The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1894-05-19
A VAN oE NERVE.

BY Q o'clock in the morning fully
800 Indians had gathered at the
agency. Every ono OF them was armed
with u rifle or revolver, and many of
.hem had both. There was no drink
ing, and butlittle talking. ecar Faced
Charley had escaped from the guard
house at the fort the night previous
and sought their protection. They
were ready TO iighta whole regiment
sooner than give him up. They ex.
pectcd the soldiers TO come, and they
had planned how the attack should be
made.
Scar Faced Charley, armed with a
Winchester, revolver, and hunting
knife, was the centre of a group at the
flour house. 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 Indians
could iilpl shelter. The excavation for
Il new slorehouse would make a rifle
pit for fifty redskins. AT 9 o'clock the
agent telcgraphcd over TO the fort:
"Don't Come. You couldn't take
him with 500 men,"
AT 10 o'clock q single white ma
came up the road. with his mustang
going at an easy canter. While he was
yet II riileshot away the Indians recog.
nized him as Wild Bill, and there was
an uneasy movement among them.
Every man was watching him as he
turneu to the left and rode into tho
agency. He might have a~dcspatch for;
the agent, or he might want TO make
a purchase. When he did not draw
rein ut the store the uncasincss was
more marked. The Indians gathered
in groups and convcrscl in Whispers
AS the rider reached these groups he
uttered 81 brief "howdy," but did not
check his pace. Al that same canter,
and with his gaze fastened on the
group at the flour house, the famous
scout rode down the avenue, and made
no halt until he reached the group. He
nodded to two or three ludians whom
he knew, and then said to Scar Faced
| Charley:
81 have come after you. II is not
far. and my horse will carry double,
There was the man who had sworn
never to he taken alive; around him
were 800 friends who had promised to
wipe cut any force sen TO capture him.
Instead of go or 80 soldiers. here was
Ii lone man. Every one looked at
him in blank amazemcnt. He knew
why they had assembled. and vet he
dared take the risks. He had knife and
revolver, but he did not dare put a
hand To either.
II will o gow replied the half
breed. but there was iuIccision in his
tones.
al am sent for you. shall take you
dead or alive. Give up your arms and
come along"
For thirty seconds every Indian
seemed to hold his breath. and all
stood as rigid rs posts. One we'll
aimed bullet would settle the scout,
but not Il gun was raised to fire ii.
Half y dozen OF those stalwart men
could rush him of the grounds. to re.
turn mt his peril, but not u foot moved.
A regiment would have been attacked
long ago. A company would lave been
wiped out witt, q volley. A squad
would have been hacked 10 pieces with
tomalIawks. But one man, and that
mar Wild Bill!
Scar Faced Charley looked to the
right and left and half raised his rifle.
Then he handed II TO the man on his
right, followed it by the revolver, cast
his knife to the ground with a curse,
and stepped forward and mounted be-
bind the scout. The latter had enter.
ed the agency with a smile on his face
1t was there as he rode up TO the flour
house; there rs he delivered his
message; there as he rode away with
his prisoner behind him. Not a rifle
was discharged, not a shout uttered,
not n 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 awed aud over,
come by u single man, but they feared
that man more than q regiment o.
aolliars