The Plymouth Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1878-1901, 1879-05-22

The good old rule and simple plan,
That he should take who has the power,
And he should keep who can.
The relation between the two was
not such as ought exist between
landlord and tenant. The Indian
looked upon the settler as squat
ter" whom it was right to tj.ct, not
only from the land, but from the
earth. The bold @tentnt at will" had
to be constantly on his guard; for a
summary notice OF ejectment'
might be served at any moment by a
posse Of painted savages.
About the first thing done by q
band of immigrants locating in an
Indian country was to build fort Oh
block house. Then, within mile OIL
less of this refuge. they scattered
their log huts. One Of these old forts
now remains, though in ruined con-
dition, and associated with 1t is q TO
mantle story OF frontier life.
In those Indian days to which the
story refers. the fort was substan
tial building. with brick sides in q
wooden easing. 1t would have beer
taken for the large dwelling house oi
prosperous settler but for the many
loop holes cut on each side.
The family who lived in it, severa
men and one woman. kept 1t always
prepared to receive company" FOL
no one coul tell when the Indian:
might call.
One bright morRing. when not {
cloud was TO be seen, the men lef
early to work on the fields, leaving
Betty, the woman. to attend to the
fort. For several hours nothing dis
turbed the monotony OF her work
save her own singing OF cheerful
thoughts as she went to and fro or
] her household duties.
When scrubbing and washing o
dishes hid empued the water pail
she went to the we'll to fill il Look
ing down the road, she saw afar of ,
dark object coming toward the settle
mept. Thinking it was the loade'
team OF some farmer, she went bacl
to the fort, and resumed her worl
and singing.
In the course of a few minutes
moved by a natural impulse, sh
poked her head out OF the door L
see how far the team had progressed
To her horror she saw band OF In
dians only short distance o
making straight for the fort.
Not white man was in sight, 10
every one, together with the wome
and children OF the Settlement, ha
been lured by the beautiful day int
the fields.
In an instant she took in the situs
ton. II she attempted flight, sh
would be captured before she coul
run a hundred rods. To be capture
was death the surrender of the for
She would stay in the fort, and alon
fight the savages until the mel
alarmed by the firing OF guns, cam
TO her aid.
With bang the oaken door swan
shut, and down went the heavy wooC
en- bar. Going from loop hole
loop hole, she placed loaded musk'
by each one.
The terrible war-whoop startle
her for moment. Then her voiC
rang out loud aud clear, Here, Jin
George, Henry. John, Bill Don
you hear? Bill. stand by that hol'
Jim. you take that gun!"
Two guns were fired, and then Ii
voice called out: George, sho'
that big Injun! Henry, aim for ii
cbiefl"
Two more bullets went whizziu
among the Indians.
They were taken aback. They ha
supposed the fort deserted. save /
the woman. But 1t was full OF me
Another shout. another bullet, ar
this time it had hit one OF ther
They hesitated to advance. Bull
after bullet whizzed. and two mo-
men were wounded.
They then turned and fed, an
when the men came running TO Il