Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1901-09-12
WAR WITH THE cHERoKEEs.
story OF the struRRIe Of the wyan-
dottes Related By chief
Warrow.

warrow.
The following account of the war
between the Cherokees and the Wy
andottes was written for the Free
Press by Chief Warrow;
Between the years 1870 and 1880,
or thereabouts, the Wyandottes and
the Cherokees became hostile to each
other. A savage warfare was kept
up between them for years through
the forests of the Ohio river and be-
yond. This warfare has been sup
posed to have originated from kid
naping one another's women and
children for adoption.
However, party of 10 Wyan-
dotte scouts, having the brave war
chief Soo-daw-Soo-wat as their lead
er, ventured to the haunts of their
enemies in the wild forests of Ohio,
and made a daring attack on their
foes. Though outnumbered three
times, they fought desperately for a
time, but they were forced to retreat.
They were pursued by the Cherokees.
The evening shades overlook them
Of which they intended to encamp.
"'My friends, be on your guard; do
not let sleep overcome you; our en-
emy is yet in pursuit Of us; danger
Gus Is our situation exclaimed their
leader, as his companions were pull
Ing of their moccasins, seemingly
preparing for a good nights rest
around a small fire.
"They did not seem to heed his ad-
monition more than the idle wind
that moaned as IL passed through the
branches Of the lofty oaks over their
drowsy heads, unconscious OF the aw-
tul fate that awaited them. They
were about to give way TO q sound
sleep when they were suddenly dis
turbed by the bowling Of a wolf.
"Uarl, exclaimed Soo-daw-Soo-
wat, with an authoritative tones did
not tell you that our enemy was
near? This bowling sounds like the
voice Of n human being
"'Searce had he uttered these
words when the wolf south OF them
was answered by the barking OF a
fox in q westerly direction; in the
north the quacling Of drake; in the
cast the hooting OF an owl.
"'Now, my friends continued Soo-
aw-Soo-wat, I'VE are completely sur
rounded. / have heard IL said by
some Of our old men that such as we
have now heard is the signal used by
the Cherokees when surrounding
their enemy. The first division that
approaches within sight of the fire
gives notice to the others TO halt,
when seeing the enemy's fire, and
wait until just before the dawn Of
day, end then advance to attack.
Their usual time 20 make the onset
will soon roll round. Keep awake, my
friendsi'
"But his friends seemed TO enter
tain some doubts as TO the possibil-
ity Of the enemy being so near and
concluded by saying that they were
out of their reach. Being wearieL by
constant marches, they were soon
buried in slumber; all fell asleep ex-
cept their wide-awalSs leader, who
sat smoking his pipe, ruminating in
silence on their dangerous situation,
now and then resting himself in
recuInbent position, looking around
him as far ut his eyes could penetrate
into the darkness, from which at any
moment might burst forth upon them
the most dreadful calamity.
"All was silence. Nothing dis
turbed the quiet Of nature save the
sound OF the running stream. The
silence continued until the sonorous
hooting OF an owl, perched on some
limbs, broke the monotony, as IL an
nouncing the near approach of the
enemy. When Soo-daw-Soo-wat heard
the rustling of dry leaves he said:
IT is the footstep Of the enemy and
In an instant was on his feet. He
thrust his tomahawk in his belt and
seized his rife. Scarce had he COM
menced to arouse his sleeping friends
when the air was rent with the saw
age yells of the enemy as they rushed
upon his companions with the vindic-
tiyeness OF demons. A shower OF ar
rows and gun shots awakened the de-
voted sleepers, and ere they could all
seize their arms their ruthless en-
tAAltN were NAtAliH AhfNh AhNh WIN
tomahawlSs. Meanwhile Soo-daw-Soo-
wat and some of his friends were fir
ing at the enemy from the dark.
The Wyand ottes, though outnum-
bered, fought desperately until dawn
Of day, when they crept over the bank
of the river and betook themselves
to flight Knowing a rule among the
rt..v,Ircnu rnvaY. fo 4o11otv fha ram
iAant Of their enemies after n battle,
they halted at some distance from
the camp until some time in the after
part OF the day, when they heard fir
ing. The Cherokees had buried their
slain friends, and after firing fare
well shot over their graves started
for their homes, leaving the slain
wyandottes for their friends TO bury
them"