Page:The Early Indian Wars of Oregon.djvu/205



Tamsucky had gone to Red Wolf s place on Snake river, and that Tiloukaikt had gone down the Tucannon with his following, intending to cross Snake river into the Palouse country.

The purpose of this division of the Cayuse force should have been apparent to the commander, and perhaps was so; but he must then have made up his mind to place himself where he was liable, to assault from three direc tions. He, however, made a night march, arriving near the Cayuse camp not far from the mouth of the Tucannon before dawn, waiting for daylight to make his presence known, when he advanced to within a quarter of a mile of the lodges. Here he was met by one aged Indian, who with his unarmed hands on his head and his heart, assured the commander that he was in error that this was not the camp of Tiloukaikt, but of Peu-peu-mox-mox, who was his friend, and would not fight the Americans. Tiloukaikt was gone he said, but there was his stock feeding on the hills about, and the Americans might take that if they chose. On entering the camp only a few warriors were found, who, though armed and painted, appeared friendly.

The Tucannon river runs through a canon with high and steep walls, and Tiloukaikt s cattle were on the further side. No sooner had the volunteers, with much fatiguing toil for both men and horses, reached the high plain than the cattle were discovered swimming the Snake river and escaping into the Palouse country. The trick was evident, and the Americans acknowledged themselves outwitted. Nothing now appeared feasible, but to collect what few beef cattle remained, with several hundred head of horses, and return to the camp on the Touchet.

When about a mile on their retreat they were attacked in the rear by a force of four hundred Indians, chiefly Palouses, allies of the Cayuses, who had cunningly left them to do the fighting, while the guilty among them selves ran away. The remainder of the day