Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 22.djvu/28



18 LINDSAY APPLEGATE

Rogue river. As we advanced towards the river, the Indians in large numbers occupied the river bank near where the trail crossed. Having understood that this crossing was a favorite place of attack, we decided as it was growing late, to pass the night in the prairie. Selecting a place as far from the brush as possible, we made every preparation for a night attack.

In selecting our camp on Rogue river, we observed the greatest caution. Cutting stakes from the limbs of an old oak that stood in the open ground, we picketed our horses with double stakes as firmly as possible. The horses were pick- eted in the form of a hollow square, outside of which we took up our positions, knowing that in case of an attack there would be a chance of losing our horses and that that would be a complete defeat. We kept vigilant guard during the night, and the next morning could see the Indians occupying the same position as at dark. After an early breakfast we be- gan to make preparations for moving forward. There had been a heavy dew, and fearing the effects of the dampness upon our fire-arms ? which were muzzle-loaders, of course, and some of them with flint-locks, we fired them off and re- loaded. In moving forward, we formed two divisions, with the pack horses behind. On reaching the river bank the front division fell behind the pack horses and drove them over, while the rear division faced the brush, with gun in hand, until the front division was safely over. Then they turned about, and the rear division passed over under protection of their rifles. The Indians watched the performance from their places of con- cealment, but there was no chance for them to make an attack without exposing themselves to our fire. The river was deep and rapid, and for a short distance some of the smaller ani- mals had to swim. Had we rushed pell mell into the stream, as parties sometimes do under such circumstances, our expedi- tion would probably have come to an end there.

After crossing, we turned up the river, and the Indians in large numbers came out of the thickets on the opposite side and