848

INDIAN TRAGEDIES AND ROMANCES.

But Mrs. Theller read it in my face before I could speak, and words had no place.   ' Oh my husband !' "

Such was the fate of the first expedition, and the worst apprehensions of danger to the settlers from the victorious savages were indulged in. The work had now to be begun anew. Meanwhile every possible effort had been making to secure troops. One messenger had been dispatched to Fort Wallowa, with orders for two cavalry companies to march to Lapwai, stopping neither day nor night. Similar orders were sent to the infantry at Walla-walla one hundred and ten miles distant. From this point also, being the nearest line of telegraph, dispatches were sent to San Francisco for twenty-five scouts, and to Portland for three months' supplies.

This done, the only thing was to wait. Slow indeed seemed the advance of the expected succor. Slow, although the messengers had ridden day and night at a break-neck rate, killing two horses on the way; slow, although not a moment was lost in getting the troops under way, and not an hour's rest was had as they hurried forward. Yet this took days and days. Rumors of the terrible defeat reached Lapwai, and yet no re-enforcements were in sight. The broken fragments of the little army, which had gone forth, fell back bleeding and stricken, and yet there were no others to take their place. Four days after the news of the disaster amid the shadows of White Bird Canon, there were but two hundred soldiers at Lapwai. Besides these there were twenty volunteers.

Further delay for re-enforcements was desirable, yet impossible. The little band of men, cavalry and infantry, together with an old mountain howitzer and two Gatling guns, are drawn ii]i in marching order. The train of pack-mules, with their immense loads of ammunition and provision, move restlessly back and forward in the parade-ground. The trained white mare, with the tinkling bell attached to her neck, stands thoughtful and attentive, ready to lead her restless followers along the stony trail.   " The moment of starting is solemn.   The air is