Page:Route Across the Rocky Mountains with a Description of Oregon and California.djvu/123

Rh dust in our victuals; but he seemed not to hear. He then reined his horse short around one of the fires, and came near riding over the vessels in which one of the men was preparing supper. He was told repeatedly to go away, but was still silent, and heedless. The person who was cooking at the fire, then took hold of the horse, and endeavored to lead it away; but the Indian pulled away from him, and would not allow the horse to move. He at last took up a stick, struck the horse, and drove it out. At this, the Chief became greatly enraged; talked loudly, and threateningly: he would hear nothing; and at length went away in the same mood. Some of the party were a little uneasy; but the night passed, and we thought but little more of it.

We learned that Capt. Grant was near, and sent a messenger, to tell the Priest, that we would move the next day, and to request him to join us as soon as possible. The messenger returned, and informed us, that he had agreed that we should encamp the next night, at a certain place, with Capt. Grant; where the Priest would complete his arrangements, and be ready to proceed with us. We accordingly packed up and started, with the intention of going to the place agreed on. We, however, missed our road, and after having gone eight or ten miles, halted to take dinner.

We had just arranged our baggage, &c., and had our animals grazing near, when we noticed a cloud of dust, away in the direction from which we came. In a few minutes we perceived that it was approaching us; and in a very short time more, we saw that it was nearing very rapidly: and then heard shouting. We were convinced that it was the Yellow Serpent, coming to revenge the insult, which he had forced from us; and no doubt, for the purpose of having an excuse, for making this attack. We hastened to construct a frail breastwork of our packs; the only materials we had, out of which we could form something to shield us from the balls and arrows of the rapidly approaching foe. But we had not finished our work, before Capt. Grant, who had seen the Indians coming, and guessed their object, in company with the Priest, and Mr. Ramo, a Frenchman, and overseer of the camp, came up to us at full speed, from nearly the same direction, and a few hundred yards ahead of the Indians. Mr. Grant, we knew, had spent a great portion of his life among these people, had a powerful influence over them, and was perfectly acquainted with their character and manners. He advised us to lay aside our arms, assume a careless demeanor, and trust the event to him; assuring us, at the same time, that he was