Page:Life and journals of Kah-ke-wa-quo-na-by.djvu/24

 Shortly after this adoption we left the Burlington Bay for the River Credit; during this journey we suffered much from hunger, and were obliged to cut down hickory trees we then peeled off the bark and cut out chips, which were boiled in order to extract the sweet juice; this we drank and derived much nourishment from it. At other times we were compelled to boil and eat a certain kind of moss called wauquog, taken from the pine trees. Such is the uncertain mode of Indian life.

During my stay with this Chief I well recollect losing my way near the banks of the River Credit, and after wandering about for a long time, was found by an Indian who was in search for me. Soon after this we encamped near the mouth of the Credit, when my new father and all the adult Indians had a long drunken frolic. During this time I suffered much from cold and hunger. On awaking one morning I attempted to rise and walk out of the wigwam, but was unable to stand upon my feet, the cords of my legs were drawn up, and I was obliged to creep on my hands and knees. I remained thus crippled for two or three months. A messenger was sent to inform my mother, then living at the head of the Lake, of my lameness, and she came after me early in the spring, accompanied by a female relative named Shegwahmaig. I was greatly rejoiced to see my dear mother, who, with the assistance of her friend, carried me on her back to Stoney Creek, a distance of more than thirty miles through the forest. On the way we were fortunate enough to kill a ground hog, called by the Indians Uhkuhkojeesh, on which we subsisted. This animal is about the size of a rabbit. As the warm weather advanced my lameness gradually left me till I was perfectly restored. Exposure to cold and hunger were no doubt the cause of this affliction, and I have every reason to believe that my subsequent illness and poor state of health have had their