The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-12-13

hunt on the following day. The hunting
party consisted of twenty men. the best
shots and fighters in the band.
The prophet had moved his camp across
the river during the night before. and as
the hunters wanted an early start they
crossed the river Just before shutdown. in
tending to sleep in the camp of the
prophet. When they arrived there, he
begged them to give up the hunt, telling
them that if they persisted he himself
would be killed; but in case he did not
go, the whole band would be killed.
This disappointed the hunters and they
tainted him with cowardice. Stung by
tie taunt the old man declared himself
ready 20 go. The following morning the
old man appeared. dressed in his best
He wore long-tailed, red coat, such as
the government presented to chiefs and
head men years ago. The party started
in a southwestern direction, and sighted
the first buffalo on what the Osages call
Crescent creek. This creek is the first
branch that empties into Red Rock from
the south, west OF the Santa Fe depot.
Here again the old man begged his fol-
lowers to kill a few buffalo and return
home, but again his warning was unheed
cd. Scorning to kill the few leaders, they
dashed into the midst Of the buffaloes.
killing only the choicest and latest.
They neared the head. of the creek men
toned when large force of Indians ap-
peared on the hill, and turing TO fee,
they found that another party had cut of
their retreat. The only thing that re-
NAMED for them to do was to go into
the creek and fight it out as best they
could.
Although the old mans warning had
been unheeded, he was determined TO
save his followers. His red coat made
him conspicuous, and while his men were
leading their horses down the creek, he
would get up on the bank and draw the
attention of the enemy while his follow
ers crept a little nearer home. When
ever the enemy charged on the little
oand. they would huddle close to the
bank of the creek. saving their arrows
until they could see the eyes of the en-
emy before they fired.
These tactics were repeated all day
until about shutdown. when an arrow
struck the old man just above the tenn
pie. Although stricken unto death. he
still thought of the welfare of his fol-
lowers. and as darkness was near. he
asked them to conceal him Ia a thicket.
He promised to return to them In four
days. providing he was left alone with
the buzzards. Il want to live" were his
words IF you leave me, with the help
OF the buzzards I will recover within four
days, but II you take me along I viii
only be in your way and will surely
die"
Thus persuaded. they concealed him in
a thicket and started homeward. but fn6-
ing that their enemies had left the battle
field, and hearing them mourn on the dis
tant hills. they decided to so back and
bring the old prophet with them, as they
would be derided as towards II they re-
turned without him. They carried him 70
the camp on Gait creek. and ten days
later his words came true. he was bu-
RED in the grave mentioned above.
The writer has heard the above story
many times from the older members Of
the Usage tribe, and whatever its merits
may be. he is convinced that they firmly
believe that the Old man had the power
ascribcd 20 him. and when the writer
ventured TO express some doubt as 70 the
Truth he was invariably met with the
reply that this was Just as truthful as
the miracles OF Christ's Apostles.
NUN-TsE-wA-CHA.
Stop coughs and colds. cure al lung
troubles and prevent consumption by US
ing one Minute Cough Cure It is harm
less and acts quickly Geo. Van Yer
den. Gus SauT.