The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1904-12-27
RUNNING TIE gauntlet
Copyright, 1903. by G. 3. Lewis.l

Jot E1dII. one OF the aOleSt govern
ment scouts that ever worked with th4
army against the Indians, had beel
captured by the Cheyennes between
Forts Wallace and Lyon as he carried
dispatches.
The tribe then had its headquarters
On the Smoky hill fork of the Repub
lican river. 1t was after dark wher
they reached the town, and Hall was
tied hand and foot and placed in Il
tepee and four guards stationed around
it. A small raiding party had that day
captured a man belonging to the Sew
enth cavalry wagon train. The Chey-
ennes had determined not to spare
man, woman or child who fell into
their hands, but after a powwow last
ing an hour the teamster was brought
out. and Roman Nose said to him:
I'VE have captured the Flying Horse
(HalD. and we want all white men to
know it. They will not believe us. but
they will believe you. Come and see
him."
He was led to the tepee, and Hall ad-
mitted his identity and charged him
with some farewell messages to friends.
He also gave him the dispatches he
was to deliver, or rather asked Roman
Nose to do so, and the chief then said:
THAT your white brothers may know
you have been a captive in Jul hands
we will send them u mark"
The chief thereupon sliced off both Of
the Transfers ears and handed them to
him to put in his pocket. The direction
of Fort Wallace was pointed out. and
he was given one of the stage horses
n started off, reaching the post next
forenoon.
There did not appear to be one
chance in Il hundred for Hall to escape.
but the village had no sooner become
quiet than he began to plan. He was
SO triced up that it was Impossible tc
free himself. He worked at his lash
ings for an hour or so and then gave
up the attempt.
~ Va liz a
and the country around it, and he final
~ decided that his opportunity woult
come next day when taken out to run
the gauntlet. No matter what the rest
of the programme was, this portion or
preface vas never omitted. The In
dams seemed to get more amusement
of it than any other part.
When morning came Halls arms
we're cast loose. and he was provided
with a hearty breakfast. The Indians
knew he was game, and they wanted
him to keep his full strength anu last
as long as possible. He had also an
in view and ate all they brought
him.
1t was about 8 O'Clock when he was
taken out to run the g%antlet. All his
lashingS were cast off. u rope tied
his waist. and he was exercised
for fifteen minutes to timber him up.
Their were about U bucks in the
lines as they were presently formed.
In most Instances the warriors are al
lowed to strike with clubs, the handles
of t~0InahaWkS or hickory bows. out
N this case only switches were used.
Ha was a swift runner, and his plar
was to make a bolt as soon as he reach
ed the west end Of the line. To his
rhaSrin he found q dozen mounted war
rtors placed to head off any such at.
He made it, however. Run
ming down the ines at the top of his
speed ana receiving a cut from almost
warrior as he passed, he broke
out on the prairie and ran for his life,
The pursuing Indians could have kill
I'd him, but the idea was He
got two full miles from camp and dodg-
ID them for an hour before this was ac-
'0mplished. He was then made to pass
lp and down the lines four times, after
which he was returned to the tepee for
IN hours rest. Being stark naked.
blow of the switches had raised
welt, and he was SCARED from head
o heel,
The next move on the programme
vas to bind him to a tree and throw
Knives and ~tomahawks at him. The
.ea was to torture his mind, but some
t the slightly wounded him.
nj those who threw them were
at as bunglers. Hall won the
of all the warriors by his
of nerve during the trying or
.eaI.
At noon he was taken back to he
odge and given another hearty meal I
nd an hour later was brought out TO
e tied to the stake. Before this had
cen accomplished an old buffalo bull
by wolves dashed into the
erd of ponies about half a mile away
started a panic and a stampede.
here were o ponies in the herd. and
hey made straight for the village, and
D sudden was the alarm that for the |.
everybody was upset.
The general idea was that an attack '
Tas being made by the soldiers. and [
lere was a rush in every direction for {
Feapons. &,
Hall and his guards were knocked :