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Jacob Hamblin, a narrative of his personal experience, as a frontiersman, missionary to the Indians and explorer, [microform] disclosing interpositions of Providence, severe privations, perilous situations and remarkable escapes. Fifth book of the faith-p - Page 56 |
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Show 54 POISONED WITH CACTUS LEAVES. Brother Dudley Leavitt and I went thirty- five miles west, on the road to California, to a lead mine, to obtain a load of lead. As I had some knowledge of smelting the ore, our efforts were a success. The evening after completing our load, I started up the mountain on the side of which the mine was located, to look at it before leaving. I stepped back, and calling Brother Leavitt, I told him that an Indian was watching our horses, and if he did not bring them in and tie them up, they would Jbe run off as soon as it was dark. He replied that he would see to it. Being strongly impressed with the danger of losing our horses, I warned him a second time, to which he made an indifferent reply. When I returned it was nearly dark, and Brother Leavitt had just started for the horses. All we ever saw of them afterwards was their tracks, and the trail of the Indian that had driven them off. The Indians in that section of the country did not keep horses, and therefore were not accustomed to the use of them, but stole them for food. Brother Leavitt was under the necessity of going to Los Vegas, thirty- five miles distant, to get my brother to come with his team to take our wagon home. As he did not return as soon as expected, I started to meet him. Not meeting him the first day, I stopped in a small cave for the night. I had nothing to eat, and gathered some cactus leaves, or pods, to roast for supper. They were a new yariety to me, and had scarlet spots on them. ( I afterwards learned from the Indians that they were poisonous). After cooking them in the embers, I ate a little, but they did not taste right. They produced a burning sensation in my stomach and pain in the glands of my mouth and throat. I soon became satisfied that I was poisoned. My misery increased, and I became dizzy- headed. With no help near, I felt that my earthly career was nearly ter-minated, unless the God of Israel saved me, as I knew He |