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sent out, reported that the soldiers had gone fur- 

 ther up the river, so that on the 4th of April, 

 1805, our camp, with the women and children, 

 moved on to the Missouri. Immediately after 

 I arrived here, I was so fortunate as to become 

 acquainted with Mr. Paintille, a Frenchman, who 

 had long resided in the country, principally with 

 the Titon-anah band of Sioux. We concerted 

 a plan for making an escape down the Missouri. 

 As he had a light canoe, we prepared ourselves 

 to leave the Indians, and accordingly, on the 

 night of the 26th of April, we were so happy as 

 to make our escape from these miserable beings. 

 In ten days we arrived at the town of Saint 

 John's, which is the upper settlement on the Mis- 

 souri river, and from thence we proceeded to the 

 lower settlements. Here I found myself in the 

 full enjoyment of a freedom, of which I had long 

 been deprived ; having been a prisoner more than 

 three years and six months. During this period 

 I had been subjected to many severe suiferings. 

 Although I had always been well treated by the 

 Indians, I had undergone great fatigues, and was 

 often much distressed for provisions. Frequent 

 exposure to wet and cold, and the inclemency of 

 weather, brought on a rheumatism, which became 

 so severe, as to confine me eighteen months after 

 I had obtained my liberty. 



