Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1892-05-20

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thom in year. All the other In.
dians of the plains and mountain.
feared and trembled at the name ~
Comanche.
In the tribe. as is ever the case
there were two warriors who excelled
all the others in their prowess. One
was young and the other middle. 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 de.
| llclous season. all the great warriors
were returning from one of their most
famous victories
They camped under the shadow OF
Medicine Bluff late one afternoon
where the young brave. who was
quietly smoking his pipe as he hover.
ed over the little campfire on which
he was broiling piece of antelope
steak. happened to fix his gaze on the
highest point of the bluff. and in that
position continued for several minutes
wrapped in a most profound study.
while all the rest of the band stopped
whatever they were doing and gazed
at him as intently.
Suddenly he rose to his full height
and casting defiant look upon the
warriors scattered around on the
grass. who excited at his strange
manner sprang up to learn what he
meant. Presently he turned his face
towards the sun. which was about two
hours high, and broke out with this
boast:
mo warrior equals me, am the
greatest of all the Comanches! I
resemble that mountainr 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 Mt its foot! Is there
any warrior here who dare follow
mep"
Then he shook his spear and bran
dlshed his shield in defiance OF any
and all. His rival was all the time
swelling with rage and pride. He
knew the boast was intended for him
alone although he was the elder of
the two He approached the bragg
CART with all the dignity of the savage
that he was. and striking himself on
the bosom several times exclaimed:
so! You are the greatest warrior
OF the Comanches? You are the
buffalo that leads the herd? am the
old bull to be driven away by the cow
ardly coyote and die leaving my bones
to whiten? You ask me to follow YOU.
Never! l mover follow, l will go
with you"
The remainder of the band gath
cred around the two celebrated war
riors They wondered what new deed
OF daring they were going TO attempt
as the rivals arrayed themselves in
their buckskin dress and mounted
their favorite ponies. With
shields held in defying posi-
ton. their faces painted and their
bonnets OF war-eagle feathers flowing
in the breeze they rodc away without
another word.
They forded the stream. The
youngest now started up the difficult
trail which led 10 the sacred summit
of the Medicine Bluff where. stopping
his affrighted steed. he pointed 20 the
fearful precipice few rods off, and
exclaimed
You have followed me here; fol-
low me further"
Then shouting the war whoop which
made the echoes of the mountain
awaken. and humping the TANKS of
his animal vigorously he darted tow
ara 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 reached the edge of the precipice
failed in couraged and pulled his
pony violently back on his launches.
The elder saw his chance With an
awful yell OF defiance and triumph. he
forced his horse to make the terrible
leap in mid-air
All the warriors on the grassy bot
tom below watched with eager inter-
est what was going on above them.
They heard the whoop OF the aged
warrior as he jumped down the awful
abyss. They saw him sit as
calmly as II in his lodge as he descend
ed seated as upright on his pony as
. --~o "OiC lnc prairie.
and above all they heard his clear
voice as it rang out in the clouds:
: Greater than all tho Comanches. n
Sadly they wendell their way to the
loot OF the bluff. where both horse and
rider lay "A mangled mass on the rocks.
The old warrior with smile on his
face OF unmistakable tri-
imph. q
The Boosting rival becamea wan
ierer among the tribes. His name was
iccursed OF all Indians. The very
logs snapped at him as he passed. At
asst overcome with remorse at his
'owardice and treachery. he killed
One day he was found dead
IN the grave OF his rival at the
DOT OF the bluff. His body was eaten
~ the coyotes his shield and spear, by
which he had been identified. were
ound lying at his feet Col Henry
nman in the National Tribune.