Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 18.djvu/150



122 Fred Wilbur Powell

have him understand that I was his friend and the friend of his people ; and that my men had given him occasion to pursue us, and provocation for revenge. My party seemed fierce for fight ; but were persuaded to let the pursuers retreat unharmed. The chief gave a word of command, and they turned about and hastened from us ; and he himself stood awhile, looking toward us as though he feared not death. Turning slowly upon his heel, he walked away. Two of the party started to follow, I begged they would not; they persisted, saying they would do him no harm. In fifteen or twenty minutes after this, I heard the reports of their rifles. On their return I inquired if they had shot the chief. The reply was, *No, we fired a salute' ; but, alas ! I saw among their effects the identical card, the bow, and the quiver, and I wept. After a few days I saw, on the opposite side of the Sacramento, ten or a dozen Indians. Young said 'they were hostile Indians.* They were the same Indians that had just escaped the bloody hands of the party, and were pursuing us to avenge the wrongs done them. Some days after this we crossed the river called American, and encamped on its banks, and the animals put to feed near by. "Nearly opposite the encampment was an Indian village, and till late in the evening was heard a doleful noise, and beat- ing on hollow logs. In the morning it was found that seven of our animals had been killed, doubtless by those provoked to pursue us. When the party were about to leave, seven Indians crossed the river twenty or thirty rods from us. Five of them ventured to come up to the camp ; the other two stood upon the bank, as though they were afraid to come. They were as naked as when bom, and bore with them presents — a bag of pinions, and salmon, just caught and nicely dressed. Standing in a semi-circle not more than ten feet distant from me, their orator began to speak and explain as to their innocence; and probably as to those who had killed the animals. Immediately one of the party (of the five marauders) said. These are the damned villains, and they ought to be shot.' *Yes,' said Young. No sooner said than they seized their rifles and shot down those