Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1906-05-10

man; Red Scar was hurled backward
TO the earth; there was shout OF
triumph, and Tsilta was swept from
the ground by a ci:cllng ARMAND
they were gone.
"Zip-koh-eta!" shouted hundred
voices as the daring rider whirled
away. On and on across flower
deckei prairie and srass-grown rise.
through wooded streams they sped.
Night came, and they were alone
In q wooded dell where bubbllng
spring refreshed them. The tired
horse cropped the tender grass; the
stars kept watch.
zone sleep, and then Zip-koh-eta
will 70 back and fight" he whispered,
as they sat with his one robe around
both their bodies. He must go back
and prove to all the men that he has
q right to call Tsilta wife,"
The day was yet young when a man
and woman Oh single horse halted
before the lodge Of Satanic, chief OF
the KiOwas.
by the law OF the Kiowas, Zip-kch-
eta asks for fairness in fight with Red
Scar" said the man.
"The law Of the Ki0was shall not be
broken" answered the great chief.
There was the beating OF the council
drum. The warriors quickly assem-
BLEED. The aged medicine man arose
and made known the law OF the
Kiowas touching the case OF Red Scar
and Zlp-koh-eta:
Should a warrior steal another
wife and remain away one sleep and
then. return. he preserves his place
and right OF warrior-the right 10
fight to the death with the offended
husband. But should he be caught.
or should he kill one who pursued
him. or should he not return. In any
such case he shall be considered an
outlaw, and therefore worthy Of death,
and must suffer as a criminal. Zip
koh-eta stood ready to meet in NOR
tai combat the aggiieved Red Scar,
who must fight or. cease to be a men,
Der cf the tribe, or. remaining. must
cease to be a warrior. They must fight
to the death at the pleasure OF the
victor.
Now" said Satanta, when the med
icine man had finished, "let the men
meet in fight"
That fight fingers yet In the memo
ries of the Kiowas, and the prowess
of one OF the combatants Is still sung
by the camp fires and at the feasts.
The men faced each other, stripped
to the skin. save for 1 bit Of buckskin
about their loins. The people stood
in great circle about the combat
ants.
A knife was handed to each one at
the same time. Red Scar took his
with q savage grab. and the fight was
on. Zip-koh-eta went with a rush.
but halted Just out Of reach Of the
Others knife, which described a cir
cling sweep. Not for moment did Red
Scar take his cleaning gaze from the
face of the youth, and with great self
restraint waited for q favorable OPP
portunity for one good thrust.
Red Scar is q stiff-legged buffalo,
laughed the youth .auntingly, as he
up out of reach. He has
chosen the place which his blood shall
make red" There vas no reply.
HE crept out into the darkness and
stuck his knife into the back OF his
best friend. He is a coyote, who
dares not fight in the daytime" Still
no reply from the grim warrior The
supple youth lurchcd back just In time
TO avoid a vicious stab as Red Scar
took one quick advancing step. Then
came the most insulting epithet that
ould possibly be applied to Kiowa
Zip-koh-eta thrust out his
face, while a sneering smile played
jver It. RED Scar is woman"
ne did not finish the sentence. He
If the married visage bounded for
ward, there was a swish OF his knife
which the other narrowly escaped;
but before he could recover. the
fingers of Zip-koh-eta closed upon his
.hroat-a grapevine twist OF the leg,
4 thud on the ground. and Red Scar
lay upon his back with eyes staring
rom their sockets as he gasped for
breath. The knife was poised for the
home thrust. 1t hung for a moment
like the sword Of Eamocles. Red
Scar may live IL he will say that he
IS q woman" Kissed the voice OF the
;icto-. The reply came cultural and
irm: RED Scar is a man. He can
iie."
Zip-koh-eta lifted away his foot;
mingled with his smile
If triumph. Throwing away his knife,
ne beckoned to Tsilta. He took her by
he hand and drew her to the CEN
Ter Of the circle. Then turning de-
iantly to the assembled warriors, he
aid: Men of the Kiowa, this wom-
IN has not violated her wifehood. She
q n true woman. For three winters
have hoped that she would kindle
he fire In my lodge. Red Scar lad
,onles. Her father gave her In ex-
,hange for them. Her husband was
ealous. and killed his best friend In
he darkness, thinking It was ! who
was prowling about his lodge.