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, | 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 cation 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 coming 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. 
