Page:The Early Indian Wars of Oregon.djvu/512

494 towards the plain. This was the chance for which the dragoons had been impatiently waiting. As the line advanced they had followed on behind it, leading their horses. Now, the order was given to mount, and they rode through the company intervals to the front. In an instant, we heard the voice of Major Grier ringing over the plain, as he shouted, 'Charge the rascals,' and on the dragoons went, at headlong speed. Taylor's and Gaston's companies were there, burning for revenge, and soon they were on them. We saw the flash of their sabres as they cut them down. Lieutenant Davidson shot one warrior from his saddle as they charged up, and Lieutenant Gregg clove the skull of another. Yells and shrieks and uplifted hand were of no avail as they rode over them. A number were left dead on the ground, when once more the crowd broke, and dashed forward to the hills. It was a race for life, as the flying warriors streamed out of the glens and ravines, and over the open plain, and took refuge in the clump of woods, or on the rising ground.

"Here they were more secure from the dragoons. Had the latter been well mounted they would have made a terrible slaughter. But their horses were too much worn out to allow them to reach the main body. For twenty-eight days they had been on the march, their horses saddled all day, and engaged in constant scouting; at night picketed, with only a little grass after camping. They were obliged, therefore, to halt when they reached the hillside, their horses being entirely blown.

"The line of foot once more passed them and advanced, renewing their fire, and driving the Indians over the hills for about two miles. As we ascended the men were so totally exhausted that many had fallen out of the ranks, and Captain Keyes was obliged to order a short halt to let them come up. When a portion had joined we resumed our march."

By two o'clock the whole army had returned to camp, not a man or horse having been killed. The loss to the