The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-10-15
A DUEL ON THE PLAINS.
BUFFALO BILLS DEADLY ENcOUN-
TER WITH YELLOW HAND.

In 1915 I was a leading light in the
Twelfth United States cavalry. with all
the dash and ambition that goes with ig
norance and good digestion We-that fs
the gallant Twelfth-had been ordered
north from the Union Pacific railroad 70
intercept the Cheyenne Indians, who, 1t
was reported, were moving westward from
Pine Ridge, OAK, TO their agency, TO join
the hostile Sioux under Sitting Bull. Crazy
Horse and other noted chiefs.
OF course you remember the campaign,
for it ended with the Custer massacre
Well, we had not been as yet ordered out
but the movement of the Cheyennez
brought us into the game. If You will
look At the map you will see that the nat
ural route of the hostiles we were TO in
tercept was up the Laramie river. We
therefore, by forced marches reached the
stream at point due north of the city of
Cheyenne, Wy, before the Indians got
there 1t was touch and go, though, for
we had at about noon just crossed the
river and halted on the mesa when to the
eastward we saw the dust cloud that indi-
Gated the movement of large body of IL
dams.
Naturally on seeing the dust cloud afore-
kdIu We NCLS ndll6u ny OQA COiOnCl, cIhl,
dismounting, led our horses back from the
brow of the mesa to await developments.
The valley of the Laramie lay below us.
smooth as lawn, about six miles wide.
In that clear air it did not seem more than
a mile or two. however and we needed no
field glass. As the Indians continued to
move on it was plain they knew not of our
presence, and We were to have our fight
for fight it would be- the Cheyennes being
sure fighters and as brave men as ever
waiked-in our own way and in our own
time.
1t so happened that we had moved down
the valley of small branch of the Lara
ME, the Deadwood trail, to get where we
were. From our position on the mesa we
could see up this little valley, and what
was our dismay to see galloping toward US,
although they could not see US, two blue
coats that we knew at once must be court
ers from the railroad From certain signs
among the indians, who had gotten within
a couple of miles of Us, it was evident that
they too had seen our couriers. The trend
of the valley enabled them to do SO, and
they were nearer the dnsuspectlng horse
men than we were The colonel, seeing no
time was to be lost detached platoon of
cavalry to try and cut off small detach-
ment of Cheyennes who now appeared
rapidly riding toward our two unsuspect-
ing men.
Buffalo Bin was with US. but entirely
unofficiaIly. This had been a source of re
greet to us all, mean his being only pies
ent as guest, for we needed guides and
scouts and he was the best one that the
west ever knew. Well, as our platoon
moved out Bill rode with them, being en-
couraged by cheer from officers and men,
One whole regiment was also moved up,
mounted to the edge Of the mesa, and then
for the first time ali The actors and specta-
tors in the drama became aware of the ex
tent of the attendance and power of the
cast. The larger body of Indians halted as
they swung into view, and for the time be-
ing the only movement was that of our
platoon, the smaller body of hostiles and
the still innocent couriers
At the head of the small band of Indians
rode on a beautiful white pony fine look
ing young buck, whose entire outfit ex-
cept weapons consisted of a splendid eagles
feather headdress that reached the ground
as he sat his pony. At the head of our rep
resencatives rode Buffalo Bill. gorgeous us
he always was, in yellow buckskin and
long hair, sitting his beautiful black mare
as only he could.
Suddenly the Indian chief halted his men
and Cody did the same, the two little
squads being about go yards apart. The
chief, Yellow Hand the braveSt warrior
the brave Ch4yennes have ever produced,
rode quietly out ahead of his band and
called Cody by name The latter prompt
ly replied, told our men to stay where they
were and approached his dusky enemy.
1t seems Cody and Yellow Hand were old
acquaintance. and each was glad to meet
the other to settle some old feud So the
two champions, as fine specimens Of the
two races on this continent as could be
found, promptly closed for mortal combat.
All who saw the movement at once knew
what was about to take place, and COO sol
diers and as many Indians strained their
eyes for show fit for "a Roman emperor.
The two Gladaters crcled about 100
yards and exchanged shots, but apparently
without effect. Even the deadly Buffalo
Bill is not certain when firing from NOV
ing horse. Soon they drew nearer. Yel-
low Hand fired and tore Bills hat. Bill
never fiinched, drew nearer, and crack
over went Yellow Hands pony, but the
red man showed that he deserved his repu-
tation. for. with shout. be jumped to
his feet, put a bullet plump into Cody's
mare-not knocking her down, however
and dropped behind his fallen pony
Evidently she advantage was with the
Indian for he now had breastworks and
rest, OF this he made good use and fired
several shots while Cody was coolly dis
iug ma a nd
his weapons. Cody now turned the ami
mai loose, and she. with whinny, hmped
to our platoon as her brave master, with
Wiucheste1 at ready" calmly strobe to-
ward his foe, who. lying behind his pony
received him with several shots. one or two
of which pierced the white mans clothes
Still Cody was getting nearer and nearer.
and the Indian was evidently getting rat
tied
The strain on rs was terrible, and al
though we in the main body were out Of
hearing, we could not nelp Yelling Fire
FireI For Gods sake fire.
But il could not last forever. Soon Cody
deliberately. as II be were shooting for MS
chuu. the Prince OF Wares. raised MS rife
took quick ain-crackl and over rolled
Yellow Hand with the yell shat Is never
mistaken, the yell Of a dying Indian OF
course the platoon charged at once and
the Indians fsi! back on their main band,
too broken uD even 20 make an effort 30 !
recover their chIe: BODY Oar main col
umn hurried down. moved on the Chey
ennes who, now deprived of their DIX
ealei, readily agreed 70 return 10 tneiT
agency Nobody Ead paid attention 20 our
couriers. VINO rode N ana WITH DIX eyes
learned OF their narrow escape
Buffalo Bill. Wien asked why he held
he - - long se5f - ~ rras1 n srsr ~ioze