Anderson and Osterhout
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Osterhout was naturally a timid man, and of weak constitution, and was totally unfitted for such rough experience as they were undergoing. Their escape depended mostly on Anderson's vigilance and perseverance. Their movements were necessarily slow, each day's journey being limited by Osterhout's rapidly failing strength. Their scanty supply of provisions was soon exhausted, and hunger added its tortures to their sufferings. They had arms and ammunition, but they dare not fire at any game for fear of being heard by Indians. One day they came upon a horse which had been turned into the woods; this animal they killed with a spear, and cutting the flesh from the thighs devoured it raw. They were obliged to avoid the usual route and often found it necessary to secrete themselves during the day and travel only at night, in order to escape the vigilance of the Indians. On one occasion they were so hard pressed that Anderson was obliged to swim a river with his companion on his back.
After untold suffering they came to a stockade fort at Honk hill, at which lived a man named Timmerman. When provisions were set before them Osterhout was fed like a child. Anderson had self-control sufficient to care for himself. Osterhout survived the shock but a short time, when he was numbered with his fathers.
Timmerman. When provisions were set before them Osterhout was fed like a child. Anderson had self-control sufficient to care for himself. Osterhout survived the shock but a short time, when he was numbered with his fathers. The conduct of George Anderson subsequent to this event became very eccentric. The strength and vigor of his intellect seemed to have vanished; we can no longer contemplate him as the brave and undaunted hero. This was no doubt the result of physical disease, brought on by the excessive fatigue and hardship of his captivity and escape. He appeared to be constantly apprehensive of some imminent danger, the result of a mental derangement. He left Wawarsing, wandered on the Shawangunk mountain, and took up his abode in a cavern in the eastern slope. From this lonely retreat he would sally forth in the night, and indulge in petty thieving, by which means he supplied his physical necessities. He became a pest to the people, but they forbore to punish him out of consideration for his misfortunes, as they were aware he was not morally responsible for his acts.
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