The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1871-02-14

grOanS were mingled Win cries OF r"Ee. /
During all this time we fred at inter- /
walls whenever we hard a sound, hus- /
banding our ammunition, and not will /
ing to waste a shot.
At last there arose n wild tramp of
horses, the sound moving from us, and |
seeming to show that our enemies had |
retired baf1led 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 i
dian wells which annouce the assault of
the savages.
After along night, which seemed in
terminable, morning dawned. As the
light illumined the wide plain we look
ed around anxiously for our enemies,
but saw none whatever. We took a
hasty break fast, and then deliberated
on what we ought to do, whether to
take advantage of this respite and move
on, or wait while. Most of 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 a dozen borsemen APP
peared aver Il hillock in the distance,
riding slowl y toward us.
"They wish to have parley," said
Grignon. Some Of you step forward
and see wat they want. wish to have
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 HIM
self coolly in arranging and turning
over the things.
We all thought this was done for the
purpose Of assuming an air of indifler-
ence. So none Of us noticed him par
tcuarlv.
Our representative stood outside wait
ing for the Indians. Ten of them dis
mounted, and walked towards us In
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 60 in safety, and protect
us from other tribes till we got beyond
the plains.
Give them our powder! A pleasant
request. II scarcely needed debate.
We refused.
Well, then, would we give them our
bullets? They were very much in
want of bullets.
One of us said in low voice that
bullets 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 to-
ward them. He whispered something
in low voice to our representative,
who immediately withdrew.
Grignon then stood facing the In
dians.
"Are you captain ?" 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 transl ted this to his
companions, who burst into roars of
laughter
Grignon advanced more closely. He
was looking steadily at the Indian,
and we noticed that the latter appear
cd to be uncomfortable under his gaze.
See" said Grignon; "you can't
shoot me. Here" he drew Il pis.
tol from his pocket, revoIver-"fre
at me"
The Indian smiled.
"You don't want me to kill you?"
said he scornfully.
"You can't"
The Indians eyes flashed.
shoot cried Grignon, folding his
arms.
The Indian hesitated moment. He
, looked at US suspiciously. Then he
looked at his companions, and said
f 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.
5 Grignon smiled, and, walking for
ward to the Indian, he handed him &
r bullet.
The Indians looked paralyzed.
. Grignon showed him how to fire i
+ again.
= The Indian fred the other five shots
Grignon caught each bullet, some
J. times seeming to catch it from hi
c breast. sometimes from his face anC
:, each time he handed it to the Indian
# The other Indians were now in a stat
o of wild excitement.
"They may all shoot if they choose,
c said Grignon, and saying this, he wen
e to his trunk, drew out nine pistols, and