The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1889-03-08

looked back over his left shoulder,
specializing in his terribly agitated and
confused mind as to what the result OF
this new movement would be, when he
was struck between the lower ribs and
the left hip by an arrow, which pene.
trated the abdomen and passed about
two-thirds of the way through his
body.
Animals running at full speed are
sometimes struck in such a manner
as to cause them to stop suddenly,
and this arrow had the same effect
upon Williams. Finding it impossible
to move. he jerked it out, drawing of
the barb and also the point of the main
shaft to which the barbed point was
attached. No pain was experienced
when the arrow entered, but the sud.
denness with which the barbed point
was drawn off inside the body was, to
say the least, a painful operation, and
it seemed for a moment that he must
give way before it; but, singularly. the
excitement overcame the pain, and in a
moment he had as good command OF
himself as ever.
The fight now assumed an altogether
different character, and most of the In.
dams fell back toward the river to
plumber or mutilate the dead. or to assist
in torturing any poor fellow whose life
had not quite passed away, and to look
after the dead and wounded of their
own. About fifteen or twenty, armed
with bows and arrows, scattered out on
each side of Williams, only few feet
distant, and opened rapid volley OF
arrows from both sides at once.
From the positions thus assumed, ii
was impossible for Williams to bring
himself near enough to his pursuers to
strike any of them, as when a move was
made in any direction the Indians in
front would rapidly glide away, keeping
just out of reach, while others were dis
charging their arrows from both sides
and the rear. Exhausted, disheart-
ened, bleeding from a hundred bruises.
and feeling that he had already received
mortal wound, Williams turned his
back upon his pursuers and ran toward
the timber. The savages gave chase,
concentrating upon him aperfect show
er of arrows; but soon the majority
abandoned the pursuit and fell back to
the river, leaving to continue the chase
two of their number, who were each
well armed with bows and full quivers
of arrows, one of them carrying a rifle
also that had been taken from one of
the men.
These two Indians at once placed
themselves on each side of Williams
and about ten feet distant, firing their
arrows with a rapidity not easily real
lied by one having no personal knowl-
edge of the manner in which these
weapons are handled by an expert.
Their constant cross-fire rendered it al
most impossible for Williams to dodge
many of their arrows; and as if to rem
der his chances of escape more hope
less, his brooches became unfastened
and dropped down upon his feet 1t
was not a time to be particular about
toilet. and, dangerous as the circum-
were. Williams was obliged to
stop and kick the old breeches off
Being now encountered by nothing but
a bob-tailed shirt, he felt little more
sprightly, but the Indians were in no
greater danger than before.
Why Williams was not completely
riddled during this long running fight
across the prairie is more than human
tongue can tell; and his only weapon,
the gun barrel, was all that prevented
the Indians from closing upon him.
They could play all around him, but
were careful to keep out of reach of
his death-dealing instrument. welded
oy so desperate and powerful a man.
His position now was more dangerous
han ever. and he would gladly have
exchanged it for that earlier in the COM
pat, where he was struggling hand to
hand in the midst of hundred In
lians. all as well armed as these; for in
hat instance each individual Indian.
anxious to preserve his own life. was
in keeping out of the way of
hat deadly gun barrel, while now the
5wo who were chasing him could swiftly
glide out of striking distance, and, in
safety to themselves, poster him with
arrows
Upon reaching a point about twenty
i've yards from the timber Williams
urned his eyes from the Indians to see
( it were possible to enter the tangled
mass of brush and briers along the mar
rim, in case he should be able to reach
he woods, when, stepping in little
follow. he stumbled, pitched forward
Ind fell headlong to the ground. The
indians Immediately rushed upon him,
md the one who carried the gun
lropped his bows and arrows, cooked
he gun, pushed the muzzle against the
,reast of Williams as he was in the act
# rising, pulled the trigger, and-the
-un snapped. Williams knew the gun
o be good one and loaded, and as he
cit the muzzle against his breast, a
ickening sensation pervaded his whole
ystem, cold sweat stood out upon his
row. his limbs seemed Ito lose their
'ower and refused to obey his will; but
Then he realized the fact that the gun
lad failed to explode new life seemed
infused into his veins, and in an instant
Ie was upon his feet ritie-barrel in hand.
The Indian instead of running, as
lad invariably been the case before,
ow met him face to face, brandishing
he breech of the rifle. The critical |