The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1869-12-23
A Thrilling Adventure.
by III. NJ uUGUNIN.


WHEN the ill-fated steamer Lady Elgn
went down on Lake Michigan, drowning
three hundred gay revelers, on that tenn
pestucus morning of the Sth of September,
1860, the Hon. William Farnsworth, of
Sheboygan, visa pioneer of the North
west, and a gentleman whom his acquant-
ances delighted to honor-shared her dis
astrous fate. Nearly sixty years ago, he
settled in the wilds of Wisconsin, the only
white man who, in that part of the Union,
preferred life in the midst of the alb
Origines at that early day. His business
was that of a trader, and his primitive
storehOuse contained such simple articles
of merchandise as befitted the fancy and
necessities of his dark skinned customers,
and served as barter for tle rich furs
and peltries in which they dealt. 1t was
not long before his dignified and upright
character as a dealer succeeded in pro-
ducing the desired result, and his business
rapidly increased For time all went
smoothly and satisfactorily; but the
treacherOus Indians soon found in him
something which not only made him of
fensive to them, but led them to seek his
life. This last measure, however, was
secretly formed, and it was only through
the agency of friendly native that he
was enabled to discover their design.
There was no noisy commotion among
them. All was still and serpent-like, with
a stern determination. No threats or
menaces escaped their scaled lips, yet
there was a wicked expression in every
eye.
The shades of night had fallen, and Mr..
FarnswOrth stood behind the counter in
his store, which was dimly lighted by two
candles, while the door stood widely open
to permit free ingress. A single Indian
entered, armed and blanketed, passed him,
with grunt of recognition, and silently
stalked to the rear Ofthe apartment, where
he squatted upon his launches. Another
followed, in the same manner, and, singly,
came Others-ten, twenty, forty-all full
armed, each seating himself on the floor
beside the first, in rear of the store. Mr.
FarnswOrth felt that crisis had arrived,
and with an active mind and fearless
heart he quickly determined upon
course of conduct, which, if it did not
succeed in releasing him, unharmed, from
the dilemma in which he was placed
would completely route and destroy his
enemies with himself, at one fell stroke
To show the slightest degree of fear or
anxiety would but hasten denOuement
which had undoubtedly been agreed upon.
In the meantime, one by one, more than u
hundred of the Indians had gathered in
the store, and Ominous murmurs began To
reach his ears. One Indian spoke: Big
warrior, me! Ugh! fight at Tippecan0e;
me no 'fraidr'
Me, too-me fight at Tippecanoe; me
fight more, bimeby" added another, with
an air of mystery Me, too-me no
fraid-ughl squap 'fraid Warrior no
'fraid !" said third; and similar expires
sions found general utterance among
them.
MIR. FarnswOrth saw that they were all
blowing" or bOasting, for some underlined
purpose, for he knew that none of them
were present at the battle of TippccanOe
To humOr them, and to gain time and a
more definite idea of the fate that awaited
him, he pleasantly joined in the conversa-
tiOn, with as little truth in what he said as
there was in what he heard: I'm war
riOr, too" he said. 81 killed big Indian
Tecumseh, Pm paleface brave" There
was not tremor in his voice, nor shade
on his features as he spoke-nothing, in
deed, to indicate a suspicion that he knew
aught of the impending crisis.
His empty boast and manly bearing,
however, were not without their effect, for
he saw at a glance that the Indians had
suddenly relapsed into silence, or were
cOnferring together in whispers. He felt
that the time had arrived for immediate
operations on his part. Beneath the coun-
ter was keg nearly filled with gunpow
der, from which the head had been re-
moved, and within his reach stood
lighted candle STOPPING down, with his
finger he formed an impromptu candle
stick in the very center OF the mass OF
powder. Then snufling the lighted wick
very closely, he placed the edges of his
hands, with the palms upward, around
the candle, in order to catch any accident
al sparks which might fall while he was
movingit. Lifting il in this manner from
its receptacle he placed the candle in an
upright position into the hole prepared
for it in the powder, and carefully re-
moved his hands. Then he raised him
self up from his periiOus task, and stood
calmly near it to await the catastrophe.
But his movements had been noticed by
| one of the Indians, who, being actuated
| by that characteristic curiosity which at
times overpowers every other feeling IN
| the savage breast, leaned over the counter
and saw the candle burning brightly in
the keg of powder. Not sound escaped
him, but with wondering glance at i.'
pale and intrepid merchant, he wa ktt
rapidly end silently out of the store. II.
sudden exit attracted the attention !
another warrior, who also peered eau
tiously over the counter, saw the danger,