The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1878-05-10

sprawliug on the ground. really hoped
the superannuated old hack had broken
his neck, but, after emitting a most pa
thetic groan, he slowly gained his feet
and very eomplaeently proceeded to nip
the growing grass.
This was my first and last attempt to
slaughter buffalo, and 1 here record it
as my deliberate opinion that nobody
should be allowed to kill a single one
unless in self-defense. Darkness at
length put an end to the slaughter, and
the party made camp on a small brook
near by for the purpose Of curing the
meat. But they were doomed to sad
disappointment, for enemies, jealous Of
their invading the buffalo range, were
lowering on their track and ready at q
favorable time % pouDce upon them.
The proximity of the enemy was an-
nounced early in the morning by the
sentiueis that were posted around our
camp, and the utmost CONSERVATION
seemed TO sjeze the whole party. But
no time was to be lost. The horses were
forthwith brought in, and either securely
telherei or caprisoned for service, aud
the warrior, hastily deuudiug himself Of
his every habilimeut, strapped his trusty
bow upon his person, and shouldering
his lance, stood forth ready to Edo or
die" But behold the threatening coll
umn marshaling for the dread atfray
on youder knoll but a single mile away.
Behold those gaudy streamers shooting
la the wind, those gIittering weapons
flashing in the bright sunlight, and
watch their trained steeds friskiug,
plunging, aud dancing about, IS though
eager for the impending contest. Now
a Wild and deafening warwhoop cleaves
the air, and see the cloud Of dust awak
eued by rushing feet, as all come madly
dasihug toward our doomed camp! Com
pleteiy surrounding Us, they halt at two
hundred PAGES distance, aud offer a IA
vored few chance Tor life. Two stall
wart savages, accompanied by the negro
that had met me al the Waco Village,
slowly approach fora psrley. On seeing
Sambo as one Of the high-coutTacting
parties, ! Immediately rise 10 the dig
nifty Of the occasion, astride my noble
charger. aud ride braveiy out 10 meet
him. He gave me a cordial grasp Of
the hand, and, although / begged pit
eousIy, il not eloqueutiy, for the shrink
ing vagabonds that had been kind TO
me aud my noble dog, be was ineNor-
able. His urOmGfUm was that oue-halt
Of the Osages should forthwith meekly
submit to death as an atonement for
the crime of invading the country OF
the Wacoes and staying their game,
and the ebony-colored chieftGin sol
EMMY assured me that, were those mer-
ciful terms not accepted they would
proceed Co dispatch tue whole h7Hd oi
hated O>ages. ! returned al once TO the
terror-stricken camp, and when / in
formed them through the stoical old
Frenchmau of the only conditions OF
mercy, they-all honor To them be 10
said-unanimously rejected them and
dared the tyrants to strike. And there,
under blazing July sun, hand to hand,
the horrible combat ragged, until Of the
fifty faithful Osages less than a dozen
remained alive. But the victory was
dearly bought, for quite as many Of the
assailauts fell during those two eveutful
hours TO rise no more.
But why should I attempt to portray
the horrors Of that day, for no similt
can give the reader a fair conception o
the awful scene, and the most graphi,
arrangement of words must fall far shOr
iu describing the sOul-harrowing atrOci
ties that that noon day sun looked dowl
upon. Yet, strange TO relate, while th,
fell spirit of revenge aud hatred was i'm
. pelHng these savages To deeds OF th
darkest diaboism, not hand was life,
against me from either side, while oftei
/ stood where blood flowed fastest, anD
once or twice interposed to shield tn
wounded from the murderOus hauds up
raised against them. But not so for
tuuate the impassive old Gaul, for b
was knocked from his feet early in tn
engagement aud left securely boun
until the combat ended. But the mos
sickening and savage scene of all to
civilized eye was the deliberate slaugh
ter of the wounded foe and friend alik
at the close of the battle.
All, mel War has horrors enoug
when all the merciful provisions Of civ
ilized nations are faithfully regarded
: but the revengeful heart Of the savag
invests it with many additional horror,
After such of the wounded had bee
! slain as were unable to ride, night yer
! appropriately draped the heavens j
) black, while we, one and all, watche
upon the CORY field.
10 De contuued.l