Brayton, dred yards of them before they took much notice of us. Then they ceased feeding and eommemsed bel* lowing furiously. i> At this the signal was given, and our fleet ponies were spurred rapidly towards the herd. When close to them, eacljMinter singled out a buffHio, and dashing impotuou^^ast the animal, discharged an arrow into its neoK 1 hose whose arrows did not fatally HOund the beasts were at once exposed to imminent danger, as nothing exceeds a wounded buffalo in ferocity and strength. Risins for a mo- ment on their hind feet, they dash furiously at the hunters, butting at them, and attempting to upset horse and man. Sometimes they suceeed, and then the hunter suffers terrible wounds, if not death, from th\B horns of the enraged animal. Five or six bulls were killed in the attack, and the rest scattered wildly over the prairie. The sight of the immense herd of cows in the distance excited the hunters, and prevented them from stop- ping to make any use of the bulls we had killed. We rode forward at a moderate speed for some dis- tance, reserving the strength of our horses un^il we should be compelled to use their speed. At length the scouts of the herd saw us advancing, and in two OP three seconds the whole herd was in motion. The first movements of the buffalo are slow, in- creasing in speed as they go. At the first symp- toms of alarm our party raised a shout to encourage the horses, and we were suddenly flying along at full speed, the horses as much excited as their riders. The excitement was intense. At last we were close to them, and the arrows flew thick and fast into the herd. In a few moments we were in the midst of l^e press, firing arrows and using spears among the animals right and left. The Indian Captive. 31 The scene was full of wild excitement and not without danger. Some of our party were thrown from their horses and suffered severe bruises and wounds from the feet and horns of the enraged buffa<^ loes. At last the sigpial of recall was given, and our party reined up to rest from the chase and dfs^ pose of the spoils. Jjjj^ After dismounting and hoffling the ponies, the hunters rested awhile before pri^eeding to the work of cutting up the bufifaloes in order to take thorn home. When rested, the hunters began the labor of skinning and cutting up the carcases. The an* imal was first placed oa its knees, and its hind legs stretched out to their full length, so that the princi- pal weight lay on the belly of the beast. The small hump of flesh about the neck was first cut out and carefully placed on one side. The skin was next di« vided along the back bone, and stripped down on either side. After this the animal was cut up in va- rious pieces, all the best parts being taken and the offal left for the wolves. The fat and tallow were put in the hide, which was then slung around the necks of the packing ponies. Along each side of the pony's back was placed a pole, fastened to the animal's neck. The foot of the buffalo's hind quar^ ter was thrust through the gambril of the fore quar- ter, and the quarters then slung across the back of the pony and hanging down on each side. The poles keep the burden off from the sides of the po* ny, and prevent its back being broken. The other portions of the game were 0arried in a similar man- ner. When the meat was brought to the camp, the women cut it into long strips, about a quarter of an inch thick. These strips were hung on sticks to dry, which operation takes several days. When 89 MaUhevf Srayton, '^ thtrougbly dried, the women bend it up and tie it into bundles, in which shape it is preserved for home consumption or taken to the trading posts, to be bartered for ammunition or other articles wanted by the Indians. Some parts of the buffalo, not fitted for making the dri^ meat, were dried by a very fierce fire until it iRame brittle. A buffalo hide was then spread otft, with the skin uppermost, and the dried pieces of meat spread on it, and thrashed into small bits by sticks. The tallow of the buffalo was cut up, melted and poured on the powdered meat, which was then worked up until it became well mixed. Whilst still warm, it was pressed into bags made of buffalo skin, which were then sown up. When cold the mixture, known to the whites MpenUcan, becomes as hard as a rock, and makes good eating. The marrow bones were boiled in water for their oil, which, when extracted, was poured into the bladder of the animal. One blad- der will hold eleven or twelve pounds of oil. Buffalo are frequently killed in winter without any of the dangers experienced in the fall hunt. The alternate thawing and freezing forms a thick crust on the surface of the soft snow. The heavy animals break through this thin crust, and plunge cumbrously into the deep snow, whilst the Indian hunter glides easily on his snow shoes close to the side of the unwieldly monster, and dispatches it at his ease. Elk, reindeer, grizzly bears, wolves, with some other animals, are killed with rifles, or arrows, fre- quently with the aid of dogs. The dogs are of a strong, powerful breed, and are trained to catch by the ears or jaw, so that the fur is not injured. The elk and reindeer are very difficult to approach, hav- ing a keen scent, and show fight if close pressed. > The Indian Captive. 39 > The attack on a grizslj bear is also dangerous, and the hunter frequently has to fight desperately for his life. Black bears and wolves are frequently caught by a peculiar trap. A young sapling tree is bent down so that it its top is but a f(4|^feet from the earth. A rope, formed of pieces of raw hide firmly twisted together, is fastened to the top of the tree and a strong double hook of iron or steel is attached to the other end of the rope. One arm of the hook is lightly caught in a log or a stake driven in the ground, and on the other arm a piece of meat is firmly attached. The bear or wolf seizes the meat, and in its endavors to carry it off or tear it to pieces, releases the hook from the log. The tree top sud- denly flies up, the hook catcbins the animal in the mouth or lip, and lifting it partially or completely from the around. In this position it is found and dispatched by the hunter, when he comes to exam- ine his traps. Beaver are trapped in great liumbers, as are mar- tins and other fur- bearing animals. In the depth of winter the muskrat houses are sought out and pierc- ed with strong and sharp spears which transfix the muskrats and bring them out on the points. The skiiis of the animals killed