The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1852-01-08

| ,s"'c 49, oSyOtolLu NuVSS csuoo w
like that Of a gladiator's. With tightene
rein he held his horses head close to h
chest, aud using the spur freely, reused lh
animals fiery blood until large fakes O
foam flew from his jaws, his nostr!s dia
ted, and his eyes looked ready to sprin
from their sockets.
| After making the circuit, he suddenl
reined in his horse, and the two stood mc
tionless, as il carved ia granite, some hun
Idred yards in advance of where we remain
ed stationary to watch tho result aud SCI
fair play. There was not, however, as
subsequently, learned, the slightest appre
hension Of treachery, as in these combats
which, although rare between members .
rival tribes, are occasionally INDUCED in
the strictest faith is kept with the term,
on which they are fought.
The piebald horse with the bearer Of ,h'
lance, on which small red flag fattered
now darted from the body Of hor SEINE,
drawn up closely in tho distance, and ma
king corresponding circle with Black
Wolf, drew mp in the same way opposite Il
him; and they appeared for few bre
seconds, 10 be eyeiug each other with in
tent far from charitable.
| As il moved be common impulse, boil
lrove the butt ends Of their lances into tht
ground, and then raising their rifles from
their thighs, dashed forward and fired Al
The moment Of passing each other. sonf
fifteen 10 twenty PAGES apart. Wheihe
the bullets fattened, or were rendered
harmless agains, the tough shields Of bnf
flo hides which we're suspended arount
heir necks, or whether they flew wide o
heir marks, cannpt tell but, for aught
coald see, no harm was done.
Dropping their reins 10 take aim, THEN
horses carried them unchecked 10 within 4
few wards Of where the respective par,ie'
| If Cages and Pawnees were posted. In
iced, room had TO be given 10 the Pawnec
chief, who came with such a rush towards
rs ms to threaten to upset handful Of the
| foremost Of The spectators, among whom, n:
,here was no danger TO be apprehended,
had placed myself. There was little op
pnrtunity to examine him. hut he was esl.
IDENTITY of much less stature than Black
Wolf, and possessed none Of the fire anc
noble bearing which characterized The chic
Of the Osages. lie seemed equipped il,
precisely the same way, and was equally
devoid Of The smalies, article Of attire. Y
however, his personal attractions fell shar
If those Of his antagonist, his hprsemanshiI
,nd manner Of using his weapons appear
I'd in every way equal to him. Snatchin!
ap his reins, he checked the animal, an'
brough, him round as turned upon "a piv
d, and then adjusting bis rifle with rap
id movement, he drew nh arrow from hi
lguiver. aud with bended bow; swept 10
wards Back Wolf like an eagle sto5pn!
upon his prev.
But the Osage, knowing the expertnes
,f the enemy with whom he had to deal
vas prepared in like mnnner; and as ,he'
me, about midway between the planted
lanccs, their barbed weapons were drawn
10 their heads, and whiz they wen, at ia,
same moment. with barely dozen feet in
ter, ening between them. A, close quar
iers such as these, and with marksmen "
unrivalled skill. il was barei, possible ,h3
hey should miss each other; bat thei
b lcbler received the arrows and both tn
| vrriors as vet rem ined unscaihed.
The short bows being easier TO manag
h n the rifles round the, turned their har
ses as soon as the arrows were discharged
and again they swept in the same course
with their bows prepared as if BY mlglc 10
the bout. In this the second turn, th'
Pswnee chief was not so fortunate; for a
he came towards us perceived strean
,f blood irickling down his bride-arm, ih,
rrow having passed through the flesh,
part Of his shoulder, ripping it upwards
~, M, banging in the wound. Blaci
W If also met with a wound in the breas
| rom the Pawn~e's arrow being buried al
most 10 the ienlher in his shield; and nj
Though thus greatly spent in the force witt
winch i, wrs driven, it carved deep, jag
ged cash in hi. righ, side, from which tb'
b'nod fawed repiansls.
| With increasing excitement the two nov
rode al each other, delivering their arrow
as fast as they could turn horses, and il ap
oe1red TO be point to endeavor TO ge,
ish,, without receiving one in return. Bi
so well matched were thev both in the ski
of managing their horses and use of the
weapons, that neither could obtain this nd
vantage, 10 spite Of the most strenuous ex
ertinns.
The bodies Of the two chiefs becam,
crimson with gore from the number Of flesh
wounds which each received; but as We
no mortal one had been given, and iron
the care observed in protecting the bod,
bv means Of the shields. and lying along
the backs Of their horses, so as to presen
10 view as little Of their persons us posi-
BILE, there was no great probability OF .hes'
weapons terminating the fight.
At length Black VOLTS last arrow wa
shot, and ns his enemy came towards him
he held up bis boy 10 signify that bis qnle
er was exhausted. In mnment the Paw
nee turned his horse. and gall"ping hac
10 where hejhad planted his lance, plucke
it from the ground and couched il bv hi
%ide. Nothing 10th 10 initiate his examp'.
Black Wolf grasped his lance, and wlho''
moments breathing time, the prgn,ciou
f;,cs sp,rred their hot and impatient horse
again to combat, and as they did sc
thoughts Of tilt and tournament fitted n
cross nv mind, albeit nv attention wa
absorbed beyond description in the pendin