History of Van Wert County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 11

Author: Thaddeus S. Gilliland
Publication date: 1906
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 870

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Porter were thrown into the sea, but fortu- nately were carried to land, as also were their boat and line. The trunks, chests and every- thing else that would float were thrown over .- board. The hawser was stretched from the wreck to land, and the long-boat, loaded with provisions, was attached to the hawser by rings and carried to land by the waves. As the long-boat was stove in and the small one could rot live a moment in the waves and as there was danger of the wreck going to pieces, it was important to get the crew to land. This was done by stretching the hawser taut and having one come on shore at a time. They were all saved and landed on shore.

The provisions, clothing, etc., were gath- ered and carried up out of reach of the waves, and they were in hopes that they would not be discovered by any human being, but in this they were mistaken for they saw a man plun- ciering their clothing that was strewn along the beach.

He appeared to be about five feet eight irches tall, and of the complexion between the American Indian and the negro. His hair was long and bushy and sticking out about six inches from his head. His face resembled that of an ourang-outang more than that of a human being. His mouth was stretched nearly from ear to ear. and a long curling beard, which depended from his upper lip and his chin down upon his breast. gave him a horrid appearance. He was soon joine:l by two old women of sim- ilar appearance, supposed to be his wives, who 1 okell a little less frightful. They were fol- lowed by a girl of from 18 to 20 years and five or six children of different ages. They had with them an English hammer and a kind of an ax. They now began indiscriminate plun- dering-breaking open chests and trunks, and emptying the contents out and carrying the clothing up on the sand hills. Riley and his

crew repaired the long-boat as best they could, although it could not be prevented from leak- ing. they placed a guard around their tent, which they had made out of part of a sail, and thus passed the night. As soon as it was light the old man came down, accompanied by his wives and two young men. Above his head he balanced a spear of iron, having a handle about 12 feet long and made motions as if to throw it at Riley and his men, order- ing them off to the wreck. Pointing at the same time to a large drove of camels coming down, the women ran off whooping and yell- ing and beckoning to those in charge of the camels to approach. The old man would not allow the shipwrecked sailors to escape him in any direction but that of the wreck. They finally reached the wreck, although their boat was half filled with water.

The okl man and the four young men, as two more had come with the camels, loaded the barrels of bread and the other provisions on their. camels, which kneeled down to receive them, and sent them off with the children. They stove in the heads of the water casks and the wine casks and spilled the contents on the sand. Then they gathered up the trunks, chests and casks, with the sea instruments and charts, and burned them in a pile.

Riley and his crew now made what ar- rangements they could for putting to sea in their leaky long-boat. Their first effort swamped the boat, but they finally righted it, and, after. bailing out the water, succeeded in getting on board, with nothing in the way of provisions, except a few bottles of wine and some salt pork, as the bread had all been spoiled hy being soaked with salt water.

At this stage the savages seemed to have some pity for the condition in which the crew were placed and made all signs of peace and friendship, beckoning Riley to come on shore.

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and carrying all their arms up over the hills. The old man made known that he wanted to go on board the wreck, while Riley was to remain on land, which was done. After satisfying himself that there was nothing on board that he wanted, he inquired for fire-arms and money, and finding none was about to re- turn to land, whereupon Riley signaled to the crew not to let the old man come ashore until he was released, but they did not understand him. As the old man neared the beach, Riley was about to rise to meet him, when both of his arms were seized by two of the young men, one on. each side, and the women and children presented their daggers, knives and spears at his head and breast. While the young men held him fast, the old man seized hold of his hair and with his scimitar made a motion as if to cut his throat or his head off. This seemed to be only to frighten him. The old man then ordered him to bring all the money on shore. One of the men, came on the hawser from the wreck to know what they should do, and was told by Riley that all the money they had should be immediately brought on shore, but the man being in the water and at some dis- tance from Riley did not understand that the money was not to be delivered until Riley was released. The money, about 1,000 dollars, was put in a bucket and slung on the hawser. Porter shoved it along before him and was about to take it to Riley, when the latter made him un- derstand that he was to stay in the water. One of the young men brought the money to the beach and poured it into the old man's blan- ket, while the latter held his scimitar pointed at Riley's breast. When the money was divided, they made Riley rise and then all started to leave the beach, holding him by the arms with naked daggers pointed at him. Thereupon he made them understand by signs that there was more money on board the vessel. Turning