are dried and cured by the women. When the hide is taken off and brought home, the women scrape off the flesh with a b«ne, sharpened at one end. When l^e skin is thorottj^hly scraped, small holes are cut all aroond it, and strings run through it, which are then lash- ed to the poles of the lodge inside. The fire burn- ing the lodge dries the skin in one night, and in the morning it is taken down and folded so as to be packed. In dressing the skins, the grease is taken pff and the skins dipped in water containing the I; ■ » iwis» Hu>»W W. i.i'->»- 34 MaJl^iew BraytoUf brains of a deer, after which they are boiled and stretched on four square poles tied and pushed into the around. The skin is then scraped with a bone and kept before a slow fire until perfectly dry. It is then dipped in the brain water and scraped dry again, after whiqh it is dipppud in the water a third time, and every time the water wrung out before the skin is stretched ^V it remains hairy or Bti£f after all this working, it is draiihi over a eof d as thick as a man's ^nger, as hard »8 the \^ omen can pull, and this softens it greatly. The skin is next smoked. A hole is dug m the ground, about a foot deep, in which is put a little wattr and some rotten wood. The skin is then »3wed in a bag and hung over the smoke for about t^u minutes, when is ready for use. The steams are well stocked with fish, and thet^e are caught in various ways. Sometimes they are speared, and some are shot yfit\\ arrows, and some caught by stake^^ arranged across the bed of the stream. When .Le rivers and small lakes are fro> sen over in winter, a hole is cut in the ice, and over it a little tent is made with three sticks and a blanket, so as to close out the lights The Indian lies with his face over the hole. He can then see to some depth, and when a fish passes, it is pierced with a j|hort spear, and brought to the surface. *'v There are various other ways of hunting, trap- ping and fishing,'^ but these will serve as specimens. ' 1 The Indian Cajjliue. CHAPTER VI. MATTHEW BRAYTON'S NARRATIVE OOMTINUEO. I%.recognized as a xokUe man — Wur dance^'Fighi with Black/eet Indiant — Tomahawking and burning captivei. Nine years ag^HHflfcr in the north was ex- ceedingly severeJ^^^^^^ame was compelled to seek a more soutl^^^^Hi^ to get something to eat. We folloWecMHPRwn, but were in great danger of perishing of famine. In this strait our only hope was in obtaining some additional supplies from the trading posts. A large detachment was therefore sent on to the post of the Hudson Bay Company, for the purpose of obtaining supplies. "With this band I traveled. We arrived at the post after a long journey, and were received with kindness The few furs and skins we were able to gather up we traded for pro- visions, but we were still in great w'ant. That night we camped near the trading post, and waitea to plead our cause with the agent nexi day. In the morning whilst the chief of our party and some of the leading warriors were talking to the agent and explaining to him the deplorable condition of the tribe, one of the traders came into our camp. Whilst looking around and talking, he came close to me, and something seemed to attract his intention. Looking me in the eyes he riirlrlonlj/liliifc" in French. I did not understand him but he, uSndi- ately addressed me in Indian langUaji^'; " You are no Indian. " I replied that t" /fori never remembered anything of a life diffefHK from the one I was leading. He insisted that I was no Indian, but a pale face, and demanded that I should come before the agent. I was about to do so, when H Matthew Braytorit some of the tribe interfered to prevent me. An anffry discussion now took place between the trader and tAie Indians, ending in my being taken before the agent himself. On my entering the circle where the ohiefii and principal warriors were conferring with the agent, I was at once brought before the latter by the trader, and my white birtt]y^M|A^Khim. The agent ex- amined my featuret^^^^Hjkd endeavored to get from me by con^req^^^^Hier I was a white or not. 1 was surpn^HHppse statements, but re- plied that 1 always consiaered myself an Indian. The members of the tribe present in the council were greatly disturbed when I was brought before the agent, and on being appealed to strongly assert- ed my Indian parentage. I could not tail to remark their alarm lest I should be claimed as a white, and pondered over it for some time. The agent was quieted for a time, but was not satisfied, and all at the post continued to watch our movements narrowly. Next day whilst getting some provisions from the post, our chief was agi^in asked about me, and was told that no more provis- ions would be given the party unless I was surren- dered to the whites. At this the chief returned to the camp in dismay, and a brief council was held, from which I was excluded. The result was that our camp was suddenly broken up, and the trail im- mediately struck for the main body of the tribe, leaving the rest of the needed supplies behind us. On our homeward march we fell in with a party of Blackfeet, who wished to rob us of our ponies and provisions. After a short skirmish the enemy was driven back, but continued to hover on our trail in order to Qnd out our destination. '«»• 1/ V The Indian Captives 87 A busy scene presented itself at the camp on our arrivflJ. Our hunters in their excursions in pursuit of game had come on traces of the Blacl^feet In- dians, and had followed the trail until they discor- ered the camp of a large war party which had eW- dently come out with the intention of meeting and driving us back to the north again. A grand coun* oil of the tribe was gathered and the warriors were giving their opinions as to the proper course to be pursued. Two alternatives presented themselves, One was to go back to the snows and starvation of the northern winter, and the other to meet the rp posing Blackfeet and endeavor to force our . v through them to the hunting pounds fiarther uoi r There was a general disposition to take the H> ^ course, and several chiefs made stirring %PW -■ ^ the pride and vengeance of the warriors. The nu- merous battles with the Blackfeet in former years ^ were referred to, and the blood of the slain invoked to stir up the hearts of the warriors to revenge. ^ Finally one of the chiels sprang to his feet and com- menced ehanting an account of his warlike deeds, and boasted of iirhat he would do in the approach- ing fight. Whilst he sang he danced around in a circle, stamping fiercely on the ground at every step. Every now and then he stopped to raise his war-cry. In a few minutes another warrior spxmg up and joined the dance and song, to the music of a small drum and rattle. Then another and another leaped up, until all the fighting men of the tribe signined their intention of attacking the enemy. During the dance the utmost excitement existed, and the pierc- ing yells worked the warriors up to mad frenzy. Knives and tomahawks were waved in h\\\ and all the movements of fighting and scalping un enemy gone through with. 