The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1872-03-19

again.
Next came the task of casting lots for
the post of peril. We began to realize
That blood was to be she'd. 1t was a
solemn moment, for no one could pre-
dict the result of the encounter. Indi.
ana tore up one of his mothers letters,
and plainly writing each mans name up
on one OF the slips, placed them all in a
hat together. Texican was then blind
folded and deputied to draw for us :;
whoevers name was on the slip he pick
ed out was to be our champion. He
drew his own.
'It's all right, boys" said he, when
the result was ascertained. "You
couldn't please me better" Further
than this he said nothing.
Then ensued long and awkward ST.
lence, for we all haG our misgivings.-
When our dinner was ready,ws dispatch
ed it quickly, smoked few moments
without conversation, and then reticent.
ly mounted our ponies.
On arriving at the designated battle
ground we found several hundred Osa-
ges awaiting us, all armed and painted,
and most Of them entirely naked, with
the exception of breech-cloths. Two
lances were stuck into the turf about
ten PAGES apart-these indicated the po-
sitions of the contestants We were
received with neither friendship nor hos
tile demonstrations. AS soon as we dis
mounted, Texican, rifle in hand, walked
calmly forward to the nearest lance and
halted. In few moments tall young
brave stepped out of the crowd and
stalked proudly up to the other. l was
appointed to give the necessary signals.
In order to disturb the accuracy of aim
as little as possi BILE, l was ordered to
stand half way between them, and two
PAGES back from The line of fire. There
was no danger Of being hit by such
marksmen as they were. In my right
hand l held lance, from the point of
which dangled red flannel streamer /;
when 1 raised it they were to aim, and
when l lowered it theywere to fire.
And then we waited for Red Cloud,
the chief of the tribe 1t was an i'm
pressive scene. Texican leaned his
shaggy chin upon his hands, on the
mnzzle of his long rife, and with a
CLEAN of malicious triumph glared
tiercely across at his foe. He was reck-
less of his own life, and felt sure of his
prey, for his aim was death The young
Indian seemed to read lis thoug hts; but
standing erect, with graceful and
careless indifference, gazed dreamily off
to the southwark, where the long blue
lines of timber were lost in the misty
beauty of the horizon. His eyes soon
softened with tinge of pensive sadness
Was he thinking OF the happy hunting
grounds? The other four members of
our party stood in a cluster e little to
the left Of Texican,and narrowly watch
ed all that transpired, for the American
savage is proverbially treacherous.
Presently Red Cloud emerged from a
rude lodge near by, and clad in long
robe of furs, moved with stately pres
ence TO the front line of his people,
With dignifed wave Of his hand, he
lsignifed his pleasure that the tragedy
should begin. Each principal recalled
his thoughts, examined the tube of his
rife, and nodded to me. l rsised tie
lance, they sternly took aim. I lower
ed the lance Quickly, and two sharp re-
ports followed. The young warrior
sprang wildly in the air, flung his weap-
on fully twenty feet away, and dropped
dead at his post. The bullet had crash:
ed through his brain. Texican thudded
the butt of lis rife on the ground, and
gave vent to hoarse, mocking and half
demonic cry of triumph and revenge
ther he tried to steady himself with his
weapon, but staggered helplessly back
ward Herndon and Indiana ran up, and
caught him in their arms. His red shirt
rapidly deepened in hue, and dreadful
alarm seized US. Still he laughed hoarse-
ly, and tried to point to the melionless
corpse of his adversary. We hurriedly
gathered around him, and tenderly as
children laid him down upon the soft
green grass. Tearing open his shirt,
we found bright scarlet spot on his
left breast, close to his heart None Of
us were versed in surgety we could not
state in scientific terms just what par
ticular veins and ligaments had been
severed, but We knew by the location of
the wound, and by his parched lips and
pallid cOuntenance, that death was upon
him.
Its all day with me, boys" he faint
ly said, for he was growing much weak
er every moment: "but I've paid 'em
handsomely for it. Give my rifle to
Colton-I always liked him
We bent over the poor fellow with
words of sympathy for his pain and
praise for his valor, and our enemies
might have shot us all down without
our knowing it. But it was Of no use.
His breath quickly came and went -
"Water," at length he groaned. We
had none and there was not brook
within half a mile. An Indian girl COM
pretended our want, ran to the lodge
and in moment returned with skin
full. We placed the cooling fluid 10 his
burning lips, and he took long
draught, but it choaked him and he
vomited up q handful of bright, Grim
son blood. We had seen too many men
perish not to know by this that the lead
had penetrated his vitals. He was
bleeding internally. AS soon as he
could clear his throat to speak, he said
feebly, and almost breathlessly:
"Don't try to revenge me, boys. Hon
or bright. They have done the fair
thing with us, and you act the man with
them. You're to cross the river, and
I'll. Don't forget the Texican. y
The last of the words were rendered al
most unintelligible by the blood that
gurgled up into his throat. A film
seemed to gather over his eyes.
Where are my friends? Don't leave
me to die alone, boys, he moaned with
great effort, clutching blindly at US.
"We're with Yon to the last, old
friend" answered. Cotton, grasping his
right hand. l caught the other We
may have been ,faint-hearted lot, but