Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1891-09-26
DUEL TO THE DEATH.

Two Indians Meet and Settle Long
standing Grudge, Hand to Hand with
Knives.
William Weston, ranchman living
twenty miles north Of here, brings
story of most horrible duel, which was
fought with knives by two Indians near
his ranch. There had been bad blood
between the two men for some time,
which had started over horse race.
The Indians were named Sewapi and
Nunechi. They had been restrained from
fighting several times by their friends,
but ON meeting at another horse race
last week the quarrel was renewed, and
1t was finally arranged that they should
end the matter by duel with knives
A large crowd Of Indians and half.
breeds were present and 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 to 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 duel 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 min
ute glaring at each other, while the
silence was most painful. Not q sound
could be heard except the occasional
stamp Of horse On the outskirts of the
crowd.
The spectators sat around perfectly
motionless while the duelists began
slowly to walk around each other,
watching for chance to catch the othel
off guard. 1t was probably two minutes
before change came, and then it was
with the rapidity of Lightning stroke.
Sewapi suddenly made leap through
the air toward his enemy, and for an in.
slant the air appeared to be full of In
dams 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 it was seen
that neither had scratch. Still, dur
AhB lIc nHOl6 tACltlIlS SCou6 NOV ID SOuuu
could be heard except the clashing
steel as 1t came together. Slowly the
circling began again, and the glitlering
eyes alone showed that the walk meant
death. Soon the same leap was re,
peated, this time by Nunechi, who
seemed to fly through the air. The
fight was fast and furious, and when
they separated both were bleeding pro-
fuselv. Sewapi had terrible cut
across his breast, while Nunechi had the
muscles of his left forearm almost sew
cred
The intermission was very short, and
both men spraug simultaneously toward
each other. The struggle was fierce,
and suddenly trip was given and
Sewapi fell on top OF his antagonist
The lightning like rapidity of stroke
aud parry precluded the possibility of
knowing who was getting the worst Of
it, until it was noticed that Nunechi
threw up his arms, stiffened out his
legs and was dead with knife in his
heart. Sewapi sprang to his feet, gave
an ear-splitting yell, and then slowly
sank to the ground, with blood gushing
from dozen wounds. Before friend
could reach him he, too, was corpse.
-Tishomingo q. r. special to San
Francisco Examiner.