THE TORTURE.
Another morning dawned; again we were brought forth, and from the
information gained from the old trapper, I knew that our time for action
had come. Lying in a group on the green sward, we watched the movements
of our enemies with painful interest. Our hands and feet were bound, but
we were not otherwise secured, and were therefore enabled to sit up and
look around us; we saw that the Indians were divested of every
superfluous article of dress or ornament, that their movements might be
light and unimpeded. We saw them enter the woods and return with clubs
freshly cut from the trees, an ominous indication of the fate in store
for us. To the number of several hundred the savages had gathered upon
the plain, and were arranging the preliminaries for their fiendish
sport. We watched their preparations with a peculiar interest; at length
all seemed in readiness--two rows of Indians stretched along the plain
for a distance of about three hundred yards--all were armed with clubs,
and stood facing each other; an interval of three or four paces
separating the ranks. Between these lines we had to run and receive
blows in passing, from all who were quick enough to hit us. We were told
that if any of our number achieved the apparently impossible feat of
passing the entire line, and could reach the foot of the cliff without
being overtaken that our lives would be spared. I asked the old trapper
if he believed this. "Not by a durn sight," was his reply; "its all a
cussed injun lie, just to make us do our puttiest; they'll roast us all
the same, blast 'em." I was satisfied that the promise was of no value,
even if they should adhere to it; for the fleetest runner could never
pass the lines.
Several of the warriors now approached us, and untied one of the
Mexicans; he was to run first. Although an athletic and active specimen
of his race, he was quickly disposed of; running barely ten paces before
he was stretched senseless, and brought back helpless and bleeding,
while the air resounded with the wild yells of the savage bystanders.
Three of the other captives soon met the same fate, and then it came my
turn; I was unbound and led forward and stood awaiting the signal to
begin the terrible race. Within a few moments a wild scheme had formed
itself in my mind, and although fully realizing its desperate nature, I
had determined to make the effort, even if I perished in the attempt. I
had noticed that, with the exception of those forming the lines between
which I was to run, the Indians all stood _behind_ me; and for a
considerable space around me the ground was entirely clear. My plan was
to start as if with the intention of entering the lane of savages, but
to suddenly diverge to the right or left, as might seem most expedient,
and run directly down the valley, with the hope that I might be able to
reach the dense and tangled forest which fringed it, and conceal myself
in its recesses until I could find some way out of my rock-environed
prison. As I look back at it _now_, I can only wonder that I should have
had the hardihood to attempt it. Not an Indian among the hundreds around
but knew well all the paths and windings of the wooded borders of the
valley, even supposing that I were fortunate enough to reach it; but
that was improbable. Among so many it was likely there would be several
able to outstrip me in speed, fast runner as I deemed myself; and if
overtaken, I could expect nothing but more cruel treatment than I had
yet experienced. Besides, although I did not know it at the time, the
valley had but two entrances, and these were constantly guarded by a
watchful picket. But at the time I thought of none of these
things--"drowning men will catch at straws," says the old adage--and my
hastily formed plan seemed to me to promise success. Having formed my
resolution I was necessitated to put it in practice at once. The Indians
were already impatient for another victim, and the signal being given I
started on my race for life at the top of my speed. At first I ran
directly for the living lane, where my enemies waited with poised clubs
each eager to strike the first blow, but as I neared it I made a sudden
break to the right, and gathering all my energies for one mighty effort,
I broke through a group of old men and idlers who were watching the
sport. Despite their efforts to intercept me I cleared them in an
instant, and ran down the valley with the whole yelling mob at my heels.
Some half dozen of my pursuers being swifter of foot forged ahead of
their comrades, but they did not seem to gain upon me, and for a time it
seemed that I would distance them entirely; but I had overestimated my
strength, and to my alarm found myself growing weak, and running heavily
and with painful effort.
I had now, however, nearly reached the timber, and strained every nerve
to gain its welcome shadow; looking back, I saw that one of my pursuers
was within two hundred yards of me, and gaining rapidly; straining every
nerve, I kept up my headlong pace, but when within fifty paces of the
woods and with my enemy but little further behind me, I tripped and
fell, and had barely time to spring to my feet before he was upon me; he
was entirely unarmed, having thrown away his club during the chase. As
he rushed upon me, I met him with a blow from my fist, delivered with
all the force of which I was capable. Striking him directly under the
chin, it knocked him completely off his feet, and he measured his length
upon the grass. I turned with a spring, and was about to plunge into
the thicket, when the dense undergrowth parted directly before me, and I
stood face to face with an Indian of gigantic size and most singular
appearance. For a moment I was completely paralyzed; not so my new
opponent. Realizing the situation at a glance, he sprang upon me, and
bore me to the ground with scarcely an effort. Emerging from the
lethargy which had enthralled me for a moment, I struggled frantically
to free myself, but in vain. Several others had now come up, and my
fallen antagonist, who had been stunned for a moment, recovered himself,
with his temper not at all improved by the rough handling he had
received, and snatching a knife from the belt of one of the new comers,
aimed a blow at me which would have ended my life on the instant, and
prevented this narrative from being written. My captor seized his arm,
and rebuked him so sternly, that he slunk away abashed. I was then
allowed to rise to my feet, and my hands being bound, the huge Indian,
who seemed to be in authority, and of whom the others evidently stood in
awe consigned me to the custody of two warriors, and dismissing the rest
with a wave of his hand, again disappeared in the thicket.
