Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 3.djvu/211

Rh this warlike attitude the natives were somewhat confused, but raising a terrific din began striking violently, though somewhat at random. Unable to hit his head, but still ringing blow after blow on his arms, which soon seemed battered to a pumice along the outer side. He looked in every direction, but saw no friendly face, and knowing that he must soon be worn out, changed his tactics, and suddenly darted to one side and made a rush for his master's hut. They followed after in a savage rage, but only occasionally were able to reach him with a blow upon the shoulders. Even in such a scuffle as this the mental superiority of the white man appeared. A murder or massacre by savages owes much of its horror to lack of purpose and method. He was, however, now very much helped, and in fact no doubt saved, by the appearance upon the scene of an old gray-headed man, who stood between him and his pursuers, holding them back.

By this diversion Holden was able to gain his master's hut and take refuge in the loft. This was a room above the lower apartment, with a floor but eight or nine feet above ground, and was reached through a scuttle hole by means of a rope that dangled down. After using the rope, and pausing a moment to breathe and recover himself, he forgot, or neglected to haul it up, and in a very short time savages were below, and in another instant one ferocious native was climbing after and had already placed a hand upon the ledge to draw himself to the floor. He was a fearful sight, gritting his teeth and eyes glaring; but his hold was at once unloosed by Holden, who seized and twisted the fingers, and the man with howls of rage fell back. This process was repeated a number of times, until the rage and turmoil of the murderers seemed to pass all bounds. Then they attempted another plan. The entire upper part of a man's