Page:The Early Indian Wars of Oregon.djvu/315

Rh murderers were given up to be tried. They assented, but as soon as they had filed past Steele's party they made a dash to gain the cover of the woods. To allow them this advantage would be to expose themselves to a fire they could not return, and with only an instant s delay the order was given to attack.

The tocsin of war had now sounded. The Indians were well armed and ready for a fight, and the white men were determined, if fight they must, to conquer. When Lamerick's company heard the firing they were still at the fords, some distance away. Leaving a minority of his men to guard the crossing of the river, Lamerick rode up the valley to warn the settlers, going first to the house of Dr. Ambrose, which he feared would be attacked.

The battle was of short duration. The Indians made a charge with the design of liberating Steele s prisoners, who ran towards the river. One was shot before he reached the river, and the other as he climbed up the opposite bank. Sam then sent a detachment of his warriors to the south side to cut off Steele; but they were surprised by one from the volunteers, and several shot as they sprang into the water, the reports varying from four to sixteen, according to the motive of the narrator, as well as his greater or less knowledge of events. Only one white man was wounded, and he slightly. In the fighting Skinner had taken no part, but had retired to his residence, which he proceeded to fortify. This skirmish occurred July nineteenth.

News was received in the evening that during the council a party of Sam s people had gone to a bar down the river and murdered a small company of miners. Lamerick at once prepared to cross the river and take up a position in the pass between Table Rock and the river, while Steele moved further up to turn the Indians back on Lamerick's force in the morning. The movement was entirely successful, the Indians being surrounded, and the chief compelled to sue for peace, offering to accept the