Indian Captive: The Story of Mary Jemison

Molly is in Earth Woman’s lodge, where Earth Woman is working on an embroidered burden-strap for her. Molly asks Earth Woman why she has “no man in her lodge” (310), and Earth Woman explains that many of her relatives, including her son, have died. Earth Woman shares her belief in the Great Spirit and her hope that the Great Spirit will bring her another son.

Turkey Feather calls for Molly to join him outside, where they watch a group of warriors return. The Indian warriors have a white male captive, and the Indians in Genesee Town prepare to have the captive “run the gauntlet” (316). Molly asks Shagbark to help the white captive; Shagbark insists that there is nothing he can do and commands Molly to return to Red Bird’s lodge. Squirrel Woman wants Molly to watch the captive run the gauntlet, but Red Bird angrily scolds Squirrel Woman for her cruelty.

Driven by curiosity, Molly sneaks out of Red Bird’s lodge and, from a hiding place, watches the captive run the gauntlet. He runs between two long lines of Indians attacking him with weapons and into Earth Woman’s lodge. Earth Woman, Red Bird, and Shining Star bring him to the council house, where he is safe. The council decides that the captive has demonstrated the courage to be adopted into the Seneca tribe; he is named Running Deer and given to Earth Woman as a son.

Earth Woman cares for Running Deer, who is wounded and ill. Finally, he is able to converse with Molly in English. He introduces himself as Josiah Johnson. Josiah doesn’t believe the Senecas’ claim that they have adopted him as one of their own and will treat him well. Molly defends them, telling Josiah that the Senecas have showed her “what kindness meant” (331). 

Molly admires Josiah’s cloth outfit, handmade by Earth Woman, but Josiah does not appreciate it. It is winter and they are both hungry, as the meat supply in the community has dwindled. The men of the village have left on a hunting expedition, except for Josiah and a few of the elderly. Molly asks Josiah to promise to take her with him if he ever escapes; Josiah says that he will try, but if he has a chance to go without her he will take it. Josiah is eager to hunt, but he is not allowed to borrow a gun and leave the village.

In Red Bird’s lodge, Molly shows Josiah and Turkey Feather the moccasins she has been making. She longs for a cloth outfit like the other Indian girls but expects to receive a deerskin one. Turkey Feather points out that if she were embroidering a cloth dress, then she could not use the quills from the porcupine he hunted, and this comment cheers Molly.

Unlike sewing work at home, Molly has grown to enjoy the work of Indian handicrafts and takes interest in their designs. Josiah notices how Molly has changed—how she is telling “Indian tales” and longing for Indian clothes (348). Molly admits that she has become more contented since his arrival, and their conversation is interrupted by Squirrel Woman. Listening in on the Indian women, Molly learns that the meat supply is gone and that they are worried. Josiah leaves with Turkey Feather; Molly worries that he might flee, but he says that he is going to borrow a gun.

That evening, a crowd fills Red Bird’s lodge. A travelling storyteller tells story after story, and the stories give Molly “new strength and happiness” (358-59). The next morning, the villagers realize that Running Deer and Turkey Feather are gone, and a gun is missing. Days later, the two return with a deer. Soon after, the hunting party returns. The villagers celebrate by feasting and playing games. Josiah criticizes the Indians for eating so much food at once instead of saving it for the future. Molly admits that “they shouldn’t be so wasteful,” but adds that “it’s the Indian way” (364).

Molly asks Josiah if he is going to come along to the sugar camp. Josiah explains that the men are all leaving on a fur hunt, but he will stay behind with the other Indian boys to tend to traps. Josiah has enjoyed helping Shagbark build a canoe, but he is still intent on escaping when he has the chance.

Shagbark gives Josiah the finished canoe. While Molly worries that Josiah will use the canoe to leave, Shagbark trusts him. Molly travels with the women to the sugar camp and, despite Shagbark’s reassurance, is saddened by the thought of Josiah leaving.

At the sugar camp, the women and children work hard at the seemingly endless task of making maple sugar. Panther Woman rebukes Molly when she spills a vessel of sap, and Molly determines to run away. Beaver Girl chases her and persuades her to come back to camp.

When the women and children return to camp, the Indians celebrate the harvest of the maple sugar. In the midst of the festivities, Molly is distracted by Josiah’s absence.

The next day, Earth Woman comes to Red Bird’s lodge and announces that Josiah has left. Although Earth Woman is deeply grieved, she longs for her adopted son to go free rather than be recaptured and face punishment. Molly feels tension between herself and her Seneca friends and decides to follow Josiah. She does not make it far into the forest, however, before she realizes the impossibility of escape. The white dog from Red Bird’s lodge has followed her, and as she holds the dog, Molly realizes that she is happy for Josiah. While she is saddened by his departure, she is glad for him and believes that he will be safe from his pursuers.

At the edge of the Falling Waters, Molly is comforted by the beauty of nature and wonders how she can comfort Earth Woman. She returns to Earth Woman’s lodge and embraces her. Shagbark enters and tells Earth Woman and Molly that Josiah is safe. He confides to them that, when he realized Josiah would eventually escape, he gave him the canoe to “[make] it as easy for him as [he] could” (394). Molly remembers the bear cub and the deer from the forest and imagines “Josiah running free” (394). She thanks Shagbark; Shagbark tells her that Josiah knew his intention, too.