The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-12-18
A MAN OF NERVE.
Doing Easily What Would Have Been m
Inipossibifity For 800 Men.

Doing Easily What Would Have Been m
Inipossibiiity For 500 Men.
BY o'clock in the morning fully 300
Indians had gathered at the agency. Every
one OF them was armed with rifle or revolv-
er. and many of them had both. There
was no drinking and but little talking.
Scar Faced Charley had escaped from the
gaurd house at the fort the night previous
and sought their protection. They were
ready TO lighta whole regiment sooner than
give him up They expected the soldiers 70
come, and they had planned how the at
tack should be made.
Scar Faced Charley, armed with win
chester, revolver and hunting knife, was
the center of group at the 1ourhouse. To
reach him the soldiers would have TO ride
across the agency grounds between the
lines of Indians. They would have TO pass
five sheds and houses behind which the In
dians could find shelter The excavation
for a new storehouse would make a rifle
pit for 80 redskins. At D o'clock the agent
telegraphed over to the fort:
Don't come. You couldn't take him
with 800 men,"
At 10 O'Clock n single white man came up
the road, with bis mustang going at an
easy canter. While he was yet IA riheshot
away the Indians recognized him as Wild
Bill, and there was an uneasy movement
among them. Every man was watching
him as he turned TO the left and rode into
the agency. He might have dispatch for
the agent, or he might want 10 make pur-
chase. When he did not draw rein at the
store, the unrasfncss was more marked.
The Indians gathered in groups and con-
versed in whispers. AS the rider reached
these groups be uttered brief "howdy,"
but did not checl, his pace. At that same
easy canter, and with his gaze fastened on
the group at the Gourhouse, the famous
scout rode down the wide avenue and made
no halt until he reached the group. He
nodded 10 two or three Indians whom he
knew, and then said TO Scar Faced Charley:
II have come after you. IL is not far, and
my horse will carry double.S
There was the man who had sworn never
20 be taken alive; around him were 800
friends who had promised to wipe out y
force sent 70 capture him. Instead OF 90
or 800 soldiers, here was one lone man. V
cry one looked at him in blank amazeme-t.
He knew why they had assembled, and yet
he dared take the risks He had knife and
revolver, but hedid not put hand to either
II will not go!' replied the half breed, but
there was indecision in bis tones.
II am sent for you. ! shall take you
dead or alive. Give up your arms and
come along"
For 80 seconds every Indian seemed to
hold his breath, and all stood as rigid as
posts. One well aimed bullet would settle
the scout, but not q gun was raised to fire
it. Half dozen of those stalwart men
could rush him OFF the grounds, to return
at his peril, but not foot moved A regi-
ment would have been attacked long ago.
A company would have been wiped out
with a voley. A squad would have been
hacked TO pieces with tomahawks and
knives. But one man, and that man Wild
Biift
Scar Faced Charley looked to the right
and left and half raised his rifle Then he
handed it to the man on his right, followed
by the revolver, cast his knife TO the ground
with curse and stepped forward and
mounted behind the scout. The latter had
entered the agency with a smile on his face.
1t was there as he rode up TO the flourhouse;
there as he delivered his message; there
as he rode away with his prisoner behind
him. Not rifle was discharged, not a shout
uttered, not word spoken as they rode
away. When they were out OF sight behind
the ridge the Indians broke up into small
groups and returned to their camps. They
had been awcd and overcome by a single
man, but they feared that man more than
q regiment of soldiers. M. QUAD.