204 



A DESPERATE BATTLE. 



[1825. 



the elbow. It was a mere scratch, but it had considerable effect in 

 whetting my appetite for revenge. We doubled the precipice just men- 

 tioned, and instead of three, more than fifty mounted savages were par- 

 aded before us, each with his arrow notched and presented. This was 

 unexpected, and for a moment my party gazed at each other in speech- 

 less dismay. 



My wounded companion, who had reloaded his musket during the 

 pursuit, was the first to break silence, by exclaiming, " Un trampa ! un 

 emboscado ! senor capitan !" 



I asked him if he could point out the chief of this wandering horde 

 of half-naked freebooters. He directed my attention to one of supe- 

 rior stature and muscle, with something intended for an ornament hang- 

 ing on his breast. As this individual appeared to be the leader of the 

 party, I kept my eye on him. He took care, however, not to keep 

 us long in suspense, but addressed me in a commanding tone, accom- 

 panied by gestures that I could not misunderstand. 



"I can understand his jargon," said the wounded Californian, who 

 kept close to my side. " He addresses you as our chief, and demands 

 a surrender of our weapons." 



" We will perish first !" I replied. " But let us be politic. Demand 

 honourable terms of capitulation, and gain us a moment's time for 

 reflection." 



My companion did as I desired, in the savage's own dialect ; and 

 the answer was unconditional submission, or instant death. If we 

 complied our lives should be spared. Should we resist, no quarter 

 would be given. Having heard much of the treachery of this tribe, I 

 resolved to place no confidence in the promises of their chief ; but 

 told my companions that we might better perish like men, with arms 

 in our hands, than fall like cowards, by our own weapons, as we 

 should be certain to do if we gave them up ; that our first movement 

 must be a desperate one ; and that each man must bear in mind that 

 he was contending for life and liberty. I then desired our interpreter 

 to amuse the Indians by pretending to comply with their demand, 

 while the party dismounted, to put the savages off their guard, and 

 induce them to dismount also ; at the same time directing each of my 

 companions to single out his man, and to fire the moment he heard my 

 musket ; then to spring again into their saddles, and attack the enemy 

 sword in hand, until they were willing to let us retreat without 

 molestation. 



My plan was unanimously approved, and instantly adopted. As 

 soon as my party left their saddles, the Indians dismounted to a man, 

 and stood waiting the orders of their chief, the parties being within 

 pistol-shot of each other. I was the last to make a motion of dis- 

 mounting, which I did in such an awkward and clumsy manner as 

 drew a laugh of derision from the savages, and brought my eye to 

 range along the barrel of my musket, which lay along the horse's neck, 

 pointing to the ornament on the bosom of the colossal chief in front 

 of me. 



The report of seven muskets besides my own brought every man 



