JOSEPH AND HIS BRETHREN.

849

full of rumors. The few daring messengers, bearing news of the defeat, had skulked through by night to Lapwai. The road wound through ravines and over mountains. It passed the mouths of black and awful canons and lay for a long distance over a range covered with rugged forests. The whole route is full of traps, pitfalls, and natural ambuscades."

The last farewells are said. The last mule-pack is adjusted. The last red-shirted artillery-man takes his stand by his gun. There is a moment of quiet. Suddenly the commanding officer shouts "Attention!" and then, a moment later, " Column, march!" Every man steps off with the right foot. The cavalry are in front. The proud bell-mare, with her cavalcade of mules, stubborn to all else, but to her yielding the most perfect obedience, follow, and behind them, in column of fours, come the infantry.

At half past one o'clock the troops reached the deserted Cottonwood House. Doors and windows were open wide. Immediately after the departure of the ill-fated Norton family and their companions, the Indians had ransacked the entire house. Everywhere were found broken chairs, open drawers, and ruined furniture. In their senseless destruction the Indians had taken the very flour, sugar, and salt, and thrown it around on the floors. Inside was this scene of desolation and tragedy; outside, a country as well watered as Eden and richer than any garden in the world. Thus does nature, great, calm, and peaceful, offer her balm to heart-sick and suffering humanity.

In time the troops reached the head of the blood-stained White Bird Canon. The Indians were no longer there. Slowly and cautiously the soldiers made their way down the narrow trail toward the trap into which Perry's command had fallen. There they found the bodies of the brave boys, stripped of their clothing, and lying unburied beneath the summer's sun. Reverent hands wrapped the dead in soldiers' blankets, and buried them on the spot where they had fallen.

Meanwhile from the top of a lofty mountain scouts had discovered Joseph and his people on the opposite side of the swift