The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1876-05-18
Mark Twain as an Indian Fighter.

OF the many stories now floating about
in regard to the past experiences of Sam
Clemens, none are drollcr than the fol
lowing one, which passes current in
TOulOumne County for frozen truth. We
would remark, however that the story
need not be taken as an evidence of faint
heartcdness or lack of sand" on the part
Of Clemens, but his action may be attrib-
uted simply TO his inordiEalc love of hu-
NOR, and an oyerwcCning desire to shoot
his little joke while on the wing. The
incident we refer to occurred during the
InnOCent's SoiOurn at ,IaCkass Hill, near
TuttletOwn, where he was prospecting
with Jim Gillis. For some time there
had been rumo!s Of discomfort among the
Indians, fierce band of Wallas having
gathered near Pendola Ferry, on The
Stanislaus River, and, after announcing
their intention of annihilating the miners
in the shortest order possible, decamped
for the higher SicrraS TO obtain, it was
generally supposed, a sufficient force to
carry out their bloodthirsty threats. One
bright afternoon late in the autumn, Sam
and Jim were sitting in front Of their
cabin on Jackass Hill, the former ell
gagged in rubbing Mustang Linmcnt on
slight bruise that discolOred his left leg,
sustained by a fall which he had received
that day during one of his prospecting ex-
petitions, the latter watching the opera
ton while he lazily smoked corncOb full
of killikiniCk. Suddenly a man rushed
in breatn less haste up to Hill and stam-
mered, Us he wildly gcstiCulated:
"Thevre comm" Let 'em come;
we're ready for most anything from for
tune to famine" aswered the imperturba-
bic Mark, as he continued to plaster the
liniment on his injured limb. But
they're Injuns," was the excited remark
of the messenger, "an' evcrybody's turn
ing out. Tuttletown's in arms, an they
want Sam to take command" What's
nv rank ?" asked Sam, looking quizZical-
" at the man, Quartermaster or sutler,
which?" The Aid-de-camp waited to
hear no more but rushed away to alarm
others, and Mark and jim made their
way to Tuttletown, where they found
great crowd of miners assembled and
ready TO march on the foe. Mark was
appointed to the command of company,
and in due course of time the little army
was on the march. The Stanislaus River
| having been reached just at dusk, it was
thought advisable to proceed with more
caution, as the enemy was supposed to be
encampcd in that vicinity. The different
companies separated, and spreading out
in a scmi-circlc, marched up the river.
Marks company, consisting of ten men,
were plodding along in the gathering
gloom, when shots were heard at no great
distance on the hillside.
"Haltr' commanded Mark. The COM
pany halted.
Gentlemen, this is no time for fool
ing. Tuttletown expects every man to do
his duty The enemy is before us. You
will form into a hollow square. To
the rear open order, and as the rear hap
pens to be open it is in order for every
man to proceed in that direction in as Or
derly manner as possible. AS am lame
myself, l think | will commence the ret
rograde movement first. March,"
As the rumor of the approach of the
bloodlhirsty red men was atterward
proved to be a false alarm, this movement
on the part of Marks division was not
noticed at the time, although freely dis
cussed afterward in Tuttletown, and the
explanation given that Mark was fright
ened by the explosion of belated hun
ter's gun.-Sonora (CalD Democrat.