The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1872-03-21

''getting the thing into shape;" and
: we all cordially agreed to it, Ben
arose and mOtiOned to the envoy
tance was shortened 70 ten PAGES. He
: also stated that the contest would be
expected that the contest would con-
tinue until one of the principals was
killed, and that knives and tOma-
hawks must be allowed to be used
after the discharge Of the rifles.
THAT'S pretty close quarters, boys -
commented Ben, 81 got a slug once
on just such q time table. But
guess it's all right, though. They
know they can't shoot with US. Let's
give the poor devil a chanceD
To this We all assented. For the
tOmahawk provision we cared nothing
We knew the first shot would settle
the matter one way other The mes
senger then went on TO say that the
warriors of the tribe would be assem-
bled to meet US in one hour, at the
crest of lofty eminence, which he
pointed out to US, about half a mile
distant-we to be punctually on hand;
and he galloped off again.
Next came the task Of casting lots
for the post of peril. We began to re-
aliZe that blood was to be shed. It
was a solemn moment, for no one
could predict the result of the encoun-
ter. Indiana tore up one of his moth
er's letters, and plainly writing each
mans name upon the slips, placed
them all in a hat together. Texican
was then blindfOlded and deputied to
draw for US: whOever's name was on
the slip he picked out was to be
our champion. He drelO his OlCH.
otis all right, boys" said he, when
the result was ascertained. "YOu
couldn't please me better.n Further
than this he said nothing.
Then ensued a long and awkward
silence, for we all had our misgivings.
When dinner was ready We Dispatch
ed it quickly, smoked few moments
That nude parsonage gravely rode up,
received our reply with stolid de-
cOrum, and was out Of sight in a min
ute.
"We'd better load up in the mean
time, boys" remarked Indiana; 'for
if it don't suit 'em, they'll be after us
in short order"
The idea was voted "not badU and
we not only charged our rifles and re-
volvers, but flung our logs together in
such a manner as to form an efficient
! defense, if required. Herndon then
kindled fire, procured water, and COM
menced cooking dinner. In about
twenty minutes the envoy returned.
! Our proposition had met with great
favor, he briefly informed US, but
would not be accepted unless the dis
| without conversation, and then re
/ ticently mounted our ponies.
On arriving at the designated battle
ground we found several hundred
Osages 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 positions of the COM
batants. We were received with
neither friendship nor hostile demon
STATIONS. As soon as we dismOunted
| Texican, rifle in hand, walked calmly
| forward to the nearest lance and halt
ed. In a few moments a tall young
brave stopped out of the crowd and
stalked proudly up to the other. I
was appointed to give the necessary
signals. In order to disturb the ac-
curacy Of aim as little as possible, /
was ordered to stand half way be-
tween 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 1 held
lance, from the pOinl of which dan
gled a red flannel streamer, when 1
raised it they were to aim, and when
1 lowered it they were to fire.
And then we waited for Red Cloud, |
the chief of the tribe. 1t was an inn
preSsive scene. TeXican leaned his
shaggy chin upon his hands, on the
muzZle of his long rife, and with a
gleam of malicious triumph glared |
fiercely across at his foe. He was
reckless of his own life and felt sure of |
his prey, for his aim was death. The |
young Indian seemed to read his |
thoughts; but standing erect, with a |
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 |
a tinge of pensive sadness. Was he |
thinking of the happy hunting |
grounds? ? The other four members of |
our party stood in a cluster 4 little to |
the left OF TeXican, and narrowly /
watched ali that transpired, for the |
American savage is prOverbially |
treacherOus.
Presently Red Cloud emerged from
a rude lodge near by, and clad in a /
long robe of furs, moved with a stately |
presence to the front line of his peO- |
pie. With a dignified wave of his
hand, he signified his pleasure that
the tragedy should begin. Each prin-
cipal recalled his thoughts, examined |
the tube of his rife, and nodded to me. |
I raised the lance, they sternly took |
aim. l lowered the lance quickly,
and two sharp reports followed.
The young warrior sprang wildly in
the air, flung his weapon fully twenty |
feet away, and dropped dead at his
post. The bullet had crashed through /
the brain. Texican thudded tire butt
of his rifle on the ground, and gave
vent to a hOarse, mOcking and half
demOniac cry Of triumph and revenge;
then he tried to steady himself with
his weapon, but staggered helplessly
backward. Herndon and Indiana ran
up, and caught him in their arms.
His red shirt rapidly deepened in hue,
aud a dreadful alarm seized US. Still
he laughed hoarsely, aud tried to point
to the mOtiOnless corpse of his ad-
around him, and tenderly as children
laid him down upon the soft green
grass. Tearing open his shirt, We
found a bright scarlet spot on his left
breast, close 70 his heart. None of US
were versed in surgery, 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.
"Irs all day with me, bows" he
family said, for he was growing much
weaker 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 no brook with
in half a mile. An Indian girl COM
pretended our want, ran to the lodge
and in a moment returned with a
skinful. We placed the cooling fluid
10 MS DuEuluB Ups auu ne UOOk long
draught, but it chOked him and he
vOmited up 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.
Honor bright Tney 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." The last OF the words were
rendered almost unintelligible by the
bloc that gurgled up in his throat.
A film seemed to gather over his
eyes.
"Where are my friends? Don't
= aI- L,