Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 3.djvu/169

Rh Reinforcements of Indians, mounted and afoot, drew together from various directions, concealing themselves among rocks and sagebrush, the horsemen deploying in front to draw attention from the footmen, and the whole showing considerable skill in the art of war. Their objective point was a tongue of rock, covered thickly with tall sage, and projecting into the pass or plain. Just beyond it was a canyon, easily defended, but dangerous to enter, and this was where they had hoped to ambuscade the troops, but being a little late found themselves in a position where it became necessary to fight, if fight they must, in the open.

Waymire's chance of success in battle was to demoralize the enemy by a dashing charge, or to gain the defile by a flank movement. He chose the former plan, and desired the citizen company to make a vigorous attack on the enemy's left, while the cavalry would charge him in front, to be supported as soon as possible by the citizens. Miller's men being scattered in squads of two to five over several miles of plain, Way mire dismounted his men, deploying them as skirmishers to cover the horses while waiting for these squads to come up. Taking advantage of the delay, the Indians opened fire with rifles, most of their bullets falling short. Seeing that they were becoming bolder, and expecting to be attacked, Waymire advanced to within easy range and delivered a few well directed volleys, emptying several saddles and unmasking the footmen, who kept up a ceaseless firing with no effect, their balls flying overhead. The fighting was varied by the Indian horsemen making a dash intended to cut off the cavalry horses, a movement which was met by a change of position and continued firing, until both sides fell into their original situations.

After half or three quarters of an hour spent in this manner, seeing that a party of citizens twenty-five strong