alout, they seated Riley on the sand, and com- manded him to order the money brought on shore. There being no money on the vessel. Riley asked to have Antonio Mitchell sent on shore.

As soon as Antonio Mitchell knew what was wanted, he came on shore. The natives. expecting he would bring money, flocked around him and finding he had not became very angry, beat him, stripped off his clothing and pricked him with their knives. Riley told him to signify to them that there was money buried near where the tent had been. A spy glass, handsaw, and several other things had been buried and near them a bag with about four hundred dollars. Antonio soon made them understand what he wanted and, taking them to the place, began to dig. During this time Riley was seated on the sand with the old man on one side, with his spear pointed at Riley's breast and the young man with his scimitar within six inches of him, both intent on watching him. When the first articles were discovered and the guards for an instant turned their heads in that direction, at that instant Riley sprang away and ran for the water, into which he plunged head foremost and then swam under the water for quite a distance. The old man was within 10 feet of him in water up to his chin, and in the act of hurling his spear, when a wave rolled over Riley and dashed his pursuers backward on the beach. Riley managed to reach the boat and was taken on board. The natives were so enraged that they ran a spear through Antonio's body. killing him instantly.

Riley and his men made what preparations were possible, and put to sea in their leaky boat with a small quantity of water. some salt pork and a few figs. The boat leaked so badly that it required two men bailing all the time to keep her clear. On August 30. 1815. they fitted a

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sail. made what other preparations they could and started for the open sea. They were afraid to run along the coast for fear of being dashed against the rocky coast in the night.

On the 2nd of September, not having seen any sail and the men having become so weak that some of them could not take their turn bailing, and feeling that the boat could not possibly hold together another day, it was de- cided to make for the coast, in hopes of finding water to allay their thirst, which had become unbearable.

When they approached the land it seemed that it was formed of perpendicular cliffs, ris- ing to great height, with no level place on which to land. At last finding a level spot only large enough to haul their boat up on, they landed. On September 8th, they left all that was cumbersome and started along the coast. as it was impossible to ascend to the top of the cliffs. They proceeded along close to the water's edge, as the rocks rose several hun- dred feet in height. The first day they were only able to make four miles, clambering through among the fallen rocks. On the 9th of September they could see a level piece of coast. but before reaching it they were met with an obstruction, that seemed to be impossi- ble to overcome-an immense rock had fallen down. completely blocking the way. This rock, which appeared to be about half way to the level sand, had been washed full of holes, and was completely submerged with each incom- ing wave. but left bare when the wave receded. Riley felt that if he could reach this before an- other wave came in, he could hold on and let the wave roll over him and when it receded make for the level sand. This he did success- full and was followed by each of the crew in the same manner. holding onto the rock until the wave had swept over him and had receded

and then running for the level sand. They were all more or less bruised by being dashed against the rock by the waves, but were thank- ful to escape with their lives. Here they dug several holes in the sand, hoping to find water, but were disappointed. They then ascended to the plain above by clambering among the crevices in the broken rocks and were met with a barren waste of sand with not a green leaf or tree in sight. The men's thirst by this time had become unbearable, and they all recog- nized that it would be impossible to live for an- other day. The heat was intolerable. The sand here was packed as hard as a rock. with sharp stones projecting. They decided to try to find a place for the night's rest, where the sand would be more suitable for a resting place. While dragging their weary bodies along. they were cheered by beholding a light. Fearing to approach in the dark, they waited until day- light.