'Is l' ? . ■ Matthew iBtaytoHf Ke!it day a large war party set out in the diitction of the Blaokfeet otiiibp. I ac^bmpamed thie barter. In a^l^ort time we struck tbe trail of one of their baiDids/and followed it ttp till ei'^mnsr, when we ^iscoyered ourselvesin the vicinity of the eneniy's tamp. A hnrried council was held, and it was de- tided to conceal onrselTcis 'in' the woods until mohi- Ibg, and make the atteek at sunrise. After placing Bentinels to keep w^kfh of t3ie camp, bnr party lay dotnl among the brash ^iA waited for day. At the first dairn of day we t^ere^all awake ^nd ij^r^eping stealthily 'towards the ed^e of the wood, beyoM which tlie cainp was pitched. As we near- te&iii/ii«Blinf wit^ tii^witoi, «D#^«iioMlig 44 Matthew Brdyton, the warriors attached to the party to drive from the face of the earth all who should oppose their pro- gress Fai'ticalar charge was given that I shoald be kept away from the whites as much as possible, • and watch kept ihat I might not be stolen from them by the pale faces. The old chief sat down, and the newly appointed chief of the expedition rose and made a speech, as did some others of the tribe. Then there were some dances, after which the Council broke up and all retired to their lodges. Early next morning >he party set out on their . journey. The ponies and elks were loaded with packS) the squaws carried some articles attached to the straps passed across their forehead, and the men rode or walked in single file. The journey was long and tedious, day after day passing with but few in- ' cidents to change the monotony of our progress. Hunting parties started ofif occasionally in pursuit of game for the support oS* the band, and met at appointed places, but the main body kept advanc- ing steadily in the one direction. Only four hours was allowed for sleep, when fires tire lit and we all lay around in our blankets, with r feet to the fire, and heads outward. There are two reasons for adopting this mode of sleeping : it Heeps the feet warm, which is v«ry important, and it allows more people to sleep around one fire than liquid be possible iii liny other position. On stop- :pug ^r sleep the ponies were hobbled in such a nit^nrier that they could feed or sleep, but could not run away. Sentinels were posted to prevent the. camp being surprised either by wild animals or by l^stile Indians. vf JlS soon as the time was up the signal was given •Qd Uie whole camp was spdedtljr awake and itady The Indian Captive, 46 for reBuming the journey. A hasty meal was des- patched, and then, after determining the coarse to be taken, the band set forward. There were no fixed hoars for meals, and no stoppages for that purpose, but each person took a piece of dried meat whenever he become hungry, and gnawed away as he felt disposed. . * The country through which vre passed changed from dense forests to barren pUins, and then again to rolling prairies, high hills, and grassy viEtlleys. When large streams opposed our progress there was a halt on the banks, and preparations ^ere made for swimming across.* The packs were disposed of so as not to be wetted, and then each/ animal, led by an Indian, was brought to the stream and swam across to the other side. When the animals and their burdens had all safely been got over, the remaining men and squaws plunged in and swam over. ,The vei^ young children were carried on the backs of the swimmers, or floated across on boards, which the mothers pushed before them. At the North Pass of the Rocky Mountains the band crossed from the west to the east side. The crossing was the work of time and difficulty, ^ik animals and Indians having to creep slowly up/^ rugged heights of the Pass. Sometimes we isere many hours making half a mile progress, and gt^ caution was requisite to prevent serious aceiqeiaHSi among the precipices around which we ^pt^^. At times we wound our way through a deep gorges e spot,. er of fisiliing bach on the main tft>dy and keeping preparedi for the larger band of Blackfeet that prob^ si>lyi]iqr in olirs coarse towards the^ Selkirk settle^ Biintb: Tii^qneBttoiWift seitib^ witiiout farther disens* fkm^oB oui^ paitf by the appeaeanoe of the Black* fte^'gattoping towards us. Our; pai^y dashed for** tsshrd to nifeet them#^ and as thetwio bancto neaved each 'Oiftierr rapid diseharges oi \ ballets^ and* arrowfii irevt ttiode by both sides. I receiTcd a rifts ball ia 11^ nstep^ and was* thrown^ fisom my ponj: by a B^t^jiDd^.ihtA dashed; against me. J^plo' fi|^ waaidesperate^ and several scalps w&n taken Otti both sides.: A Biockfooti warrior siti|^ vm oit iMl oontet, and ; for^ aipaei< tinw we^ foogfafc ■■^^ HHPIWy Thi§ Indian Otipttn, 47 hand to hand. Serere blows were gtven on both si<*''8, and I felt faint fh>m loss of blood, having re- ceived a frightfal gash in the thigh from a toma- hawk, besides an ngly knife woand in one knee and in the calf of one leg. In the end the hostile party was repnlsedr though with severe loss on our side, and we retreated to the main body of our party. Here my wounds were found to be of sufficient importance to require some attention. I was lashed to a log in order to prevent my writhing during the process of dressing the wounds. The^gashes were then cleaned out and washed with water. Some kinnikenick bark was chewed up and mixed with tobacco, which was then put into the wound to stop the bleeding. The washing and dressing was re- peated until the bleeding had completely stopped. One of the men took a thin buckskin thong and sewed up the wounds by piercing the skin and rua- ning the thong tborough it Only two stitches were made for eaeh igteh. The pain of this opemioa ws« intense, laid was more difibult to bear than the original wonncte. The imriEB of the stitdiei vb» sUlI visible on my person. # Whether the defeat of this smaller party of Black'* feet had discouraged tbe larger band, or whitbtr there was no large party in the neig]iboriBK>od