Chapter 3: Indian or White Man

We could see the fort and the white men were just getting allowed through the gate. The gate had just been closed when we rode up. The outer sentries called to us, “Halt what business do you have here”.

I raised both hands and said, ‘LT Olsen invited me to visit the fort and also said for my friends to join me. I’m Swift Kill’.

The sentry on the right brought up his rifle when I said my name, and the one on the left turned and called into the fort for LT Olsen.

‘Don’t shoot’ I said still holding my hands up. The sentry realized I was not threatening him and lowered his rifle just as the gate started to open again.

LT Olsen was standing in the opening and called for me and my friends to enter.

As I rode in, I told LT Olsen that the wounded man was my doing and that he called me out.

As our party rode past the sentries the one who raised his rifle at me shouted “The Injuns are armed” and began to raise his rifle again.

LT Olsen turned and shouted, “STAND DOWN Murphy or I’ll shoot you myself”.

The 2^nd sentry had knocked the rifle barrel down with his barrel and butt stroked him in the gut causing him to double over and fall to the ground.

I thank the sentry saying he saved the idiots life as I reholstered my pistol.

LT Olsen shouted for SGT Smith yelling to have Murphy checked by DOC then put in the stockage until things could be sorted. Then he asked how bad the wounded man was.

I answered shot in each hand.

LT Olsen just shook his head and said welcome to the fort.

We all slowly slid off our horses and walked the rest of the way into the fort, leading the horses.

I introduced my party to LT Olsen and them to him.

A Captain came with the SGT and asked what the hell was going on.

‘CPT Hunnecut PVT Murphy threatened my guests with his rifle after they had been invited in by me. PVT Anderson stopped him, so please don’t punish Anderson for his actions. I believe it probably saved his life.’

‘How so?’ asked CPT Hunnecut.

I said, ‘I would have shot him dead before he was allowed to hurt or kill anyone in my party.’

Who are you asked CPT Hunnecut as he postured and put his hand over the leather flap covering his pistol.

LT Olsen answered, MY GUEST Swift Kill and so are Big Sky, Grey Hawk, and White Hawk. He is NOT a threat!

Are you the one that shot Carl Tilnar? CPT Hunnecut asked.

I answered that was the man’s name.

CPT Hunnecut continued saying that Mr. Wagonar explained Carl called you out and you out-drew him in a fair fight. But I want to know why you shot both hands.

I said, to save his life, I had already beaten him on the draw and shot the pistol out of his hand instead of just killing him. I felt that he would not stop and try to continue the fight or maybe do something underhanded, I just wanted the situation to be over and done. So, I shot his other hand to ensure he would not be able to do anything more that would get him killed or worse.

OR WORSE, asked CPT Hunnecut.

LT Olsen said, getting anyone else involved would have cost both sides harm and possible death.

CPT Hunnecut did not like LT Olsen interruption, after giving him a stern look, asked me if that was what I meant.

I just shrugged my shoulders. White Hawk took the opportunity to say that all the white men would have died as would some of the Indians.

Looking at White Hawk, CPT Hunnecut said, you sound sure of that why?

White Hawk smiled and said, Swift Kill would have killed half or more of the whites and we would have killed the rest, depending on how many Swift Kill was able to kill would determine if any of us would have been killed.

CPT Hunnecut said, there were more than 10 men even if he got 4 or 5 the rest would have killed at least two Indians each before they would have been killed.

I said, ‘There were 14 that could fight as Carl was unable, I might have been able to get 10 before being killed, if the remaining 2 stayed to fight they would have been killed too and maybe killed two but more than likely they would have only wounded 2 or 3. Unless they did the smart thing and ran.’

CPT Hunnecut laughed and said I might be good even better than good but I would not have been able to kill 10 men before being killed by them.

LT Olsen interrupted saying it was good that we didn’t have to find out and smarter heads prevailed.

COL James McBride walked up and introduced himself then introduced his wife Wendy and DOC Gene House who had just walked up after clearing Murphy for the stockade.

LT Olsen introduced us saying, let me introduce Swift Kill, Big Sky, Grey Hawk, and White Hawk. We each nodded at our name.

COL McBride spoke saying; you are not dressed as an Indian but look like one. Wendy scolded him saying, Don’t be rude James, you know better than that.

I said it was alright since it was obviously the truth.

Turning to White Hawk, Wendy said, “Dear would you care to join me inside where we ladies can sit down and talk. The men will just stand there looking at each other for a while.”

Smiling White Hawk thanked Wendy and agreed to join her. They walked away arm in arm laughing.

COL McBride then laughed and said let’s take the example and move to my office. I have had Mr. Wagonar waiting there since I came out to check on the commotion out here.

CPT Hunnecut started to say something, but the COL just told him to wait on Army business until everything else had been taken care of.