The federal government Wednesday recognized the tribal status of the Gay Head Wampanoag Indians in a historic decision that opens the way to settlement of the bitter, 12-year-old land claim dispute.

A $3, 380 bank robbery in Edgartown Tuesday morning led to a high-speed chase and a bizarre showdown in the woods near county airport runways between police with guns drawn and a man firing arrows from a high-powered bow.

The man, later identified as 35-year-old William E. Sweeney of Tisbury, was quickly arrested after tense moments during which police say they almost opened fire.