generally during more lucid intervals. When any thing was given to her, such as food or clothing, she immediately fled to the wilderness. Her attention to the {25} latter article I considered as somewhat extraordinary, as unhappy creatures of this description, usually manifest a total disregard to their apparel. None could tell who she was, or whence she came, by what means she is able to subsist, or how withstand the winter's cold; for she was first seen more than two years ago, shortly after the settlements commenced. I had heard the story at St. Louis, but regarded it as fabulous. I have seen an account of a female who was found in the Pyrennees under circumstances still more extraordinary.[1]
{26} Wednesday 10th. We experienced heavy rains last*
- ↑ The circumstance gave rise to the following:— Lines on an unfortunate female maniac, seen on the Missouri, beyond the white settlements.
What strange—what spectre shape art thou,
The terror of this savage scene,
That glid'st beneath the poplar bough,
With looks so wild, and haggard mien?
Far, far, the haunts of men are past,
Mid silent hills, and lonely woods,
Where Nature rules the dreary waste,
Missouri, pours his turbid floods.
Speak—whate'er thou art declare—
The spirit of the gloomy groves,
Unreal vision of the air,
Or daughter of the oozy waves?
And yet, that loose dishevell'd hair,
Those rent and tatter'd weeds, betray
A human form, in deep despair,
Some wretched child of misery.
Ha! the sad, the silent tear—
Mayhap, some lost distracted maid,
By anguish torn, pursued by fear,
From friends and dearest home hast stray'd;
Forlorn, amid these dreary shades,
The haunt of ev'ry savage thing,
Where death on ev'ry side invades,
And hope no more may comfort bring?
