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352 INCIDENTS AT THE 
hundred head. We seized our arms, and ran to the 
hills near the canon, where we discovered the cattle 
urged on by the herdsmen, and making through the 
trees and bushes for our camp, where we soon had the 
satisfaction of seeing them safely inclosed. An hour 
later we heard that a descent had also been made upon 
the horses and cattle belonging to Mr. Hay, who with 
a small party, was engaged in working the gold mines, 
four miles distant ; and soon after the family of this 
gentleman, arrived with all their effects, corroborating 
what we had heard. They informed us that all Mr. 
Hay’s cattle had been run off, and that he and his 
people had armed themselves and gone in pursuit. A 
volunteer party from the Commission soon joined 
them, embracing some fifteen or twenty persons, and 
among them Lieutenant Whipple. They pressed the 
Indians so hard that they overtook them just at dark, 
after a flight of thirty miles. As in the former instance, 
they abandoned the cattle, and scattered in all direc- 
tions. The cattle of Mr. Hay, twenty-two in number, 
were recovered ; and a horse and mule belonging to 
the Indians were also taken. The party with the 
mules having two hours the start, could not be over- 
taken. 
Our place was now in a state of siege. The camps 
of the several surveying parties, which had been scat- 
tered through the valley, were brought into the neigh- 
borhood of the fort ; picket guards were stationed 
upon the commanding eminences ; arms were cleaned, 
and ammunition distributed ; and every precaution 
taken to repel an attack ; for it was thought that the 
Indians, who are ever on the alert, seeing so large a 
