The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-02-03


pense.
At last our volley burst in thunder
upon them.
Shrieks arose from amidst the gloom.
We saw not what the effect of our shots
had been, but could only conjecture that
it had been deadly.
There was wild uproar-the con-
fused sound of trampling horses, the
noise of men calling to one another, in
termingled with groans and cries of
pain. Without giving them time to re-
cover from their confusion we poured in
another volley, and yet another, loading
| as rapidly as we could, and firing revol-
vers where we had them.
The effect was terrible. Many must
have been wounded or killed, judging
by the uproar that arose. For a time
there was confused hubub of sounds.
Horses were trampling; men calling
groans were mingled with cries of rage.
During all this time we fired at intervals
whenever we heard a sound, outstanding
our ammunition, and not willing to
waste q shot.
At last there arose a wild tramp of
horses, the sound moving from us, and
seeming to show that our enemies had
retired baffied from the assault.
Yet we were afraid of some plot.
Grignon made us keep our watch, and
all that night we lay on our arms, ex-
pecting every moment to hear the In
dian yell, which announced the assault
of the savages.
After long night, which seemed in
terminable, 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 advan-
tage Of this respite and move on, or wait
a while. Most of us thought we had
better hurry on; but Grignon gave it as
his opinion that the Indians were not in
the neighborhood and were waiting to
attack us on the march. He thought
that we had better wait at least another
day. We all yielded to his opinion, and
waited as best we could.
We did not have to wait long.
After few hours, at about 10 O. clock,
ten or dozen horsemen appeared over
a hillock in the distance, riding slowly
toward us.
"They wish to have parley," said
Grignon. Some of you step forward
and see what they want wish to have
a word 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 himself
coolly in arranging and turning over the
things.
We all thought this was done for the
purpose of assuming an air of indiffer-
ence. So none of us noticed him par
ticularly.
Our representative stood outside wait
ing for the Indians. Ten of them dis
mounted, and walked towards us in a
friendly manner, while the rest held the
horses.
One of them addressed our men 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 pleasant
request. 1t scarcely needed debate. We
refused.
Well, then, would we give them our
bullets They were very much III want
of bullets.
One of us said in low voice that bull
lets were the only thing they would get
from us, but the Indians did not hear
him. Our representative refused very
mildly.
The Indians now stood talking with
one another. Grignon advanced toward
them. He whispered something in "a
low voice to our representative, who i'm
mediately withdrew.
Grignon them stood facing the In
dams.
Are you captain p said the spokes-
man of the Indians, suddenly, as he no
ticed Grignon.
No, I'm the medicine man; you
can't shoot these men or these horses, l
save them"
The Indian translated this to his COM
panions, who burst into roars of laugh
ter.
Grignon advanced more closely. He
was looking steadily at the Indian, and
we noticed that the latter appeared to
be uncomfortable under his gaze
See," said Grignon "you can't
shoot me. Here"-and he drew a pis-
toll from his pocket, revolver" fire
at me-"
The Indian smiled.
You don't want me to kill you p
said he scornfully.
You can't"
The Indians eyes flashed.
- Shoot y cried Grignon, folding his
arms.
The Indian hesitated moment. He
looked at us suspiciously. Then he
looked at his companions, and said
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 for
ward to the Indian, he handed him
bulIoi