d ever been celebrated for his cunning and
audacity, which he had in times past exercised in less reputable ways
than that in which he now proposed to employ them. Some of Winnemak and
Piomingo's people, who were now on good terms, scoured the country as
scouts; and from the reports they brought us we were satisfied that the
chief body of the enemy had completely deserted the neighbourhood.
Still, the party of whom Piomingo had heard might have remained behind,
and we therefore at once commenced our search for their trail.

But I must be brief in my account. For two days we searched in every
direction, scarcely resting, till at length we discovered a trail which
Piomingo was confident was that of our foes; and, moreover, he said they
had a white man with them. They had, however, he thought, passed some
days before. Piomingo sent back one of his men to urge Sergeant Custis
to come on rapidly; and we pushed forward as fast as we could travel,
hoping soon to overtake the Arrapahas.

After following the trail, we found that it took the way along the
mountains. This was rather an advantage in some respects, as, being
accustomed to mountain travelling, we might move on faster than those of
whom we were in pursuit. As, however, we were made of flesh and blood,
we were obliged to encamp at night, although the dawn of day found us
again in pursuit.

Piomingo thrilled my heart with horror by an account which he gave of
the cruelties practised by the savages on some of their captives, and I
had great fear that our friend Bartle might have been subjected to the
same horrible tortures. Piomingo told us that he himself had been
present at some of the scenes he described. It showed me how debased
men, formed in the image of God, can become, when they have departed
from Him, and how cruel by nature is the human heart, which can devise
and take satisfaction in the infliction of such barbarities. The white
men who were thus treated had done nothing to injure the Indians, except
in attempting to defend their lives and property when attacked. The
captives having been brought out into an open space, bound hand and
foot, the Indians threw off their usual garments, and dressed themselves
in the most fantastic manner. One of their victims was first led
forward and stretched on the ground, to which he was bound by cords and
pegs, so that he could move none of his limbs. The savages then
commenced a wild dance round him, jeering an