Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1872-03-08

ne lu6d Was VOL0Q uOU Dau ana
we not only charged our rifles and re-
volvers, but flung our logs together in
such manner as to form very eff
cient defense, if required. Herndon
then kindled fire, procured water,
and commenced cooking dinner. In
about twenty minutes the envoy re-
turned. Our proposition had met with
great favor, he briefly informed us, but
would not be accepted unless the dis
tance was shortened to ten PAGES. He
also stated that the contest would be
expected to continue until one of the
principals was killed, and that knives
or tomahawks must be allowed to be
used after the discharge of the rifles.
"That's pretty close quarters, boys"
commented Ben. III got slug once on
just such timetable. But 1 guess it's
all right, though. They know they
can't shoot with us. Let's give the poor
devils a chance"
To this we all assented. For the
tomahawk provision, We cared nothing !;
we knew the first shot would settle the
matter one way or the other. The
messenger 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 a lofty eminence, which he
pointed out to us, about half q 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
realize that blood was to be shed. 1t
was a solemn moment, for none could
,ouoI1at 1ho %
Indiana tore up one Of his mothers
letters, and plainly writing each mans
name upon one of the slips, placed them
all in 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 dreao his own.
Its 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 awkard 81
lence, for we all had our misgivings.
When our dinner was ready we des-
patched it quickly, smoked a few min
utes without conversation, and then
reticently 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 indi-
eating the positions of the combatants.
We were received with neither friendly
nor hostile demonstrations. AS soon as
we dismounted, 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. [ was appointed to give the me-
cessary signals. In order to disturb
their accuracy Of aim as little as posi-
BILE, was requested to stand halfway
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 held
lance, from the point of which dangled
a red flannel strearer; when [ raised
it, they were to aim, and when | low
cred it they were 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
muzzle of his long rifle. and, with
gleam of malicious triumph, glared
fercely 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 his thoughts;
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 eye soon
softened with tinge of pensive sad
ness. Was he thinking of the happy
hunting-g The other four mem
bers of our party stood in cluster a
little left of to the Texican, and mar
rowly watched 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
signifed his pleasure that the tragedy
should begin. Each principal recalled
his thoughts, examined the tube of his
rifle, and nodded to me. l raised the
lance they sternly took aim. I low
cred the lance quickly, and two sharp
reports iEstantaneously followed. The
young warrior sprung wildly into the
air, flung his weapon fully twenty feet
away, and dropped dead at his post.
The bullet had crushed through his
brain. Texican thudded the butt of his
rife on the ground, and gave vent to a
hoarse, mocking, and half-demoniac cry
of triumph and revenge; and then he
tried to steady him9elf with his weapon,
but staggered helplessly backward.
Herndon and Indiana ran up, caught
him in their arms. His red shirt rapidly
deepened in hue, and dreadful alarm
seized us. Still he lauged hoarsely, and
tried to point to the motionless corpse
of his adversary. We hurriedly gath
cred around him, and tenderly as chill
dren laid him down upon the soft green
grass. Tearing open his shirt, we found
a bright scarlet spot on his left breast,
close to his heart. None of us were
versed in surgery we could not state
in scientific terms just what particular
veins and ligaments had been severed,
but we knew by the location of the
wound, and by his parched lips and
palid countenance, that death was upon
him.
It's all day with me boys 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