, 1852-09-25
The Indian FIGHT.


time 10 time, giving vent to the most dis.
cordant cries, which met a ready response
on the part Of the enemy in their war
whoop Of defiance. II seems, indeed, nee
essasry for the savage, when going 10 fight,
to excite his courage by shouts and wells,
and these primitive means are edoubiless pro-
ductiye Of corresponding effect with the
white warriors drum and spirit stirring fife.
With as noble bearing as a knight of
old when about 10 tilt for bis gladys love"
Black Wolf sat upon bis horse and led The
van as became a chief Of the Osages. With
that love Of display, which is an innate
passion with the Indians, he pulled his
horses neck into a curve, and, keeping a
pair OF antique Spanish rowels pricbing
against his fink, proudly eurveted him at
The head of his troop " "triined ike youn.
ker prancing TO his love-"
We had now approached so near 10 the
Pawnee band that momentariy expected
to see them sweep towards US as in Indian
warfare neither side wait with that cool
ness, which well disciplined courage can
only lnculcate, 10 receive the others charge,
and each brave is free 10 fight on his own
plan, or any mode which the impulse oflhe
moment may direct.
Much, however, 10 my surprise solitary
warrior singled himself from his party, and,
with something white flying at the head of
a lance, approached US 4. foot-pace The Osa-
ges Instantly checked their horses 10 the
command Of their chief, and unattended be
rode forward 10 meet the the messenger of
peace.
| may here remark upon the sagularily
that the flag Of lruce-a piece of white buf-
ialo skin-should be adopted by those sons
Of the wild similar in color to our Own.-
The copy, doubtless, was taken from the
pale-iaces upon learning that the emblem
met with such inviolabe respect bat the
Indians deny this, and avow that their faith
ers regarded It as a signal of peace, long
before the geart canoes came across the
Great Lake. In support oflhis it is worthy
of observation that The skin Of the white
bufialo--a most rare priz1-is held in greal
reverence by them.
The Conference was brief between the
Pawnee and Black Wolf and the latter,
riding back to where we stood watching
their movements, with an interest easier to
be conceived than described, informed bis
brothers in arms that the PaWnee chieTwaS
willing to settle the fight in single combat.
and that he himself would meet either or
The Usage braves Who might be chosen
champion Of his nation.
This plucky challenge created the wild
est commoiion among the aspiring warriors
Of our party, and so NUMEROUS were the vol
unleers, aud urgent tleir claims 10 have the
honor assigned them, That unless Black
Wolf had settled the connection by claim
lug II loI himself, ii is Car from improbable
that a new division might have arisen in
muIiny against bis orders. There was no
dispuiiug, however, this right Of the chief
10 take precedence Of all but the opinions
Of many veered 70 the opposite poini, con.
cerning the policy Of the measure, when
ihey'iound thai they wore to take no share
10 the glory. The greater number urged
the expediency Of a general fight, alleging
that we we're stronger lhln 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 pru-
dental modvrs or a desire 10 crafty bis
own vanity, decided 10 accept the challenge
on the terms on which il was sent, and
agreed that the horse and accou,remeuts Of
the vanquished should become The prize o.
the couqueror, which he was iotalle unmo>
Tested possession Of in the presence Of the
respective parties.
These preliminaries being adjusted, the
arms Of Black Wolf were now carelully ex-
amined by his companions, who threw asidsA
all Jealousy The moment the question was
settled. One took his lanes aud ried the
soundness Of the shaft by bending it SO as
the two euds nearly met. Another thrum-
med bis bowslrings, while several changed
their best arrows for those in his qniyer
which appeared defective. The touch.
hole Of bis rife was prcked and reprimcd,
and even his knife and lomahawk under
went careful scutiny. The honor Of the ma
ton was at stake, and The breast Of each in
dividual present seemed to burn with pari.
otic pride and soicitude for the event
which was 10 decide the fate Of the Usage
or Pawnee-chief.
All being in rea iiness, Black Wolfdash>
ed his spurs into his horses sides, and,
bringing him upon his launches, by way of
a start, g'dloped in a wide circle before us
for the combined purposes OF exhibiting
himself, and announcing Ia the enemy that
he was ready for the strife
Nothing nobler Can pictured to the in.
aginailon than the rpperanee Of the chief
as naked as when he came into the world,
with the exception Of his arms slung across
MS shoulders, he sat upon his plugging and
steed excited with grace, eass, md conf.
donee. A tuf Of he war-eagle's plume
slgmounied his,hfad proudly raised and