The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-14
How q Soldier Managed to Get
Out of the Clutches of a
Cheyenne Chief.
COLLECTING BRUSH FOR A FIRE.
That He Would Be Burned at
the Stake Was the Information
a Prisoner Received-A Provi-
dental Shower Which Took the
Enthusiasm Out of the Indian
Braves.

TfHN Inc 10Th day OIL June, 1867, q
SSIs small body of Indians appeared to
S the west of Fort Wallace, and from
their maneuyering seemed 10 be spying out
the chances of cutting out the stage station,
half a mile from the fort. The station was
guarded by four or five men at the time, and
the corral held about thirty-fve horses. l
had just come in that morning from long
scout, aud was asleep when the Indians
were first seen. AS soon as routed out
took two men with me and rode down &c
the station. We picked up fourth man
there, and headed direct for the redskins,
who were then a mile away. We were not
a quarter of mile from the station when
became suspicious that it was plot to
draw us away. We brought our horses
down TO a walk. and after getting half a
mile from the station we turned to the left
Cheyenne warriors, led by old Roman Nose.
burst out of the dry ravines, where they had
been lying concealed for two hours, and
made straight for the station.
The plan would nave done credit to a
Brigadier. About 200 warriors threw them
selves between the station and the Tort, so
as TO be ready for any move on the part of
the soldiers. Thirty attacked the adobe
hnts constituting the station. About fifty
made for the Enclosure where the horses
were kept, and the others rode to cut US four
of from tho fort. Only one part of the plan
miscarred. The men at the station made
such fight that the Indians could not
break in on them. They killed three war
riOrs and wounded seven, While they SUI
fered no loss themselves. They got the
horses, partly destroyed three stages and
kept the soldiers oil, and the four of US, see
Ing that escape to the fort was cut off, rode
10 the est In hopes TO outrun our pursuers.
Unfortunately for me, writes a contributor
tothe New York Sun, l was mounted on my
own horse who had done siXty-fiye miles
the day before, ani was jaded. For three
miles he showed good leg, bu' len lie be-
gan to weaken. We were then on level
ground and l held him up with voice and
spur for another mile, or until we had
gained spot covered with outcroppings of
rock.
Those who wrote of this incident at the
time held the three station men up to con-
tempt for deserving me. did not blame
them at all. They were only employees of
the stage company. None OF them had ever
been at close quarters with Indians before,
and 1t would have been strange il they had
not been ratified. They were ahead of me
as my horse went down, and do not be-
lieye they missed me. Poor felJwsl Had
the four of us been there in the natural
rife pit among the rocks we could have
stood the redskins off in handsome man.
ner. As it was / was captured. and they
were shot down one by one as they con-
tnued their flight. =
Only thirty-fve Indians took up the pur-
suit.
WHEN MY HORSE FELL
With me fifteen of the warriors remained
behind TO effect my capture ! rolled into a
natural hollow, pulled saddle and blanket off
my horse. and then, as he struggled up, l
drove him limping away. 1t was unfor-
tunate thing. He was only thirty feet from
me when they shot him dead, and as he fell
hat h.ar tn live d.r- a +ab
up which the enemy could creep and shelter
themselves behind the body. That was
just what they did do. They didn't dare
charge me, although fifteen to one, but they
secured positions from which they could
shoot me if l raised my head six inches
from the ground, and when l realized that
was helpless l surrendered. There was lit
tie f0rInaity about it. Among the be-
siegers l recognized an Indian named Dark
Day. l called out that would surrender,
and the fifteen walked in on me.
When an Indian is in luck he is good
natured. Those who had pursued my three
companions were now returning with their
scalps, horses and guns. l had not hurt
anybody. Roman Nose had defied the fort
and got away with the station horses.
There was every reason for rejoicing, and as
they formed a circle about me every lace
wore a SMILE and several of them greeted
me with "howdy?" They knew me for
Government scout and rider. They knew l
uau hllltu lAltt Ou The SMOKY
Hill Fork only the week before. They
knew that had baked two of their raids
on stations, and that l had once ridden
right through camp Of 200 of them and
carried OF the best horse Roman Nose ever
had.
An Indian sizes a man up according to
his deeds. They took my rifle, revolver and
knife, but were very respectful about it. l
was then mounted on station horse, my
feet tied under his belly. and he was led
behind warriors pony. They headed to
the northwest, and about an hour after dark
We came up with the main body, which was
encamped in a grove of cottonwood on
small creek. l had no sooner diSmounted
than l was taken into the presence of Roman
Nose. History has said that he was one Of
the siuartest chiefs any Western tribe ever
had. He was smart only as an Indian. He
was liar, hypocrite and assassin. He had
the smartneSs of coyote in avoiding su-
p~rior force and the cunning of a serpent in
approaching foe. knew he could hold
conversation in English, but as he did net
know that l was aware ofthe fact lie called
up halfDreed 10 act as interpreter. l was
pretty we'll up in the Cheyenne tongue, but
Roman Nose did not know it, He began
the conversation as follows:
"How many soldiers are there in the
foItg"
him the correct number.
"Why didn't they come out and fight us P''
'They were hoping that you would come
nearer"
You are called Night Shadow"
Eyes"
''You have killed some CT my people?"
"AFTER THEY HAD SOUGHT TO KILL ME-"
Hui The Indian has right to defend
his own lands. The white man wants every
thing, even the dry rivers and the bare
rocks. In an hour l shall burn you at tile
stake"
had not the slightest reason to hope he
would not. The Cheyennes had an old score
TO settle with me personally and their loss
of men at the station that day must be
avenged. [ was turned over to guard of
three warriors and thew gave me something
to drink and eat. l was hungry and thirsty
aud l made as good meal as it / expected
TO live fifty years, instead of only an hour
longer. A stake was driven while l was
eating and before had finished the warriors
had begun collecting brush.
1t was written of me by correspondent
at Fort Wallace that Providence saved my
life. Soon after the stake had been driven
it began to rain. Although the Indian is
half animal, he breads the rain, and the
storm soon took all the enthusiasm out OF
my captors. At the same time, almost,
scout came in with some news, and l was
soou told by the half-breed that | had been
respited. This scout, as afterward appeared,
had discovered that the fort had neither
cannon nor Notifications, and IL WIS be-
ieved that the soldiers were demoralized
and would surrender if attacked. At about
midnight when the rain began to hold up,
all but five men set out in the direction of
the fort. The five were left to guard me.
They did not hesitate TO tell me that the fort
was to be attacked, and that they were sure
of victory.
slept from midnight to daylight, being
staked out at the ankles and having war
rior ON each side of me. Soon after daylight
my guards we're astir, aud when breakfast
had been prepared my feet were tied to-
gether. and l was allowed to sit up and help
myself. We were fully twenty miles from
the fort, and no news was expected until
late in the afternoon. When they asked me
what thought OF the chances, answered
that Roman Nose would be beaten off, and
we argued the matter pTo and con without
the slightest ill-feeliAg.
What happened at the fort did not learn
for some days afterward. Had Roman Nose
made secret approach to within striking
distance and then charged in he would have
won spppdV victory The Dreeenca of his