, 1852-09-25

N'Y'S ~ no SAS9'I duu using Tue spar freely,
roused the oaima's fiery blood until large
Fakes Of foam flew from his Jaws, his nos,
trils dlated, and his eyes looked ready 10
spring from their sockets.
After MAXIM; the circuit, he suddenly
reigned in his horse, and the two stood mo-
fionless, as ifcarved from grniie, some hun,
dred yards in adyace Of where we remain
ed stationary 10 watch the result and see
lair play. There was not however, as |
subsequently, learned, the slightest appre.
hension for treachery, as in these coln6ats,
which, although rare between members oi
flgal tribes, are occasionally INDUCED in,
zoe sirictest faith is kept with the terms on
'c{bioh they are foughi.
The piebald horse with The bearer Of The
lance, On which small red flag flultered,
now darled from the body of horsemen
drawn up closely in the distance, and ma,
king a corresponding circle with Back
Wolf, drew up in the same way opposite 10
him, and they appeared few brief seconds,
TO be eying each other with intent far from
charitable.
As moved by a common impulse, both
drove the butt ends Of their lances into the
ground, and then raising their rifles from
their thighs, dashed forward and fired at
the moment Of passing each other, some
fifteen or twenty PAGES apart Whether the
bullets fattened or were rendered harmless
against the tough shields Of buffalo hides
which were suspended round lheir ne cks,
or whether they flew wide Of their marks,
eonnot tell; but, for aught could see, no
harm was done.
Dropping their reins 10 take aim, their
horses carried them unchecked 10 within a
few yards Of where the respective parties
OF Osages and PawnePs were posted. In
deed, room had to be given to the Pawnee
chief, who came with such a rush towards
ur as 10 threaten TO upset handful of the
foremost Of the spectators, among whom, as
there was no danger TO be apprehended, ]
had placed myself on the Sluabby Niger.
There was little opportunity 10 examine him
clos ly but he was evidently Of much less
statue than Black Wolf, and possessed none
Of that fire and noble bearing which charac-
lerized the chief the Osages. He seemed
equipped in precisely the sane way, and
was equally devoid Of the smallest article Of
attire. Ii however, his personal attractions
leli short Of that of his antagonist, his horse-
mauship, and manner Of using his weapons
appeared in every way equal 10 him. Snatch
ipg up his reins he checked the animal, and
brought him round as ifiurned upon pivot,
and then adjusting his. rifle, with a rapid
movement, he drew an arrow from his
quiver, and, with bended bow, swept to-
wards Black Wolf like an eagle swooping
upon his Prey.
B1l,the'Oage, knowing The experiness
Iof he enemy, with whom he had 10 deal,
was prepared in like manner, and as they
met about midway between the planted
lances, their barbed weapons were drawn to
their heads, and whiz they went at the same
moment with barely dozen feet interven
ing between them. At close quarters such
as these, and with marksmen OF unrivallSd
skill, il was barely possible that they should
miss each other but their bucklers receiv-
ed the arrows, and both the warriors as yet
remained unscaihed.
The short bows being easier to manage
thar their rifles, round they turned their
horses as soon as their arrows were dis
charged, and again they swept in the same
couIse, with iherbows prepared as fby mag
ic for the bout. In his second turn the Paw
nee chief was not 80 fortunate; for as he
came towards Us ] perceived a stream Of
blood trickling down bis bride arm, the ar
row having passed through The aesty part
Of bis shoulder, ripping il upwards, but not
hanging 10 the wound. Black Wolf also
met with wound in the breast from the
Pawnee's arrow being buried almost 10 the
feather in his shield and although thus
greatly spent in the l0rco with which il was
driven. it carved a deep jagged cash in his
right eide, from which the blood flowed co
piously.
With increased excitement the two now
rode al each other, delivering their arrows
as fast as they could turn their horses, and
II appeared to be a point to endeayor to get
a shot without receiving one in return
But so well matched were they both in the
skill Of managing their horses and use Of
their weapons, that nriiher could obtain this
advantage, in spite Ofthe most Strenuous ex-
eTlions.
The bodies Of the two chiefs became Grim
son with gore from the number of flesh
wounds which each had received but as
yet no mortal one had BEEN given. and from
the care observed in protecting the body by
means Of the shields, and LAYING along The
bacEe If fheir hnreee 81 as 10 nrcenut to
view as little Of their persons as possible,
there was no great probability Of iheso
weapons terminating the fight.
Al length Black WolPs last arrow was
shot, and as his enemy came towards him,
he held mp his bow to signify that his quiv,
er was exhausted. In a mo=aent the Paw
nee turned his horse AID galloping back to
where he had planted his lance, plueked It
from the ground aud couched IL by bis sidr.