Year: 1861

munItion. We had done them too much mis-
chief to hope for any terms short of DEATH
The bearer of the flag then said they were
Kioways, and that their chief, Mucho Toro
(Big Bul,) promised, if we would surrender
without farther fighting, to spare our lives !;
and as we were big braves we should be kindly
treated, and adopted into their tribe in place
of some of their own warriors whom we had
killed.


81 replied, after consulting with the parson,
that we could not think of accepting their
terms, and added on my own account that one
of us pointing to my companion, was great
medicine man, who was possessed of charm
which would not fail to save us yet.


"The Indian returned with our reply, and
forthwith they commenced the attack. Still
we continued to defend ourselves, till, at length,
my bullet-poach being empty, | was forced to
throw aside my weapon, as the parsons balls
would not fit the barrel And after a few
more discharges he, also discovered that he
had spent his last bullet.


"Now, indeed, we were at the mercy of our
foes, who Immediately understood our situation.
But while the supply of loose stones should
hold out, they dared not again assault our
strong position. Again the white flag ap.
preached and offered talk This time we
were willing to come to terms, and inquired
what was their very best proposition.


"iThe Kiowas are not wolves, and they
know how to respect great braves, said the
Indian. We will not kill you, though you
have made the prairie grass red with the blood
of our best warriors. We will give you a
chance for your lives, and let you prove the
power of your medicine man. Look!" said the
Indian, pointing to a solitary mozquite tree
standing about two hundred yards from the
rock. Let your big medicine protect him, if
it will, while he runs the knife gauntlet to
yonder tree If he escapes unharmed, the Great
Spirit has wled it so, and you shall both de-
part in peace the words of Kioway are
true Mucho Toro has said it,


"When shall the trial be made ?" iqnuired
the preacher.


"' In one hour, answered the Indian.


90 So be it say to your chief that accept
his terms and will be in readiness for the race
And the good preacher, turning to me, clasped
my hand tightly in his own, while his face
lighted up with bright grow of confidence.
"My good friend" he exclaimed, it as lucky
thought in you to say was medicine man,
for can see the hand of kind Providence in
it. | am certain | shall win the race without
a scratch, and our lives will be safe; for
have heard much of Mucho Toro-and am very
well satisfied that he will keep his word"


"'Parson Langworthy,' said I, you shall
not run the gauntlet. l shall run the race
myself


"Tut, tut, man you don't know what
you say. Rememember, butb our lives are
depending upon the result, and a failure, even
a drop of blood, would be sentence of death to
US BOTH | must run-for | have Travelled the
same road once BEFORE and know how to take
every advantage. The same God that looked
down and protected me then, aud has stood by
US in the fight today, will protect US now
He will dull the knives of the savages, and
paralyze their arms l am sure of success-so
not another word, but trust in a protecting
Providence


Before the hour had terminated, the chief
had assembled his warriors, now numbering
scarcely thirty, and arranged them in line de-
ployed from the base of the rock, over the
prairie to the Mozquite. Each warrior was
naked to the waist, and armed with his long
knife, held daggerwise over his head. They
stood with the right foot extended, and within
four feet of each other, face to face. Through
this narrow lane, with the warm sunbeams
glstening from their murderous blades, raised
for their hearts blood, was the brave man
about to run. 1t was indeed run for life.


Never so long as life endures, shall forget
the calm, dignifed confidence of that noble soul.
He was as cool and even joyous as if the race
before him was only trial of speed on an Or
dinary holiday occasion and his features wore
an expression of Godlike beauty and grandeur,
which had never seen before in any human
face.


"My faith however, in the result was not
like his F; and when the chief beckoned to him
to descend to the fearful ordeal-I could not
look at him. but turned away my head to hide
my bursting grief. But was riveted to the
spot; and be had no sooner reached the ground,
than was forced by an irrepressible impulse
to gaze upon the fearful scene.


"The brave man had stripped off his cloth
ing to his drawers, and tightening bis belt,
stood forth tall, but perfect specimen of Wig
orous manhood, and awaiting the signal to
start, and when the chief gave it, he dashed
forward like an arrow from strong bow
Down glanced the shining blades, and the
deadly files pressed closer upon each other,
while in their wild excitement, the savages
filed the air with their fierce yells, and slashed
at the flying victim with all the fury of their
vengeful natures.


But he skifully eluded their blows: now
throwing up their murderous hands and now


II