The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-06-18
Eighteen znaians Carried Over the Falls
3 or tho YelioWstone.

Eighteen zndians CarrIed Over the Falls
or tho Ycllowstone.
a correspondent of the Helena (Mon.
tgna) Herald thus describes o thrilling
Tcene on the Yellowstone River:
: After nearly three hours sharp riding,
We came upon the band. and in such q
manner IA to cause US some surprise,
about midway in the stream, where
could be seen a hastily constructed raft,
,composed of drift-wood joined together
by thongs mado of buckskin and buffalo
robes. Upon this strange craft were
seen in the centre thirteen braves, while
five squaws were essaying to paddle the
unwieldy craft to the opposite shore,
with pieces of bark us substitutes for
paddles. Our pack-horses were in the
river, as also were the Indian ponies.
Four OF the latter reached the opposite
shore.
This strange sight bursting upon our
view, rendered us, for the time 6aipg,
incapable of action. At glance. we
could see that they were gradually going
down stream, despite the efforts OF the
squaws, and although our senses for the
moment forsook us. tho sharp crack of n
rifle and the yell of 'Sheep- eater" :"
told that the equanimity of our Grow
guide was we'll preserved. At this juno
ture, Pierre Bernard shouted out, "For
Gods sake, boys, don't murder them;
they are bound to go over the falls." We
looked, and sight met our gaze which
was fearfully impressive.
The raft having been caught in an
eddy, not vestige of it was to be seen,
1T having sunk several inches below the
surface, and the Indians seemed to be
like so many wierd spirits floating on
the rushing waters. One y" the Indians
rose, and bending his DOW, shot our
Grow through the arm. The shot was
returned, and again yell of pain was
heard proceeding from ''Shcep- eater. :"
Bernard then told the Grow, in his own
dialect, to stop firing, but he paid no
attention to the command. Again, he
raised his rifle, but q lariat skillfully
thrown by Pierre, held him fast. The
scene now presented was one which those
who Witnessed, will not forget to their
dying day.
The mid channel iu which they were
now swiftly gliding down seemed to be
clear OF Instructions, while on either
side jagged rocks peered out from the
ifoaming, water. When about fifty yards
below where we were standing, M old
Indian arose and stood erect in the
centre of circle of braves. He spoke
few words, turned his face towards the
sun, and seemingly bado it farewell; then
wrapping his robe around him, he sat
down. The squaws Immediately flung
their pieces of bark into the river, threw
themselves on the submerged raft, and
commenced pulling out their long
tresses, in the meantime screaming and
bowling more like demons than Luman
beings.
Indians seated in the circle shook
heads, and then commenced wailing
their always mournful death song.
Nearer. nearer they approached the
fearful abyss; still not movement was
perceptible on the part of the braves.
They sat as immovablc rs statues, and
did not quake with fear Mt the near ap-
proach of the King of Terrors. AS
they shot swiftly down the stream, our
party instinctively raised our hats while
looking ut them, and I doubt if there
was one, except the Crow, who did not
show signs of visible emotion.
How singular, was it not? Before lis
were our enemies, who but short time
ago we would have gladly killed in n
fight. but now whose near approach to
death touches our very hearts with
mingled feelings Of tenderness, sorrow
and pity. a few moments, and wonder
ful to state, the raft, without losing n
single piece, goes intact, with its freight
of life over the awful brink and into the
mouth of death.
We turn from the spot with indescri-
bable feelings. AS we take our last look
Mt the treacherous stream, where eighteen
mortals passed from life to death, we
discern lowering over the fatal precipe
two large eagles, whose screams rasonnd
above the noise of the waters. The
roar OF the cataract and the eagles
screams--what a fit requiem for these
departed red children!
sGerty, my DEAR" said Sabbath
School teacher, to one Of her class, "you