The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1851-11-22
AHonIGTNAL TRiAL BY DArTIE.

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KBoRIGTNAL TRIAL M BATTLE.
EoT some months past, n series Of papers,
written by John Mills, Fsq., illustrative Of
life among some of,the Indian tribes Of tho
west hNye been published in tho United Scr
vice MpeNAine These paPeH occasionally
enbmoe short descriptive narrative, aboun-
ding in dramatic interest, infbrnation, and
general merit One of JthcsG VIC give below.
Mr Mills accompanied n party Of Osago ln-
'dians on n grand hupiipa expeditior, in the
'oogrkc ,qf which they accidentally encounter
ed PbPutAp equal ,numler Of Pawpees. Be
tyespl thase, tive tribes q deadly feud existed,
and every, opportunity was sought to sottle
the difficulty byA summary and sanglinary
ppoecss, On this OCCASION, the beligerent
parties ipmediately plncea themselves in a
lighting position, and all WAS ready fora gen
erAl mclecawhep an occurrence Of a very sim
guar character took place, which We give in
tho words Of tho author. We have rarely
encountered moro vivid and entertaining
dSscription OF warlikc meeting ID rivals
the accounts Of the con,bats OF the ehivNirous
Knights Of the dark ages: .., n, q
Much to my surprise, a solitary warrior
singled himself from his party and with some
thing white flying at the head Of n lance, APP
preached us at foot psco. The Osapcs in
stantly checked thcir horses Rt the command
OF tiIdir chief, and unattended he rolS for
--~rfl - meet the messenger -ef peace 49,
The conicrcnoe was brief between the Paw
nee and Black Wolf, and the latter, riding
back to where he stood watching their move
meuts, with anintcrcst easier to be conceived
thAp slescubed, informed his brothers in arms
that the Pawnee chief was wiling to settle
the fight in single combat, aud that he him
self would meet either OF the Usage braves
y who might be the chosen champion-of his ma
tlon.
This plueky challenge created the widest
commutiun among the aspiring warriors Of
our party; and so numerous were the, yolun-
iscrs, and urgent their claims to have the
honor assigned to them, that unless Black
Wolf had aellcd the contention by claiming
itfor himself Il is'far from improbable that
new diversion might have arisen in mGtiny
against his orders There was no disputing,
however, the right OF the chef 90 take precc-
denpc of all; but the opinions Of many veercd
to the opposite, point, concerning the policy
.ofthe measure, when they found that they
wern to take no share in the glory. The
groHtcr number urged the expcdiency Of n
general 6ght, alleging that We were stronger
chan the enemy, and should capture all their
,hoFsss and skins, with which they were ladeR
lile' ourselves, in addition to, a pretty haul
4ofinyalnable scalps. .,-.
Hack. WOLF however, either FROM pruden-
tial motives or desire 10 crafty bis own
vanity, tlecidod to accept the challenge on the
tcrpib on which it was sent, and agreed that
the horse and aceoutrements of the vanquish-
cd shouid become tho prize Of tho eonqueror,
which nc was to take. unmolested possession
-ofin the prcseucc Of the respective parties.
These preliminaries being adjusted, the
-arma OF Black. Wolfwere now carefully OK
auincdt by his companions, who throw. aside
all jealousy the moment the question was set
.tlSd. One took bis lance aud tried the sound
ncss of the shat by Banding itso that the two
+cnds nearly met Another thrummed his
ubowatfing, while several changed their best
arrpws for chose 10 his quiycr which appeared
defective; Tho touch-hoio Of his rifle was
priekAd and re- primed, and even ibis knife
and tonaahawk underwent careful scrutiny
The honor Of the nation was. at stake, and
the .breSst Of each individual present seemed
To barn with patriotic pride and sclicituie
for,tte event which was TO decide the fate Of
tKc Ossge or Pawnee chief ...-...
All being in readiness, Black Wolf dashed
HE spara into his horsss sides, and bringing
him upon his launches by way Of a stattgal-
loped In a wide circle before us, for the com
bined purpose ofexhibiting himself and an
nonncine 10 hisrepemy that no was rcadylGer
the strife. '7f
Nothing nobler can be pictured to the i'm
agjnation than the appearance of the chief
as, nude as mt his birth, with the exception
of his arms plung across his shoulders, he sat
upon hts pfunging and excited steed with
grace, ease and confidence. A TUT of tho war
.caele's plume surmOunted his head, proudly
raiscd and thrown back 4Ftile hrs finely ttcs
vciopcd Ghost Etbod out like aAat Of glsaia-
tor,A. With tightenod rein he held his hora0El
head,cIasa to his chest; and using the spur
frOclyy rsnsed The snimal's fiery bleod,, until
lSfce fakes cf foam Dew from bis laws his
"-4,