Page:The Early Indian Wars of Oregon.djvu/261



TEE GAYUSE WAR. 243

seeing the Indians in war costume were endeavoring hurriedly to get in, when a volley from the guns of the Snoqualimichs followed the discharge of a gun within the fort, and Leander C. Wallace, a young American, fell dead, another was wounded mortally, and a third wounded who survived. The gates were closed at the same instant, excluding both Indians and Americans, and firing from the bastions soon silenced the former. However, when Dr. Tolmie, who was in charge, went out to bring in the body of Wallace, he was aimed at by a Snoqualimich. The assassin was checked by a Snohomish Indian present, who reproved him, saying, "Harm enough done for one day."

Repulsed, and comprehending that they had failed in their design, the Indians retired, but later sent word to the American settlers that they would be permitted to leave the country by abandoning their property. To this the settlers replied that they had come to stay, and forth with began to erect block-houses for defense at Turn water and Skookum Chuck.

This affair caused Governor Lane to make a journey to the sound country, accompanied by the only United States force then in the territory Lieutenant Hawkins and five men remaining from the governor s escort across the plains, the others having deserted in California. The governor carried with him arms and ammunition for the settlers. At Tumwater he was overtaken by an express from Van couver, informing him of the arrival in the river of the United States propeller Massachusetts, having on board two companies of artillery, under Brevet-Major Hathaway, who sent him word that if expedient, a part of his force could be moved at once to the sound. On receiving this dispatch, Lane returned to the Columbia without visiting Nisqually, sending, however, a letter to Dr. Tolrnie, request ing him to inform the Indians that now he was prepared to punish any outrages, and they could govern themselves accordingly; also requesting that no ammunition