Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1871-08-26
GRIGN0N.

| ~ htNo ~ IiNAtotAlAN tNNill III my lli'
when ] was thrown into the company
Of GrignOn. ! was on my way {,
California, and had taken the over
land route in preference to any other
1t was on my journey across Tho
plains that made his acquaintance
Our party overlook single wagon
1t contained u solitary man. The
horses were dead, and the man near.
| ly so. paid the utmost attention tc
his wants. Being medical man,
gave him all the benefit of my skill
and care. AS he recovered, he natu-
rally entertained o strong friendship
for me. His wagon had fallen behind
the train to which he belonged, and
they had been compelled 10y their own
necessities to desert him.
The Conjuror, however, was destin-
cd for a far more glorious fate than to
die miserabIy in the desolate Ameri-
can desert. lie was to become an
astonisher to the natives (lndiansl a
savior to civilized lives, and q lion in
| California.
We resumed our journey. We had
started, however, like many others
in those days, with insufficient pre-
parations. As soon as we found out
our mistake we had to be economical
in our provisions. Wekillcd bullalOes
whenever we found them, and al
ways replenishcd our water casks at
every stream. At length, however,
we came to dry and parched waste,
where there was scarcely a drop OF
water, scarcely a blade Of grass, and
not single living animal of any de-
scription.
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. OCca-
sionalIy they used to snatch up some
thing and dart away on their fleet
horses. We did all that we could to
be friendly, and determined to avoid
an open rupture as far as possible, for
there were only twelve on our side,
and on their side apparently twelve
hundred,
Every day, however, only made
matters worse. In spite of our prccau-
tions the Indians grew more and more
abusive and insulting. We became
watchful, and tried to be more for
bearing but Our forbearance was
taken for cowardice, and the sayages
began to think that they could do
anything with us,
We held n council of war, and de-
termined to bring matters to Il crisis at
once.
The crisis soon came.
One day u big Indian came riding 6
along 10y us. He began talking in a
contemptous way, and gesticulating
fmiously. At last he asked one of
our men for his gun. The man re-
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
his horse, the plain seemed to be alive
with other Indians. From behind
every clump Of trees, every hillock,
every rock, and every rising ground,
they poured forth i'll countless num-
bers. We had never seen 80 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 u short explanation suf-
feed to make us form n circle of the
wagons, and draw up behind them,
with baggage heaped up for breast
works. There we waited for the saw
ages. .......
But they did not come just then.
With loud whoops and screams they
gathered upon the plains at distance
from us. The wretched towards, as
soon as they saw our slight prepara-
tiOns, were actually afraid to attack
They waited till night,
Night came. Our delencGs were
made. Our wagons were arranged
more closely, and the bawicade of
baggage was made higher, deep and
more effective. In the centre were
our cattle. Behind this little fortilica-
lion we awaited our foes.
Shortly 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 sun
nearer
We waited in brCathless suspense,
Atlast our volley burst in thunder
upon them. .
Shrieks arose from amid the gloom
We saw not what the effect Of 0ul
shots had been, but could only con
lecture that it had been deadly.
There was n wild uproar-thc con
fused sound of trampling horses, the
noise of men calling to one another
intermingled with groans and cries o
pain. Without giving them time tC
recover from their confusion, We
poured in another v0lley, and yet an
other, loading as rapidly rs we could
and firing revolvers where we hat
them.
The effect was terrible. Many mus
have been wounded or killed, Judging
by the awful uprOar that arose, Fo
a time there was a confused hubbub q
sounds. Horses were trampling, mel
calling; groans were mingled will
cries of rage. During all this time W.
fired at intervals whenever we hear'
( q sound, outstanding our ammunition
not willing to waste shot.
At last there arose wild tramp 0
horses, the sound moving away from
f us, and seeming to show that on
enemies had retired, ,batlled from tn
result.
Yet we were afraid of some plot
Grignon made us keep our watch, an
all that night we lay on our arms, eX
| pecting every moment to hear th
! Indian yell which announced the as
sault of the savages.
After long night, which SCENE
, interminable, morning dawned. A
: the light illuminated the wide plail
;. we looked around anxiously for oil
r enemies, but saw none whatever, W
took q hasty breakfast, and then d
liberated on what we ought to d
whether to take advantage OF this r.
spite, and move on, or wait Will
q Most of us thought we had better hu
g ry ON, but Grignon gave 1t as h
# opinion that the Indians were Wallln