The La Jara chronicle., 1906-04-20
HEROIC CHARGE OF TWO CHE i
ENNE INDIANS AGAINST FIFL
TROOPS OF CAVALRY.
a Tragic Romance of the Tepee
Repetition of the Days ef Chivairy
Flesh and Blood Against Hail q
eaden Bullets.
BY W, N. WOOSTER.


The men are tall, well-built. braNl
and their women are proverblal
chaste. With the disappearance OIL tue
game and the decadence of inter-trlb"L
warning, the young braves have ma
little or no opportunity to show the4E
| prowess.
In the summer of 1890, two young
men-Head Chief and Young Mule
who had failed to fad favor with tie
maidens of their choice, took to the
war-path to win distinction and wives
A moon! and the disappointed lovers
wearing their eagle feathers red
tipped, as warriors Go, were again al
home.
| Rumors OF their return soon reached
their Agent, who recalled that white
herder living near the reservation had
been missing from his home for nearly
q month.
The Murder of a Sheep Herdcr.
The returned braves were question
ed. They openly admitted going on
the war-path and killing the herder A
detachment of the two troops Of caval-
ry stationed at the Agency, assisted by
some Northern Cheyennes, made
search for the body. 1t was found on
the evening OF September 9, and had
been scalped.
Fearing trouble, three additional
troops were hurriedly sent from Fort
Keogh, Montana, and the Agent called
council of the chiefs and head-men,
demanding that they arrest and de
liver the murderers.
Two Moons, the war chief, battle
Scared and old, pleaded for the young
braves, offering ransom of thirty
ponies for the dead herder. This was
declined. Chief Ameican Horse then
arose and said his warriors would
fight if the soldiers attempted to take
the young braves alive; and that their
dnal message was:
Select the place of meeting, and We
will come and die in your sight, light
ing the soldiers"
The council was dismissed. and the
Indians returned in the evening to
their lodges in the hills south of the
Agency.
Twilight fell. Soon flaming arrow
blazed like a rocket in tho southern
sky. And far to the north. signal fires
were seen.
Gathering of the Warriors.
All night armed warriors. hideously
painted, hurried to the circle OF hiiIs
commanding the Agency. wlilc lights
burned late in the valley below, Were
the agency officers were consulting.
In the crimson dawn, watching var
riors saw mounted Indian police
leave the Agency and take his way
southwark along the misty mountain
trail. 1t was the decision for peace or
for war. AS the first rays OF tie sun
gilded the Indians tepees, h. drew
rein and dismounted at the ledge OF
American Horse. The challenge OF the
two braves to fight the soldiers had
been accepted-to fight at the Agency
at set of sun.
Directly runners were of to inter
cept the fleeing squaws aad Children
The warriors. clamored for a fight VITA
the troops but the chief refused. Iae
council, he said, had spoken WITH
straight, not crooked, tongues.
Slowly the chill September morning
warmed to amythest afternoon. An
eagle wheeled high above the hills,
which formed an ampitheatre. In tine
center, or arena, were the Agency
buildings and the troops. As the
shadows crept out in the valley, the
spectators-warriors old and young,
and squaws with papooses and children
began taking their plnces on the
circle Of hills. They would see me
fight.
With Ecart3 of Iron.
Forth from their refuge in the Wof
Mountains. rode Head Chiei' and Young
Mule. painted aad armed fer war. a.
guarded they rode. still was. there time
to escape. but the pride Of their race
held them. They went on.
Five miles to the north lay the peace
full valley. and the arena with Its
massed five hundred guns. The tail
wound in and out among the inlls.
Leaves were falling, and here and
there were bright red splot,,hes of loii.
age. Overhead they noticed flock OF
birds winging southwark. Iley
thought OF the ratdens they loved OF
the war-rath: of the feat hers tipped
; with blood, and their faces' darkened
Silently they held their way nor'h-
ward Soon was reached the crest OF
a high spur. They turned their ponies
to the west and drew rein. The sun
was almost down. For an ins 5Gnt they
gazed; then pointed to the ca rth, ana
! raised their arms in SUPPLE alton 10
the Great Spirit-wheeling tn ey head
ed east at gallop.
Presently they pass some warriors
who promptly signal their az ,pl'oach 10
the waiting Indian spects .tors. NOW
they gallop to the very crest of hlsn
hill. perhaps five hundred ,'ards wesl
, of the Agency buildings. There they
stop in full view of the sol diers
I A bugle sounds. The troo pers mount
and move to dry c-eek-bed about htty