In the morning. as they approached the camp, they found Arabs watering their camels. Riley, with Williams and Savage. advanced. bowing to the ground. The men approached with scimitars in their hands. but finding no opposition they proceeded to strip off Riley's clothing and also that of Williams. Savage and the cook, the whole crew being soon stripped. When those on the camels came up, those that stripped the prisoners threw sand into the air, as a signal of hostility, and there immediately commenced a scramble for the prisoners, a bloody fight ensuing in which scimitars were freely used. After the fight the prisoners were placed in the care of the women and taken to the well, where they were given water to drink out of a vessel placed on the ground. being compelled to get down and drink like the camels. They were also given some sour camel's milk with water in it. When they

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asked, by signs, for something to eat, they found that the Arabs had nothing for them- selves. There were about this well about 100 persons, men, women, and children, and about 400 or 500 camels. About 10 o'clock A. M. one company, having finished watering their camels, separated Williams, Robins, Porter, Hogan, Barret and Burns from the others and mounted them on camels, barebacked behind the hump, compelling the men to hold on by the hair. There remained with the party to which Riley belonged, Savage, Clark, Horace and Dick, the cook. The prisoners were forced to draw water for the camels. After filling several goat-skins with water, the skins were slung by the legs on each side of the camels. The Arabs next put on the baskets in which the women and children rode, these baskets being made of camel's skins with a wooden rim around, so that three or four could ride in each with safety. These were fastened with ropes passing under the bellies of the camels. The prisoners were compelled to walk and drive the camels. The sand was so soft that they sank into it at every step and it was hot enough to cook an egg. The sun on the bare backs of the prisoners was more severe than can be imagined by any person that has never had the experience. After reaching the summit, five camels were selected and each prisoner placed on one, behind the hump. It was extremely difficult to hold on, especially as the camels were restless and ran around among the herd making a great bellowing. The sun had so blistered the bodies of the prisoners that they were scon afflicted with bad sores, while the insides of their legs were so chafed that they were bleeding. The men had gone on ahead at a trot, leaving the prisoners to the care of the women who urged us forward. Riley begged to be allowed to dismount, but the women paid no attention to his entrenties an 1

finally he let go his hold and fell off backward. He was then compelled to run to keep up with the camels. He says that here only the remem- brance of his wife and children kept him from resorting to self-destruction. They made no stop until near midnight, when they had trav- eled about 40 miles. Here they milkel the camels and gave each of the prisoners about a pint of warm milk to drink. They lay on the hard ground and suffered from cold. their bodies being entirely naked.

The morning of the 11th, the camels were milked and each prisoner allowed a pint of milk as before. There was here another dis- pute as to the ownership of the different pris- oners, which was finally settled after some quarreling and drawing of knives. Toward evening a great many men having assembled, a halt was made and a council held, at which there were present about 150 men. Here Riley was questioned by an old man as to his nativ- ity, and how they had reached the coast. He made the Arabs understand that they came in a ship by piling up sand and sticking sticks in for masts. They questioned him as to his knowledge of the country, and whether. he knew where Morocco was, and the name of the emperor, all of which he answered to their satisfaction, also giving them to understand that if the prisoners were taken there they would be ransomed.

Having concluded their council, they sepa- rated, each master taking his slave and going his own way. Riley was delivered to an Arab named Bickri, who took him near his tent and made him lie down like a camel. Near mid- night the Arab brought Riley about a quart of milk and water, which he drank and then lay down and slept. He had the most frightful dreams. He dreamed over all their past ex- periences since the shipwreck : that they were being driven by the natives with red-hot irons.

