Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-11-27
DESPERATE COMBAT
BETWEEN AN osAGE AND A ApAwNnE CHIEF

'iiNSo vi tue w t5I. NT. NlllIS uCCOIllDu- |
MED party of Usage Indians on grand hunt
ing expedition, in the course of which they acci-
dentally encountered about an equal number Of
Pawnees. Between these two tribes deadly
hostility existed, and on this occasion the beIig
erent parties Immediately placed themselves in
Sighting position, and all was ready tort general
melee, when the following singular occurrence
took place Eclectic.
Much TO my surprise, solitary warrior sin
gied himself from his party, and with something
white flying at the head of lance, approached
us at foot pace. The Osages Immediately check
ed their horses at the command of their chief,
and unllten1ed he rode forward to meet the
messenger of peace
The conference was brief between the Pawnee
and Back Wot aud the latter riding back to
where we stood watching lhcir movements. with
in interest easier 70 b, conceived than descfb
ed, informed his brothers in arms that the Paw
l.e chief was willing II settle the fght in sin
r. conDut, aud that he himself would meet
either of the Usage braves who might be chosen
chlnlpon of his nation.
This plucky challenge created the widest
conmoton among the aspiring warriors Of our
party; and so numerous were the volunteers,
aud urgent their claims to have the honor assign
ed them, that unless Black Wolf had settled the
contention by Caimlng 1t for himself, it is Tar
from Improbable that Il new diversion might have
arisen in mulny against his orders There was
no dsputng, however. the right of the chef to
take precedence of all but the Opinions Of una
ny veered to the opposite point. concerning the
policy of the measure, when they found that they
were 10 take M share in the glory. The greater
numb urged the eXpadlency ola general fight
alleging that We were stOnger than the enemy
and should capture all their horses and skins,
with which they were laden like Ourselves, in ad-
dltlon to pretty hanl Of invaluable scalps.
Black Wolf, however, either from prudential
motives, or a desire to CRAFTY his own vanity
decided to accept the challenge on the terms on
which it was sent, and agreed that the horse and
accouuemens should beco ne the PRIZE IT the
conqneror, which he was to take uunpes,od pos
session Of in the presence OF the respective par
ties.
These pfelimnnries being adjusted the arms
Of Black Wolf we're n1w carefully examined by
his companions, who threw aside all jealousy the
moment the question was settled. One took hl4
la, and frio1 ~ -nuudnocc ,f tho g},,lt M,
bending it so that the two ends nearly met. An.
other thumned his bowstrng, while several
changed their best arrows for those in his quver
which appeared defective. The touch hole OF
Wits xlaee,gas pricled and roprined and even his
knife and tomahawk underwent careful scrutiny
The honor Of the nation was at stake, and The
breast of each individual present seemed to burr
with patriotic pride and sollcilude for tue event
which was to decide the fate of the Usage or
Pawnee chief.
All being in readiness, Back Wolf dasheC
his spurs into his horses sides, and bringing hin
upon his haunches bv way Of start, galopej
into wide circle before US, for the combined
purpose OF exhibiting tunself ad announcing
to his enemy that he was ready for the s,nfe.
Nothing nober can be pictured to the lmagi
nation than the appearance of the chlef, as ,uud
as at his birth, with the exception OF hs arm
slung across his shoulders he sat upon his pung
ing and xcted steed with grace, ease, and con
fdence. lutt OF the war eagles plume sur
mounted his head nroudy raised and throw
back, while his finely developed chest stood on
like that OF trained 9ltdutor's. With tighten
ed rem he held his horses head Close to hi
chest and using the spur freely, reused the AMI
nas fiery bl'oI, unit Ia'ge flakes of loan hey
from his Jaws his no,trlls dlNled. and his eye
, locked ready to sprug tron their sockets,
| After making the circuit, he suddenly RENEE
in his horse, aud the two stood uolouIesg, as
: carved from granite. some hundred yards in al
' vance of where weremained stutl nary to wac
r the result and see fair play. There was Hot
however, as subsequently, learned, the sllghtcs
apprehension of treachery, as in these combats
= which, although rare between members Of riva
tribes, are occasionally lnduIged in, the stricte>
2 faith is kept with the terms on which they ar
fought
The piebald horse with the bearer of the lance
on which a small red flag fute-ed now darte
from body OF horsenen drawn up closely j
l the distance, aud making a corresponding crcl
! from Black Wolf drew up IN the same wa or
e poste to him and they appeared, for few brlt
I seconds, to be eyeng each other with intent ia
5 from charitable.
. As if moved by a common impulse, both drov
E the butt ends of their lances into the ground an
then raising Their rifles from their thighs, d0st
I'd forward and fired at the moment Of passin
. each other, some fifteen to twenty inches apar
A Whether the bullets hattencd, or were Iendere
J, harmless against the tough shields of buffal
: hides which were suspended round their necks
or whether they flew WIDE of their marks, lean
not tell bnt, for aught could see, no hare
: was done.
. Dropping their reins to take ain, their horse
{ carried them unchecked to within lew yards G
where tho respective parties OF Osages and Paw
nees were posted. Indeed, roomhad to be give
TO the Pawnee chief. who came with such rus
towards US as to threaten to upset handful c
= the foremost of the spectators, among whom, a
: there was no danger to be apprehended, ha
placed myself There was little opportunity t
u examine him closely but he was evidently G
u much less stature than Black Wolf, and posses
sed none of that fire and noble bearing whic
> characterized the chief of the Osages. He seem
ed equipped in precisely the same way, an
. was equally devoid of the smallest article Of at
tire. IT, however, his personal attractions fe
short of those of hs antagonist, his hoIsemau
ship and manner of using his weapons appeare
1t in every way equal to him. Snatchlng up HI