A DRAMATIC SCENE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11771, 28 September 1901, Page 2 (Supplement)

A DRAMATIC SCENE.

HOW THREE SIOUX INDIANS WERE

EXECUTED. Some months ago three Indians of the Sioux tribe were condemned to death for having raised the standard of revolt. They asked that they might look death in the face: go to meet it on horseback, with their faces painted as for mortal combat, their guns in their hands, and the war-cry upon their lips. The officer at the fort agreed, and caused a horse and a gun loaded with blank cartridge to be given to each. All round the hill and at certain distances were ranged the veterans of the Indian War. The scene which followed is thus described by the Indian Advocate:—" The Indians at first put their horses to a slight trot. _ The wind blew the high grass of the prairie in waves, like the surface of a large lake, and a kite descended from the depths of the sky making a vast circle over the heads of the three condemned men. Arrived at the summit of the hill, the Indians dismounted and appeared to be deliberating. . , - They then began to sing the death chant, and the sound of the hymn was carried by the w< id to the ears of the soldiers, who were able to watch the rhythmoic movement of the bodies of the Indians as the sound of their lamentation grew higher and higher. It was a solemn as well as a wild scene. Emotion and hatred fought for the mastery in the breasts of those veteran soldiers as the chant of the warriors, having reached its highest note, finished in a long wail. In an instant there was a silence of death, then suddenly a terrible cry was heardthe war-cry of the Sioux. The shout of battle had succeeded to the death-cry, and the three Sioux threw uhemselves upon their horses and turned to face the United States troops. Again they gave vent to their terrible cry, and dashed down the side of the hill across Ihe space which separated them from the battalion. . . .At last, they arrived within range of the guns, the soldiers standing immovable. 'Present arms!' 'Ready!' Many a hundred guns arc lowered, their muzzles directed upon the Indians, who fire their blank cartridges, and whose spurs draw the blood from their horses' flanks to urge them on. . . . They are now so close that the veterans are aide to see the red colours with which they have painted their faces, their shining eyes, and long, floating black hair. . . . 'Fire!'—a long flash,

a resounding report. . . . Three riderless horses are galloping madly away, with outstretched necks and heads held high."