第 16 节
作者:冥王      更新:2021-02-20 16:47      字数:9322
  influence that was unpropitiated。  Latterly it had become quite the
  thing; when a patient died; for the doctor to flee to our campit
  was so convenient and so much safer than elsewhereand my cellar was
  a favorite place of refuge from the infuriated friends of the
  deceased。
  Among the most notable of these doctors was an Indian named Sam
  Patch; who several times sought asylum in any cellar; and being a
  most profound diplomat; managed on each occasion and with little
  delay to negotiate a peaceful settlement and go forth in safety to
  resume the practice of his nefarious profession。  I often hoped he
  would be caught before reaching the post; but he seemed to know
  intuitively when the time had come to take leg…bail; for his advent
  at the garrison generally preceded by but a few hours the death of
  some poor dupe。
  Finally these peculiar customs brought about the punishment of a
  noted doctress of the Rogue River tribe; a woman who was constantly
  working in this professional way; and who had found a victim of such
  prominence among the Rogue Rivers that his unlooked for death brought
  down on her the wrath of all。  She had made him so ill; they
  believed; as to bring him to death's door notwithstanding the many
  ponies that had been given her to cease the incantations; and it was
  the conviction of all that she had finally caused the man's death
  from some ulterior and indiscernible motive。  His relatives and
  friends then immediately set about requiting her with the just
  penalties of a perfidious breach of contract。  Their threats induced
  her instant flight toward my house for the usual protection; but the
  enraged friends of the dead man gave hot chase; and overtook the
  witch just inside the limits of the garrison; where; on the parade…
  ground; in sight of the officers' quarters; and before any one could
  interfere; they killed her。  There were sixteen men in pursuit of the
  doctress; and sixteen gun…shot wounds were found in her body when
  examined by the surgeon of the post。  The killing of the woman was a
  flagrant and defiant outrage committed in the teeth of the military
  authority; yet done so quickly that we could not prevent it。  This
  necessitated severe measures; both to allay the prevailing excitement
  and to preclude the recurrence of such acts。  The body was cared for;
  and delivered to the relatives the next day for burial; after which
  Captain Russell directed me to take such steps as would put a stop to
  the fanatical usages that had brought about this murderous
  occurrence; for it was now seen that if timely measures were not
  taken to repress them; similar tragedies would surely follow。
  Knowing all the men of the Rogue River tribe; and speaking fluently
  the Chinook tongue; which they all understood; I went down to their
  village the following day; after having sent word to the tribe that I
  wished to have a council with them。  The Indians all met me in
  council; as I had desired; and I then told them that the men who had
  taken part in shooting the woman would have to be delivered up for
  punishment。  They were very stiff with me at the interview; and with
  all that talent for circumlocution and diplomacy with which the
  Indian is lifted; endeavored to evade my demands and delay any
  conclusion。  But I was very positive; would hear of no compromise
  whatever; and demanded that my terms be at once complied with。  No
  one was with me but a sergeant of my company; named Miller; who held
  my horse; and as the chances of an agreement began to grow remote; I
  became anxious for our safety。  The conversation waxing hot and the
  Indians gathering close in around me; I unbuttoned the flap of my
  pistol holster; to be ready for any emergency。  When the altercation
  became most bitter I put my hand to my hip to draw my pistol; but
  discovered it was gonestolen by one of the rascals surrounding me。
  Finding myself unarmed; I modified my tone and manner to correspond
  with my helpless condition; thus myself assuming the diplomatic side
  in the parley; in order to gain time。  As soon as an opportunity
  offered; and I could; without too much loss of self…respect; and
  without damaging my reputation among the Indians; I moved out to
  where the sergeant held my horse; mounted; and crossing the Yamhill
  River close by; called back in Chinook from the farther bank that
  〃the sixteen men who killed the woman must be delivered up; and my
  six…shooter also。〃 This was responded to by contemptuous laughter; so
  I went back to the military post somewhat crestfallen; and made my
  report of the turn affairs had taken; inwardly longing for another
  chance to bring the rascally Rogue Rivers to terms。
  When I had explained the situation to Captain Russell; he thought
  that we could not; under any circumstances; overlook this defiant
  conduct of the Indians; since; unless summarily punished; it would
  lead to even more serious trouble in the future。  I heartily seconded
  this proposition; and gladly embracing the opportunity it offered;
  suggested that if he would give me another chance; and let me have
  the effective force of the garrison; consisting of about fifty men; I
  would chastise the Rogue Rivers without fail; and that the next day
  was all the time I required to complete arrangements。  He gave me the
  necessary authority; and I at once set to work to bring about a
  better state of discipline on the reservation; and to put an end to
  the practices of the medicine men (having also in view the recovery
  of my sixshooter and self…respect); by marching to the village and
  taking the rebellious Indians by force。
  In the tribe there was an excellent woman called Tighee Mary (Tighee
  in Chinook means chief); who by right of inheritance was a kind of
  queen of the Rogue Rivers。  Fearing that the insubordinate conduct of
  the Indians would precipitate further trouble; she came early the
  following morning to see me and tell me of the situation Mary
  informed me that she had done all in her power to bring the Indians
  to reason; but without avail; and that they were determined to fight
  rather than deliver up the sixteen men who had engaged in the
  shooting。  She also apprised me of the fact that they had taken up a
  position on the Yamhill River; on the direct road between the post
  and village; where; painted and armed for war; they were awaiting
  attack。
  On this information I concluded it would be best to march to the
  village by a circuitous route instead of directly; as at first
  intended; so I had the ferry…boat belonging to the post floated about
  a mile and a half down the Yamhill River and there anchored。  At 11
  o'clock that night I marched my fifty men; out of the garrison; in a
  direction opposite to that of the point held by the Indians; and soon
  reached the river at the ferryboat。  Here I ferried the party over
  with little delay; and marched them along the side of the mountain;
  through underbrush and fallen timber; until; just before daylight; I
  found that we were immediately in rear of the village; and thence in
  rear; also; of the line occupied by the refractory Indians; who were
  expecting to meet me on the direct road from the post。  Just at break
  of day we made a sudden descent upon the village and took its
  occupants completely by surprise; even capturing the chief of the
  tribe; 〃Sam;〃 who was dressed in all his war toggery; fully armed and
  equipped; in anticipation of a fight on the road where his comrades
  were in position。  I at once put Sam under guard; giving orders to
  kill him instantly if the Indians fired a shot; then forming my line
  on the road beyond the edge of the village; in rear of the force
  lying in wait for a front attack; we moved forward。  When the hostile
  party realized that they were completely cut off from the village;
  they came out from their stronghold on the river and took up a line
  in my front; distant about sixty yards with the apparent intention of
  resisting to the last。
  As is usual with Indians when expecting a fight; they were nearly
  naked; fantastically painted with blue clay; and hideously arrayed in
  war bonnets。  They seemed very belligerent; brandishing their muskets
  in the air; dancing on one foot; calling us ugly names; and making
  such other demonstrations of hostility; that it seemed at first that
  nothing short of the total destruction of the party could bring about
  the definite settlement that we were bent on。  Still; as it was my
  desire to bring them under subjection without loss of life; if
  possible; I determined to see what result would follow when they
  learned that their chief was at our mercy。  So; sending Sam under
  guard to the front; where he could be seen; informing them that he
  would be immediately shot if they fired upon us; and aided by the
  cries and lamentations of the women of the village; who deprecated
  any hostile action by either party; I soon procured a parley。
  The insubordinate Indians were under command of 〃Joe;〃 Sam's brother;
  who at