第 16 节
作者:
冥王 更新:2021-02-20 16:47 字数:9322
influence that was unpropitiated。 Latterly it had become quite the
thing; when a patient died; for the doctor to flee to our campit
was so convenient and so much safer than elsewhereand my cellar was
a favorite place of refuge from the infuriated friends of the
deceased。
Among the most notable of these doctors was an Indian named Sam
Patch; who several times sought asylum in any cellar; and being a
most profound diplomat; managed on each occasion and with little
delay to negotiate a peaceful settlement and go forth in safety to
resume the practice of his nefarious profession。 I often hoped he
would be caught before reaching the post; but he seemed to know
intuitively when the time had come to take leg…bail; for his advent
at the garrison generally preceded by but a few hours the death of
some poor dupe。
Finally these peculiar customs brought about the punishment of a
noted doctress of the Rogue River tribe; a woman who was constantly
working in this professional way; and who had found a victim of such
prominence among the Rogue Rivers that his unlooked for death brought
down on her the wrath of all。 She had made him so ill; they
believed; as to bring him to death's door notwithstanding the many
ponies that had been given her to cease the incantations; and it was
the conviction of all that she had finally caused the man's death
from some ulterior and indiscernible motive。 His relatives and
friends then immediately set about requiting her with the just
penalties of a perfidious breach of contract。 Their threats induced
her instant flight toward my house for the usual protection; but the
enraged friends of the dead man gave hot chase; and overtook the
witch just inside the limits of the garrison; where; on the parade…
ground; in sight of the officers' quarters; and before any one could
interfere; they killed her。 There were sixteen men in pursuit of the
doctress; and sixteen gun…shot wounds were found in her body when
examined by the surgeon of the post。 The killing of the woman was a
flagrant and defiant outrage committed in the teeth of the military
authority; yet done so quickly that we could not prevent it。 This
necessitated severe measures; both to allay the prevailing excitement
and to preclude the recurrence of such acts。 The body was cared for;
and delivered to the relatives the next day for burial; after which
Captain Russell directed me to take such steps as would put a stop to
the fanatical usages that had brought about this murderous
occurrence; for it was now seen that if timely measures were not
taken to repress them; similar tragedies would surely follow。
Knowing all the men of the Rogue River tribe; and speaking fluently
the Chinook tongue; which they all understood; I went down to their
village the following day; after having sent word to the tribe that I
wished to have a council with them。 The Indians all met me in
council; as I had desired; and I then told them that the men who had
taken part in shooting the woman would have to be delivered up for
punishment。 They were very stiff with me at the interview; and with
all that talent for circumlocution and diplomacy with which the
Indian is lifted; endeavored to evade my demands and delay any
conclusion。 But I was very positive; would hear of no compromise
whatever; and demanded that my terms be at once complied with。 No
one was with me but a sergeant of my company; named Miller; who held
my horse; and as the chances of an agreement began to grow remote; I
became anxious for our safety。 The conversation waxing hot and the
Indians gathering close in around me; I unbuttoned the flap of my
pistol holster; to be ready for any emergency。 When the altercation
became most bitter I put my hand to my hip to draw my pistol; but
discovered it was gonestolen by one of the rascals surrounding me。
Finding myself unarmed; I modified my tone and manner to correspond
with my helpless condition; thus myself assuming the diplomatic side
in the parley; in order to gain time。 As soon as an opportunity
offered; and I could; without too much loss of self…respect; and
without damaging my reputation among the Indians; I moved out to
where the sergeant held my horse; mounted; and crossing the Yamhill
River close by; called back in Chinook from the farther bank that
〃the sixteen men who killed the woman must be delivered up; and my
six…shooter also。〃 This was responded to by contemptuous laughter; so
I went back to the military post somewhat crestfallen; and made my
report of the turn affairs had taken; inwardly longing for another
chance to bring the rascally Rogue Rivers to terms。
When I had explained the situation to Captain Russell; he thought
that we could not; under any circumstances; overlook this defiant
conduct of the Indians; since; unless summarily punished; it would
lead to even more serious trouble in the future。 I heartily seconded
this proposition; and gladly embracing the opportunity it offered;
suggested that if he would give me another chance; and let me have
the effective force of the garrison; consisting of about fifty men; I
would chastise the Rogue Rivers without fail; and that the next day
was all the time I required to complete arrangements。 He gave me the
necessary authority; and I at once set to work to bring about a
better state of discipline on the reservation; and to put an end to
the practices of the medicine men (having also in view the recovery
of my sixshooter and self…respect); by marching to the village and
taking the rebellious Indians by force。
In the tribe there was an excellent woman called Tighee Mary (Tighee
in Chinook means chief); who by right of inheritance was a kind of
queen of the Rogue Rivers。 Fearing that the insubordinate conduct of
the Indians would precipitate further trouble; she came early the
following morning to see me and tell me of the situation Mary
informed me that she had done all in her power to bring the Indians
to reason; but without avail; and that they were determined to fight
rather than deliver up the sixteen men who had engaged in the
shooting。 She also apprised me of the fact that they had taken up a
position on the Yamhill River; on the direct road between the post
and village; where; painted and armed for war; they were awaiting
attack。
On this information I concluded it would be best to march to the
village by a circuitous route instead of directly; as at first
intended; so I had the ferry…boat belonging to the post floated about
a mile and a half down the Yamhill River and there anchored。 At 11
o'clock that night I marched my fifty men; out of the garrison; in a
direction opposite to that of the point held by the Indians; and soon
reached the river at the ferryboat。 Here I ferried the party over
with little delay; and marched them along the side of the mountain;
through underbrush and fallen timber; until; just before daylight; I
found that we were immediately in rear of the village; and thence in
rear; also; of the line occupied by the refractory Indians; who were
expecting to meet me on the direct road from the post。 Just at break
of day we made a sudden descent upon the village and took its
occupants completely by surprise; even capturing the chief of the
tribe; 〃Sam;〃 who was dressed in all his war toggery; fully armed and
equipped; in anticipation of a fight on the road where his comrades
were in position。 I at once put Sam under guard; giving orders to
kill him instantly if the Indians fired a shot; then forming my line
on the road beyond the edge of the village; in rear of the force
lying in wait for a front attack; we moved forward。 When the hostile
party realized that they were completely cut off from the village;
they came out from their stronghold on the river and took up a line
in my front; distant about sixty yards with the apparent intention of
resisting to the last。
As is usual with Indians when expecting a fight; they were nearly
naked; fantastically painted with blue clay; and hideously arrayed in
war bonnets。 They seemed very belligerent; brandishing their muskets
in the air; dancing on one foot; calling us ugly names; and making
such other demonstrations of hostility; that it seemed at first that
nothing short of the total destruction of the party could bring about
the definite settlement that we were bent on。 Still; as it was my
desire to bring them under subjection without loss of life; if
possible; I determined to see what result would follow when they
learned that their chief was at our mercy。 So; sending Sam under
guard to the front; where he could be seen; informing them that he
would be immediately shot if they fired upon us; and aided by the
cries and lamentations of the women of the village; who deprecated
any hostile action by either party; I soon procured a parley。
The insubordinate Indians were under command of 〃Joe;〃 Sam's brother;
who at