The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1871-09-20

So, when the Indian outbreak oc
Cured in the following antumn, an
the feeble settlements down the coas
were threatened with massacre an
rapine, and Big Nick came up t
, Sloanville to procure assistance
protect or remove the women an
children, I politely declined his inv
tation to join the party; rot becaus
1 was averse to taking a part in tn
conflict which had then begun through
out the Territories of Oregon an,
Washington, and which would mos
probably demand the services of al
able bodied white men to repel tn
attacks of the allied savages, but sim
ply because l had not gotten over m,
grudge against Big Nick, and was no
willing to go in his company.
4 reckon you don't intend to shirl
fightin' altogether this hitch, do you
George 2 asked Dick, when I refused
to join him.
NO. replied; but I think L vii
| go out the other way toward Grave
Creek s...-,......
Now, George said Nick, laying
his hand persuasively on my arm, 1
hope you aint foolish enough to lay ur
spite agin me on account of that thai
confounded gull. You know as well
as 1 do that didn't see twas tame
one-if 1 had I'd druther a shot my.
self than it. Come, now, be reasona
BILE for oncet in your life. They aint
a-wantin' you out at Grave Greek,
and yer needed awfully dow n the coast
way. There aint but lew of us,
and we're mighty scattered, and the
Injuns is thicker'n huckleberries, and
uglier'n grizzlies. 1 want you with
me, for l know if we git into Difficult
ty you kin be depended on. What
dye say, George? Are you a goin'
to let little foolishness stand between
you and yer dooty
No, Nick, won't answered, with
sudden impulse; I'll go with YOU
Our numbers were but few in Sloan
Vile; much of the population had al
ready been drawn off by the call for
volunteers to take the field in the
Grave Greek region, and when five
of us joined Nick to go down the sea-
coast, there were barely men enough
left in town to take care of it.
After our necessary preparations
had been made, we lost no time in
getting away. The little steamboat
landed us about midnight at the mouth
of the river, and by ten o'clock the
next morning we had reached the first
settIement-Excelsior City-at the
head of a commodious but nautically
impracticable bay. Here we rested
the remainder OF the day, in the mean
time causing horses to be procured
for our use, as we intended to pro-
ceed still further down the coast, to
the Eel river and Bardolph settlement
Ten o'clock at night found us in the
barroom of Eldridge's hotel, consult
ing with some of the Lending citizens
as to the course which ought to be
pursued most certainly to insure the
public safety. Although the danger
was imminent, no organization had
been effected, and no plan of action
adopted in case of attack. Everything
was in confusion, and while every one
seemed ready to lead. no one wanted
to follow any suggestion but his own
No common place of refuge had been
selected for non-com hatants to resort
to in case of necessity. In short, had
the Indians made a bold dash upon
the place, it seemed probable that it
could be captured with little or no
resistance. .....
While we were discussing these
matters, horse dashed up to the door
aud presently his rider entered, pale
and agitated, and hastily informed us
that the Indians had that evening
massacred two families, and robbed
their dwellings and store connected
with one of them. about dark; the 10
cality being some twenty miles dis
tant. ..-..-ss ....r ..
Il had been to Dodd's store said
he, 'to buy some groceries l wanted,
and had got on my horse and rode off
a piece, when 1 heard frightful vel
lin and hollerin' behind me, as if
thousand devils were let loose right
there. 4 started to go back to find
ont what was the matter, and pretty
soon see more'n a hundred Indians
around the house and store. l hadn't
nothin' with me but one revolver
and it was too dark to do any good
with that, so rode off till got on
hill that was some ways of. but yet
in sight, and soon / see the flames
shoot up from the store first, and then
the house, and next / see Belknap's
house, up to the left, was afire. 1
reckon there want nobody got off;
for there was just lots of Indians, and
/ guess they had both houses sur
rounded before they let on they was !
there. I heard some shots fired, and
I wished 1 could have done somethin'
to help the folks, but would n just
got killed myself, and done them no
good; so 1 just kept right on here,
stoppin' at every house l come to,
and givin' the alarm.
While the stranger was talking, !
Big Nick arose to his feet, his face
CHASTITY pale, and his muscles CULVER /
ing with emotion. He had been an
of Olive Belknap; and, al !
though she had preferred another to
him, his feelings towards her had not
changed. The announcement of the
fate which had befallen her family,
including herself, moved him strongly.
When the stranger had ceased speak
ing, he looked around for moment,
and then, through his clenched teeth,
and in deep, earnest undertone, he
asked : -........
'Who will follow the red devils with
me?' ... ...
4 will go for one,' answered one of
the five, promptly. and his response
was quickly echoed by each OF the
others. .... ...-,.. -. ..-...