Morning journal and courier., 1881-01-11
AnIndtan snoxx-Bau Battle.

A correspondent of the Philadelphia Times | gives an interesting account of snow ball battle between a party of Cheyenne | and Sioux boys, each numbering about 25, as witnessed from steamers deck on the Red river of the North. In the opening sklrmlsh, says the writer, the opposing bands were 20 or 30 yards apart,-so far, indeed, that few of the boys were hit, because they evidently knew how to dodge. It was like game of ''corner- ball" at country district school, the players ducking their heads and bound | ing aside whenever missile would whiz past. But as soon as the red lads had be- come warmed to the sport the distance quick | Ty shortened The snow disappeared from | the skirmish line though melted by the hot breath of the little sons of the plain, and the battle gro und was shifted to point all | most under the side of the steamer. The Sioux youths pressed harder and harder. They were led by tall supple fellow of Is or whereabouts, who hurled the balls with the force of grown warrior and the precision of an old artillery-man His moccasins were in his way, and so, tearing them from his feet, he wrapped them in hard packing of snow and sent them whistling iuto the ranks of the enemy. This act kindled the fire on the Sioux side, dozen of the lads at once strip ping to the waist and running forward with wild cries.
 It was clear enough that hand hand attack had been expected, for 8 number of the Cheyennes who had held themselves in the rear of the party. Sprang forward and grappled with the Sioux. One of the pas sengers who stood on the steamers cabin says that he never saw charge so complete ly met Every Sioux found 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 way CT. The Sioux grip was on the Cheyenne, and the Cheyenne clutch was about the shoul- H. 4 k1,aC oE kI,1x,. aAoA<, the steamer were so excited that they sprang ashore and ran toward the wrestlers but they as quickly ran back again, those who were not wrestling peppering them with balls as hint that there must be no interference. The wrestlers stood almost still for more than quarter of an hour, every nerve strain ed to its utmost tension.
 Meanwhile the boys who were not in the line ceased their volleys and waited the re- suit. The tall leader of the Sioux had for his opponent boy of about 17-a strong wiry fellow who once had wrestled with, thrown and killed full-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, straining 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
 
 for they also let go and retired. After short rest volley thrown by the Cheyennes again brought on the battle. The lines now were not more than 10 yards apart, and the thud and bursting of the balls indicated that the close work was telling.
 The wild fusilade was succeeded by a clinch ing all around, and such rough-and-t tumble play the spectators never before saw. The Sioux leader seized a Cheyenne lad by the shoulders and sent him head foremost into the river. Loud cries went up from the Cheyennes, who plainly regarded the act as one of foul play. Four Cheyennes, including The-Boy-Who- Killed the Bear, pinioned the Sioux leaders arm and rubbed his head in the snow, filling his mouth, nostrils and They then dragged him toward the r1ver, but, before they could give the toss that would send him into the stream, they were attacked harum- -scarum and helter-skelter by the whole Sioux band. A trapper who un- derstood the Cheyennetongue, and who hap pened to be on the steamer, said that the Che yennes were shouting Drown him! drown him" and that the gesticulating grown war riors on the outskirts of the battle-fi field were screaming "Fair play!"
 Whatever they may have been trying to say there certainly tremendous hubbub, in the midst of which the Sioux leader broke from the grasp of his assailants and threw himself painting and perspiring into the arms of his fellows. At this turn in the battle the men of both the Sioux and the Cheyenne bands, who had been attracted to the scene by the terrific yells, interfered. and both par ties shook handA and retired. The Cheyenne who had been thrown into the river did not seem to mind the ducling, for he walked slowly of with the others, laughing as he vent And so ended the battle of the snow- balls.