The Plymouth Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1878-1901, 1901-08-29
Angus Corb|y's Captivity
Story of Early Indian Life and Adventure in the Territory
Northwest of the Ohio River.
WRITER OF MARSHALL COUNTY.

He threaded his way among the nuts
and wigwams with a firm and rapid
stride, holding in straight line for
the gate. and in this part of the jour
ney his Indian garb and appearance
stood him in good stead, for in the
gathering twilight he was taken for
red man on some mission to the fort
and little notice was given him: but
when he at length arrived at the gate,
through which he could look to free
dom and new career. the guards, al
so installing him for an Indian, told
him his errand must wait until the
morrow and began to draw the heavy
gate for the night.
The evening gun doomed heavily
over the river and the flag came flut-
tering down the staff; the open COM
mon just outside the paliSade was filled
with throng of uneasy and curious
Indians, moving about .restlesSly and
furtive and malignant glances at the
fort. Screaming Squaws, naked papOo-
ses and children, blanketed warriors
and Enthusiastically bedecked chiefs pass
ed close to the postern and peeked in
with side-wise glarces toSee what man.
ner of people the new masters were.
In voice of entreaty the fugitive i'm
plored the guards TO admit him, but
they stolidly refused to hear him and
roughly pushed him back. The little
alteration was sufficient to attract
the attention of the inquisitive rabble
on the outside and drew them toward
the gate. observing which the cautious
soldiers fastened their movements
and Angus began to despair: but at
that moment the tap of the drum was
heard attending the officer in COM
mand of the guard on his round of in
spection and that officer, noting the
unusual assemblage, gruffly demanded
to know its cause.
Without waiting for the soldiers to
reply Angus threw himself into the
narrow opening between the moving
gates and fairly shouted that he was
a British captive seeking freedom and
begged to be admitted and taken be-
fore the commandant. The officer of
the guard grasped the refugee by the
hand and fairly dragged him inside,
the gates were slammed together and
barred and Angus Corbly fell on his
knees and sobbed in gratitude for his
deliverance. The storm of emotion
lasted but moment. The young
man arose and asked to be conducted
to the quarters of Major Rogers, a re-
quest that was instantly granted by
the officer, and together they crossed
the little town through a narrow
street to the large council house near
the river.
The famous commander of the rang
ers was tall, rough, powerful man,
dressed in a deer-Skin hunting shirt
and fringed trousers like his hardy
woodsmen, stern and prompt but of a
kindly disposition withal. and he list
ened with much interest to the re-
cital of the young Scotchman stand
ing before him and appearing more
like an Indian than white man. In
deed, the majors interest led him to
ask many questions, especially when
he learned that the captive had spent
some time at Fort Miami and was ia.
miliar with that route to the Wabash
country. He gave orders that Angus
should be comfortably cared for in
every way and dismissed him with q
request for a further interview the
following morning. A good supper
was first provided, including bread
and salt. two of the greatest delica
cies that could be imagined by mar
who had for years lived on the offa'
of an Indian village, and then Angus
was shown to a comfortably furnished
room in the barracks, in which there
was a bunk with mattress and blank
cts, luxuries to him long unknown.
The evening being still young oul
hero was urged to join group of the
rangers in the mess-rOom OF the bar
racks until bedtime, which he readil,
did since he was hungry for the com
partnership of his own race and curious
to know what had been going on il
he world, and he found jolly COM
pany of big, uncouth, weather-stainet
fellows lounging in frone of roaring
fire of logs, talking of the wonders 0
the region they were in for the frs
time. The newcomer, on his en-
trance to the room. was offered pip
and made to feel at home. Some ink
ling of his captivity and escape ha'
already reached them and when the,
had drawn out his modest story i
recalled many adventures of thei
own or of their friends. During tn
evening he learned that detachmen