The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1871-08-01
A MAGICIAN AMONG THE
INDIANS.

OF Orlgnon. was on my way tC
California, and had taken the over.
land route in preference to any other.
1t was on my journey across the
plains that I made his acquaintance.
Our party overlook q single wagon.
1t contained a solitary man. The
horses were dead, and the man near
ly so. l paid the utmost attention
to his wants. Being a medical man,
l gave him all the benefit of my skill
and care. AS he recovered, he nap
turally entertained % Strong friend
ship for me. His wagon had fallen
behind the train to which he belong
ed, and they, had been compelled by
their own necessities to desert him.
The conjuror, however, was des.
tined for a far more glorious0fate
than to die miserably in the desolate
American desert. He was to be-
came an astonisher to the natives
Indians), savoir to civilized lives,
and lion in California.
We resumed our journey. We
and started, however, like many 9TH
ers in those days, with insufficient
preparations. As soon as we found
out our mistake we had to be econo-
mical in our provisions. We killed
bufaloes whenever we found them,
and always replenished our water
casks at every stream. At length,
however, we came to a dry and
parched waste, where there was
scarcely a drop of water, scarcely a
blade of grass, and not a single liv-
ing animal of any description.
And now began the troubles of
our journey. We had come into the
country Of the warlike Indians and
they were not slow to acquaint us
with the fact. Every day they prowl-
ed around US in great numbers,
threatening and insulting us. Oc-
casionally they used to snatch up
something and dart away on their
feet horses. We did all that We
could to be friendly, and determined
to avoid an open rupture as far as
possible, for there we're only twelve
on our side, and on their side ap-
parently twelve hundred.
Every day, however, only made
matters worse. In spite of our pre-
cautions the Indians grew more and
more abusive and insulting. We be-
came Watchful, and tried to be more
forbearing, but our forbearance was
taken for cowardice, and the savages
began to think that they could do
any thing with us.
We held q council of war, and de-
termined to bring matters to a crisis
at once.
The crisis soon came.
One day big Indian came riding
along by US. He began talking in
cotemptuous way, and gesticulating
furiously. At last he asked one of
our men for his gun. The man res
fused, the Indian repeated his ques-
ton, and attempted to take the gun
from his hand. The man drew back.
The Indian sprang forward, flourish
ing his knife and threatened. At this
the man calmly leveled his piece, and
shot the Indian through the heart.
AS the wretch fell shrieking from
the horse the plain seemed to be
alive with other Indians. From be-
hind every clump of trees, every
hillock, every rock, and every rising
ground they poured forth in count
less numbers. We had never seen
so many assembled together as now.
And now our companion, the con-
juror, came out conspicuously. He
had been once in the French army,
he said. and understood all its admi-
rable discipline. A few words of
warning and a short explanation
suficed to make US form a circle of
the wagons, and draw up behind
them, with baggage heaped up for
breastworks. There We waited for
the savages.
But they did not come just then.
With loud whoops and screams they
gathered upon the plains at dis
lance from US. The wretched cows
ards, as soon as they saw our slight
preparations, we're actually afraid to
attack.
They waited till night.
Night came. Our defenses were
made. Our wagons were arranged
more closely, and the barricade of
baggage was made higher, deep, and
more effective. In the center we're
our cattle. Behind this little fortifi>
cation we awaited our foes.
Shontly after dusk the tramp of
thousands of hoois shook the plain.
Down upon US Numbered the Indians.
Shouts and yells burst around.
On they came, nearer and still
nearer. .
We waited in breathless suspense.
At last our vOlley burst in thun>
der upon them.
Shrieks arose from amid the
gloom. We saw not what the effect
of our shots had been, but could
only conjecture that it had been
deadly.
There was a wild uproar-the
confused sound Of trampling horses,
the noise of men calling to one all
other, intermingled with groans and
cries of pain. Without giving them
time to recover from their confusion
We poured in another volley, and yet
another, loading as rspidly as We
could, and firing royolgerz where Ne
had them.
The effect vas terrible. Many
must have been wounded or killed,