Plymouth banner. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1852-1855, 1854-12-14

CHAPTER XIII.
To construct a canoe Of any consider
able burthen or capacity in so short a
time, and under SO many disadvantages,
was of course impossible. To make
fgail machine for the purposes of strate-
gy, yet capable of attaining some tenn
porary speed. although "a far easier un-
dertaking, still required no small amount
of la Dor. The sun went down before the
task was finished. and although every
hand was employed upon it, not except
ing those of the gentle Ellen. If falling
tears could have cemcnted the bark, Tho
work would have been sooner DONE
The project which ensrossed such gene
ral attention will be best described. as
yet, by the history of its progress. When
the boat was completed. even 10 its rude
but effective oars. the ingenuity of the
indians was yet 10 be more fully display
ed. Eligies of every individual OF the
company. excepting the Lynx. were i'm
mediately formed, and with q fidelity
both astonishing and ludicEous. The
hats and upper garments OF man. anu the
bonnet and shawl of Ellen. were of course
nude use of. while the absent bodies
were supplied by sticks and branches Of
trees. artfully arranged. The slight ami
efec. form of Dudley. the graceful bust
OF Ellen, the short and robust sergeant.
and the broad shoudered Wongah. with
his scant mantle. were all there, and with
a celebrity of constructions that seemed
the work of magic. this boat with
these his imaginary companions. the Lynx
was 10 start for the southern shore, with
view TO entice the enemy 10 distance
from the island. If he were successful
in this arliGce, the remainder of the par
" were at once to embark III the gondola.
and hoped TO obtain sulhcieot start be :
fore the ruse WAS discovered TO effect
their escape. The Indian. when he gain
ed the shore. if he succeeded in doing so.
would make the bes; of his way through
the wilderness TO the fort.
Where the genera! haz .rl was SO i'm
minent. it was useless, perhaps. 10 cal
cula,e degrees of danger; yet none could
refrain from feeling as if anextraordinary
peril was devolved upon the generous
savage. The chance of his being over
taken before he could reach the shore was
so great that il seemed S if he was de
voting himself to immediate death for
his associates. He manifested. however.
not the least fear, and made all his pre-
parationS with a GOODNESS that displayed
the utmost prest nee of mind.
The Moha wks will chase shadows.
he said, with low laugh; their braves
will shoot at blankets
Rogers, with we'll meant. but needless
assidui.y. cautioned him To his trail IN
the forest, if he was 50 fortunate as TO
reach it, reminding him that detach-
mcnt Of the enemy might follow him, re
Piled
let them. track the swallows 4; the
Lynx leaves no trail
The night proved, as had been antici-
pa,ed. still and starlight and when ihC
last ray oe twilight had disappeare the
boat with its phantom crew vas silentl!
! launched ready for departure, OH the yer,
first mo, ement OF the foe. The gondo,a
in the mean time. had been transported
across the island 10 the northeastern shore
and was also in readiness. They had no.
long to- wait. Recumbent on the beach
his eyes brought nearly on a level Will
: the horizon, the Lynx him self was th'
first To detect the motion of the enemy
Lingering FOR a few minutes. that h'
might make more certain OF being dlscOy
cred, he lespt into his boat and pulled
quickly from the shore. The flight OF the
prisoners anticipated. he was, of course
almost instantly perceived. long
shriIl yell announced the discovery from
one boat to The other. and the race im
medlately commenced. But although
trembling: anxious for the fate Of thel
comp1 nion. the remainder OF the part
had but little time to watch the chase
The moment that the changed position O
the enemy seemed TO render ii sale, the
also embarked. and. taking at first
northefiy direction until they had obtain
ed considerable ofing. they change,
their course and pulled rapidley down tn
lake. The race was for life. and the ex
ertion was proportionate. Not a wor'
was spoken. All fel, conscious that il
a very short time the ruse would be dis
covered The distance TO the eastern ex
tremity Of the lake was about eight miles
aud from that point to the fort about fiji
teen. Although this latter course coul
be chiefly accomplished by means of ,h
J inlet the navigation Of that stream wa