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and made to pass naked and barefoot, with the flames up to his eyes, through a most dreadful fire for nearly a mile, which scorched off every part of his skin and wasted away his flesh by burning, roasting and drying it off to the bones. His torments seemed to be inconceiv- able. He now thought he looked up towards heaven and prayed to the Almighty to receive his spirit and end his suffering, when a bright spot like an eye, with rays around it in the midst of the flames, appeared above him in the firmament, with a point below reaching to the northeast. He thought if he went that way he would go right and turned from the south to the northeast. The fire soon subsided and he went on, still urged with spears, by those about him pricking him from time to time, over high sand hills and rocky steeps, his flesh dropping off as he went. Then, descending a deep val- ley, he thought he saw green trees, flowering shrubs in blossom, cows feeding on green grass, with horses, sheep and asses near him and as he moved on he discovered a brook of clear running water. His thirst being exces- sive, he dragged his mangled limbs to the brook. threw himself down and drank his fill of the most delicious water. When his thirst was quenched, he rolled himself in the brook and cooled his body, which still seemed to be consumed with heat. He then thanked God for his mercies. His masters in the meantime hurried him on in the way pointed out by the All-Seeing Eye, which was still visible in the heavens above his head: Through crooked, thorny and narrow paths, over high mountains and deep valleys, past hosts of armed men on horseback and on foot, and walled cities, he went, until he met a tall young man dressed in the European and American manner, riding on a stately horse beside a brook, who on see- ing Riley alighted and rushing forward with great joy caught him in his arms and pressed

him to his breast, calling him endearing names of brother in his own language. He thought he fainted in the young man's arms for exces- sive joy, and when he revived he found him- self in a neat room with a table set in the best manner before him, covered with the choicest of meats, nuts, fruits and wines, and his de- liverer pressing him to eat and drink. Find- ing him too much overcome to partake of the refreshments the young man said: "Take courage, my dear friend; God has decreed that you shall again embrace your beloved wife and children." At this instant he was called by his master. He awoke and found it a dream.

Riley was then ordered to drive forward the camels, which he did for about an hour. but his feet were so swollen and lacerated that he could not help stooping and crouching down nearly to the ground. In this condition he was seen by Sidi Hamet, who became his first mas- ter. Going to Bickri, Hamet talked with him a good while, and then took off the blanket from his back and gave it to Bickri. Coming close to Riley, he motioned him to stop, made his camel lie down, and then fixed a skin over his back behind the saddle, making the two ends fast to the girth to keep it from slipping off. He then had him mount while he got on his own saddle and steadied him until the camel got up. They continued on the same direction as before. The sun was very hot on his bare back and his head. which seemed bursting. yet the recollection of his dream gave him cour- age. This was on the 12th of September. That evening he met Hogan and found that he and Hogan had been purchased by Hamet. At midnight Hamet gave each of them a pint of pure milk, which was very refreshing. On the morning of the 13th he saw Williams. but the latter's body was entirely naked and the skin burned off and the flesh so inflamed,

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that Riley only recognized him by his voice. His master arrived and they moved on, and he could see that the inside of his legs and thighs hung in strips of skin and was bleeding. About an hour after, his master beckoned him to come to him and a tall old man, nearly as black as a negro joined them. He was the most ill looking they had yet seen. After some barter- ing Riley was given to the old man. He and his two sons were on foot but walked faster than the camels, and Riley did his best to keep up. but when he could no longer do so the old man beat him on the bare back with his stick to urge him on. He was staggering and smart- ing under the wounds inflicted by the old man, when he was approached by one of the sons, who gave him a double-barreled gun to carry. He supposed this was intended as an addi- tional punishment, but it was given in kind- ness as the old man ceased his beating. At about 4 P. M. having come near the tent his load was taken from him, and he was made to lie down in the shade of the tent. He begged for water, but could get none. The time now came for prayers which ceremony was per- formed very devoutly by the old man and his two sons. Then they went away. He was in so much pain that he could hardly contain him- self and his thirst was more severe than it had yet been. He tried to soften the hearts of the women to get him some water, but they only laughed at him and drove him from the shade of the tent, and he was forced to remain in the scorching sun the remainder of the long day. Shortly after, sunset the old man and his two sons, with about 20 or 30 men, came and went through their religious ceremony in a very solemn manner. The women and children did not join in. Soon after this was over, Clark came in with the camels : every part of his flesh was exposed, and his flesh was excessively mangled, burned and inflamed. Clark said to

Riley : "I am glad to see you once more, for I cannot live through the approaching night, and beg of you, if you ever get to our own coun- try, to tell my brothers and sisters how I per- ished."

