Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1848-04-12
Adventure in ti,e Creek -:ation.
By "oLD SOL SMITH.

Encouraged by Mirabeau B. Lamar. and 9TH
Ter eminent citizens of Georgia, {lS32) trav-
telling company was formed for that State-our
first destination being Columbus. on the Chat
ahoochie river. The company travelled in ba-
rouches, and the baggage was sent in large
Pennsylvania road wagon. We pas ed through
through the Creek nation about five wears pre-
Iviousto the commencement of the q stirbances
which ended IN sending the Indians 10 Arkansas
One afternoon we halted for retro sbments at
the residence of chief, where about one hund-
red Indians were assembled, drinking and ca
rousing. One of our number, by name John
&c, who had undertaken to perform the du-
! ties of general caterer for the party, purcha sed
a gallon Of milk, and the usual qua atum of SUI
gar and rum, of which ingredients, with the ad-
dition Of little grated nutmeg, be was busy
engaged in forming that delicious mixture well
known by eouthren travellers, under the title Of
milk punch. Now It happened that John had
been dreadng this journey for some months,
having taken up the idea that we should most
assuredly be attacked and robbed Ef not MUIR
dered) while travelling through this same Creek
nation. My brother and myself formed plan
to have some sport out of his fears nc proceed
ed to executeit thus:-I went to the chief and
offered to give dollar to four Indians who
would run mile, and "keep up v it'll tie Jer-
sew wagon which pointed out to him, at the
same time showing him the man who was to
drive. The chief Immediately agreed to the
proposal, and called four young men from their
sports to give them their instructions. While
this was going on, my brother called John mys-
teriously aside, and asked him what ne had been
saying or doing to the Indians. Il have not
said a word to them," said John innocently,
"eXcept to ask them Tor these malc rails which
they furnished me willingly, and charged pref
|ty good price for, too There, Taste that. and
see if you do MT approve lt-you won get such
a bowl OF punch as that again in hurry can
tell YOU At this juncture came ~ au,i ask
ed our worthy caterer the same question pro-
pounded by inv brother. and added. BE Isi3i-
ans seem TO have taken offence at some one Of
our party This caused John to open his eyee
little, and his looks became somew Ia u-t uri,-
ed. 81 can't imagine who has bes saving or
doing anything to offend them.'' Nor | eth
err" said John, sunless the tarnalf OILS have la
ken offence at my saying hatninePence quart
was devilish high price for milk s'rhat's
it, said |, "to certainty; these lallses are
very tenacious of their character. ard ccnrot
bear to be charged with extortion." He's Iohn
cast some anxious chances towards group of
indians. who seemed observing US attenfivel,,
and talking aside, every now and then pointing
towards John, and then looking q. the Jersey
wagon which belonged TO him ant his family.
"What do they mean by that, v ,nder they
seem to direct their attention eBtr. ~ ~ a.
old Copp, that was the name the horse
81 don't know what to make of il, I'm sure"
Thus spoke John, while big drops If sweat be-
gan to be apparent on his brow. 81 do real
ly begin to think they have some hostile design
upon you," said /, /" and now think of it, re-
collect an expression of one of tn; m, Just az I
passed those fellows with the ha hets, which
confirms me 10 the opinion that the ymean SOM
thing" What expression Nv nat did the
bloody-minded rascals say e. dema ,ded John in
tremor OF apprehension, not lit.Ie Increased
by certain fioarishes of the hatchei, bv the saw
ages, and low murmur that met I s ear. which
his fears interpreted into death song. ct
don't understand the Creek language perfectly,
was my reply, "but from what could gather
am disposed to think they are highly offend
ed at something end that tall fellow observed TO
the others, that ekrec,ulakahooci ichcpeiehiek,
which translated into English mems, # people
don't ike the price q a.ilk, they hid better not
drini: 1t: to which that fellow who is booking
this way replied: chackledummati oappsiland-
doontuml6teun,--chooh which as near as can
make it out means, they'll follo,r lou 10 The rip-
err ChGtahooche, but they'll hare reyesr.,' BY
this time John S fears got the better OF has love
for punch, andhe began to look round inr his hat
and gloves. Every movement was watched nv
the four savages who had their Instructions to
chase the wagon for mile. "IFerc,--ston
bit-l think, for fear of accidents, hs.. better
be diff you'll take care of the la.lies. and paw
for the punch, II quietly takc old Copp nd put.
We agreed with him that for fear. of accidents
it was best. perhaps, tibet be should effect his
escape. as he appeared to be the only one of the
party the savages had any designs against
So without even tasting the excellent punch
he had brewed he slipped round the barn and
put the bride on Capt. Copp. The folr Inoi-
ans kept him in view all the time bu. the furi-
tive appeared not to notice them. When be lad
fairly got the rens in his hands, and mounted
the Jersey, he cast one last look towards us s.
the bowl of punch, another [of quite a different
kind towards the four hostile savages, and gave
the whip to old Copp. The crack ~ the v hip
was followed by short whoop from the Inii-
ans.-off started the Jersey, with .ohr standing
up and lashing old Copp at every IN and
off started the four Indians in pursuit., Sr,h a
race has seldom been seen in the Gre ]. ps,ioii..
Having drunk, aud settled for the n,,nch. ,ya
pursued our journey at leisure, forn,i.,v var,ors
conJectures how far our frightened ,,,npanion
would trave. that night. About halfa nile from
the stardng place we found John: ~ Yelling
cap. and began to fear some scci:ienf might
lave befallen its owner. Three qui'ea-s, II +,
mile further, we found the four In liza ia 40
in the road, and tossing up in the ali su.,etiing
which resembled a human scalp FEeavans
and earth" | exclaimed, " is it possih. ,ha orr
foolish joke has ended in the destruction Of ,,ur
poor friend On approaching the mi ,ns
our fears were removed by one OF them threw
ing us.the scalp, which turned ont to &c jo,rs
scratch, that valuable article having been st
in the race We paid the Indians tn ~ lis
ed dollar, and in return they gave u pr N.
yell through their fingers, which naic the ,s
forest ring again.
About eight miles further on, we found on
friend sitting on log by the road-si IL. m p
spiration bursting from bis bald hea H. d ,ps
as large as bullets-Capt. Corp was N c"n-
plete foam. "Thank God - cxcfa,,ne., the
poor fellow, as we approached, "yoq have es-
capped the bloody savages. If Gen. :cas .o7
don't take this matter up he's not rs. man I