The evening herald. (Klamath Falls, Or.) 1906-1942, 1922-11-21
Journal Of the Old South Road

attaCkcd on tNlS bihHN TlNkc Ny
the Indians and cuc OF thom had
bcea severely wouaied. Several ot
the horses had also been shot w.tA
arrows. Along this trail we picked
/, up number ot broken and shat,cr-
( cd nrrows. We could are that Q
large party OF Indians had passed
over the trail travelling southwark
oaly a few days before. At dark VIC
reached a small c1cniug on little
stream at tho FOO, OF the mountain
on the south, and encampcd for the
r'Fh,.
On the morning OF the 2eth, we
divided cur forces, part going back
ta cTplorc the canyon, while the re-
mander stayed to guard the camp
aad horses. The exploring party
went back to where we left the cam
yon on the little trail the day be.
fore. ard returning through the can
yon. came into camp after night. re-
porting that wagons could be taken
through.
Indians Encountered
We found everything all right on
the morainE OF the 27th, although
the Indians had hoyercd around us
all night frightening our horses a
number OF times. From the tracks
we could see that they approached
very closely to our cncampmcnt.
Making an early start We moved on
very cautiously. wheaoycr the trail
passed through thlekets we dis
mounted. and led our horses. having
our guns in hand ready at any NOM
ent 10 use them In self-defcnse. for
VIC had adopted this rule, never to be
tho asgrossor. Travelling through
vory broken country the sharp
hills separated by little streams up
on which there were small openings.
We came out at about noon Into .
largo creek. branch OF Rogue river,
now called Grave creek. on which we
rested about two hours. During the
aftorscon our course was over o
more opea country-,hrough scat
torlng pine and oak timber. To-
wards evening. We saw good many
Indians posted along the mountain
side and now and ten running
ahead OF Us. About an hour by sun
we reached a prairie a. several hun,
dTcd acres. which extends down to
very near the bank of Rogue river.
As wc advanced towards the river.
the Indians In largo numbers oecu.
pied Nhe river bank near where the
tran crossed. Having understood
that this crossing was n favorlte
place OF attack. We decided as IL was
growing late. to pass the night in
the prairie. Selecting a place as
far from the brush as possible, we |
made every preparation for a night I
attack.
Caution Saves From Attack
In selecting our camp on Rogue
river We observed the greatest eau
,ion. Cutting stakes from the limbs
of an old oak thar stood in the open /
ground. we plcketed our horses with |
double stakes as firmly rs possible.
The horses were pIeketed in the
form OF Il hollow square. outside Of
which VIC took up our positions,
knowing that in case OF an attack !
there would be n chance OF losing !
our horses and that that would be a !
complete defeat. We kept vigilant I
guard during the night, and. the !
noxt morning could see the Indians
occupying the samo position as at
dark. After an early breakfast we
began TO make preparations for
moving forward. There had been a
heavy dew, and fearing the effects |
of the dampness upon our firearms. I
which were muzzle-loaders. OF
course. and some Of them with flint .
locks. we fired them Off and reload 7
ed. In moving forward. We formed 4
two divisions. with the pack horses-
behind. On reaching the river bank (
the front division fell behind the .
pack horses and drove them over. I
while the rear division faced the
brush. with gun in hand. until the .
front division was safely over. Then
they turned about, and the rear diyi-
sion passed over under protection Of
their rifles. The Indians watched
the performance from their places OF
eonceainent. but there was no
chance for them TO make an attack
without exposing themselves TO our
lire. The river was deep and rapid.
and for n short distance some OF the
smaller animals had TO swim. Had
We rushed pell-mell into the stream,
rs parties sometimes do under such
circumstances, our expedition would
probably have come to an end there.
Ito Be Continued)
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