No wonder that in its lurid light the Government for a moment forgot its dawdling “peace policy,” and “let slip the dogs of war.”  No wonder the canting prayers of maudlin fanatics were stilled amid the wrathful cry for vengeance.  The blood of Canby and Thomas and Sherwood “cried unto God from the ground” against them.  The ghastly, sickening tragedy which should send a thrill through the very heart of the nation was consummated.

Chapter XIII.

Three Days’ Battle in the Lava Beds.

The day following the massacre preparations were made for an attack in full force upon the stronghold.  Only the regulars were to be engaged in this task, as the volunteers had been discharged, under assurance from Gen. Canby that he was strong enough to control the situation and protect the settlements.  The plan of battle which was the same as that adopted by Gen. Wheaton on the 17th of January was to form a cordon of troops around the hostiles and either kill or capture them.  The troops were supplied with overcoats, blankets, three days’ provisions and an abundance of ammunition.  On April 13, Donald McKay arrived with seventy-two Wasco Indians who were at once armed and assigned to duty, and who made a splendid record.  Some slight skirmishing had taken place, but no general forward movement was made until the 14th, when the rattle of small arms, the yells of the savages, and the deep boom of the mortars and howitzers told that the battle was on.  All day long the troops continued to advance, slowly, keeping under cover as much as possible, and driving the Indians before them.  Even with every precaution there was a list of killed and wounded.  As night closed in the troops held their position, but the mortars and howitzers continued to send into the stronghold a stream of shells, mingled with the occasional discharge of small arms and the yells of the savages.

During the night Col.  Green and Maj.  Mason, disobeying orders (I know what I am saying) drove a column in between the Indians and the lake, thus shutting them off from water.  This was carrying out the plans formulated and advised by Gen. Wheaton and Gen. Ross after the battle on the 17th of January.  When the Indians discovered this move they made a determined attempt to break the line, but the troops had had time to fortify and the attempt proved a failure.

Gen. Gillem the next morning sent for John Fairchilds and asked him to go with Capt.  Bancroft and show him where to plant the mortars and also show him the center of the stronghold.  Fairchilds told the General that he would show him, but that he was tired acting as errand boy for Tom, Dick and Harry—­that he had risked his life enough.  Under these circumstances, the General had to go.  They started out and had almost reached the line, bullets were singing around, when the General, rubbing his hands, remarked:  “Mr. Fairchilds, this is a splendid day’s