The Arkansas Banner

Desperate Battle—Trappers' Fight with a Sioux War Party.—The Jackson county (Iowa) Democrat gives the following account of a desperate Indian fight: Three trappers, Vale, Cayuse, and Yasm, while in pursuit of beaver in the vicinity of the Missouri river, discovered a large trail, evidently supposing it to be that of a band of Indians. They selected a suitable spot, and built of logs a raft hut, to which they gave the name of Fort Desperate. Before it was finished the Indians made their appearance. They showed that they were determined to have their escape. Vale and his companions prepared for a desperate resistance. At the first fire one Indian was shot through the head, Vale and Cay returned the fire, and three Indians fell, which raised the war whoop. The desperate contest lasted several hours, one wounding the guns; while Vale, with unerring aim, thinned their ranks. Cay imprudently exposed his face and received a ball in the eye. Vale was now left alone to contend against the Indians. He made it, being deaf, tooted aird heard in much rapid succession that the Indians were on the point of retreat. When he fell mortally wounded. The Indians in utter defeat: They buried him without scalping him, and honor him with the name of "Great Brave." Twenty Indians were found dead around the fort.