Dodge City times., 1888-06-21
CAPTAIN HARDY.
The True Story Of an Indian
Traders Adventure.

Ninety years ago the State of Flor
ida belonged to Spain, and was inhab-
tied principally by fierce and warlike
Indians. There were few settlements
of white people along the eastern and
western coast, and some small trading
villages had sprung up on the St.
Johns river.
Captain Hardy was a young man at
that time, living in South Carolina.
He was very fond of hunting and fish
ing, and enjoyed exploring the wild
forests in search of game. He was
well acquainted with the Indians of
several tribes, understood their Ian
guage, and as he treated them kindly
they were very friendly to him.
At length he decided to go to Flor
ida and build store, and trade with
the Indians. They not only had the
furs of wild animals to sell, but they
also had plenty of Spanish gold and
silver with which to purchase the ar
ticles in Captain Hardy's store that
struck their savage fancy.
1t was but a rough hut of cypress
logs that he erected, and it had no
floor except the earth. Captain Hardy
was his own cook, and he slept on a
bed of blankets in his store. Here he
lived alone for some time, and was
rapidly accumulating money, which he
buried every night in the earth under
his bed. The Indians were very friend
ly to him-and very fond of the ''fire-
water" which he sold to them in small
quantities, and judiciously weakened
with water from the river that flowed
near his cabin.
Captain Hardy was fast growing
rich, and if he had not been molested
by the whites all would have gone
well. But in some way it was noised
around among the reckless men who
always hang on the outposts of civil
ization that he was gaining wealth
rapidly, and after few months he was
joined by several families. They built
cabins to live in, fished and cultivated
small patches of ground as gardens.
They were worthless set and quar-
relsome among themselves. but for
time they lived in wholesome fear of
the Indians.
One day one of these men had been
drinking more of Captain Hardy's
whisky than was good for him. 1t
made him boastful. H.. had his gun
with HIM, and he saw :. party of In
dians coming to the storo.
''See there!' he said loudly, "I'm
going to shoot two of those redskins, ="
and he leveled his gun al the approach
ing party.
''Stop that shouted Captain Hardy.
But he was too late. The shot was
fired. and an Indian fell to the ground.
The man was not satisfied with this
brave deed, but he snatched a gun be-
longing to a man standing near him
and before any one could prevent him
he shot another Indian.
The Indians quickly caught up the
bodies of their dead warriors and hur-
ried out of sight.
Now you have done ii" exclaimed
Captain Hardy. 'You had better
pack up as soon us you can, and get
away from here, for those Indians will
have their revenge"
Captain Hardy knew well the habits
Of the Indians, but he hoped, as he had
always lived in peace with them, that
he would not be disturbed. In this he
was mistaken. That night council
fire" was held by the red men, and
they decided that the blood of every
white man in the little settlement must
be shed for the unprovoked murder of
their two warriors. The women and
children were to be held for ransom.
There was one Indian in that excited
crowd of savages who was true friend
to Captain Hardy. As soon as the
'council-fre' was over he stole away
to warn him of his danger
"When the sun goes to rest to-mor-
row. then they will come" he said.
LET them take those cowards," point
ing to the huts around the store-"but
you are warned the friendly
messenger left as silently as he came.
Captain Hardy was young man,
scarcely more than twenty years old,
but he was brave. and he had no inten-
ton of saving himself and leaving the
settlers to their fate. His course Of
action was soon decided upon. He
vent quickly to each cab1n-there were
only three or four-and awoke the in.
mates, and told them of their danger.
'.Pack up what you can carry, and in
one hour will meet you at the large
cypress tree where my boat is tied. Be
quiet, and make haste"
All was confusion and terror. The
wretch who had been so brave was