Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1851-12-24

way, and was equally dr@oid Of the smallest
article Of attire. II. however, his personal at.
fractions fell short Of those Of his antagonist,
his horsemanship and manner Of using his wea.
pons appeared in every way equal to him.
Snatching up his reins. h. checked the animal,
and brought him round as II upon pivot, and
then adjusting his rife wal. arapd movement,
he drew an arrow from lis CULVER, and, with
bended bow swept towards Black Wolf like an
eagle STOPPING upon his prey,
But the Usage, knowing the expertncss of
the enemy with whom, he ta6 to deal, was pre-.
pared in like manner; asd as they met about
midway between the planted lances, their bar
bed weapons were drawn 10 their heads, and
whiz they went at the same moment with bare
ly dozen feet intervening between them. At
close quarters such Us tks.se. and with marks
-. y unriyalled a ,arely possible
s:s...s -. s... e. xe-kas->,
bucElers received. the AfrQ9ss and both the war
rors as yet remained unscathcd. 81
The short bows being easier to manage than
the rifles, round they turned their horses as
soon as the arrows We're discharged and again
they swept in the same course, with their bows
prepared as IL by magic for the bout. In this,
the second turn, the Pawnee chief was not SO
fortunate; for as he came towards pcrceiveda u
stream OF blood trickling down his bridle.ar
the arrow having passed through the Heshy
part of his shoulder, ripping it upwards, but
not hanging in the wound. Black Wolf also
met with a wound IN the breast from the Paw
nee's arrow being buried almost to the feather
in his shield. and although thus greatly spent
in the force with which it was driven, it carved
deep. jagged cash in his right side, from
which the blood flowed copiously.
With increasing excitement the twonow rode
at each other, delivering their arrows as fast az
they could turn their horses, and it appeared
to he point to endeavor to get shot without
receiving one in return But SO well matched
horses aud use of their weapons, that neither
could obtain this advantage, IN spite Of the
most strenuous cxcrtions.
The bodies of the two chiefs became crimson
with gore from the number Of flesh wounds
which each received; but as yet no mortal one
protecting the body by means of the shields.
and lying along the backs Of their horses, so as
to present to view as little of their persons as
possible there was no great possibility Of these
weapons terminating the conflict.
At length Black VOLTS last arrow was shot,
rJs L.; l,n tolJ
up his bow to signify that his quiver was cx-
haustcd In moment the Pawnec turned his
horse, and galloping BACK to where he had
planted his lance, plucked II from the ground
ard couched it by his side. Black Wolf gras-
ped his lance, and without moments breath
isngsftme, nc pusi( m faos spnrrcd their hot
and impatient horses again to the combat, and
as they did so, thoughts Of tilt and tournament
fitted across my mind. albeit my attention was
absorbed beyond description in the pending
struggle.
With terrific shock the weapons crossed,
and coming against the centre Of tho bucklers,
the tough shafts bent like willow wands. and
the horses were thrown almost upon their
launches. Either from the greater weight Of
the Usage, or the more effective direction of his
lance, the Pawnee was laid fat upon his back.
and as his horse bounded forward, it seemed
impossible that he should regain his perpend.
cular in the saddle; but with an effort which
could be made only by an Indian ,hc flung him
self into his seat, and seizing the rein. turned
with the agility Of cat. ...
II was'one of the fixed rules in these bloody
trays that there should be no time given be.
tween the acts, and that it was to be continued
without let, check or stop, until one of the two
was slain. As soon, therefore, as the horses
could be brought round, their respective riders
re couched their lanccs and dashed at each 9th,
er again with the fury Of contendng tigers. 1t
might have been but the effect of u heated i'm
agination, but as they met fancied heard the
scranch of a lance as it entered the flesh, aud
the same moment the Pawnee chief was flung
as if around shot had bowled him from his seat.
in an instant, however, he was upon his feet,
trying TO clutch the lasso which dangled at his
horses heels; but missing his hold, the animal
made the best Of the opportunity and sped
away with all the icctness he possessed.
Black Wolf now di.mounted, and giving his
horse and lance to Frchy, who rode forward to
receive them, strobe towards the Pawnec chief,
armed only with the knife and tomahawk.
The appearance Of both as they advanced to-
wards each other, was most appalling. From
head to heel they presented one thick mass Of
blood from the numerous wounds which they
had received; but ASH 5nsehsible to pain or
faintncss, each appeared apt as game cocks to
renew the feud.
They now went TO work hand to hand hack
ing at each other with their tomahawks with
deadly fury. and inaictipg now and then most
terrible cuts. As the battle progressed. their
shields became chopped to pieces, and hung in
strips from the surface. while the blows were
showered upon them thick ~ hail.
With that advantage, however, which a big
man possesses in a personal encounter with a
smaller one. provided his courage be not inferi-
or, the odds now became painfully evident In
favor of Black Wolf. Up to the point of the
Pawnee being hurled from his horse, the chan,
ces of the encounter appeared to be pretty
noarly balanced, but when its features became
chanced into stand up fight between man
and man, hand and hand. in sporting phraseol-
ogy, it was a horse to a hay seed. Towering
q l.