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Show 271 In the morning the Indians invited the explorers to accompany them further down the wash to see their wickiups, corn, and ash timber. While Christian stayed behind with the team and wagon, Smith and White unknowingly followed their Indian "friends" into an ambush. As they worked their way down the canyon, the two men became alarmed at the number of Indians who were increasing rapidly around them. Finally, two or three miles from camp, several braves sprang on to the trail in front of them, while a dozen more closed the circle behind them. The Indians first demanded the shirts off their backs. One Indian who appeared to be in authority grabbed White as if to rip the shirt from him. It was a tense moment, and the two white men knew they would have to acquit themselves well to emerge from this scrape in good health. Samuel White, who knew the Indian tongue, attempted to appeal to the honor of the ones who led them into the trap, claiming they were "there by their invitation, to see the 2^ country, drink water with them, etc." J But their captors only laughed in their faces saying "there was nothing to see neither corn, ash timber, water, wickiups, or anything else." The two explorers were clearly caught at a disadvantage. Smith was wearing his revolver and was also carrying a knife, while White had a small axe. Their foes, however, outnumbered them six or seven to one, all of whom were armed with bows and arrows except one who carried a gun. Notwithstanding the poor odds, the two decided to "fight it out with our shirts on, making preparations to do so. When the Indians perceived that their quarry was willing to lay down without a fight they had second thoughts and began making "professions of friendship." The invitation to go on with them was renewed. Not wishing to provoke the Indians, they proceeded on a little further, leaving their abashed hosts at a convenient moment with a brief exchange of courtesies. Arriving back at camp, they cut the wood, loaded it on their wagon, and headed north, making camp about seventeen miles from the Meadow Valley farm. un- |