Led between my two guards, I was soon taken back to the village,
followed by an excited crowd of Indians, who showed a disposition to
handle me pretty roughly, but their unwelcome attentions were prevented
by my conductors who pushed rapidly through the crowd, and soon reached
the lodge in which I had previously been confined. I was soon
reinstalled in my gloomy prison, and after tying me in the usual manner,
my attendants left me to solitude and misery.
Bitterly disappointed by the failure of my daring scheme at the very
moment when it seemed to promise success, my thoughts were the reverse
of pleasant; and when my mind reverted to the fate of my wife, I
suffered such mental agony, as I pray that you, kind reader, may never
know.
Another night passed, and remembering the words of the old trapper, I
awoke filled with the conviction that it was to be my last day on earth.
The usual scanty meal was supplied to me, and about an hour later I was
again brought forth upon the plain. I was soon among my companions in
misfortune, and like them securely tied to stakes; but allowed to sit
upright, as if the red demons wished us to fully observe the
preparations now going forward.
[Illustration: The Torture.]
Upon the level plain facing the temple, and at a short distance from it,
scores of brawny savages were busily engaged planting firmly in the
ground a row of massive posts; they were arranged in a semi-circle, and
were about twenty in number. We saw many of the Indians go to the woods,
tomahawk in hand; we heard the sounds of chopping, and saw them return
with bundles of faggots; we saw them fastening curiously fashioned
chains of copper to the posts; we observed them painting their faces and
bodies in hideous stripes of red and black. It was a scene of fearful
import, for we knew but too well that it was the prelude to the torture.
What were my companions' reflections I knew not, for they spoke but
little. But the set and stern expression that showed itself on every
face, told me plainly that they fully realized the terrible drama in
which they were to be the principal actors. The appearance of all was
ghastly in the extreme. Travel-stained, covered with dust, and with
spots of dried blood, some showing fresh and bleeding wounds--souvenirs
of yesterday's rough sport--our clothing torn and disarranged, we were
indeed objects of pity, calculated to excite commiseration in the
breasts of any others than the brutal and sanguinary wretches who were
about to put us to a terrible death. As for me, my brain was on fire;
and could I but have freed myself from my bonds I would gladly have
sought instant death at the hands of the nearest savage, rather than to
longer endure the ever present torture of mind, and the not more acute
physical suffering which I was soon to undergo.
At last their preparations seemed completed, and the audience assembled.
Camanches and Apaches alike gathered before the temple, forming a vast
semi-circle. The terraces of the temple were occupied by the older men,
and upon its summit were seated a group of men in strange costumes, the
priests of Quetzalcoatl. Directly in front of the temple a sort of
throne had been erected, and upon it sat the aged chief, with his
subordinates grouped around him. An old Indian of most repulsive aspect,
seemed to direct the proceedings, assisted by about a hundred of the
younger warriors. A number approached us, we were released from our
fastenings and led forward; our ragged garments were soon stripped from
our bodies, and with dextrous rapidity we were bound singly to the
stakes already prepared for us.
To the hour of my death I can never forget that scene. For years it
haunted me, and even now, at times I start from my sleep with a cry of
terror as I fancy I see again that mob of yelling, painted demons, the
crowded terraces of the temple gay with the bright colors of barbaric
costumes, the little band of doomed captives, the fagots, stakes, and
all the terrible instruments of death. Back of all, the snow white
cliffs, fringed with the dark green foliage of the pines, and Heaven's
sunshine falling over all, as if in mockery of the awful tragedy about
to be enacted. I wake--and shuddering, thank God that it is only a
dream.
But it was all too real then. At a signal from their leader the savage
executioners heaped the fagots around us, placing them at a sufficient
distance to insure the prolongation of our sufferings, so that we might
die slowly, and afford them ample time to fully enjoy our agonies. The
fires were lighted, and the smoke rolled up in volumes, and threatened
to suffocate us and put a speedy end to our torments. In a few seconds
however, as the wood got fairly blazing, the smoke lifted, and as we
began to writhe in agony, a yell of delight went up from more than three
thousand savage throats. The heat grew more intense; my skin was
scorched and blistered; dizzy and faint, I felt that the end was near,
and longed for death as a speedy escape from such terrible pain. Some of
my companions, rendered frantic by their sufferings, gave vent to
screams of anguish; others endured in silence.
Mustering all my fortitude, as yet not a sound had escaped me; I had
closed my eyes, and was fervently praying for the relief which I knew
death must soon give me, when I was startled by a wild cry, followed by
a yell of astonishment from the savage spectators. Opening my eyes I saw
the same gigantic Indian who had recaptured me on the day previous,
making his way rapidly through the crowd, who fell back to right and
left with precipitate haste. Rushing directly towards me he scattered
the blazing brands, released me as quick as thought, and dragged me to
the front of the temple, while the air resounded with the yells and
exclamations of the Indians. Raising his hand he hushed them into
silence, and uttered a few words in the Camanche tongue; their meaning
was lost upon me; I could only distinguish the word "Quetzalcoatl,"
which I knew to be the name of their God. But the revulsion of feeling,
and the terrible ordeal through which I had passed, proved too much for
my exhausted frame; I swooned and sank insensible to the earth.
[Illustration]