Follow the River

I read this for book club last summer and found it heartbreaking and gruesome, yet very inspiring. It's based on the true story of Mary Ingles, an early settler of Virginia who was taken captive by Shawnee Indians.

At twenty-three years old, Mary was married and pregnant with her third child when several Shawnee entered the small settlement and killed nearly everyone they found. Mary, along with her sister-in-law, two young sons and a neighbor, were forced to make the long trek to the Indian camp were they were kept as prisoners.

It was terrible to read - in detail - the things that happened to these settlers and the horrible treatment they were subjected to. However, I marvel at the strength Mary showed throughout the entire ordeal. She never lost hope that her husband was alive and that she'd be able to return to him. She refused to let the tragedy she'd suffered break her spirit and eventually found a way to escape.

The journey home was a 1000 mile trek. Mary wasn't able to escape until it was already Fall and the only possessions she brought with her were a blanket and hatchet. How she was able to survive the harsh conditions is mind boggling. When I compare my life, which is full of comforts and conveniences, I have to wonder if I would have even survived the initial attack by the Indians. Reading an account like this reminds me of how much I have to be grateful for and I hope that I can develop even half the strength of character that Mary Ingles possessed.