atlbat time, I cannot teU, but it was certain that w» vera not>galn trdubled with them during oar Jonm^. OeeaJUOiMtHiy a strltggling hunter or two would \m Mim, but tbely idwi^s made off bef<»e wxjf of aiir wml^loirs douM Teach them. ^ ! We hflid now reached the hunting ipmaSduM ^te SeHitjEors, m colonists of English, ficotch^: ViMsh affid'hadf bre^s, who lived ^m 4be t^itog^tgnaiilBd. to Lord Selkirk Ibr the pnatpose = of eitabftihtilg ^i^ cotonj^there. The land Cram tha Eot^ MdaAtstinft 41 Matthew Brayton^ to the Red RWer is pleasmt to look at, and fioh with game of all kinds. BnfRilo, deer, and smaller fl^ame, range in great nnmbers over the plains, and tilie hanters and trappers of the Selkirk colony are scattered, in the season, in all directions o?er this splendid territory. Soon after getting into this country we fell in with some trappers who were re- turning to the settlements, and they trareled with our train as far as we went in their direction. In the course of our journey with them, they no- ticed my appearance and spoke to me of my resem- blance to whites, even though disguised with paint as I was. They became interested in me and taught me several words of Bnglish, which I learned very rapidly. On reaching the Selkirk settlements we camped for a few days in order to rest awhile before striking the Red River trail, and to do a little trading with #M telttiers. Here the, traders who had been teach- imjfme English told some of the other whites about wntp and I was visited by several Selkirkers. After eonversbg with me for some time they summoned the cbiiP , and charg^ the tribe with having stolen me when a child from the whites. He denied it, bw^the Selkirkers became more determined in their BQS^ii&QfiSy and demanded that 1 should be given up to tflMm, threatening to take npe by force if not sur- reiMtoed, peaceably. I was afipealed to as to what m #ii^ were on the subject; So much had been md iie lir|r> the traders about my. having probably beipi ^1^ from .my white pareike, that I had be- 00^ am^om to know something about the facts, ahd I ibuddy said so. On this the Selkirkers be^ came more eager to have me left with them, but our chief ^isuadad me from consenting, by represealing that I had no doe to my parents, even if jt wat J Th4 Miian Captio$. it trne that I bad been stolen from the whites bat that if I reamed to the tribe, I could nndoabtedly get part of iny history from the old chief, who woald also probably give me leave to go,, la case I chose to hant op my family. With wis I wai conteiiti and the Selkirkers let me go after exacting a solemn promise from the ehief and principal warriors that I should be allowed , to proceed in search of my parents if I felt disposed to do so. f ■c iii '%-.■ i'*' d» Matthew Braytem, OHAPTEB VllL u f MATTHEW BBAYTON'S NABRATITB. geltirk People — Selkirk Tfins^" Trading at St Paul — Return to the North. With the dawn of day we again set forward on oar jonmey, taking the Red Ri^er trail towards St. Panl. The trip between the Selkirk settlements and St. Paul ocenptes fron thTrty to forty days, and passes through the battle ground of the Sionxs and Ohippewas. Several times we came on small par- ties of the Sionxs, bat had no more Ihan short skir- mishes with them, oar numbers being too formida- ble for them to attack us. About two day^ jonr- Bey flrom the Selkirk settlements we came to the settlement of Oshftwkapee, inhabited by French and half breeds. From this point we passed oyer a ■ttgnlfieeBt rolling country interspersed with occa- ^aki woods and watered by several streams. Whilst crossing this country we met the Red RiTcH" wttiement train returning from th^r trading jour- Boy to St. Paul. The train was composed of four •r irehandred ox carts in single file» with drirers OD foot, or riding on the wragons, hunters and guards mounted ob poales, and woBien and children riding with camp fixtures in coTered wagons. The Selkirkers' wagons are of a peculiar kind, BO iron being used in any part of their constnul- tion. There is but one pair of wheels, having fel- '^m J \ ■''t/ '^*^ t t d d d r- f- a- r- le id a Ei- P- ir rs % y Ipes about six inches thick. TImjM are aboat foar* teeo spolces to a wheel, and the8e%|K>kes ar^ abotit three reet long. The li^h pine, axles, aod in fact every tbtng ab'oajb the cartel are of wood, very mpiHr. flive and eambrbos. No grease is used on the axlei, •o that an incessant groAnCpg and ereaUng is kept up. the body of the cart is nothing btt a frame work similar to the woodrackf ttsed in the lowei^ country. Sometimes a tilt coferihg is used for the wagons that carry the women and childifen. Bach cart is drawn hj one. ox fi^tened to the tUtifU by ilraps of raw hide, One mail %»& change of five Vagons, a strap nassing frpm the tail dfbne wagon' \)Yer the horns or the ox drawing the wagon imme- diately following It When the driver whips the^ first ox it starts fprwar^ and the oxen in the squad of carts attached to the moving wagon hgaVd to^ etart at the same time. The drivers of these trains l^e mixed French Oa*' nadians, English, Scotch and half breedis. In moirt cases the wom»n are Indiane, and these travel Uritli; the train to do the cooking and general Urork Of tbe camp. When they camp for the night they brln|p all the wagons into a close ein|||i#lth the; nhnflfc| outwards. Immediately insideW this cirde tmm ox is tied to the cart to which it belongs, and witlhin this innei^ oicle of cattle the ponies are piek^Kkedi The tents are then pitched within the whole, utMi iiels phioed, and the camp Composed to sleep; fijljkhitations were exchanged with the Seiyr|cen* train as wd passed, and our journey #a8iiigli|i|W euiaed. At length we Arrived lit our villegeWuKn d'^tancefrom St. Ahthoiiy, and here t^t^^initidn were m^de for stayidg one month, 4^^|? irli^ tfi rP X 6S Matffuw SrayUm, In this time oa^rs ftnd skins were taken down to St. Paul, and, by means of our interpreter were traded fbr whiskey, powder, rifles, provisions of yarions kinds, weapons, and snch other articles ti^ were needed by ns. DnrinjK these tradings I prac- ticed myself in speaking English, and conldsoon talk so as to make myself understood. I held some conversations with the settlers, and become more anxious to discover the facts in relation to my sup- posed parentage. I determined that as soon as I went back I would demand my history from the old chief, and if I could obtain any trace from him, I would then prosecute the search after my parents. When the