Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1913-06-26
An Indians Bravery.

A striking story OF the courage and
self-sacrifice of which the American In
dian at his best is capable is given by
| Mr.. o. H. Mills in the Des Moines Reg
lister and Leader. 1t was told to the
white men by the famous Sac chief,
Black Hawk, who himself saw the Incl
dent.
II all began with an unfortunate quar-
rel between an Iowa and Musquakie,
in which the latter killed the former, and
then in moment of frenzy scalped his
victim. The two tribes were at peace,
and this act, allowable only in time OF
war, was in Indian eyes an intolerable
breach of good faith.
The Musquakies offered all sorts OF
reparation, but the lowaS would accept
nothing butithe person OF thei offender,
to be tortured and put to death in pro-
pitiation of the outraged spirit of the dead
man. To this the Musquakies agreed on
condition that the culprit be given a
month to fortify himself for his terrible
ordeal. But just as the month was about
to expire, he fell i'll with a raging fever.
In that condition he could not be carried
across the prairie, but a failure to pro-
duce him at the appointed place would
arouse the suspicious and perhaps the
hostility OF the Iowas.
A council was called to debate the
matter, before which appeared Como,
brother of the sick man. "There are no
squaw-men in our family" he declared.
al will 60 in his place."
The others tried TO dissuade him, and
described to him the tortureS he would
have to undergo; but he insisted upon
making the sacrifice. Accordingly, an
escort was selected to accompany him,
at the head of which Black Hawk, then
young but widely respected chief, was
placed.
al never saw more pathetic scene" )"
said Black Hawk, ethan the parting OF
Como and his father and mother and
other relatives. The whole tribe was
overwhelmed with gloom"
In the middle of the afternoon the party
arrived at the Iowas' village. Como had
asked that his identity should not be dis
closed, but one of the Iowas, who was
present at the time the young Indian was
slain, saw that the guilty party was not
being delivered, and Black Hawk told
the whole story. The lowas accepted it
as true, and after brief council, con-
sented to the arrangement. The death
circle was staked out, and patrolled with |
armed guards, and Como was placed in
its center, while his escort was enter
tanned in the teepee OF the chief. II was
a chill November day, and the sun was |
just sinking behind the cliffs OF the DeS
Moines River when the escort left the |
camp.
They paused on a hill about half |
mile distant from the camp. They could |
see that the fires had been lighted round |
The death circle, and in the hush of the |
evening came the plaintive sound OF
Como chanting his death-song.
Having travelled some two hours, they |
halted and made camp. About midnight |
the heard the clatter of horses feet; and |
in a moment more single horseman |
rode up. 1t was Conol This was his |
story:
The fires of the death circle were burn
ing brightly, and the squawS with their
burning sticks were preparing TO make
the first attempt to extort a cry of pain
and agony, when an old man, the father
Of the dead Indian, raised his voice.
"Stop!" he said. "Let me speak.
am the one that has suffered my son
was killed and scalped by Musquakie.
was hungry for revenge, and were the
one that killed and scalped him here,
would shout with Joy at his torture. But
this young man is brave. Never have
seen such bravery before. He is too
good man to torture and kill. Release
him and let him return II his own peo-
ple."
Although the entire village few hours
before had been eager for revenge, there
was murmur of approval, as the old
man gathered his blanket about him and
look his seat. Without any ones max
ing single objection Como was removed
rom the circle and given TODD and drink.
A few hours later he was led from the
camp, allowed TO mount his own pony,
and depart in peace.