THE EMIGRANT'S FORD. 271 



northern slope, arrive at the Emigrant's Ford, and 

 come plump upon a large encampment of Sis-ky- 

 oue Indians. Fifteen miles to the next water ; the 

 sun rapidly sinking ; men and mules tired. At 

 all risks, I camp near the redskins. 



The Emigrant Ford is a wide lake-like expanse 

 of the Klamath river, that spreads out over a 

 level plateau on emerging from a basaltic gorge, 

 through which the river finds its way for some 

 distance. The walls of rock shutting it in being 

 deep and almost vertical, reaching the water in 

 the canon is an impossibility. As the river 

 widens out it shallows sufficiently for ox-teams 

 and waggons to get through it ; and, being almost 

 the only fordable place, was always chosen by 

 emigrant trains coining to Oregon and California. 



The remains of half-burnt waggons and human 

 bones still bleaching in the sun, makes one 

 shudder to think of the terrible fate of the weary 

 wanderer, cut off at this fatal spot by the 

 Indians. Their plan was to remain concealed 

 until the trains were all safely through, then to 

 swoop down upon them, while scattered and 

 disordered by crossing, cut loose the oxen, kill 

 the men, carry off the women and children, if 

 girls, burn the waggons, and secure all that suited 

 them in the shape of plunder. 



