Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1891-01-02

knew l had killed three Cheyennes on
the Smoky Hill Fork only the week be-
fore. They knew that i had balked
two of their raids on stage stations, and
that had once ridden right through
camp of 200 of them and carried off the
best horse Roman Nose ever had.
An Indian sizes man up according
to his deeds. They took my rifle, re-
volver, and knife, but were very re-
spectful about it. was then mounted
on station horse, my feet tied under
his belly, and he was led behind q war
riors pony. They headed to the north
west, and about an hour after dark We
came up with the main party, which
was encamped in grove Of cotton
wood on q small creek. 1 had no
sooner dismounted than I was taken
into the presence of Roman Nose. His
tory has said that he was one of the
smartest chiefs any Western tribe ever
had. He was smart only as an Indian.
He was liar. hypocrite, and assassin.
He had the smartness of the coyote, in
avoiding superior force, and the cum
ming of q serpent in approaching foe.
I knew lie could hold a conversation in
English, but as he did not know that I
was aware Of the fact he called up q
half-breed to act as interpreter. I was
pretty we'll up in the Cheyenne tongue,
but Roman nose did not know it. He
| began the conversation as follows:
How many soldiers are there in the
fort?
about hundred" answered, Civ
ing him the correct number.
"Why didn't they come out and fight
us?"
They were hoping you would come
nearer. "
You are called Night Shadow"
| EYES,"
You have killed some of my peo-
ple?"
after they had sought to kill me.
sHu! The Indian has right to de-
iend his own lands. The white man
wants everything. even the dry rivers
and the bare rocks. In an hour shall
burn you ut the stake"
L hadn't the slightest reason to hope
he wouldn't. The Cheyennes had an
old score to settle with me, personally,
and their loss of men OF the station
that day must be avenged. was
turned over to q guard OF three war;
riors, and they gave me something to
drink and to eat. l was hungry and
thirsty, and made as good meal as if
I expected to live fifty years, instead of
an hour longer. A stake was driven
while was eating, and before I had
finished the warriors had begun col
lecting brush.
1t was written of me by correspond
ent ct Fort Wallace that Providence
saved by life. Soon after the stake had
been driven it began to rain. Although
the Indian is half animal, he breads the
rain, and the storm took all the en-
thusiasm out of my captors. At the
same time almost scout came in with
some news, and was soon told bv the
halfbreed that had been respited.
This scout, as afterward appeared, had
discovered that the fort had neither
cannon nor Notifications, and it was be-
lieved that the soldiers were demoral-
lied and would surrender if at
tackled. At about midnight, when
the rain began to hold up, all but five
men set out in the direction of the fort.
The five were left to guard ME. They
did not hesitate to tell me that the fort
was to be attacked, and that they were
sure Of victory.
l slept from midnight to daylight,
being staked out at the ankles having o
warrior on each side of me. Soon after
daylight my guards were astir, and
when breakfast had been prepared my
feet were tied together, and I was al
lowed to sit up and help myself. We
were fully twenty miles from the fort,
and no news was expected until late in
the afternoon. When they asked me
what I thought of the chances I an
swered that Roman Nose would be
beaten off, and we argued the matter
pro and con without the slightest ill
feeling.
What happened at the fort I did not
learn for some days afterwards. Had
Roman Nose made secret approach to
within striking distance and then
charged in he would have won speedy
victory. The presence of his force was
betrayed at an early date, and the gar
rison threw up a breastwork from what
ever could be had, caught up their
horses, and the first charge took all the
conceit out Of the 800, several being