Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1884-04-01

FREMONT AND THE NODOt>.

In the spring of 1916 Lieutenant John
G. Fremont entered California on his
third exploring expedition 10 the West,
and his second trip across the CONT
nent. His party consisted of about 90
men, many of them old and tried noun
taiDeers, and all of them hardy and
daring men. picked by their commander
for the arduous service expected OF
them. After exchanging international
compliments with General Castro,
which at one time appeared certain to
result in blows, Fremont started north
to visit the Columbia. On the bank of
Klamath Lake he was overtaken by
Colonel Gillespie, who bad followed
him across the continent. with dis
patches announcing that war had been
declared with Mexico, and instructing
him 10 seize California II possible.
Late into the night those young Off
GERS, on whose shoulders such weighty
responsibilities had been thrown, sat by
the smoldering embers and counseled
about their future course. Around
them lay their companions, wrapped in
profound slumber, their weary limbs
stretched upon the ground. Fatigue
and the excitement OF the news had
made their leader ineautious. He for
got that he WAS in a country where the
natives had shown signs of hostility.
Filled with the great projects of the
future, his limbs weary with fatigue,
he, too, lay down by the fire and closed
his heavy eyes in sleep. la that silent
camp lay the sleeping forms of Richard
Alex. Cooley, Steppenfeldt, Basil La
t..,,,. &
those hardy mountaineers who had
trapped the whole Western wilderness
aud fought the savage denizens for
years, and never before been guilty of
lying down to sleep in An enemy q
country without posting guard.
Slumber's chains bound the camp, but
around 1t stole the slnuous forms OF SAY
age enemies. Nearer and nearer they
crept, until they stood among the sleep
ing men by the fire. The Modocs were
ready to claim the first white victims of
that band Of murdered ones who have
fallen in that sterile land.
Even il. his SAUNDERS the sensitive ear
Of Kit Carson caught the sound Of the
dull thud, as blow fell upon the head
Of sleeping companion. Leaping to
his feet he kicked the snouldering en-
beers oil the camp hre. and by the light
of the upshootiug flame saw the dark
forms of the Modocs. Springing to one
side To avoid the light of the fire, the
bold trap1er cried Indians! Indians =
and in an instant the camp was aroused
Crane, a Delaware Indian, sprung Ia
his feet, and endeavored to dis
| charge his gun, which was, IN
fortunately, unlosded, and receiv-
ed five arrows in his breast. Re
membering that his gun was also un
loaded, Carson cast II aside, drew n
single barreled pistol and discharged it
at the savage who was Staying his
friend. but the brave was lodging about
80 continually that the bullet missed
aim and cut the string of his tomahawk
All but this Modoc were now in full re-
treat, and as he turned to flee tive bull
let's from the now thoroughly aroused
camp laid him dead on the ground. He
was the only one of the attacking party
who remained long enough to be hurt.
and had they all been ~ bold rs he il
would have Jared badly with that m
protected camp.-Wet Shore.