Connecticut western news., 1891-07-09
HELD BY INDIANS.

body of Indians appeared to the west of Fort Wallace, and from their maneuver- ing seemed to 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. had just come in that morning from . long scout, and was asleep when the h. dians were first seen. As soon as routed out l took two men with me and rode down Ito the station. We picked up a fourth man there and headed direct for the redskins, who were then mile away. We were not a quarter of a amile from the station when I became suspicious that it was plot to draw US away. We brought our horses to walk, and after getting half mile from the station we turned to the left as if to circle back. At that moment 300 Cheyenne warriors, led by old Roman Nose, burst out of the dry ravines where they had been lying con- cealed for two hours and made straight for the station.
 The plan would have done credit to 8 brigadier. About 200 warriors threw themselves between the station and the fort, so as to be ready for any move on the part of the soldiers. Thirty attacked the adobe huts constituting the station. About fifty made for the inclosure where the horses were kept, and the others rode to cut us four off the fort. Only one part of the plan miscarried. The men at the station made such a fight that the Indians could not break in on them. They killed three warriors and wounded seven, while they suffered no loss themselves. They got the horses, partly destroyed three stages, and kept the soldiers off, and the four of us, seeing that escape to the fort was cut off, rode to the west in hopes to outrun our pm- suers. Unfortunately for me, I was mounted on my own horse, who had done sixty-fve miles the day before and was jaded. For three miles he showed a good leg, but then he began to oweaken. We were then on level ground, and I held him up with voice and spur for another mile, or until we had gained spot covered with outcropping of rock.
 Those who wrote about this incident at the time held the three station men up to contempt for deserting me. did not blame them at all. They were only em- ployes of the stage company. None of them had ever been at close quarters with Indians before, and it would have been strange if they had not been rat tied. They were ahead of me as my horse went down, and do not believe they missed me. Poor fellows! Had the four of us been there in the natural rife pit among the rocks we could have stood the redskins off in handsome manner. As it was I was captured, and they were shot down one by one as they continued their flight.
 Only thirty-fve Indians took up the pursuit. When my horse fell with me fifteen of the warriors remained behind to effect my capture. I rolled into a natural hollow, pulled saddle and blanket off my horse, and then as he struggled up I drove him imping away. It was an unfortunate thing. He was only 30 feet from me when they shot him dead, and as he fell I saw that he was in line with a dry ditch up which the enemy could creep and shelter themselves be- hind the body. That was just what they did do. They didn't dare charge me, al though fifteen to one, but they secured positions from which they could shoot me if I raised my head six inches from the earth, and when I realized that I was helpless surrendered. There was little formality about it. Among the besiegers I recognized an Indian named Dark Day. I called out that I 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 de6ed the fort and got away with the station horses. There was every req son for rejoicing, and as they formed a circle about me every face wore smile, and several of them greeted me with a 'ehowdy?' They knew me for govern ment scout and rider. They knew had killed three Cheyennes on the Smoky Hill fork only the week before. They knew that I had baked two of their raids on stage stations, and that I had once ridden right through camp of POO of them and carried off the best horse Roman Nose ever had.
 An Indian sizes man up according to his deeds. They took my rife, re. volver and knife, but were very respect fu about it. I was then mounted on q 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 party, which was en camped in grove of cottonwood on g small creek. had no sooner dismount | ed than I was taken into the presence ot | Roman Nose. History has said that he was one of the smartest chiefs any west em tribe ever had. He was smart only as an Indian. He was a liar, hypocrite and assassin. He had the smartness o1 | coyote in avoiding a superior force and the cunning of a serpent in ap preaching a foe. knew he could hold | conversation in English, but as he did | not know that was aware of the fac1 | he called up half breed to act as inter | preter. I was pretty we'll up in tht Cheyenne tongue, but Roman Nose dil not know it. He began the conversa- tion as follows:
 "How many soldiers are there in the fort?'
 "About a hundred" answered, giv ing him the correct number.
 'Why didn't they come out and fgh | us?'
 ''They were hoping you would come nearer"
 "You are called Night Shadow
 "Yes."
 "You have killed some of my peopleS "After they had sought to kill ma"