The Delta independent., 1890-03-25

but short distance from us, and
taxing their ponies to their utmost
speed. We must flee for our lives.
Kill yourselves rather than fall alive
into their power. Yoii know the re-
suit. Red Dog has spoken. Mind his
words"
Red Dog'sprophetic words envelop-
ed the sssemblage in sombre gloom.
The braves held a sharp consultation,
and a hasty fight from the camping
grounds was deemed meet and time
ly. The Indians lost no time in pack
ing up all belongings, such as were
absolutely necessary, and the bal
ance were placed in a heap and q
fire set to it, that the revengeful
Crows would gain no plumber.
The fleeing Siouxs reached the shore
of the Cannon Ball river when the
advance guard of the Crows was dis
covered on a hilltop not half mile
distant. Further flight was out of
the question, and the chiefs ordered
a halt tor further consultation, at
which it was determined to fight the
foe to the bitter end The wild de-
moniacal howl OF the Crows, eager to
pounce upon the almost helpless
Sioux, mingled with the wailing of the
Sioux squaws, the sharp, terrific cries
of the pappoosses, the app rehensive
grunts of the braves, depicted scene
that would rival Dante's Inferno."
The Crows were rapidly approaching,
and their exultant howls rang like a
Hno f!I l-t,on 70 L<,
age horde increased and multiplied
until there seemed no limit, and
shouting the ominous Crow war song,
they dashed pell-mell among the
stampeded Sioux. Then the hot
test contested battle in the his
tory of Indian warfare ragged. The
devoted little band ofSioux warriors
miraculously held it's own for a short
while.
Surrender meant death in some
horrible form, and the Sioux grimly
resolved to fight while a breath OF
life yet remained in their bodies.
Their forces were now slowly giving
way. Soon they would have to sue
cumb. In another minute the entire
tribe would be annihilated. Red Dog
the calm, fearless medicine man, was
about to give the signal for every
brave to kill himself, when suddenly,
without a moments warning, a most
extraordinary freak of nature hap
pened. The heavens assumed a dull
leaden hue and few drops of rain
struggled down. Both antagonistic
tribes effectually rooted to the ground
in terror and amazement as they
gazed at the strange, unaccountable
behavior of the elements. What
could it mean? Day was instantly
turned into night as dark as ink.
The warriors forgot all about con-
the battle, and prostrated
themselves upon the earth, beseech-
ing the Great Spirit to spare their
lives. Soon countless numbers of
round weighty substances began fall
ing upon the heads OF the Crows.
The Great Spirit was raining cannon
balls upon them with n vengeance.
The vivid flashes of lightning and
the sullen roar of thunder made the
spectacle the more awe-inspiring.
The Crows were mercilessly pelted.
After regaining their senses they fed
terror-stricken from the evil spot,
and when the sun smiled once more
upon the awful scene it revealed
many dead on the ground. Not a
single member of the Sioux tribe was
even scathed by the falling stones.
From that memorable day to this
tile Sioux have remained unmolested
by the Crows, who firmly believe that
the Sioux are possessed of supernat-
nral powers and can command the
assistance of the Great Spirit at will.
Whether the legend is dread
reality of some terrible happening OF
bygone days or u fiimsy fabrication
remains yet to be unraveled, but the
and thousands of cannon
ball stones scattered upon the shores
Of the ghostly rivulet are surely ST.
ent. though abundant evidence of
IN event not chronicIed in the pages
Of history. The Cannon Ball river
lows on to-day silently and majes-
tically, unfolding to none but the
winds its startling tale OF tragedy o.
years gone hence.