The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1890-08-07
OUTLAWEDBY INDIANS

In the fall of 1865, while I was at.
tachcd to Fort Hays US Government
scout and dispatch rider, the Sioux and
Cheyennes were consolidating for the wal
which opened in the spring. Bands of
stragglers were riding about the country,
stealing and numbering whenever oppor,
tunity offered, and one day in October,
while returning to the fort from q long
ride. to the north after some missing
horses, I encountered one of these preda-
tory bands. 1t numbered twelve men
and son of the Cheyenne chief, known
as Pawnee Killer, was in command.
While war had not BEEN declared, and
while the Indians did not hesitate to ap.
pear at the forts and trading posts, some
one was being butchered every day. I
had been on the watch for providers, and
was wells prepared as lone man could
be. had q Winchester and two re-
yolvcrs, and the only drawback was that
l had found two of the horses and had
them with me. As they would not drive,
had roped them together and then
made them fast to my saddle.
was skirting q long, marrow ridge,
badly broken by outcroppings of rock,
and the time was o'clock in the after
noon. All of a sudden caught sight of
Indians about half mile away coming
on the same side of the ridge. Indeed,
I heard them yelling before l saw them,
and I turned sharp to the left and forced
the horses up the ridge among O mass of
bouldcrs and outcropping. The red
skins caught sight of me as went up,
but did not Immediately approach. I
could see that they were confused, and a
dozen or moro shots were fired, and I
was puzzling over the matter when /
heard some one Gathering over the stony
ground, and next moment q white man
jumped down beside me and exclaimed: ::
''Stranger, for Gods sake stand 'em
off until l can get my wind. They are
Cheyenncs, and have killed my brother"
Three young bucks, or foot, had been
in chase of the,fugitivc, aud they were
within 200 feet of me as I rose up. The
lcvelled rife brought them to a sudden
halt, and after gazing at me for q mo-
ment they turned and descended the ridge
to join the rest of the band. Ny visitor
lay down, and 1t was five minutes before
he could get breath to explain.
ave were ont looking for cattle which
stampeded from our emigrant camp on
the Saline Fork. These brutes killed
my brother and took ME prisoner. This
was yesterday, and about mile below
here they had gone into camp and built
a fire to torture me, when made break.
Give me your revolver, for they'llbe sure
to charge u.s."
I gave him cne of the weapons, and
soon after an Indian appeared on the foot
of the ridge, made signs of peace, and
asked for talk. Those on the level be-
low me drew away about forty rods to
convince me they meant fair, and I left
my shelter and advanced few PAGES to
ask the errand of the young warrior.
While I was thus engaged the man be-
hind me was rolling the loose rocks to-
gether to strengthen the position.
The redskin said he came to demand q
prisoner. They had no quarrel with me,
but the prisoner had shot one of their
number in cold blood and must die.
They only asked for justice. l had their
word that 1 might ride away in safety,
but the prisoner they would have at any
sacrifice. I did not wait an instant be.
fore replying that the man would not be
given up, and that was ready for any
move on their part to take him. The
buck had left bis rifle behind him, and
stood there also apparently unarmed.
As matter of fact, each of us had re-
volver. We were about half pistol shot
apart and as I gave him my ultimatum
he half turned, whipping out q revolver,
and fired bullet which passed within
an inch of my head. Then he uttered a
yell and started to run, but he was too
late. My bullet struck him under the
right arm and went clear through
him, and he fell and curlcd up by a
boulder to die.
The situation was understood by the
Indians below me almost instantly, and