trading was over and the supplies brought back to the catnp, there was a grand feast given, and the camp became a scene of drunken debauchery for several days. Whiskey was drunk in giieat quantities, aod many quarrels took place between the men. M^ they had taken the precau- tion of putting away their weapons before the drink- ing began, no one wias killed in the quarrels. At length our time was up, the Indians got over their debMch, and everything was made ready for the flum trip. Wegpre soon on our way, and march- g wilh our fBJcei% t}^ North. The journey to our northern headquarters had no particular incident to interest me, my mind being now foil of Uie idea that I had white relatives and friends, and that the savage life I had led for so many years was not the one for which I was bom. I longed to reach our village once more, that I might question the old chief as to my history. At last we reached the main body of our tribe. I was rejoiced to meet my Tefronia and the children once ircie, bat at the same time a new feeling had entered my breast. I waited impatiently two or three days until the re- y I., \ \ The IniMan CapHve, 58 joicings cftiised by onr retarn sbould have passed away, and then I sought out the venerable chief, O'Wash-kah-ke^naw, now oVer eighty years old, and" begged him to tell me truly the secret of my birth. For some time the chief bade me go back to my lodge and be content with what 1 already knew, but» finding that I was resolute in discovering the facts, he told me to await a few days in patience, and then he would give his decision. I returned to my lodge in much agitation, for it was evident that the chief knew something that had hitherto been concealed from me. I had been so long accustomed to savage life that I remembered no other. A council of the leading chiefs only called on the following day, which I rightly considered was to consult on the course to be pursued in respect to my demand. At last I was summoned before the great chief and a few leading warriors, and was instructed as to the course allotted for me. I was then informed that when a child I had been stolen from the whites by a band of Canadian In- diatis who had by this course revenged themselves on the whites for some real or fancied wrongs ; that I had passed through the hands of several tribes and had at last, as I already knew, been sold by the Siouxs to the Snakes, and remained with them until their anion with the Copper Heads. The decision of the head men of the tribe was that I should join the train about to set out out for the settlements, and should then proceed in company with a few picked warriors, to visit the remnants of the tribes in whose possession I had once been, in order to learn more of my former history. At the same time I was sworn to return to the tribe within a year af- ter I left the train at St. Paul, and to ensure the fulfilment of this* condition, my wife and ehildren H. Jlf0hf>w 3f§}{tpn^ were jto be, rcitMi^d tn t^e ol4: chief 'sfamilv at the hea4^nai;tejrs of the tribe. Tp t^ese conmtibiis t freely, cquseat^p; aQd waited eagei^lj for tlie daj when 1 9hpald set oat on m; joorney. At lai^ the day arrifiedi and I took a farewell of my wife: and ^ehiidren. Th^ thoaght of them checks ed little a my eagerness >9 set oatr butt at length I left 1 them, fi^lly intending to retarn as soon as I; coold disco? er sonojethtag of my former history. J ec m th ai tc tl in tl] at ei si a cl fu w a^ o! 1 of 5Ck- IS li J Th$ Mtinh C%ftte. m CHAPTER IX. M <.. iiiTTHEW, BBATTON'S VAXSJLttvM, Return to St. Paul^Sick at Chicago — Sets owi Iri Search of hu Parents — Meaches Cleveland-^ Gets hw Story Printed-^Visiia Warren^ O— Attends Camp Meeting-^Exjperiences Beligion^-^ Reaches Sugar Orove, The snows of winter had began to fall wheni, oar pftrty set odt on the roate I had so receatij travel- ed. The pret^ent compiihy was 'pliiujed andeir com* mand of ii son of the principal chief, he bieing alsd the brother, of Mj Wif<^. Ttier^is ho reaton for* again descHbin^ the ronte, as we traveied in th% same trail that we parsued with the former pH^rty, and this time there were no incidents of conseqttonei6 to diversify tjhe monotohy of the progn^ss. Abdul the beginnin^g of April, 1S69, wer(giehedonreamp« ing groaqd near St. AhXhotjf and on, the tenth of that month I arrived jwith a detachment of the trilji at.l^. Panl. We remained ^ere a few days, itaJ^I^ enqairies of the Sion±s and ChippeiKrais tl^t 6c<^li« sionally can^e in lo trade, and from tb^ 1 bbtaitieil a cine to farther dfiicoveri^. Oh the iSth of Apnl I obtitltied leave firdm th^ chief to set oat on Investlgatipiis, (yriomti^tig f^ftlt* fully to return to St. Paul in Joly, wh^n the ^k^ would be ready t6 retarb. T!o aid me In rAj redelarches I was acbo^|Hitticid part ' of fhe wiy By the ciMef hiliuielt abd sdine liilBflibers 50 McMew Brayton, sit'' v~ . / of the tribe, and our party was fhrnished with three ponies and five dogs. In pnrsaance to the informa- tion obtained from the Sionxs and Ohippewas, we proceeded in search of a party of Winnebagoes said to be located in Northern Wisconsin. After traveling some days days we reached the Wisconsin river, and followiqg it towards its source came on the Winnebagoes, who were making sugar in the woods. From them I obtained the particulars of my purchase by them from the Paw Paws, and was "directed to a family yet living in Michigan who conld probably give me some ^her information. Filled with hope I started, in company with my brother-in-law and the other Indians, for Chicago. We traveled through the woods (\nd across thecoun- try, I acting as interpreter^ being now able to speak English wim tolerable proficiency. Before reaching that city I was taken sick, and on arriving there I €eU into the hands of tome sympathizing persons who placed me i^der medical care. My escort, finding that I had become so sick that I could neither prosecute my researches for some time, nor return with them, quitted me and returned to St. Paal, leaving me only my faithful dog, Nawah. X w|8 very sick and do not remember much for two or three weeks, when I found myself in a hos- pital, with my long hair cut off close to my head, aad the paint scrubbed from my skin. To get it off they had used hot water, soap and sand, and in the process had transformed me from an Indian to a whke man. I remained in the hospital for more than five weeks, and then I was discharged as emed, thon^ still very weak. On letting me go they gave me a suit of white men's