Page:California Inter Pocula.djvu/117

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HORRIBLE SCENES.
105

eating the dead, were so revolting that they were compelled to withdraw and make a fire where they would not be under the necessity of looking upon the painful spectacle." Some were already too far gone to eat; others died from over-eating.

Glover could take out part of the sufferers only. One of the Donner brothers was so reduced that it was found impossible to remove him. His wife, who was comparatively well, when besought by her husband to accompany the party, firmly refused; and there she remained through horrible lingerings, and died with her husband, a noble example of conjugal fidelity. It was with the utmost difficulty that any of these unfortunates were conveyed over the snow, and to add to their misery, Mr. Glover, when in the extremest necessity, found his buried provisions destroyed by cougars. One of their number, John Denton, when he could proceed no farther, told them to go on and leave him, which was done after building him a fire and leaving him nearly all their food; and there he died.

On the 25th of February, they encountered Reed and his party going in, the meeting between whom and his wife was most affecting. Reed continued his way, as his two children were yet at Mountain camp. He found the survivors in a yet more pitiful plight than when Glover first saw them. After performing several acts of humanity, the relief party "had now, for the first time a little leisure to observe. The mutilated body of a friend, having nearly all the flesh torn away, was seen at the door, the head and face remaining; entire. Half consumed limbs were seen concealed in trunks. Bones were scattered about. Human hair of different colors was seen in tufts about the fire-place. The sight was overwhelming, and outraged nature sought relief by one spontaneous outcry of agony, and grief, and tears. The air was rent b}^ the wails of sorrow and distress that ascended at once, and as if by previous concert, from that charnel-