The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1871-08-01

outstanding ,,t our ammunition, not
willing to waste a shot.
At last there arose a wild tramp
OF horses, the sound moving away
from us, and seeming to show that
our enemies had retired baffled from
the result.
Yet we we're afraid of some plot.
Grignon made US keep our watch,
and all that night we lay on our
arms, expecting every moment to
hear the Indian yell which announc-
ed the assault of the savages.
After long night, which seemed
interminable, morning dawned. AS
the light illumined the wide plain,
we looked around anxiously for our
enemies, but saw. none whatever.
We took a hasty breakfast, and then
deliberated on what we ought to do,
whether to take advantage of this
respite, and move on, or wait a while.
Most of US thought we had better
hurry on, but GrignOn gave it as bis
opinion that the Indians were yet in
the neighborhood and were waiting
to attack US on the march. He
thought that it would be better to
wait at least another day. We all
yielded to his opinion, andwaited as
best we could.
After a few hours, at about ten
o'clock, ten or a dozen horsemen app
peared over a hillock in the dis.
lance, riding slowly toward US.
"They wish to have n parley,"
said Grignon. "Some of you step
forth and see what they want. l
wish to have little to say, but will
wait"
One of our men was selected, and
went outside of our Enclosure to meet
them.
Meanwhile Grignon lifted trunk
out of the wagon which belonged to
him, drew it outside, and busted him
self coolly in arranging and turning
over the things. We all thought this
was done for the purpose of assum~
ing an air of indifference. So none
of US noticed him particularly.
Our representative stood outside
waiting for the Indians Ten of
them dismounted, and walked toward
US in a friendly manner, while the
rest held the horses.
One of them addressed our man in
broken English.
The Indians, he said, did not want
our lives. They wanted powder. If
We would give them what we had,
they would let us go in safety, and
protect US from other tribes till we
got beyond the plains.
Give them our powder! A pleas
ant request. 1t scarcely needed de-
bate. We refused.
Well, then, would We give them
our bullets ? They were very much
in want of bullets.
One of us said in a low voice that
bullets were the only thing they
would get from US, but the Indians
did not hear him. Our representa-
tive refused very mildly.
The Indians now stood talking
with one another. Grignon adj
vanced toward them. He whispered
something in a low voice to our
representative, VIII o Immediately
withdrew.
Grignon then stood facing the In
dians.
care you the Captain ?'' said the
spokesman of the Indians, sudden
ly, as he noticed Grignon.
"No, I'm the medicine man /; you
can't shoot these men nor these
horses; save them"
The Indian translated this to his
companions, who burst into roars of
laughter.
Grignon advanced more closely.
He was looking steadily at the In
dian, and we noticed the latter ap~
peared to be uncomfortable under
his gaze.
"see," said Grignon, "you can't
shoot me. Here" and he drew a
pistol from his pocket, a revolver,
"fire at me"
The Indian smiled. "You don't
want me to kill you do you," said he
scornfully.
"You can't"
The Indians eyes flashed. He
hesitated moment, looked at US sus-
piciously, and then looked at his
companions, and said something in
their language. They all responded
vehemently. The Indian took aim.
"You tell me to Shoot" said he.
"Shoot " said Grignon again.
The Indian fired. Grignon smiled,
and walking forward to the Indian,
he handed him bullet.
The Indian looked paralyzed.
Grignon then showed him how to.
fire it again, and the Indian fired
the other five shots. Grignon caught
each bullet, sometimes seeming to
catch it from his breast, sometimes
from his face, and each time he hand
ed it to the Indian.
The other Indians we're now in a
state of wild excitement.
They may all shoot if they
choose" said Grignon; and saying
this, he went to his trunk, drew out
nine pistols, and coming up to them,
proceeded to load each one. He
took the powder and put it in, and
then the bullet; and the Indians saw
him do it. He handed a pistol to
each on loading it. Suddenly, one
of these fellows took aim and fired.
Grignon, without seeming to have
noticed him, raised his hand and