Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-07
COWBOYS IN EARNEST.


dreaded by the Indians. The rowing life
Of cowboy upon the frontier plains
suited his tastes far better than the re-
straints of mail escort, while the oppor-
tunities to score even with the redskins
were equally good
It was during the general round up"
on the frontier border Of Texas in the fall
Of 1888 that "Arkansaw Charley" in COM
pany with nine other cattlemen, was
caught upon the plains bordering the
headwaters Of the Brazos by band Of
thirty five Comanches, alI well mounted
and armed, and led by one of the most
daring sub-chiefs. 'Curly Bill" Thomp-
son, also born in Arkansas, but much
older than Charley, was in charge of the
round up. he was a cowboy Of much ex-
perience, and was famous as an Indian
fighter. The two were intimate friends
as the phrase goes out west, they were
partners what was owned by on.a be-
longed to the other, and many daring ex-
ploits had already marked their career
The cowboys were all well mounted.
and each was armed with long range Win
chester rifles, and, the cowboys friend, a
pair Of six shooters. They had plenty of
ammunition, some jerked beef and can
teen of water.
Arkausaw Charley, although not more
than %, was the recognized leader when
an Indian fight was on hand. and when
the Comanches were discovered sweeping
down upon them from the direction Of
skirt of timber several miles to the north
west, Arkansaw Charley, after a short
parley with Curly Bill, put spurs to his
horse to secure possession of piece Of
high open ground apparently about mile
away.
4 lively race now began-the cowboys
TO gain good fighting ground of their own
choice, and the Comanches to cut them
off Arkansaw Charley was riding q
splendid black stallion, sure Of foot and
very fleet, and the rest Of the bows had
TO put their horses to full speed to keep
up with their dashing young leader.
whose long faxen hair strear.ed out be-
hind him like the fan of an eagle. Not
more than one-third of the distance had
been made when one of their horses fell,
tumbling the cowboy IN ditch and break
ing one of his legs. Instantly Charley
and Curly Bill halted TO fight where they
were, rather than leave one of their com
rades in the hands OF the Comanches; but
seeing the disadvantage of the position,
they roped the horse, placed the crippled
cowboy upon his saddle and babe him
follow toward the ridge.
The delay had brought the Indians near
enough for showers Of bullets and arrows
TO fly at them, but happily over their
heads. The cowboys were slI expert
horsemen, aud were soon on sweeping
run, and luckily gained the summit Of
the ridge. Quickly stalking the horses out
Of range, they took position fat on the
ground at the highest point and awaited
the approach OF the Indians, who had
stopped about 900 yards away
Presently, with terrific yell, the saw
ages charged, throwing themselves on
the sides of their horses and sending
showers Of bullets and arrows at the little
band. but hitting wide of the mark The
Americans held their fire till the enemy
were within 200 yards, when they sent
volley after volley from their Winches-
tiers, and fifteen horses were seen tu1n-
bling and charging in the throes of death
For some time not an Indian seemed
to have been hit; but before they re-
treated out Of range two of them were
shot down.
The Comanches collected in squads and
were gesticulating at a frantic rate, then
all at once they started in a run to gain
the same ridge which sloped to the NORTH
from the point occupied by the cowboys.
A new danger now threatened, for as soor
as the Indians reached the low ridge the
horses were brought within range of the
enemy. Arkansaw Charley had them i'm
mediately removed 70 secure place on
the opposite slope Of the hill
When the Indians discovered this they
made very desperate charge, but were
again repulsed, four Indians and ten
horses being killed. Over half the Indians
were now afoot, and a council ensued,
and resulted in the Indians dividing their
force so as to cover the whites in a
charge from both west and south, which
would again bring their horses in
range. Curly Bill and three men ct once
moved lower down, so as to cover the
stock with their rifles, while Charley and
the rest Of the boys held the summit
On came the savages with defiant yells.
charging on foot and on horseback, bu.
again were they repulsed. with the losa
OF six horses and one Indian wounded. A
long parley ensued, and presently dozen
or more Comanches were seen going over
the hill with their horses, and half an
hour later the same number were seen
approaching afoot in a very stealthy man
ner, which was soon followed by like ma
neuvers by the other two squads This
change OF tactits on the part of the
Conanehe chief greatly gerplexed Char
ley and Curly Bill. They are now .
creeping up on US through the grass to /
lay for every man who exposes himself to 4
their sight, said Charley Crawl into
the ground, if YOU can, BOYS"
In this way the fight was kept up till
thick darkness covered the plains. Two
Of = he 1,r- ha| L..
II the head. The broken legged bow.
lad of II. though suffering great pain,
fought all the while, but on changing his
position to ease his pain, was shot dead
by musket ball
Curly Bill crept back to the summit.
sending three men TO guard the horses. A
council was held as 70 what was best to
be done. The darkness gave the savares
the advantage: they being below could
not De sighted, but every time one of the
cowboys raised his head it was outlined
against the SKY so plainly as to become a
good target for the Comanche marks
men
They can now creep within twenty
Yards or Us, can capture our horses and
XII every man who pokes I'D his head.
They'll Kill US by detail, " said Charley.
Their situation was indeed a critical
one. To attemP: TO set away from tie
Indians then seemed the me-est folly. and
to await the coming OF day was even
worse
Its run for life anyway we take it,
continued Charley. Wed better set to
our horses, mount, and scatter Ike euails.
and run our chances"
Done, answered the boys with enc
voice.