NARRATIVE
DANGEROUS JOURNEY
MRS. CAROLINE CEDARHOLU,
THE NORWEGIAN NISSIONARY,
Across the Desert to Arizona,
—TITR THE—
STRANGE EXPERIENCES
PROVIDENTIAL DELIVERANCES
ON THE WAY.
CAMP DATE CREEK,
1870
LIES. CAROLINE CEDARUOIX.
48
We reached the place where I was to leave the
teams for W. without any accident. It was with
feelings of real sorrow I left my good protector.
They told me I should not get any chance at the
post—that they would be before me in San L,
and urged me to go with them the whole way.
Bat I was determined to trust in God mom than
in man, and when tho teams left, r took-my five-
shooter, which one of the girls in Prescott had
given me, and fired c shot in tbe air as a tokeuof
my obligation to tbem.
Reaching the post, at a short distance, I found
the commanding ofHcer in his room, with four or
five otbeis. Asking him first if there was any
chance to go to W. that day. • Ho answerad
"No;" and, I perceived at once that be was not
akind gentleman. Then I asked leave to give z
temperance lecture in' the camp that evoning—
told him I was collecting-for the church in Pres-
cotti and wished to take a small- entrance fee to
aid in that cause, and had come to him to gat his
countenance and Lid. To my great astonishment
be not only refused to allow me to lecture, but-
spoke very ungentlemanly.
Notwithstanding this obstacle, I did not faintt
for I knew God was on my sido. On agking bim
io contribute for the chureb, be said ho had DO
money to give for such bumbngs. I thau said
44
NARRATIVE OF THE JOURNEY or
my only way was to go from barrack to barrack
among the soldiers. To this he did not object,
but promised me a good heap of scorn among the
soldiers, I also asked him Where the ladies in
the eamp were, for I wished to make their ac-
quaintancé. Ele replied that "Certainly some of
tho oßcers had wives in the camp, but he did •not
know as he should be justified in imposing such
a punishment on them as to speak tome." Well,
witb God's peace I went on. I think most of
God's children find it no use to quarrel with an
infidel. None of the omcers with him gave any-
thing, det6rred, I suppose, by fear of their col-
onel. But starting out in the camp I met the
brave •commissary sergeant, who gave me five
dollars, and was so fortunate as to collect in all
twenty-four dollars and fifty cents. While on
my round I saw three little girls- standing by a
small house, and, on a sudden impulse, I asked
them of their mother, -and oh going into the
house found an old lady of. very attractive ap-
pearance, who, upon acquaintance, pröved not
only .a kind woman, but a tried Christian that
had been working for God many years. So, my
heart was lifted up in thankfulness to God, who
had given me at least onø sympothizing heart
in this cold place. We separated, after having
praised God together.
While collecting ampng the soldiers somebody
told me I had countryman at the. post—the
MRS. CAROLINE CEDARHOLM.
45
colonel's cook. When I found hil%, it proved
true, and I don't know which was the most Batis-
fied person. he to find one who could speak his
mother tongue, or I, who had found a home in
the kitchen, with plenty of good food. It had
been very hard for me to find sheltor for my
bead, but the cook got me a nice place in the
tent of a head sergeunt, who was married. Mean-
time I thought it necessary to inquire for my
chance with the Mexican team which bad prom-
ised to take me to Wickenberg, and learned that
it had started over half an hour before. I haci
pretty much resolved to start in the night and
overtake the team, which I supposed was stop-
ping from five to eight miles distant, and the
cook and sergeant were to go with me. But.
the colonel persuaded the cook to wait till morn-
ing.
At-nine o'clock I started, in hopes of overtak-
ing t,be téam. My friend, the cook, carried the
I had a pie, a piece of chicken, and
sugeibiscuits. The time passed very pleasantly
inionversation and •songs in our native tongue.
\ Mpcountryman 11Ld a very. special feeling to:
wåqkmZ, and gavo many a flattoring hint about
his •Ilöivea•y. money prospects, but made it a con-
ditioniha€'khould give up the missionary work.
Meantime, he reputed strophes and verses from
our ö$ginaV bards. Promising to write him,
while .1 laughingly told him my views of things.