clot^ig ini^^d of my Indian costume, leuv- Sog me nothing but my stone pipe and my scalping / i The Indian Captive, J < knife. Nawab and I at once set oat on our adven- tares, and my steps were directed towards the place where the Paw Paw family was said to reside. I found them after walking for two days, aod then was directed to a small yilTage of Pottawottomies in Branch county, Michigan. I walked to the place described, sleeping in the woods at night as had been customary with me, but I soon found that I could no longer do so^ with safety. With my long hair cut off, and without my blanket and furs, I was unprepared for camping out. The result was that I caught a severe inflammation in my eyes that in- creased to an extent threatening my sight. I could no longer bear the light, and had to walk with my head down. On reaching the Pottowottamies I found they con- sisted of four families and their chief, Mr. Maoowa- ooR. They had settled down to civilized life, and were living as farmers. Mr. Macgwaoor remem- bered the whole transaction in relation to my pur- chase from the Canadian Indians, he having been present at the transfer. He said the Canadian In- dians had stated at the time that they had taken me from the south side of Lake Erie, and that, Urom their description, the party had probably brought me from Ohio, as they spoke of naving crossed Ike Sandusky river during the jour&ey on whiek tH^y fell in with me. On learning this I set out for Detroit aodmsi^d over int6 Canada, but without obtaining mnchiiic-; ther information among the few seoii-civilized In- dians and half breeds that I met with theft. ; All I could gather was that I probably been talie&^OBi somewhere in the vicinity of Cleveland. I now retraced my steps to Detroit, and proceed- ed into Ohio, telling my story as I went, and ro- 'ife d¥ M(M^ l^kHj^^ I V E> >>.'?; (Itle^ting: iAfortnition. At Fremont I fell in with » maii woo listened to my dtory with ftttentton and remained that be hi^d formerly heard of a family naniied Tonb, who had lodt a little boy froM the neighborhood of Cleveland a number of years ago. Actinjip under his suggestions, on the fbllo wing day, I gbton ih^ railroad triiin find cftrae to Cleveland, where I arrived in the litter part of August. I wa^ ih Cleveland abotit one day, making en- quiries reliaiive to the ^(tt>i> family, and telling my story, bht without getfmg any information that was of us(D. The TdDD faibily had removed many yeajrs since, and I could not learn their whereabouts. I hid begtin to despair of ever finding traces of my parents, when a friendly colored man who had inet nie and learned my story, tobk me to the office of the Cl^ldnd t)aily Strald, fait th^ purpose of telling iny itory to thd editors. We suece^ed in irndtl^ one df them, Mr.^. H. A. BoMl:, in the office, tog^eir with anoiliiBr gentleman. I told my stoiy t6 i^em, aiid liras erbss- questioned by them very clOfieF^. In the end I was directed to an old citizen of the i>laee for the i^ur^e of making inquiries, ahl^ %a8 told to cull it^itin knd te^l the result. ' Tfie{>ierS0n to whM I was directed was out of tbWti, imd I Mhied nothing further thiit night ife^al persohs took icoitii'siderable interest in my •toipy, and wish^<^ me well in my journcyings. Neit fltornifrl I Wai oil the street when I saw some ftirs lui^ Q^er irticles of Esqutmaliac driers at the door of i iHMiim, ^oM #te toiid th«t Ik Pandrama «xf tho Arttic R^fons %s;s on exhibiticin, nnd ibat one of the men bebngtink ^^ it~-TB6MAift HikittitT^had l^een in the far Ndith. I went iip to see hiib, and to ^ilh «iid the |)ro|>iriie!for» Mr. Lik Btri, told hj stoij. ,/ < ) TJu Indian OapHve, 68; ,/ I then aecompanied Mr, La Rva to tha office of the Heraldf and there I again met Mr. Bone, who made me repeat my story and then printed it withja request that any person possessing informatiop of probable use to the ' 'Indian capti7«,'' would at once furnish it. The interest taken in my story by the editors of the Cleviland Herald has; been the means of my returb to my relatives. I remained in Cleveland several days, and my story excited much interest. Some persons fomish- ed me with portions of dotbing of which I' stood in need, and I was furnished with food and sleeping room at one of the hotels. The people at the house were surprised at my refiisal to sleep in a bed and to eat cooked m^at or anything that had salt in it, but I could not endure the method of eaiting or sleeping used by civilized white people. V In a few days I learned that some per8<|iisK 4it Warren, O., could probably, give me some ioi^flll? tion, and thither; I went, the Cleveland aud MAhtft ning Railroad Company taldng me without JAf paying fare. Qn arriving there I foiund. that the people to whom I was directed had gone out of town to attend a Camp Meeting in MalK>nittg coun- ty. Some persons going to the meeting invitod , me to accompany them^ and in th^ company I ai^yed s^theQamp Meeting. A short time sufficed to convince me that Iliad got on the wrong track, and that I wfts n(^ |;h« missing son of Joseph Todd. Great interest wan, however, occasioned by my story, and mftny qifeil? tions.were piit to: me. I showed the Presiding JSl*^ dw papers given me in proof of my belc^i^ to the Indian tribe, and i^lated my adv^tttnreSi. li^alr* ly Li^dwed them my dog» scalping ktaliBE.a&jl pi|^ 60 Matthew Brayton, The Presiding Elder, Mr. Anson Brazbx, whs so m^oh interested in my story that he got me to re- pe^ it to the whole meeting. I remained with these pe^le throughout the meeting, and before it broke np, 11)ecame thoroughly conyinced of the tmtii of the christian religion, and joined the Ghnrch of the United Brethren. In token that I had fol'ever abandoned the bloody practices of heathenism, I broke mjr^Bcalping kn^ in two, giving the handle and part if the blade^to Mder Brazie, and the other p!