y surmise was correct, and to plunge me into still
deeper wretchedness.

The Camanche head chief, and one who seemed to be the leader of the
Apaches conversed apart, the latter frequently pointing to my wife and
evidently arguing with great persistence. At length the bargain seemed
completed, and Tonsaroyoo the head chief of the Camanches led her to the
Apache chieftain and consigned her to his custody; the other women were
also taken in charge by the Apaches who delivered a number of ornaments
and trinkets and two horses to their Camanche friends. The leader of the
Apaches now uttered a peculiar cry, apparently a signal, for immediately
the warriors of his party assembled from all parts of the village and
ranged themselves before him.

He seemed to give some order, for they ran instantly to where their
horses were picketed, and with marvelous celerity prepared for
departure. The being I loved best was about to be torn from me, probably
forever, and subjected to the most terrible fate that could befall one
of her sex. As the fatal truth impressed itself on my mind, I seemed
paralyzed in every limb, and stood riveted to the spot, gazing
hopelessly upon those dear features, as I then thought, for the last
time. My poor wife was quickly mounted behind an Apache warrior, and, as
the cavalcade moved off, she uttered a despairing scream, which seemed
to rouse me from my lethargy. I endeavored to reach her, animated by a
wild desire to clasp her once again to my heart, and welcome death
together; but at my first movement I was grasped by a strong arm, and
with her cry of anguish sounding in my ears as the party rode away, I
found myself drawn within the temple and firmly held by
WAKOMETKLA; he did not relax his grasp until we entered the
mystery chamber, then releasing me, he regarded me not unkindly, and
muttered to himself in his own language. Sinking under this last
terrible blow, I threw myself upon the floor, and in the bitterness of
my heart prayed for death. But death shuns those who seek it, it is
said, and we were destined to suffer for years from the doubts and
suspense occasioned by our sudden separation, neither knowing the fate
of the other, and each scarcely daring to hope that their loved one
could be yet alive.

After a time WAKOMETKLA raised me to my feet and led me to the
room in which I had slept previously; here he left me, and for hours I
lay in a sort of stupor, sinking at last into a heavy but unrestf