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NARRATIVE or THE JOURNEY OF
wo an•ived at the station, five miles from the
post, withdut adventure with the Indians, but
without overtaking my team. Mr. Lindberg
started back to camp to get dinner for the amia-
ble colonel, while I started with another gniäe
to overtake the hløxicans. who had left about
two hours before.
From guide 2No. 2, another offer waQmade to
change my happy missionary life, for one of tak-
ing care of babies, feeding chickens and hogs,
planting corn. etc. It was a strange feeling to
be with a strange man—in a strange path, in a
wild country whero we were exposed t6 death at
every step; but God gave me strength and cour-
age. After three miles walk, we reached the
next ranch, and gained the encouraging informi-
tion that the Mexicans had left one hour •before,
bat would probably camp some eight or ten miles
distant. Here guide No. 2, left me to guide No.
3, for whom I had to wait for four hours. At
las$ armed with the 1' Improved Spencer Rifle,"
one six-shooter—the big. bundles and a canteen
of water, we started out to overtake the team, or
walk the twenty-three miles which separated me
from Wickenborg. Soon tho daylight gave place
to the long shadows of evening, dark and cold,
but the bright stars and sharp new-moon began
to speak their silent language to our fallen earth,
while we two lonely wanderers,. with many a
strange feeling ruling in our souls, directed our
MRS. CAROLINE CEDARHOLU.
conversation upon death and eternity; for we
did not know at what moment the Indians might
surprise us, for we were in the most dangerous
ilace between Date Creek and Wickenborg. Well.
along we walked; but list! silent! and bo stopped,
whispering, a Ma'ali, what do you hear!" "1t
seems to be yes, the Indians are
out: ye must look out for life now. Let us come
behind these big bushes, or it will soon be too
late."
It is impossible to describe the feelings that
crept through •my breast and head. The mision
—the church—my boys—Sister G.—beautiful life
-=probable death next moment, rushed through
my mind in a second of time. Next came 'be
determination, rather die -than fall a prisoner
into the hands of the Indians. Instantly I grasped
my five-shooter, while my guide prepared his
Spencer for action. Soon we heard the btBbæ
crack; the dogs barked, and a peculiar sound,
something like a long drawn whistle, filled the
air, There must have been a whole camp of
them, some three or four hundred yards from
whilo they bad their spies around; for we beard
distinctly the breaking bushes in our immediate
vicinity, whilo thö dogs continued to bark in tbe
distanee.
My heart was turned to God in prayer, 'bile
we hardly dared to breathe. What kept us this
night but God's almighty hand. I promised again
48
NARRATIVE OF JOURNEY OF
-to serve him bettor, and "Ack.notvlcdge him in alt
my ways; " and he heard my prayer and accepted
it; for, after a while, the signals drew along the
mountain side farther and farther from us, until
the echo died on the air.
It seemed as though the Indians heard us in
the beginning, but missing our track, were afraid
we were a big company, and therefore hurried
away. When we started the next morning, we
found the moccasin tracks all over the road. But
before leaving, I thanked God in prayer for his
mercies the past night, and asked for grace and
protection in the days to come. We did not suc-
cecd in overtaking the Mexicans, but came upon
some other teams who told us they were iu W.
by this time. They were kind enough to take me
along, and I was separated from my "Irish guide,"
and made my appearance in Wickenberg upon a
hugo load of wood.
I •will here tell a little incident which hap-
pened a few months after my arrival, the second
time, to Arizona.
As I before stated, I was in a special manner
impressed to leave my convenienco with my kind-.
hearted friends and go up to Dato Creek, aud
there collect for the church. I should nover have
learned the true reason, if not God—this time—
had led my way to the Vulture Mine.
On the way down to the mines one of the
"Ilow do you do,
teamsters addressed me thus:
NRB. CAROLINE CEDABHOLM;
49
Mrs. Codarholuu? I never thought to see you
moro in this life. Do you know that we were
jumped by the Indians two bours after you bad
left us that day?" He npw told me that the ln-
dians had stolen forty mules from them, robbed
all their goods, killed one mau and shot of the
right arm of anotber; that Mr. Spencer and Mr.
Smith (the man who told me this) had run seven
miles for their lives, hunted by the Indians, and
that I, if with the téam, wduld probably have
been killed, or at least never escapod captivity
for life among the savages.
