St. Charles Republican intelligencer. (St. Charles [Charles City], Iowa) 1856-1857, 1856-08-14
NUMBER 2.

~ ~ AsA-A~-AAAS -
Away they sped with inconceivable
swiftness, Dunstan considerably in
the advance, and the savages scatter
ed over the prairie at all points in the
rear, mad in the pursuit, whooping
like Intervals. AS the chase grew
hotter, the distance was fast increas-
ing between our hero and the main
body Of the pursuers, yet there were .
few as we'll mounted as he, who, if
they gained but little, lost less, For
some time the parties maintained this
relation to each other. 500
To a spectator this would have
been wild and intensely exciting
scene, but to the pursued it was mo-
ment replete with deep anxiety and
dread. They pass over many miles
Of prairie; they leap running
streams they clear at single
bound, with their steeds, any obstacle
that may present,-onward and on
they dash with unabated speed.
Dunstan has distanced them all
save three chiefs, upon powerful
steeds, which are match even for
Bayard. The ground grows less firm
and softer at each step. They are on
the borders of a morass, and now the
brawny sachems are fast gaining.
They are within rife shot. With
out slackening his pace, Dunstan turns
partially in the saddle, and brings the
deadly weapon to his face-his eye
glances for an instant along the heavy
barrel, and there is fash followed
by quick, sharp report. es
An Indian falls to the earth, and his
frightened steed dashes off in anoth-
er direction. A yell indescribably
dreadful rises simultaneously from the
enraged savages, who redouble their
exertions to urge their now faltering
horses along. With hunters dex-
terity he reloads his piece and repeats
the operation; which is attended with
the same success. Annother chief
bites the dust. Nothing more truly
fearful can be imagined than the dem
onstrations of fury that break forth at
the instant. Even our hero's blood
grows chilly in his veins at this un-
earthly bowling, which tells him plain
ly he can hope for no mercy if he falls
into their hands.
He is again charging his rife when.
to his dismay, the fore feet of Bayard
sink deep in the morass, and all his
efforts to extricate himself are abor-
tive. The other sachem who is in ad-
vance of the rest, in another moment
is upon him with uplifted tomahawk.
Clubbing his weapon, he beats the In
dian to the ground with well aimed
blow, and prepares to defend himself
against the numbers fast coming upon
him, determined to sell his life as
dearly as possible. With desperate
energy he defends himself for while,
beating down all those who come
within his reach. As last resort, he
seized his pistols and blew out the
brains Of savage who was about to.
dash out his own with a tomahawk.. /.
In another moment he was overpow-
cred by Overwhelming numbers. To
bind, and place him upon horse was
the work of few minutes. He would.
have been slain at once by the exasp- /
Grated savages had it not been for, the:
interposition Of a chief, who spared,
him for more refined crueltiesa For 5
many days they continued their
way toward the Rocky Mountains.
Dunstan being treated with the great
est rigor by his captors. At length,
they reached an Indian village where
the disagreeables of his situation
were nothing ,eXtenuated, but to thes
contrary trebly increased. They were
met by the squaws and youths on
their approach, who took the greatest
pleasure in offering every insult to the
prisoner that they could devise. The.
sachems met in solemn conclaye to-
debate on what should be the fate Of /.
the prisoner. The council fire was
lighted, and an old grey-headed chief,
the hero of many fights, thus harangu-.
ed them, showing, the while, anything
but equanimity Of temper :: ,gf.f
"Brothersl the wings of the war
eagle have been clipped. The dog
has brought shame upon the Blackfeet
braves, He has slain the chiefs who
were swift of foot, and strong in bat
tie. The white man is brave, but let .
him die The spirit of the. red man.
calleth for blood, and his squaw weeps
in the deserted lodge. Give them
blood that they may go in peace to
the happy hunting ground Tho
Great Spirit is angry. He will not
be appeased until the pale face die.
Let him perish, or wash the scarl paiak
from the face Of the young braves. /
have spoken" The old warrior seat
ed himself amid the applauding shouts
Of the assembled braves /; while knives
started from their sheaths, tomahawks
were brandished in the air. Let the
pale face die. We shall see if he can:
meet death like red warrior--if milk
circulates in his veins or blood" For
Dunstan, this was trying moment,
as may be imagined. To escape was
out Of the question, hence all that .rer,
NAMED was to meet his fate with
manly fortitude. ad aaa 1f
1t required iron nerves to initiate