84 EFFECTS OF DRUNKENNESS. 



" Is this your love for the pale-face ?" returned the infuriated chieftain. 

 « Then die you first !" 



Upon this, seizing the defenceless old man, he drew his knife and made 

 a heart-thrust. The intended victim, however, grasped the descending 

 blade in his bare hand and arrested its course — but his fingers were 

 nearly severed in so doing. Here the wife of Bull Eagle rushed up to 

 her husband and seized him by both arms, while others interfered, and the 

 scene of conflict was removed from the apartment to the space in front. 



Now was a general fight. The women and children, crying for terror, 

 ran about in the utmost confusion and dismay, — while raving combatants 

 yelled and whooped, as knives, clubs, and tomahawks were busily dealing 

 wounds and scattering blood. 



Soon after, the parties retired to their village, and the melee ended with 

 only six wounded. 



In a brief interval the Bull Eagle again returned, accompanied by his 

 wife, — the latter earnestly endeavoring to dissuade him from his purpose. 



A shot was his first salute, on entering the door, which a timely thrust 

 from the squaw averted from its object. The kind-hearted creature then 

 grasped the bow. Relinquishing it in her hands, the madman made a pass 

 at the trader with his tomahawk, — this blow was dodged, and the heroine, 

 rushing between the two, prevented its repetition. Dropping his tomahawk, 

 he then fell upon the object of his hatred, butcher-knife in hand. 



But here he found himself in the firm grasp of several friendly Indians, 

 by whom he was borne from tlie room. 



This state of aflTairs was the signal for another engagement between 

 Bull Eagle, at the head of his partizans, aud the friends of the whites, — 

 more desperate and bloody than the former. With great difficulty we re- 

 tained our arms from the forcible grasp of the contending factions. This, 

 to us, was a moment fraught with extreme peril — not knowing friend from 

 foe, and instantly apprehensive of the knives and arrows of the avengeful 

 throng. It was, indeed, a moment when the agony of suspense quivered 

 with thrilling intensity upon every nerve, and vibrated in every sinew. To 

 fight, would have been a relief. But, whom should we fight ? It might have 

 been our best friends — for who could discriminate ? The death of one 

 connected with either party, at our hands, would have proved the signal for 

 our instant slaughter. Both would have united to exterminate us, — and, 

 beset as we were, upon all sides, prudence dictated ^ strict nutrality. 

 Sometimes fifteen or twenty would be struggling for our arms at once, — 

 a strong temptation, as the reader may rest assured, for us to use them in 

 self-defence. 



Meanwhile the conflict continued with unabated fury. Several attempts 

 were made upon the life of Bull Eagle, but without success. Two were 

 killed and others wounded, when a final stop was put to the further efiusion 

 of blood by the withdrawal of the chieftan to his lodge. 



In about an hour subsequent, he returned for the second time, — but 

 reason had now resumed her sway, and he came to apologize for his bad 

 conduct. Calling our trader his " very good, his best friend," he cried for 

 grief that he had attempted to kill him. He averred that liquor had made 

 him a. fool, and said he should never cease to regret the great wicked- 

 ness he had thought of doing to his " best friend." Ever after this afllair, 



