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Show 58 FORTY YEARS AMONG THE INDIANS. himself. I felt much amused at our turnout going to-war. The flower of our army was then out after Walker. As we neared the camp of Indians I asked permission to-go ahead and tell them what was wanted. I was on horseback and unarmed ; the Indians were up at once and ready for fight. They said that taking them prison-ers meant to kill them, and they would not go. The company numbering some twenty- five men about the same number as the Indians had now come up and stood about fifty yards off, facing the camp. I went and told the captain what the Indians said. He replied, " Then we have got to take them by force." At the same time ordering his company to load their guns. I now became frightened, for 1 knew if they commenced loading, the Indians having their guns ready, would fire the minute they saw the whites making such a movement; but as long as they did not know that the guns were not loaded we were safe. I asked the captain to hold a minute and let me ask a few questions. He agreed. " How many of you have loads in your guns?" I asked. No one had. Several spoke and said they had noth-ing to load with, while some of the guns were out of repair. I never before or since saw anything so ridicu-lous. Some of the members of the company are still living in Provo, and will remember the incident. I asked the captain what he thought best to do ; he said he would take my advice under the circumstances. I told him I would say to the Indians that it was all right ; that they were friends ; and we did not think it right to take them but would go back. This made them suspicious. They moved off up Provo canyon and committed various petty thefts from time to time, annoying the people for several months. |
