Page:California Inter Pocula.djvu/457

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THE SHASTAS IN BATTLE.
445

Shastas came over, about one hundred strong, and demanded the horses. Tipsey refused to deliver them up, and sent to Butte creek for help, determined to give the Shastas battle. The reënforcements swelled the number to about one hundred and fifty. The Shastas also received reënforcements, making the number on each side about the same. Their manner of going to battle was extremely diverting. The prairie where Mr Lindsay Applegate's farm is, was the battle-field. The Shastas were collected on one side of the prairie, and the Rogue Rivers opposite. Each built a large fire at the place where they were assembled. Ten, fifteen, or perhaps fifty would start out from one side and go scampering across to within sixty or eighty yards of the opposite party, when about the same number would start after them, chasing them back, and shooting at them all the way to be chased over the fields in their turn. This kind of warfare lasted for three days, the contestants fighting about six hours a day. They then compromised the matter, reminding us in all this of the highly rational way France and Germany have of settling their quarrels.

At no period in the history of savage warfare are found more brave deeds by heroic women than during the Indian troubles of 1855.

Coming down the Rogue River valley, spreading devastation on every side, on the morning of November 9th, a large band of savages appeared before the house of Mr Wagoner, who was absent on a mission of courtesy to Sailor diggings, leaving his wife and child there alone.

As the Indians approached the house, and set fire to it, Mrs Wagoner knew that her fate was sealed, that there was no escape from death or dishonor. She was a beautiful woman, educated and refined. New York being her native state, and having been some time on the frontier, she spoke the local dialect fluently. But she made no attempt to use her powers of persuasion at this juncture, knowing that such