The Opelousas courier., 1901-03-02
Straight to the bank of the river

Straight to the bank of the rivea
came the brave, his arms extended,
showing that he was weaponless, ex,
cept the broad-bladed knife that he
held in his right hand.
HE wants a talk" the trapper OK.
claimed. Were in a regular hornets
nest, and we must fool him If we can
The Indian halted at the edge Of the
water. He was a tall, young brave,
muscular and powerful.
"Will the white brave, Spanish
Charley, step out and fight the brother
Of the Indian girl that he killed." cried
the chief speaking in excellent English.
Spanish Charley started and turned
pale.
'sThe Apaches make q fair offer; they
do not wish to shed the blood Of their
white brothers. They have nothing
worth taking, and the Apache lodges
are full of white scalps now. Let
Spanish Charley step out, and If he
kills the Apache chief in fair fight he
is free to depart with his braves"
eff you're afeared, Charley. I'll tackle
the Injine for you," the Kentuckian re-
marked.
The taunt stung the guilty man and
he started to his feet.
mo living man ~ saw Spanish
Charley show the white feather yeti"
he cried, boastfully. "Tll cut the
heart out of this red dog inside Of five
minutes, and send him to join his
proud-backed sister. Come on; I'm
ready for you" he cried, stepping
down to the waters edge, knife in
hand.
Tht Indian pointed to a sandy bar
about 200 yards down the stream.
"Let the white chief meet the Apache
brave there" the warrior said.
Spanish Charley nodded his head,
and throwing off his outer garments,
plunged at once into the water.
The Indian followed his example.
The redskin was not encountered with
clothing, being naked to the waist.
The combatants reached the island,
both at the same time, and as Spanish
Charley emerged from the water atone
side, the Indians tall form came up on
the other.
Knife in hand, the foemen glared up
On each other, With the cautious
movement of two angry tigers, they
circled around, each striving to obtain
the advantage.
Suddenly the Indian made q spring
forward; the white assumed the de-
fensive to parry the expected blow.
but it was but a feint upon the part
Of the Apache; for as Charley raised
his arm to parry, he uncovered bis
chest, and the Indian, improving the
opportunity, launched his knife full
at the heart of the white, throwing the
weapon with all the skill of the East
ern juggler.
Through Spanish Charley's white
flesh and keen blade cut its way until
it split his heart in twain.
With a hollow groan the unfortunate
man threw up his arms and sank down
dead, all in a heap.
A shrill cry of triumph came from the
throat of the Apache as he sprung for
ward and tore the warn and reeking
scalp from the head of his fallen foe.
Again the note of triumph rang on
the air, as the brave stood erect and
dangled the curly locks, Spanish
Charley's pride in the air; and from
the cover of the hills a hundred threats
echoed the cry of triumph.
And then, all in q moment, the shout
Of joy changed into a wall of horror.
The rifle of Montana Mike spoke, and
its ball drilled a round, red hole In the
temple of the victor.
HE was my pard, bays" cried the
Irishman, in answer to his comrades
remonstrances.
The whites expected a terrible fight
for life; but contrary to their expecta-
ton, the savages did not attack.
The Apaches thirsted for revenge.
but feared the death-dealing rifles; be-
sides, ne booty could be got.
When nightfall came, the whites
withdrew from the island and fed
down the river, holly pursued by the
Apaches; but they made Fort Goodwin
in safety. And to this day Montana
Mike exhibits the red bullet, and tells
the terrible story of the redskins Vens
geance.-New York News.