Page:The Early Indian Wars of Oregon.djvu/427



THE ROGUE RIVER WARS. 409

were made during the day, chief John thundering forth his orders in the voice of a stentor, and so clearly that they were understood in Smith s camp. Not being able to come up by the east slope on account of the howitzer, nor the west on account of the riflemen, the Indians made continued attempts to get into camp by escalade at the more precipitous sides, keeping the dragoons busy to prevent it, the}^ being, too, at a disadvantage on account of the inferiority of their musketoons to the rifles of the Indians. A number of the attacking party rolled back to the bottom of the cliff, to annoy dragoons no more. Rifle balls from the north mound compelled the soldiers to use the dead bodies of horses as barricades; but no entrance to camp was effected. Thus passed the long day of the twenty-sixth. The night was spent in digging, without the proper implements, rifle pits, arid erecting breastworks. This was the second night the command had passed with out sleep, food, or water.

On the twenty -eighth, the Indians renewed the attack. To fatigue was now added the torture of thirst, it being impossible to reach water without imperiling the com mand. The wounded and the able men were alike suf fering, a circumstance observed by the Indians with the highest satisfaction, who called out frequently, "Mika hias ticka chuck?" (You very much want water?) " Ticket, chuck?" (Want water?) "Halo chuck, Boston!" (No water, white man!) To this taunt, they added another (referring to Captain Smith s threat at the council ground of hanging all Indians found roaming with arms in their hands), that they had ropes for every trooper, the soldiers not being- worth the ammunition it would cost to shoot them; and occasionally a rope was dangled over the breastworks with the invitation to Captain Smith to hang himself, 3 delivered

3 Captain Smith had told John at the council ground in answer to his defiant utter ances : " We will catch and hang you, sir ; but if you go on the reservation, you can live in peace. Do you see those wagons, blankets, clothes, horses? You will have everything good, plenty to eat, peace. If you do not come, do you see that rope, sir?" So, John, when he had the captain at a disadvantage, retaliated: "Hello,