The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1876-05-23
MARK TWAIN As An INDIAN
FIGHTER.
s,or, OF One of sis Experiences In
Tuolumme.

s,or, OF One of sis Experiences In
TuoIumwe.
OF the many stories now fieating
about in regard to the past experience
OF Sam Clemens, none are droller than
the following one, which passes current
in Tuolumne county for frozen truth.
We would remark, however, that the
story need not be taken M an evidence
OF faintheartedness on lack of ''sand"
on the part of Clemens, but his action
attributed simply TO his inordinate
love of humor, and an overweening de-
sire to shoot his little joke whils on
the wing. The incident we refer 10
occurred during the Innocents sojourn
at Jackson Hill, near Tuttletown,
where he was prospecting with Jim
Gillis. For some time there had been
rumors Of discomfort among the In-
dians. a fierce band OF Wallas having
gathered near Pendela Ferry, on the
Stanislaus River, aud, after announc-
ing their intention Of annihilating the
miners in the shortest order possible,
decamped for the higher Sierras to OBJ
tain, it was generally supposed, q suf-
fcient force to carry ont their blood
thirsty threats. One bright afternoon
| late in the autumn, Sam and Jim were
sitting in front OF their cabin on Jack
ass Hill, the former engaged in rubbing
mustang liniment on slight bruise
| that discolored his LETT leg, sustained
by a fall which he had received that
day during one Of his prospecting ex-
petitions, the latter watching the oper-
alton, while he lazily smoked corn
| cob full Of killikinick. Suddenly a
man rushell in breathlcss haste mp TO
Hill and stammered, rs he wildly gss-
ticulated: They're comm" Let
'em come; we're ready for most any
thing from fortune To famine, answer
ed the imperturable Mark, as he con-
tinued TO plaster the liniment on his
! injured limb. But they're Injuns,
was the excited remark of the messen-
ger, ian everybody's tnrning out, Tut
! tletowns in arms, an' they want Sam
TO take command" What's nv rank, ''
asked Sam looking quizzically at the
man, "quartermas,er or suttler, which,
The aid-de-camp waited to hear no
more, but rushed away to alarm others
and Mark and Jim made their way 10
Tuttletown, where they found a great
crowd OF miners assembled aud ready
TO march on the foe. Mark was ap
pointed TO the command Of company
and In due course of time the little
army was on the march. The Stanis.
ls.s River Lsviug been reached Just at
dusk, il was thought advisable TO pro-
ceed With more cintiop, as the enemy
was sup Ised 10 be epcamped in that
vicinity The differen, companies sep.
arated. aud spreading out in semi
circle, marched up the river. Marks
company, consisting OF ten men, were
plodinQ along in the gathering gloom.
when shots were heard at no great dis.
tapce on the hillside. H
.sHalt!" commanded Marx. The
company halted.
"dentlsmcu. this is no time for fool.
ing. Tuttletown expects every man to
do his duty. The enemy 10 before ms.
You will form into a hollow square.
4 To tho rear, open order; and as the
rear happens to be open, IL 10 in orlel
for every man 10 proved in that direc
tion in as orderly manner a. possible
Az I am lame myself, I think I vii
commence the retrogsde movemen
hrst. March, tf
As the rumor Of the approach of th'
bloodthirsty rcd men was afts'wn,