按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
received directions to go with my detachment of dragoons； numbering
about forty effective men； to the relief of the middle blockhouse；
which really meant to retake the Cascades。 I got ready at once； and
believing that a piece of artillery would be of service to me； asked
for one； but as there proved to be no guns at the post； I should have
been obliged to proceed without one had it not been that the regular
steamer from San Francisco to Portland was lying at the Vancouver
dock unloading military supplies； and the commander； Captain Dall；
supplied me with the steamer's small iron cannon； mounted on a wooden
platform； which he used in firing salutes at different ports on the
arrival and departure of the vessel。 Finding at the arsenal a supply
of solid shot that would fit the gun； I had it put upon the steamboat
Belle； employed to carry my command to the scene of operations； and
started up the Columbia River at 2 A。M。 on the morning of the 27th。
We reached the Lower Cascades early in the day； where； selecting a
favorable place for the purpose； I disembarked my men and gun on the
north bank of the river； so that I could send back the steamboat to
bring up any volunteer assistance that in the mean time might have
been collected at Vancouver。
The Columbia River was very high at the time； and the water had
backed up into the slough about the foot of the Lower Cascades to
such a degree that it left me only a narrow neck of firm ground to
advance over toward the point occupied by the Indians。 On this neck
of land the hostiles had taken position； as I soon learned by
frequent shots； loud shouting； and much blustering； they； by the most
exasperating yells and indecent exhibitions； daring me to the
contest。
After getting well in hand everything connected with my little
command； I advanced with five or six men to the edge of a growth of
underbrush to make a reconnoissance。 We stole along under cover of
this underbrush until we reached the open ground leading over the
causeway or narrow neck before mentioned； when the enemy opened fire
and killed a soldier near my side by a shot which； just grazing the
bridge of my nose； struck him in the neck； opening an artery and
breaking the spinal cord。 He died instantly。 The Indians at once
made a rush for the body； but my men in the rear； coming quickly to
the rescue； drove them back； and Captain Doll's gun being now brought
into play； many solid shot were thrown into the jungle where they lay
concealed； with the effect of considerably moderating their
impetuosity。 Further skirmishing at long range took place at
intervals during the day； with little gain or loss； however； to
either side； for both parties held positions which could not be
assailed in flank； and only the extreme of rashness in either could
prompt a front attack。 My left was protected by the back water
driven into the slough by the high stage of the river； and my right
rested secure on the main stream。 Between us was only the narrow
neck of land； to cross which would be certain death。 The position of
the Indians was almost the exact counterpart of ours。
In the evening I sent a report of the situation back to Vancouver by
the steamboat； retaining a large Hudson's Bay bateau which I had
brought up with me。 Examining this I found it would carry about
twenty men； and made up my mind that early next morning I would cross
the command to the opposite or south side of the Columbia River； and
make my way up along the mountain base until I arrived abreast the
middle blockhouse； which was still closely besieged； and then at some
favorable point recross to the north bank to its relief； endeavoring
in this manner to pass around and to the rear of the Indians； whose
position confronting me was too strong for a direct attack。 This
plan was hazardous； but I believed it could be successfully carried
out if the boat could be taken with me； but should I not be able to
do this I felt that the object contemplated in sending me out would
miserably fail； and the small band cooped up at the block…house would
soon starve or fall a prey to the Indians； so I concluded to risk all
the chances the plan involved。
On the morning of March 28 the savages were still in my front； and
after giving them some solid shot from Captain Dall's gun we slipped
down to the river…bank； and the detachment crossed by means of the
Hudson's Bay boat； making a landing on the opposite shore at a point
where the south channel of the river； after flowing around Bradford's
Island； joins the main stream。 It was then about 9 o'clock； and
everything had thus far proceeded favorably； but examination of the
channel showed that it would be impossible to get the boat up the
rapids along the mainland； and that success could only be assured by
crossing the south channel just below the rapids to the island； along
the shore of which there was every probability we could pull the boat
through the rocks and swift water until the head of the rapids was
reached； from which point to the block…house there was smooth water。
Telling the men of the embarrassment in which I found myself； and
that if I could get enough of them to man the boat and pull it up the
stream by a rope to the shore we would cross to the island and make
the attempt； all volunteered to go； but as ten men seemed sufficient
I selected that number to accompany me。 Before starting； however； I
deemed it prudent to find out if possible what was engaging the
attention of the Indians； who had not yet discovered that we had left
their front。 I therefore climbed up the side of the abrupt mountain
which skirted the water's edge until I could see across the island。
》From this point I observed the Indians running horse…races and
otherwise enjoying themselves behind the line they had held against
me the day before。 The squaws decked out in gay colors； and the men
gaudily dressed in war bonnets； made the scene most attractive； but
as everything looked propitious for the dangerous enterprise in hand
I spent little time watching them。 Quickly returning to the boat； I
crossed to the island with my ten men； threw ashore the rope attached
to the bow； and commenced the difficult task of pulling her up the
rapids。 We got along slowly at first； but soon striking a camp of
old squaws who had been left on the island for safety； and had not
gone over to the mainland to see the races； we utilized them to our
advantage。 With unmistakable threats and signs we made them not only
keep quiet； but also give us much needed assistance in pulling
vigorously on the towrope of our boat。
I was laboring under a dreadful strain of mental anxiety during all
this time； for had the Indians discovered what we were about； they
could easily have come over to the island in their canoes； and； by
forcing us to take up our arms to repel their attack； doubtless would
have obliged the abandonment of the boat； and that essential adjunct
to the final