Vicksburg weekly herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1868-1883, 1870-06-18
A STORY.

THRILLING STORY.
Thirteen Braves and Five
SquaWS Carried over the Falls
Of the YeIIOWstOne.
A correspondent of the Helena
(Montana) Herald thus describes
"a thrilling scene on the Yellow
stone river: After nearly three
hours sharp riding We came upon
the band, and in such a manner
as TO cause us some surprise,
about midway in the stream, where
could be seen a hastily constructed
raft, composed Of driftwood joined
together by thongs made Of buck
skin and buffalo robes. Upon this
strange craft were seen in the
center thirteen braves, while five
squaws were essaying to paddle
the unwieldly craft 70 the opposite
shore, with pieces Of bark as sub
stitutes 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 being, incapable Of action.
AT Il glance we could see that they
were gradually going down stream
despite the efforts OF the squaws,
and although our senses for the
moment forsoo6 us. the sharp
crack Of a rifle and the yell OF u
"sheep.eater' told that the equ0-
nimity Of our Grow guide was
well preserved. At this juncturc
Pierre Bernard shouted out, "For
Gods sake boys, don't murder
them; they are bound to 60 over
the falls We looked, and n sight
met our gaze which was fcarfully
impressive.
The raft having been caught in
an eddy, no vestige of it was TO
be seen, it having sunk several
inches below the surface, and the
Indians seemed to he like 50 many
weird spirits floating on the rush.
ing waters. One OF the Indians
rose, and bending his bow shot
our Crow through the arm. The
shot was returned, and again o
yell Of pain was heard proceeding
from 4 ''sheep.eater.' Bernard
then told the Grow, in his own dia.
lcct, to stop firing, but he paid no
attention to the command. Again
he raised his rifle, but a lariat
skillfully thrown by Pierre held
him fast. The scene now present.
ed was one which those who wit.
messed will not forget to their
dying day,
The mid channel in which they
were now swiftly gliding down,
seemed to he clear OF distractions
while on either side jagged rocks
peered out from the foaming va.
ter. When about fly Yards ho.
low where we were standing, an
old Indian arose and stood erect
in the centre OF q circle Of braves.
lie spoke Il few words, turned his
face toward the sun, and seemingly
babe 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 sub.
merged raft, and commenced pull.
ing out their long tresses, in the
meantime screaming and bowling
more like demons than human be.
ings.
Indians seated in the circle
shook hands and then commenced
wailing their always mournful
death song. Nearer, nearer, they
approached the fearful abyss; still
not a movement was perceptible
on the part of the braves. They
sat as immovable as statues, and
did not quake with fear at the APP
proach Of the King of Terrors.
As they shot swiftly down the
stream, our party instinctively
our hats while looking at
and l doubt if there was
one, except the Grow, who did not
show signs Of visible emotion.