Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1886-10-16
A VALIANT DEFENCE.

A defence in which were combined
pluck, endurance, suffering and despera-
tion was that of Captain Swift and his
five companions, near the forks of the Big
Cheyenne. They were all citizens, and
all on their way into the Black Hills
country on foot. Swift had been Cap
tain in border company raised to fight
Indians in Northern Nebraska, and was
the only one in the lot who had ever met
a hostile. Swift and two companions
found the other three prospectors near
the forks, and it was agreed that all
should push further west in company.
Every man was armed with a Winches-
ter and two revolvers, and each carried
several hundred rounds of ammunition.
The men had broken camp five miles be-
low tie forks, and were on the south
bank of the main stream, when they
were attacked by thirty-five mounted In
dians. The whites were on foot and
had the shelter of timber along the
banks, and, although they were harassed
for couple of hours, no one was hurt,
and the march was not greatly retarded.
However, as they reached the forks the
force of Indians suddenly increased to
over 100, and, as they not only barred
the way but had cut off retreat, Swift re-
allied that the little band must 20 into
camp and prepare for a siege. They
drove the Indians down the south fork
about half a mile until getting possession
OF bluff which was well covered with
timber. and here they intrenched. A nat
ural sink was deepened with hatchets
and knives, few rocks and limbs were
piled around the edges, and the men got
into the rihe pit, knowing that the odds
were twenty to one, and that there could
not be the faintest hope of re-enforce-
ments.
The Indians could not approach the
bluff except under fire. After they had
maintained fusillade for upward of an
hour without harm to the party, they
sent forward flag of truce by half
breed who could speak English tolerably
well. Swift went forward to the edge
of the timber to meet him, and the men
in the pit were warned to be on their
guard against treachery, and to shoot
down any other Indian who sought to
approach while parley was being held.
The half breed came forward without
fear. 1t was evidently his OBJ ect to get
near enough to see what sort of de-
tense the men had erected, and to be
certain of their number; but Swift
bafiied him in this by meeting him out
side the timber. The two were in rifle
shot of both forces. and as the half breed
rode up he demanded the immediate sur
render of the party. He said that one
hundred and twenty Indians were on the
ground, with others coming up in the
afternoon. and that it was folly for the
white men to think of holding out
against such a force. In case of sur
render, they would be disarmed and set
at liberty to make their way out of the
country, but if the Indians were COM
PEELED to fight them to a surrender they
could expect no mercy.
Swift replied that his party did not
seek war with the red men. They were
going into the Black Hills with hun
drejs of others to prospect for gold, and
only asked to be let alone. They had
been attacked without provocation, and
they should fight to the bitter end. The
half bred had his rife living across his
saddle while he talked. while Swift
leaned on his The Captain suspected
what would follow his refusal TO sur
render. The half breed once more put
his demand, and as it was refused he
suddenly raised his weapon and fired at
Swift, and then wheeled his pony. The
men were not over ten feet apart, and the
bullet passed between Swlit's left arm
and his side, cutting through his coat.
Had he raised his rifle to fire return
shot he would have been a dead man,
for the action of the half breed was the
signal for fifty Indian rifles to ring out.
Swift dropped in his tracks and crept
back to the rife pit unharmed; bat lie
was avenged before he reached it. One
Of the men had kept the half breed GOV.
cred with his Winchester and as he
turned to gallop away he received bull
let in the back which flung him from
the saddle and left him dead on the
ground. The redskins had been beaten
at their own game, and they gave vent to
their chagrin and anger in shouts and
yells and individual demonstrations. In
ten minutes they were firing all along the
line, and some Of them took advantage OF
the ground to approach within pistol
shot Of the rifle pit.
Swift's Instructions TO the men were
not to waste bullet. The Indians had
TO expose themselves more or less, and
by watching for opportunities and keep
ing cool the men in the pit made some
telling shots Before sundown they had
killed or wounded dozen savages and
forced the others 10 exercise far greater