JOSEPH AND HIS BRETHREN.

847

others and on the right of the trail. On came the column of devoted troops down the side of the canon toward the fatal spot. Every rider held his glittering carbine ready for instant use.   Not an Indian was to be seen.

Suddenly, as they were about to reach the ground lately occupied by the Indian camp, dark and hideous faces popped out everywhere, from behind stones and out of gulches and ravines. At the same moment White Bird's flanking party appeared two hundred yards to their left.

The troops quickly formed in line, each man seeking some cover behind which to hide. The Indians greatly outnumbering the whites, continually overlapped the latter's flanks. The troops extended their line, making it thinner and thinner. For ten minutes they held their ground. Then a band of Indian Hankers on the left suddenly forced the men to fall back. The soldiers, catching the alarm, instantly deserted their hiding places in the rocky canon, and ran backward toward higher ground in the rear. But they could not stop here. The men were falling on every hand, while swarms of savages were already surrounding the spot and pouring in deadly volleys. The air was full of noise and smoke, and everywhere was heard the sharp commands of officers and the excited cries of the men.

Back they fled, faster and faster, stopping every minute or so in a vain attempt to rally behind some knoll, only to be driven to seek other refuge. White Bird's flanking party dashed out of a little transverse ravine, heading off the men just as they reached the foot of the narrow7 trail.     Here there was a desperate conflict. Such as could do so dashed through the midst of the Indians at the top of their horses' speed, and made their way up the trail toward the head of the canon. The rest wore left dead or dying in the lonely White Bird Canon. Among those who fell was Lieutenant Theller. It became General Howard's duty, when the remnant of the men made their way back to Lapwai, to inform the young wife of her husband's fate. " I endeavored to control myself and break the tidings gently.