Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-12-05
, Tournoment In the wrdcrncss.

'Enrn II seems indeed, necessary for the savage.
hn going to fight, to excite his courage by shouts
va yelIs and these primitive means are doubtless pro-
! ,o,;ve Of corresponding effect with the white war
ror's drum and spirit stirring Tile
with as noble bearing knight of old when
bn 10 ill, for his ladye's love-" Black Wolf sat up
IN his horse and led the van, as became chief OF the
on GUS With that love for display, which is in
Oao nasson with the Indian he pulled his horses
'ok into curve and keeping per OF antique Span
sb rowes prcking against his flank, proudly curveed
him at the head of his troop, rImmd like younker
financing 10 his love
+ We had now approached to the Pawnee
hod that momentary expected to see them sweep
towards us; as in Indian warfare neither SIDE wall
;,b that cooness which we'll disciplined courage can
rlv incucae 10 receive the others charge, and each
brave is free TO fight on his own plan, or any mode
which the impulse of the moment may direct.
Much however, to my surprise, solitary warrior
singled himself from his party, and with something
white flying at the head of lance, approached al a
foot mace The Osages instantly checked their horses
to the command of their chief and unattended he rode
forward to meet the messenger OF peace.
NAV here remark upon the snguarlty tn the nag
of truce-a piece of white buffalo skin-should be a
dop,ed BY these of the wilderness, similar ID col
or 10 our own. The copy, doubtless, was taken from
the male faces on learning that the emblems met with
sucb nvolable respec but the Indians deny ns avow
that their fathers regarded as signal tor peace long
before the great came across the Great Lake
In support of this is worthy of observation that
the skin OF the white bufalo-a most rare prlZe-is
held in great reverence by them.
The conference was brief between The Pawnee and
Black Wolf and the latter, riding back 20 where we
stood watching their movements, with an interest ca
to be conceived than described, informed his broth
es in arms that the Pawnee chief willing to set
tie the fight in single combat, and that he himself
would meet either of the Usage braves who might be
the chosen champion of his nation.
This plucky challenge created the widest commo
ton among the aspiring warriors of our party. and
humorous the volunteers. and urgent their claims
to have the honor assigned to them that unless Black
Wolf had settled the contention by claiming it for
himself it is far from improbable that diversion
might have arisen in mutny against his orders There
was no disputng. however, the right of the chief 10
take precedence OF ALL but the opinions of many veer
ed to the opposite point concerning the policy OF the
measure, when they found that they 10 take no
share in the glory. The greater number urged the
pediency of a general fight alleging that were
stronger than the enemy, and should capture all their
horses and skins, with which they were laden like
ourselves in addition to pretty haul OF invaluable
scalps.
Black Wolf, however, either from prudential mo-
tives or desire to crafty his vanity, decided tc
accept the challenge on the terms which it was
SENT and agreed that the horse and accoutrements OF
the vanquished should become the prize of the con
queror, which he 10 take unmocsted possession
of in the presence OF the respective parties,
These preliminaries being adjusted the o
Black Wolf were now carefully examined by his com
panions who threw aside all jealousy the moment the
question settled. One took his lance and triec
the soundness of the shaft by bending it so the two
ends nearly met. Another thrummed his bowsrng
while several changed their best for those il
his culver which appeared defective. The touch ho
of his rifle pricked and reprinted, and even hi
knife and tomahawk underwent careful scrutiny
The honor OF the nation was at stake, and the breas
of each individual present seemed TO burn with pa
trotic pride and solicude for the event which was
decide the fate of the Usage or Pawnee chief.
All being in readiness, Black Wolf dashed his spur
into his horses sides, and bringing him upon hi
launches by way of start, galloped in wide circl
before for the combined purposes of exhibiting him
SELF and announcing to his enemy that he was read
for strife.
Nothing nobler be pictured to the imagination
than the appearance of the chief, naked he cam
into the world, with the exception of his stun
across his shoulders, he sat upon his plunging an
excited steed with grace, ease and confidence tuft
the war eagles plume surmounted his head, proud
raised and thrown back while his finely developed ches
stood out like that of gadator's. With :ightene
rein he held his horses head close 10 his chest, an
using the spur freely, reused the animals fiery bloc
until large flakes of foam flew from his Jaws, his nos
trils dated, and his eyes looked ready spring roI
their sockets
After making the circuit, he suddenly refined in h
horse and the two stood motionless if carved fro
granite, some hundred yards in advance of where W
remained stationary TO watch the result and see ia
play. There not. however, | subsequent
learned, the slightest apprehension for reachery,
in these combats which, although rare between men
bers of rival tribes, occasionally INDUCED in, II
striCtest faith is kept with the terms which the
are fought
The piebald horse with the bearer of the lance, c
which small red flag futtered now dared from Il
body of horsemen drawn up closely in the distanc
and making corresponding circle with Black Wo
drew up in the same way opposite to him. and the
appeared, for few brief seconds, 10 be eyeng eaC
other with intent far from charitable. AS if moved
common impulse, both drove the butt ends of the
lances into the ground and then raising their riff
from their thighs, dashed forward and fired at the m
ment of passing each other, fifteen TWEEN
PAGES apart. Whether the bullets flatened, or we
rendered harm ess against the tough shields of buff
10 hides which suspended round their neck
whether they flew wide of their marks, cannot tel
but, for aught could see, no harm DONE
Dropping their reins to take aim their horses carrie
them unchecked to within few yards of where Il
respective parties of Osages and Pawnces were pos
ed. Indeed, room had 10 be given to the Pawn
chief, who came with such rush rewards us as
threaten to upset handful Of the foremost of Il
spectators, among whom, there danger
be apprehended had placed myself on the Squab
Niger There was little opportunity to examine hi
cosely but he evidently of much less stau
than Black Wolf, and possessed none of that fire a.
noble bearing which characterised the chief of t
Osages. He seemed equipped in perfectly the sar
way, and was equally devoid of the smallest article
attire II, however, his personal attractions fell sht
of that OF his antagonist in horsemanshp and mann
of using his weapons, he appeared in every way equ
to him. Snatching up his rens he checked the amin
and brought him round as if turned upon pivot, al
then adjusting his rifle with rapid movement,
drew arrow from his culver, and with Bonded bo
swept towards Black Wolf like eagle STOPPING IL