The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-07-19
DUEL TO THE DEATH.
Indians Meet and Settle Long Stand
ing Grudge With Knives.

Indians Meet and Settle Long Stand
ing Grudge With Knives.
From the San Francisco Examiner.
William Weston, a rancheman living
twenty miles north of Fishomingo. L T.
brings story Of a most horrible duel. which
was fought with knives by two Indians near
his ranch. There had been bad blood be-
tween 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 another horse race last week
the quarrel was renewed, and il was finally
arranged that they should end the matter
by duel with knives. A large crowd of
Indians and half-breeds were present. and n
ring was formed. Each man had his sec
ond, 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 shern
knives, the blades being about eight inches
long. When the men entered the ring it
was with the understanding that it was
duel to the death. Both were magnificent
spe linens of manhood, and they were
equally adept in the use of the knife.
Amid breathless silence the combatants
slowly approached the center of the ring
There they stood for a minute gazing AT
each other, while the silence was most main
full Not 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 be-
gan slowly to walk around each other
watching for a chance to catch the other
off guard. 1t was probably two minutes
before a change came, and then it was with
the rapidity of a lightning stroke
Sewapi suddenly made leap through the
air toward his enemy, and for an instant the
air appeared to efull of Indians and knives.
which latter flashed in the sunshine like
streaks of light. As quickly as they came
together did they separate, and notwith~
standing the rapid play of the weapons il
WINS seen that neither had received a scratch
Still, during the whole exciting scene not a
sound could be heard except the clashinr
steel as it came together. Slowly the cir
cling began again, and the giittering eyes
alone showed that the walk meant death.
Soon the same leap was repeated, this time
by Nunechi, who seemed to fly through the
air. The fight was fast and furious, and
when they separated both we're bleeding
profuselv. Sewapi had terrible cut across
his breast. while Nunechi had the muscle of
his left forearm almost severed.
The inter mission was very short, and both
men spraug simultaneously toward each
other. The struggle was fierce, and sud
denly trip was given and Sewapi fell on
top Of his antagonist. The lightning-like
rapidity of the stroke and 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 a
dozen wounds. Before friend could reach
him he, too, was corpse.