Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1888-03-03
CAPTAIN HARDY.
inc True Story of an Indias
Traders Adventure.

Ninety years ago the State of Flol
lda belonged TO Spain, and was jph,l
1tea principally by fierce and warlik.
Indians There We're Il few settlement
OF white people along the eastern m,
western coast, and some small tr,din,
Villages had sprung up ON the st
Johns river.
Captain Hardy was a young man y
mat time, living in South Caro)in,
ne was very fond of hunting and fish
lhS' and enjoyed exploring the vii,
forests in search of game. He wo.
We'll acquainted with the Indians Of
several tribes, understood their Ian.
goage' and as he treated them kindly
nney were very friendly to him.
AT length he decided to 90 to Flor
ida and build q store, and trade with
the Indians They not only had the
iurs OF wild animals to sell, but thew
also had plenty of Spanish gold and
silver with which to purchase the ar.
tlcles in Captain Hardy's store tbat
struck their savage fancy.
IL wa but II rough hut of cypross
logs that he erected, and it had no
iioor except the earth. Captain HARDY
was ms W cook, and he slept on n
pea OF blankets in his store. Herr bo
ilVed alone for some time. and WINS
rapidly accumnlating money, which he
buried every night in the earth undcr
his bed' The Indians were very friend
~ to hlm-and very fond of the ..lire-
water which he sold to them in small
quantities, and iudiciously weakened
win water from the river that flowed
near his cabin.
Captain Hardy was fast GROWING
rlch' and if he had not been molc.tcJ
by the whites all would have oorr
Well But in some way it was noisod
around among the reckless men who
always hang on the outposts of civil
lzatlon that he was gaining wealth
rapidly, and after a few months he wos
joined by several families. They bnilt
CABINS to live in, hshcd and cultivated
small patches of ground as gardens
ihey were Il worthless set and mar.
re'some among themselves, but for n
time they lived in Wholesome fam q
Indians.
One day one of these men had been
drinking more of Captain IIardy's
than was good for him. If
made him boastful. He had his onn
with HIM. and he saw u party of In
coming to the store.
"See thcrc!" he said, loudly, I'm
to shoot two of those redskins
md he leveled his gun TT the approach.
party.
Stop that shouted Captain Hardy.
But he was too late. The shot was
lred' and an Indian fell to the ground
The man was not satisfied with This
brave deed, but he snatched u gun be-
ohs,hg 10 a man standing near him
before any one could prevent him
he shot another Indian.
The Indians quickly caught up the
'odlcs OF their dead warriors and bur-
led out of sight.
"Now you have done it," exclaimed
Hardy. You had better
'aek up as soon as you can, and oct
'way from here, for those Indians will
AVE their revenge"
Captain Hardy knew well the habits
the Indians, but he hoped, us he had
ways lived in peace with them, that
Ie would not be disturbed. In this he
'as mistaken, That night Il ~"council
re was held by the red men, and
hey decided that the blood of every
White MAI in the little settlement must
Ne shed for the unproyoked murder of
heir two warriors. The women and
llldren were 10 be held for ransom.
There was one Indian in that excited
rowd OF savages who was II true friend
0 Captain Hardy. As soon AS the
'council-firc" was over he stole away
o warn him of his danger.
when the sun goes to rest ,o-mor-
ow, then they will come" he said.
Let them take those towards" uoint-
ng TO the huts around the storc-..but
are warnedn~-and the friendly
messenger left as silently us he came.
Captain Hardy was II Young man.
c%areely more thar twenty years old
'ut he was brave, and he had no jntcp-
ION OF saving himself and leaving the
ettlers to their fate. His course of
'ctlon was soon decided upon. He
vent quickly TO each cabin-there werc
'hly thrce or four-and awoke the in
and told them of their dancer.
Pack up what you can carry, and in
INC hour will meet you at the large
'ypress tree where my boat is tied. be
lulet, and make haste"
All was confusion and terror. Thu
who had been so brave was a
Very coward now. While the fright.
sned women and children were getting
dressed the men were gathering un
A'eir little store Of ammunition and
some Clothing, but they took no food
y 1nc'r fright forgetting they might
not " able 70 ilnd any thing to eat fsg