Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1881-04-23
The Indian Snowfall Fight.


Times gives an interesting account of
SNOWFALL battle between party of Cheyen
ne and Sioux boys, each numbering about
twenty-five, as witnessed from a steamers
deck on the Red River of the North. In
the opening of the skirmish says the
writer, the opposing bands were twenty or
thirty yards apart-so far, indeed, that few
of the boys were hit, because they evil
IDENTIFY knew how to dodge. 1t was like q
game of corner.b ball at country district
school, the players ducking their heads
and bounding aside whenever missile
would whiz past. But as soon as the red
lads had become warmed to the sport, the
distance was quickly shortened. The snow
disappeared from the skirmish line as
though melted by the hot breath of the lit
tie sons of the plain, and the battle-ground
was shifted to point almost under the
side of the steamer. The Sioux youths
pressed harder and harder. They were led
by tall supple fellow of fifteen or there.
abouts, who hurled the balls with the force
of grown warrior, and the precision of an
old artileryman. His moccasins were in
his way, and SO, tearing them from his feet,
he wrapped them in n hard packing of
of the enemy. This act kinded the fire on
the Sioux side, dozen of the lads at once
stripping to the waist and running forward
with wild cries.
1t was clear enough that the hand-to-
hand attack had been expected, for
number of the Cheyennes, who had held
themselves in the rear of the party, sprang
forward and grappled with the Sioux. One
of the passengers, who stood on the steam
er's cabin says he never saw charge so
completely met Every Sioux 'und his
Cheyenne as if the whole matter had been
prearranged. No blows were struck, but
the wrestling was fierce and savagely
heroic. The wrestlers were in straight
line, nor did the line waver. The Sioux
grip was on the Cheyenne and the Cheyen-
ne clutch was about the shoulder of the
Sioux. Some of the spectators on the
steamer were so excited that they sprang
ashore and ran toward the wresters, but
they as quickly ran back again, those who
were not wrestling pepering them with
balls, as hint that there must be no inter-
ference. The wrestlers stood almost still
for more than quarter of an hour, every
nerve strained to its utmost tension.
Meanwhile the boys who were not in the
line ceased their volieys and waited for the
result. The tall leader of the Sioux had
for his opponent a boy of about Ia
strong, wiry fellow, who once had wrestled
with, thrown, and killed ful.grown bear.
Down his chest was long, ugly scar that
had been cut by the bears claws, and in
the back of his neck was the imprint of
the BEARS teeth. The Boy. Who. Killed the
Bear swayed back and forth, straiuing
with his utmost strength to weaken the
Sioux lads hold. Finding that this could
not be done, he slackened his hold and the
Sioux instantly backed away. This APP
peared signal to all the wresters, for
they also let go and retired. After a short
rest volley thrown by the Cheyenne
brought on the battle. The lines now were
not more than ten yards apart, and the
thud and bursting Of the balls indicated
that the close work was telling.
The wild fusilade was succeeded by a
clinching all around, and such rough.and-
tumble play the spectators never saw. The
Sioux leader seized Cheyenne lad by the
shoulders and sent him head foremost into
the river. Loud cries went up from the
Cheyennes, including the Boy-W ho- Killed
the Bear, who pnioned the Sioux leaders
arm and rubbed his head in the snow, filing
his mouth, nostrils and ears. They then drag
ged him toward the river, but before they
could give the toss that would send hin,
into the stream, they were attacked harum.
scarum and helter-skelter by the whole
Sioux band. A trapper, who understood
the Cheyenne tongue and who happened to
be on the steamer, said the Cheyennes were
shouting: Drown him, drown him, and
that the gesticulating grown warriors on
the outskirts of the battlefield were scream.
ing Fair play"
Whatever they may have been trying to
say, there certainly was tremendous hub
bub in the midst of which the Sioux leader
broke from the grasp Of his assailants, and
threw himself painting and perspiring, in
the arms of his fellows. At this turn il
the battle, the men of both the Sioux and
Cheyenne bands, who had been attracted
to the scene by the terrific yells, intcrfered
and both parties shook hands and retired
The Cheyenne who had been thrown into
the river did not seem to mind the ducking
for he walked slowly off with the Others,
laughing as he went. And SO ended the
hal AL - sl,<. l-I