«rt of the^'t^liMle to a circuit preacher, the ReY. William IfplM^muB. When the camp broke up I accompanied the 'Elder and some of the Min- isters to a Oonference in Stark county, and from thence went to WilliamsiBeld, Ashtabula, where I stayed with some farmers belonging to the Church of the United Brethren. After staying with these good people about a fortnight, I went to Monroe, Ashtabula county, in search of some information that I expected to get there* but failed to obttij^ anything of use, I then mH^pted the inTitation qf Elder Bbazee, and went to his house in Pierpont,' Ashtabula county, where 1 stayed a short time. From there I went to Gon- netttttyille, thence to Olark's Comers, and to Con- DOfstille. From that place the minister sent a let- t^ to Cleveland stating that I had gone into Penn- sylvania, and giving directions where I probiifa^ could be heard of. ^^ I continued to wander from place to place, where- eveir the faintest hope existed of my getting any information, and in this way I visited Erie, ^^ ater- ford, Wattsburgh, and finally reached Warren, Pa., where the Rev. William MoInttbe was stationed. I remained with him a short time and then retraced my steps to Ashtabula county, after which I again The Inaian Captive, 61 80 retained to Mr. MoInttbi's and from thence went to Colambas, Pa. My hopes of finding my relattves had now almost died out. Nearly six months had passed, bnt I soemed no nearer the object of my search than I was when I left St. Panl. Wearied oat with fhiitless efifbrts, I had resolved to make one more attempt, and if that failed, to abandon the search for ever and retam to my tribe on the approach of Spring. My eyes remained very bad, and I therefore labored nnder great disadvantages, having to be careful lest the inflammation shonld increase and destroy my sight. I h8.d gone to school for a few days in Pennsylva- nia, but the state of my eyes compelled me reluc- tantly to abandon the idea for the present, at least. i'rom Columbus I went to Sugar Grove. Warren county, Pa. , close to the New York State line. My intention was to remain there a day or two, and then set out for the Cattaraugus Indian Reservation where I intended making my last e£fort at obtaining information. If I failed there I meant either to re* turn to the Rev. Mr MolNTTREts residence and at- tend school for the Winter, or go into Canada and remain with the Indians until Spring, when it would be time to return to St. Paul. On the 18th of No« vember I was at Sugar Grove when Mr. W. T. SipTH, a farmer living in New York State, just |mi»ss the line, drove ^.p with his wagon early In We morning to take me to his house, where I was to stay a few days previous to leaving for the Cat- taraugus Reservation. I little dreamed, when I arrived at the house, that the end of m/ journey- ings was 30 near, and that the object of the search which I bad aljiost abandoned in despair Was al- ready witliin a few hours of attainmentv «i VI Maahew Bfaytov, 0HAMER iX. FOUND AT LAST. /phei iiaTtatidn of the Qircnmstances Trhich led to the discover J of MAtTHEW Brayton by his relatives requires us to go baick a little from the point to whicQ his acdbunt has brought the reader. . The intervening years between the loss of ItlATTBEW Brayton hy his relatives an4 the pres- ent time have caused many changes in the neigh- borhood once so excited in concequence of that loss. The red men clung for many years to their last foothold in Ohio, Four years after the loss of the boy, the Delawares left their village be- lo^ tTpper Sandusky, and set out for their new homes farther West. Two years afterwards the Senecas extinguished their council fires and sought a resting place uearer the Rocky Mountains. But the W yandbtsheld tenaciously to their homes, and eighteen years passed away before they finally consented to abandon Ohio to the exclu- sive occiq nation of the white race. 4 iFine farms now cover the site of the waste land aodAWOo^^s over and through which the weary kunl^ibr *he missing boy was conducted day af- ter day. Towns and villages have sprung up where humble log cabins here and there stodcK in ibe incipient clearings, and the huts of the red skins have parsed away forever. Tb!$ sturdy farmer, Etu ah Brayton, who onco returned to his cabin from the weary jour- xiey to ChilUcothe after millstones, and was met bgr HOWS t^t made the blood forsake his parental \ \ Th$ Mian (kiipKv$, heart in a sadden rusbyhiKi passed bj soipe yefMra the allotted period of man's life, and is fast pro- gressing towards his fourscore years. WiiiLiAM^ the boy of sixteen who had set out with his little brother on that search for stray cattle, but had returned without hinii has reached Uie meridian of life, and sees around him a young family springing up. Lonfl; since, the paternal cabin near the Tymochte Greek has disappeared, and two or three miles away from it, somewhere in the direction where the two brothers had separa- ted thirty-four years ago, a fine brick house has become the dwelling of the olfiest son of Elijah Brayton. Up at SpringyiUet some five or six miles farther to the nortQweit, tnd at no great distance from the trail on which the young boy was borne off by the thieving Canadian Indians, lives an- other brother, Petbr, and one of the married, sji|i- ters. Here also lives the patriardh hlinself. There are other sisters who mourned wbe|i their brother was lost, and they too are marned. A son and daughter born to the patriarq^ of the family after the loss of Matthew, have long since died, and another son, ASA, younger j^et^pursiies the practice of medicine in the a^oining|oirn ^f The publication of the '^Indian Captiv^'a^^ nar- rative in the Cleveland Jhrald waa the ni^ans of creating considerable interest in his foi^nsss. The story was extensively copied, a^d sef eral letters were received by the editors of that paper from people jn different sections of the <^oun^y who had iQst children many yearn agp,|t was •4 MaUhtw Braytcn, i '. [. Buppofled by means of Indians. None of these letters afforded any olue by which the Indian Captive oould trace out his family. A weekly paper containing the story, copied from the Cleveland herald, was sent by a fnend to the Brattonb, and this first save them an idea that there might be a possibility of recovering the missins member of the family. On the 26th of September, one month after the first publica- tion of the narrative, Dr. Asa Brayton wrote to the editors of the Herald, stating the man- ner in which he had met with the article, and giving some particulars of the method in which is brother Matthbw had been lost. About a week afterwards a cousin of the Doctor called at the office of thar. paper, and made enquiries res- pecting the Indian Captive. He was followed in a few days by Mr. Pbteb Bbayton, one of the brothers of the missing Matthew, who went to Wi^nren, C, in search of the ^'Captive," but lost trace of him there and returned mscouraged. The interest in the subject did not abate, and fmm time to Hme the Herald gave some intelli- gpuce regarding the wanderings of Uie '^Indian aptive.