He added: "I was that man who performed
that mock ceremony, you know, in the camp, and
we teamsters will never forget your talk to us
about i'eligion and temperance. We thoughtyou
to be an odd woman, while you remained in our
camp, but. afterwards we saw that you the
only right one of us all, and that it isof no use to
make fool of an houost Christian."
How thankful it made mo to God—how
these words: "Acknowledge me in 011 your ways
and I will help you." Oh! what a wonderful
goodness toward me, unwortby!
And ought I not to love my Saviour beyond
all other things, ind work for him with all my
might.
Probably these Indians, who had robbod my
friends at daylight, wore the same who a-Imod
had surprised me during my walk imthe night
50
NARRATIVE or THE JOURNEY OF
About two o'clock we stopped at a gentleman's
to whom I was reco•mmended. Intending to stop
at W. only that afternoon, and be right off, if I
could get a free passage in the stage, I made haste
with my errand, which had no good sound in his
ears. For having been educated an Episcopalian
and now lending all his influence and patronage
to Catholicism, he was not at all interested in
Protestant ideas. But being a gentleman, ho
could not refuse hiS aid, and gave me thirty-four
dollars in bullion, which I signed over to the
church. Three of his men signed fivo dollars
apiece.
But I met with no success at all in Wicken-
berg. Still, as I walked from saloon to saloön,
the jest of every one, I was not cast down, for I
felt myself in tho path of duty. I gave a lecture
that evening in a big store, and had a good con-
grøgation, that no doubt listened with astonish-
ment to the poor, missionary woman.
While I stopped here, I visited the woman from
Sun Bernardino who had promised to lead bet-
ter life. She lived it, too, apparently, with a
doctor, and was regarded by all as his wife. Vis-
itcd two other girls, and found, to my great sor-
row, that Nellie had not gono to the convent in
San Francisco, but still presumed on God's mercy
in L sinful life. She was very much touched
when she saw me, and, with tears in her eyes,
promised to goon go to San Francisco and fulfill
ERS. CAROLINE OED*RROLM.
51
good intentions.. I almost felt as though I
ought to stay in W. and drive her away with my
prayers and tears. Oh! how my heart goes, out
after these. my poor, unhappy, fellow-sisters.
May I get grace to do something good for them
in tho future, in the way of home or refuge.
When my day's work was over, I occupied a
bed on the floor in a married gentleman's house.
I awoke while it was quite dark, and lighting
the lamp, in my journal found a dear companion,
till the heavy. rolling of something, told me that
the stage had arrived from Prescott. I was soon
in the stage office, and was told by tho agent, I
could go free; but, when I came to step into it,
the driver told mo I must settle my bill; I told
him I bad no bill to liay, for tho agent had prom-
ised me free passage, if the stage was not full.
But he paid no attention to this, but cursed and
swore, calling me opprobrious names, and seizing
hold of my valise, tore it from my hand and com-
pelled me to pay full fare, twenty-seven dollars
and half. While he was thus abusing mg the.
stage agent and several wealthy gcntlemon hid
themselves in tb6 offcø, and allowed me to be
thus ill-treated like a dog, and the money I had
collected for the church, taken to pay my fare.
When he had compelled mo to pay, he turned
round, and, with an infernal Emile on his face,
and malice in his tone, he cried ouw "Well, boys,
this' was play bottor. thon a circup, wasn't itP'
52
NARRATIVE OF TRE JOURNEY or
Before I had time to reflect, the words, "Perhaps
tho play will not turn out so well for you after
all," fell from my lips. And so it happened: for
two horses died for him on the road, and I took
it for a punishment for his cruel treatment to-
ward me.
The long Sunday, my fasting day, which I con-
scientiously kept, passed away and Monday morn-
ing found me in Ehrenberg, where I called upon
Mr. Goldwater, who promised me free fare in the
stage, and provided a good bed, going for me to
Dr. Jones. I then started out on my tour of col-
lecting, and obtained ten dollars. The next
morning I left on the stage. It is not only a
pleasuro to say that Mr. Goldwater fulfilled his
promise of free passage, but it is my duty to tes-
tify that the Jews have often shown me more
liberality in my missionary duties, than profes-
sing Christian&
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