Daily Yellowstone journal., 1891-09-08
HANG 1o AAnp VIE KNIVES.
An Indian Dispute Settled by the Death
% Both Parties 70 IL.

An Indian Dispute Settled by the Death
OF Both Parties TO IL.
William Weston, a ranchman living
twenty miles north of Fshomingo, /.
T., brings a story of a most horrible
duel which was fought with knives by
two Indians neal his ranch. There
had been bad blood between the two
for some time. which had started over
a horse race.
The Indians were named Sewapi and
Nunechi They had been restrained
from fighting several times by their
friends, but on meeting at a horse race
the quarrel was renewed. and it was
finally arranged that they should end
the matter by a duel with knives. A
large crowd Of Indians and halfbreeds
were present. and a ring was formed.
Each man had his second. who was
armed with a Winchester rifle, ready TO
shoot down any one who might be
tempted 20 interfere.
The contestants were stripped to the
waist, and each was armed with two
sharp knives. the blades being about
eight inches long. When the men en-
tered the ring it was with the under
standing that it was aduel to- the death.
Both were magnificent specimens Of
manhood and they were equally adept
in the use Of the knife.
Amid breathless silence the combat
ants slowly approached the center of
the ring. There they stood for a min
ute gazing at each other, while the
silence was most painful Not a sound
could be heard except the occasional
stamp Of a horse on the outskirts of the
crowd. The spectators sat around per
fectly motionless, while the duelists
began slowly TO walk around each
other, watching for a chance 10 catch
u another of guard. 1t was prob
ably two minutes before a change
came, and then it wa with the rapidity
IF a lightning stroke.
Sewapi suddenly made a leap through
the air toward his enemy, and for an
instant the air appeared TO be full of
Indians and knives, which latter flashed
In the sunshine like streaks Of light
As quickly as they came together did
they separate, and Notwithstanding the
rapid play Of the weapons IL was seen
that neither had received a scratch.
Still, during the whole exciting scene,
not a sound could be heard except the
clashing steel as it came together.
Slowly the c%ircling began again, and
the glittering eyes alone showed thar
the walk meant death. Soon the SAINT
leap was repeated, this time by Nune
chi, who seemed 10 fly through the air
The fight was fast and furious. and
when they separated both were bleed
ing profusely. Sewapi had a terrible
cut across his breast, while Nunechl
had the muscle Of his left forearm al
most severed.
The in~terInissiOn was very short and
both men sprang simultaneously 10
ward each other. The struggle was
fierce, and suddenly a trip was given
and Sewapi fell on top Of his antag
onist The lightninglike rapidity Of
the stroke and parry preeluded the
possibility Of knowing who was getting
the worst Of it, until il was noticed that
Nunechi threw up his arms, stifened
out his legs, and was dead with a knife
in his heart
Sewapi sprang 20 his feet, gave an
earspltting yell, and then slowly sank
the ground. with blood gushing from
dozen wounds. Before a friend could
reach him he, too, was a corpse.-San
Francisco Examiner.