Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1869-08-17
NO. 66.


hIe sees FaWn-.-In the Hands of the
InOnd studs---All his Clothes Talen.-.A A
Race for liie---I.udierOus incidents.
II will be remembered that in the latter
part OF May, an exploring party from Phila-
delphia left this city on the packet Tacony.
VITA the view of taking an extended tour in
the mountain regions. The party consisted
OF regal gentlemen, physicians, scientific
men. and other prominent citizens of the
| quaker City. The steamer conveyed the
party safely TO VOLTS Point, located about
l,bOO miles above this point, where the boat
was compelled to layup on account of wind.
Among the party referred 10 above was a
lawyer named Bailey. Mr. b., while view
ing The scenery on the shore, espied fawn
lrollcklng In the woods adjoining the Dor
ders OF the river, and with the enterprise
and courage characteristic Of the heroic dis.
ciples Of Blackstone, determined Tint Inc
beautiful little animal should be his captive.
win this idea in his mind, the gentleman
started out, and sagacously directed his
footsteps with view to 'circumvenr, the
sle cfeai lre..-
with his mind wholly occupied with his
lawn. and entirely unconscious of danger,
Mr.. Bailey, when he entered the forest, was
not only alarmed but perfectly Mortified when
he suddenly found himself surrounded by
party oil Teeion warriors, and entirely at
lhelr mercy. The snvages were fairly de-
lighted with their captive, each glancing
with triumphant tiendishness upon the helm
less victim, whose fine scalp would adorn
some one of their belts, and whose elegant
apparel and costly lewelry would serve to
heighien the beauty OF some Of their squaws
and their own tawny forms. The hunting
knives of the brutal "braves" CLEANED IN
their bony hands, and the poor man fully
made up his mind that he had made his last
plea, that he would never crOss.examine
another witness, or accept another fee for
services rendered.
Death seemed inevitable The Indians
first determined 10 secure the jewelry and
wearing apparel, judiciously believing that
il would be much better for them 10 take
them of before soiling them with the blood
OF the owner. Coat, vest, pantaloons, boots,
socks, and. we blush for the savages In saying
il, even that last uncomfortable garment
was taken off, leaving about the nakedest
looking lawyer that ever stood upon two
bare feet. the position was ludicrous, even
il ii was serious. While the warriors were
taking the diamond studs from tic bosom of
the captured shirt, and eyeing them with
greedy glee, Mr.. Bailey, nerved TO despera-
tiOD, and determined not to render up his
life without struggle, seized the savage
who stood on guard, and in moment. hav-
ing slipped through the fingers of the wiley
red man, bounded away in the direction, as
he supposed, of the boat.
The attorney, unencumbered by anything
which could impede his progress, and know
ing that his life was at stake, made excellent
lime, as good, certainly, as any Bull Runner
in the Army of the Potomac. He never
looked back 10 see whether or not he was
pursued, but strobe rapidly forward with the
one idea of escape in view, and that only.
He finally reached the Missouri river, and,
rushing forward with unsackencd speed,
len from The bank, smearing his face with
mud, and giving himself the appearance
more Of a savage than the hr-amed ''Phila-
del 9hla lawyer SO often referred to by the
authors of fishy "yarns."
The packet Huntsville was lying about
halfa mile above the TaconY, and toward
this boat Mr.. Bailey directed his footsteps.
While on the way he met five negro deck
hands belonging TO the Huntsville, who had
been sent ont TO cut wood. Here ludicrOus
mistake occurred. The negroes, noting the
wild appearance OF the lawyer, which was
heightened by the accident of falling into
the mud, mistOok him for wild Indian,
threw up their axes and fed in fright and
confusion toward their boat. Mr.. Bailey,
in the confusion of the moment, made the
natural mistake that the negroes were In-
dlans, and turned in fear TO make one more
effort to reach Place of safety.
The negroes reported that the woods were
swarming with Indian warriors, and the
officers OF the boat uniasiened her and put
out. Mr.. Bailey reached the Tacony, also,
and there reported his adventures, stating
that the red men were upon his track, aud
would soon reach the boat. The action of
the Huntsville subsant:ated this supposiiion,
and the Tacony also put out into the stream
in lear OF an Indian attack. Thus termina-
ted one Of the most ridiculous, and at the
same time serious adventures ever exper-
fenced in that country. Mr.. Bailey was glad
enough TO get among the male and female
passengers, notwithstanding his embarrass-
ing condition, which, under ordinary cir
cumstances, would have driven him to
madness. He was soon, however, restored
to his normal condition, none the worse for
his adventure, except the loss of his dia-
monds, his watch and his clothing.