Riley encouraged him the best he could and told him that he believed that they would all be yet enabled to reach home. The old man had told him that as soon as it rained they would journey to the northeast to sell them. As night approached he begged the old master to allow them to go under the corner of the tent, to which he assented, but the women would not allow it and they were compelled to remain out until the men had milked the camels. Then each was given nearly a quart of milk. After the women were asleep, one of the young men, named Omar, the same that made Riley carry his gun the preceding day to keep his father from beating him, came and made them creep under the tent without waking the women. The soft sand served as a bed and the prison- ers slept soundly. As soon as the women awoke, they were for thrusting them out, with blows, but the men pretended to be sleeping. The old man, looking on them seemed some- what concerned lest he should Jose his property, told the women to leave them alone, and as he was absolute they had to obey. They did not move the next day, and after they had milked and drank they gave the prisoners what was left. They were suffered to remain under the corner of the tent in the shade all day, and the next night were given a skin that would partly cover them and keep off the night wind. The Arabs gave them a good drink of milk when they drank themselves the second night. and Omar had given them about a pint of water in the middle of the day. The two nights and one day's rest had revived them very much. These were the 14th and 15th of September.

From the 15th to the 18th they journeyed

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toward the southeast in search of shrubs for the camels to subsist on. On the 19th a coun- cil was held, it which it appeared that Riley's master was looked up to as a man of superior judgment and influence, and they began a route back again towards the sea and the well where they were first made slaves. They had jour- neyed seven days, and it would take the same time to return, there being no prospect of water in any other direction and it was doubtful if the camels could live that long, as they were almost dry now, and their milk was all the provision that there was for all the people. In the course of the day Riley and Clark gathered about a handful of snails, which, with about a gill of milk, was all they had to eat in 24 hours. On the 20th they proceeded very fast in the direction of the seashore, and on the 21St they rested. Here they met Savage, Horace, Hogan and the cook, who were all very much emaciated and sore and had been carried on camels the last few days. They all felt they could not live another day. There were no snails to be had here, and they had not a drop. of milk or water to drink. Horace, Hogan and the cook were employed in attending their master's camels, with two Arabs, who kept flogging them nearly the whole time.

Riley's master was quite wealthy and had from 60 to 70 camels. He was a kind of a priest and every evening he was joined in his devotions by all the old and most of the young men. They first washed themselves with sand, instead of water; then each wrapped himself in a strip of cloth and turned his face toward the east. Then Riley's old master stepped out before them and commenced by bowing twice, repeating at each time " Allah Houakibar," then kneeling and bowing his head to the ground twice, then raising himself up on his feet and repeating "Hi el Allah Sheda Moham- med Rahsool Allah," bowing himself twice,

and again prostrating himself twice, then "Allah Houakibar" was three times repeated. He was always accompanied in his motions and words by all present, who could see him dis- tinctly as he stood before them. He then made a long prayer. All recited together a chapter in the Koran and then joined in chant- ing some hymn or sacred song. This ceremony being finished, they again prostrated them- selves with their faces to the earth, and the services concluded.

About the middle of the day two strangers arrived, riding two camels loaded with goods. They came in front of Riley's master's tent and having made their camels lie down, dismounted, and seating themselves on the ground oppo- site the tent with their faces turned the other way. There were in this valley seven tents.

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History of Van Wert County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 11

Author: Thaddeus S. Gilliland Publication date: 1906 Publisher: Number of Pages: 870

Author: Thaddeus S. Gilliland
Publication date: 1906
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 870