The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-03-24
A COMANCaE STORY.
Dared to His Death Brave Shows the
Fatal Way.
From TIE National Tribune.

Fatal Way.
| From The National Tribune.
A story told 20 many Of us during the
campaign referred to, by one OF the Oldest
| OF the Comanches, the Oldest Indian 1 have
ever seen, Little Beaver" Of the Osages, Is
very interesting. showing 70 what an art
the despised savage Of thirty years ago re-
duced storytelling. The drisd-up old war
rior prefaced his tale by stating that be was
so aged, that he was brother OF the highest
peak OF the Wichita Mountains" at the
foot OF which we were camped on a cold
| December night in 1865. Here is the story:
So many years ago that it seemed like a
dream even to the narrator, the Comanches
we're the greatest tribe on earth. Their
warriors were as numerous as a tribe OF
buffalo on the Arkansas In the fall. They
were more cunning than the coyote. Their
herd Of ponies contained so many animals
all fine aud fat-that no man could count
them In year. All the other Indians of
the plains and mountains feared and trem-
bled at the name Of Comanche-
In the tribe, as isever the case, there were
two warriors who excelled all the others in
their proves. One was young and the other
mlddle-aged. They were very jealous of
each other, each constantly attempting some
deed OF daring at which, it was hoped, the
rival would balk. One fall, when the Indian
summer made the air redolent with the
sweet perfume OF thousands Of flowers and
the mountains were bathed in the amber
mist Of that delicious season, ali the great
warriors were returning from one Of their
most famous victories
They camped under the shadow of Medi-
cone Bluff late one afternoon, where the
young brave, who was uuietly smoking his
pipe as he lowered over the little campfire
In which he was broiling piece of ante
lope steak, happened TO fix his gaze on the
highest point OF the bluff. and In that posi-
tlon continued for several minutes wrapped
IN most profound study, while all the rest
OF the band stopped whatever they were
doing and gazed at him intently.
Suddenly he rose to his fnll hight, and
casting defiant look upon the warriors
scattered around on tie grass, who, excited
at his strange manner, sprang up TO learn
what he meant. Presently he turned his
face toward the sun, which was about two
hours high, and broke out with this boast:
mo warrior equals mel 1 am the greatest
OF all the Comanchesl l resemble that
mountain pointing with his spear to the
highest peak Of Medicine Bluff. MY actions
are as far above yours as that mountain is
above the stream at its foot! Is there a
warrior here who dare follow mee"
Then he shook his spear and brandished
his shield in defiance Of any and all. His
rival was all the time swelling with rage
for him alone, although he was the elder of
the two. He approached the braggart with
all the dignity OF the savage that he was.
and striking himself on the bosom several
times. exclaimed:
'Soi You are the greatest warrior of the
CoEanchesl You are the buffalo that leads
the herd! / am the old bull to be driven
away by the cowardly coyote and die. leav-
ing my bones to whiteng You ask me TO
follow you. Never! / never followl
will go with your
The remainder of the band gathered
around the two celebrated warriors. They
wondered what new deed OF daring they
were going TO attempt, as the revals ar
Tayed themselves in their best buckslrin
dress and mounted their favorite ponies.
With shields held In defying position,
their faces painted and their bonnets of war
eagle feathers flowing In the breeze they
rode away without another word.
They forded the stream. The youngest
now started up the difficult trail, which led
to the sacred summit Of the Medicine Bluff,
where, stopping his affrighted steed, he
pointed to the fearful precipice few rods
off and exclaimed:
"You have followed me here; follow me
further"
Then shouting the war-whoop. which
made the echoes of the mountains awaken,
and humping the TANKS of hisEanimal
vigorously, he dsrted toward the awful
brink. His rival instantly raised his pony
on his hind legs and with whoop more
piercing followed the young man, who
when he had reached the edge of the preci-
pice failed in courage and pulled his pony
violently back ON his launches. The elder
saw his chance. With an a awful yell OF de-
fiance and triumph be forced his horse to
make the terrible leap in mid-air.
All the worriers on the grassy bottom be-
low watched with eager interest what was
going on above them. They heard the
whoop or the aged worrier as he jumped
down the awful abyss. They saw him sit
as calmly as il in lodge" as he descended,
seated as upright on his poney as if his ami
NAL were walking the prairie, and, above
all they heard his clear voice as it rung out
in the clouds: Greater than all the Com
anches."
Sadly they wendell their way to the foot
os the bluff. where both horse and brave
rider lay mangled mass on the rocks, the
old worrior with smile on his wrinkled
face Of unmistakable triumph.
The boasting rival became wanderer
among the tribes. His name was accursed
of all Indians. The very dogs of the camps
snapped at him as he passed. At last, over
come with remorse at his cowardice and
treachery, he killed himself. One day he
was found dead on the grave Of his rival at
the foot of the bluff. His body was eaten
by the coyotes; his shield and spear, by
which he had been identified, were lying on
| the ground at his feet