the appendages of another person, and that my tortures had begun by my
being deprived of all that part of my body below my knees. By dint of
much turning, I managed to get myself partly on my side, which proved a
great relief, besides affording an opportunity to look around me and
gain an idea of the state of affairs.

Day was just breaking, and my captors were, with the exception of the
sentinel, asleep. We were on the prairie, and I at once concluded that
we must have left the scene of the fight and capture; a small fire had
been built, and the warrior who mounted guard was sitting with his legs
crossed beneath him, seemingly gazing into the smouldering embers; there
was just enough light to discern his features, and I shuddered at their
repulsiveness; the hideous war paint was streaked most fantastically
across his cheeks and forehead and over his body, for, with the
exception of a pair of abbreviated leggings he was quite nude. His
scalp-lock was adorned with a profusion of eagles' feathers, and his
wrists and arms were set off with bracelets. Dangling from his girdle
was an object that thrilled me with anguish, as the long white hair
covered here and there with dark red splashes, I knew at once to be the
scalp of my dear, murdered mother. I had read of the noble red man, and
like most romantic people, conceived a very touching picture of his
manly beauty and majestic air. One needs but to be among them to have
any such illusion dispelled. In my long residence with the tribe, I
found some admirable traits, of which I will speak anon, but they had so
many counterbalancing vices, that I do not think their best friends can
say anything in their praise.

This book is a true narrative of my capture and sufferings, and if my
readers do not find running through these pages, that sentimental gush
about the noble red man, that we have been taught to believe was as much
their attribute as they considered scalping their prerogative, it is
because I have been disabused of these ideas, by the stern reality of an
existence among them. I trust this digression will be excused, but when
I stroke my chin, and feel the traces of their delicate attentions, my
feelings are apt to get the better of my desire to entertain.

Soon, however, the camp was stirring, and my friend at the fire roused
himself and advanced toward me; whipping out a knife from its sheath, he
cut the thongs by which I was bound, and grasping my shoulder jerked me