^ The more the Bbattons considered the matter the stronger was their desire to satis- tt l^mselves, and on the tenth of November yhtOiiiM Bbatton, the eldest brother, who had accompanied Matthew on the morning of the day when the latter was lost, set out with the determination of not returning until he could sat- isfy himself as to whether the ^'Indian Captive^' was^i^al with his lost brother, or not. Th$ Indian CkypHve. e5 PreviouB to setting out, Wiluam was charged by his father to examine the man for two marks by which his identity could probably be estab- lished. One was a scar on the top of the head, caused by a razor cut which the father had made in lancing a boil, and the other was a scar on the great toe of the right foot, resulting from the out of an axe. William Bbatton came to Olereland and learned that the person of whom he was in search had been keard of m Northern Pennsyl- vania, and was directed where to go. At the place pointed out Yi stru^^k the trail of the ''Cap- tive," and traced him to Sugar '^rove. Here he learned that the man had en ^fjed the Stute line into New York. The curr^e was toe near at an end to allow any delay, so Mr. Bbatton took along a doctor as witness of the interview, and set out for the house of Mr. Smith, where it was said that the ''Captive" had gone. It was seven o'clock in the evening when the two arrived at the house, and the daylight was fast fading into darkness. They knocked at the dt>or, and, in response to an invitation from with- in, entered tb? house. A man, with his bools off, was drying m feet at the fire. Mr. BBAtiraar stepped forward eagerly and enquired where tile ^'folks'' weie, and was told they were out doing some wc/k in the yard. Mr. Bratton said he wanted them called in, and wished a light struck ^ at once, following up the request with the ques* tion whether the man to whom he spoke was the ^^Indian Captive." On being told in the affirma- -^ 1 I * ■\^ v ■■■ :, '■ i'- jtitre he be^ijoe greaitly asitfi^^ ^^^ prop^eded •i oncp to gpt a light, ^^le *'Captiye^' hastily drew op his bpotp, JjiipUed his dog to his belt, aad drew back with sospicion from the strangers. 4jb soon as the li^ht was obtained l^r. Bbayton :ba^ the ^'Captive'* bare his head, and then j both he and his cpi^panion examined the spot where his father had told them to search for the scar. The emotion of William Brayton may be imagined when the scar was plainly revealed to bis eyes, unmistakeable in its character, and situated precisely where he had been told to look for it. in an agitated voice he bade the man take the boot from his right fjot, ^luch was don^, and there too was a scar visible, just where it ^ had been described to exist. The emotions of William Bbayton may be iiqagined, but cannot be portrayed. The broth- er for whose loss he had always reproached, him- self was at length fouiid through his means, and the sorrows of thirty -four years were at an end. IPor some minutes he paced up and down the kpom, his whoiie frame conviilsed with agitation. ||%ien he tiirned to the cavis^ of all thb emotion^ pho sat perfectly astonished at the proPeedin^, and the ''Indian OaDtive'' was declared to be the IqI^^ IpSt j^ATTHBW^BAl^^ :^|^erwas at once sent home, containing the ^^imffB pf the discovery, and, as soon as pos- sible j the re-united br<^hers set out in the same direction. At every station on the road home, crowds ^aiheredy ai^d at Oarey^ where they were ex- ,%.■ The IMuin Oc^^Hve. tl pedM to stop, Iiundr^ds were collected. Old ihen who had searched for the' lost boy-^aged mothers who had held him in their arms — ^yotttig men who had heard the 8t6rj narrated by their parents. But the couple stopped five miles north of Carey, at Adrian Station, and ai once started for William Beatton*s house. Here the family were gathered. The old man, seventy-three ^ears of age, but still hale and vigorous — the brothers and the sisters. When the oldest brother enteried with his charge the intense feeling that prevailed the hearts of all in the room can scarcely be imagined— cannot be de- scribed. The aged father arose, placed his trem- bling hand on the head of the stranger, and searched for the scar, which he could scarcely distinguish through the mist that filled his eyes. Then lie knelt to examine the foot. For a mo- ment every breath was hushed, and the hearts of the other relatives almost ceased to beat. Then the old manv tottered to his feet, and with a gash. of tears^—the stream of affection that had been .Jjw^t wJSptr i^^ third of a century—- fell on the neck ofhis son^-MATTHBw BisAtTOif! It is useless to Atttempt a description of the scene that followed. The father that had so long se- cretly mourned for his child-^the household pet; the brother who never forgot that it was from his company that the little bo v had passed away to a mysterious fat ; the other brother who had been his playmate ; the sisters who had fondled, their little brother in infancy — all were gathered ta share m that happy meeting. There was one ;"4 4 68 MaUhew BrayUm, th« Indian Captive, absent whose presenoe was needed to make the cup of joy full to overflowing, but hor motherly heart might perhaps even then be rejoicing in heaven for the happiness on earth. The new8 of the return spread like Mnldfire. The return was on Thursday the 17th of Novem- ber. For dayB afterwards the house was besieg- ed by anxious people eager to see the '^boy'' so long lost, and so strangely found. Old men who had shared with zeal in that weary and hopeless search thirtv-four years ago, came up, and all who had known him as a little boy, acknowledged the identity. At present Matthew Bbayton, the hero of these strange adventures, is residing with his fath- er and brothers, and has become somewhat recon- ciled to dvilized life. He has abandoned Ms de- sign of returning to the Indians, and is endeavor- ing to fit himself for the different lot now assign- ecThim. He has attended school as frequently as the state of his i^yes permitted, and can now read a little, as well as converse very readily in the English language. After his thirty -four years of wanderings and hajNteril^Sitvirw*!^^ hoped that he will now be content to remain &siM>i]|jghis family and partOike to .^b^ Ml Qf ^^ Jbl»^i^8 of civiluiation. 'T:l .* •/«• "<>^ i><^ 1 five. oake the notherly ticing in wildfire. ' Novem- 8 besieg- *boy" so men who hopeless d all who dged the e hero of tihisfath- lat recon- ed his de- andeavor- w assign- requently I can now readily in lurty-four o remain lin (it |he i , A ^ **■' ^1, Ji