Volcano weekly ledger., 1856-04-26
LcANo, AMADoR COUNTY SATURDAY MORNING a 1856

tween their teeth, and with deafening yell
rushed down through the frightened squaws,
ere the Dacatahs could comprehend the cause
of alarm. Dashng into the startled group
OF warriors with fierce war-whoops, they delt
destruction around them. The chief was the
first slain, brayely defending himself and en-
couragng his warriors, who nobly struggled
to ayenge his death, but in vain.
Frank Bates fought like demon, but at
one time was nearly victim to stalwart
warrior But glancing at his opponent he
recognized in gay red handkerchief around
his head his marriage gift to his wife. This
added renewed strength to his body and in
creased activity to his fury, as he seized his
assailant with his left arm, lifted him from
the ground, and at the same time with ner-
vous force thrust his knife into his heart
This decided the battle, for the surviving Da-
cotahs, panic-struck at the sudden attack,
rushed to the spot where their horses were
tethered, and escaped into the forest Up
wards of fifty dead warriors remained on the
bloody field, and others grevously wounded,
but not single white man was seriously in
jured.
and the whites found an abundance Of plum
der, comprising blankets, rice, furs, horses,
dried meats and tents. But Frank Bates
felt sad at heart, for the sight Of this memen-
to of his wife made him fear she had been
tortured before perishing in the flames
Night came on, and feeling positive that he
could not sleep, he volunteered to keep watch.
1t was bright moonlight night, and as he
was pacing his solitary round, planning new
schemes of vengeance, he heard light step
approach from the thicket.
Frank at first raised bis rifle to shoot down
the intruder, but secret influence led him to
call out: "Who comes there 7"
Are you white mani" was the reply, in
tones that produced an indescribable effect
upon the stout hearted pioneer
EYES, and your"
al am Frank Bates wife who was taken
prisoner over on the Mississippi" and, as she
spoke, she advanced.
The rifle fell to the ground, and Frank
stood as if under the influence of magic
spell. His hands were convulsively clenched,
his hair stood erect on his head, shiver ran
through his frame, and he tottered back sew
eral PAGES But not so the female, who had
recognized her husband as she drew near and
now exclaimed as she threw herself into his
arms.
Frank! my own Frank! Do you not
know your wise?"
Yes, it was his long mourned bride, her
features with stamped sorrow, but still retain
ing her early beauty. Mutual explanations
followed, and when the delighted wife learned
the safety Of her boy, all her hardships van
ished 1t now appeared that when the In
dians had entered Bates house, they found q
kcg of whisky Of which they drank freely
and then plundered everything, removing the
chest in their researches. Soon two of them
quarreled for the handkerchief Bates had seen
the day previous, and drawing their scalp
knives, one speedily received mortal stab
and fell directly upon the trap-door, through
which his blood ran upon the hidden wife
She believing that it came from the veins OF
her husband, shrieked aloud, thus betraying
her place Of concealment; dragging her forth
her captors bound her, then rihing the cabin,
applied the torch. The body of the slain
Dacotah was consumed, and over his bones
Bates had mourned as for those of his wife
That day they packed" the plunder upon
what horses the Dacotahs had left, and start
ed for their homes, which they regained in
safety. The proceeds of Frank Bates share
Of the slols enabled him to rebuild his house
but this time close to that of his father and
enclosed with high stockade. The Dacotahs
however, never returned, and in course oi
time were driven to the far west. Frank
Bates is now one of the wealthest land
holders in Iowa, member of the State
Senate, Judge of the County Court, and
Major General of Militia Time has dealt
leniently with him and his wife, but neither
forgets her captivity. Their son never passes
the scene of his fathers fight on that memo
rable night without feeling renewed sense
of his 6llial obligations, and deeper love for
his boyhood's home.