Page:Life Amongst the Modocs.djvu/292

 corn. The

squaws dropped their baskets and hid their faces in their hands in sign of submission. They had not discovered us until too close to attempt escape. We greedily devoured their few roots, took them with us, and hastened on.

In the afternoon, when nearing the summit, one of the squaws dashed down the hillside through the thicket, We called to her to stop but she only ran the faster. We then told the other she could go also, and she bounded away like a deer. Our only object in keeping them with us was to prevent them giving the alarm, but since one could do this as well as two we had no occasion to keep the other.

We knew that under the excitement of fear they would soon reach camp, and, perhaps, induce pursuit, and therefore we redoubled our pace.

We travelled all night, but about dawn I broke down utterly and could stagger on not a step further.

The Indians tore off a dead cedar bark, formed it into a sort of canoe, and fastening withes to one end, placed me in it and drew me over the snow.

I ought to have recovered some strength but did not. I could not stand alone. After dark they built up a big fire in a close thicket, left me alone, and pushed on to camp.

Early in the morning other Indians came with provisions, and now being able to walk after a break fast on elk and deer meat, we soon reached camp.

After but one day and two nights rest I