The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1892-05-14

werU returning from. one OF their most
famous victories
They camped under the shadow Of
Medicine Blun .latc 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 70 fix his gaze on the
highest point of the blum. and In that
position continued for several minutes
wrapped In most profound study.
while all the rest OF the band stopped
whatever they were doing and gazeS
at him as intenily.
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 70 learn what he
meank Presently he turned his face
towards tho sun. which was about two
hours high. and broke out with this
boast:
mo warrior equals me! am the
greatest OF all the Comauchesl
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 Mt its foot! Is there
any warrior here who dare follow
meg' -N~-
Then he shook his spear and bran
dished 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 Comanchesp You are the
buffalo that leads the herd? am the
old bull to be driven away by the cow
ardiy coyote and die leaving my bones
to whiten? You ask me to follow you.
Never! ! never follow. / will 60
with you"
The remainder OF the band gath
cred around the two celebrated war;
riors They wondered what new deed
OF daring they we're going to attempt,
rs the rivals arrayed themselves in
their buckskin dress and mounted
their fayorite ponies With
shields held In defying posi-
uon, their faces painted and their
bonnets OF war-eagle feathers flowing
In the breeze. they rodo 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 20 the
fearful precipice a few rods of, 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 tha- TANKS OF
his animal vigorously he darJed 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 hB 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 us
calmly as il in his lodge as he descend.
ed. seated as upright on his pony as
II his animal were walking the prairie.
and above all they heard his clear
voice as IL rang out in the clouds:
Greater than all the Comanches.
Sadly they wendell their way to the
foot OF the bluff. where both horse and
rider lay a mangled mess on the rocks.
the old warrior with O smile on his
wrinkled face OF unmistakable tri-
amph.
The boastlng rival became a wan
derer among the tribes His ma mo wac
accursed OF all Indians. The very
dogs snapped at him as he passed. At
last overcome with remorse at his
cowardice and treachcry. 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 we're
found lying at his feet. Col. Henry
Inman in the National Tribune.