The Plymouth Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1878-1901, 1901-08-29
CHAPTER 10.
FALL OF DETROIT.
Continuation

The emotions that filled the breast
of Angus Corbly as he beheld these
scenes may be imagined Fer the
first time in years he saw the flag and
soldiers of his country and his longing
to escape from bondage burned with
in him more intensely than ever. His
mind was wholly gwen over to de-
signs for an early flight as he return
ed to the drudgery and abuse of the
camp after witnessing the delivery OF
the town and he soon learned that he
would have to act promptly if at all.
for his masters began their prepare
tons to return to the Tippecanoe for
the winters hunting.
Angus went about his slavish work
as usual and endured the persecution
of the hideous old squaws without in
dicating the subject of his thoughts,
but he was carefully noting the dis
position OF the camp for the night and
measuring the strength of the guard
that never lost sight of him, especially
since the English had come. Late in
the afternoon he went for wood into
the edge of swamp near the camp
and as he was performing this erraGd
he observed two of the Indians strolling
within easy gunShot OF him. They
separated while he was at work and
when was coming in with his load OF
faeots he passed so near as to brush
one of them in the path. n plan OF
escape flashed through his mind. He
dropped his load upon the feet OF the
Indian. as though it had been done
accidentally, and when the unsuspect-
ing guard stopped in pain the young
man snatched the gun from his weak
ened hold and shot the other guard.
1t was his first shot in four years and
the first time he had ever shed human
blood. but his aim was true and as he
sprang toward the tangled swamp he
saw his victim leap and fall to the
ground without uttering sound.
The remaining guard shouted a
warning to the camp, which was al
ready attracted by the shot, and
bounded after the fugitive, knife In
hand. eager to avenge the murder
and anxious TO avoid the ridicule that
he knew he must expect if the escape
proved successful. Angus tore through
the thick underbrush and plunged
through little creek, into which he
dropped the useless gun, for he had
no powder and ball TO reload 1t, ana
while he was DELAYED in gaining a
foothold on the opposite bank the pur-
suer drew close enough to hurl his
tomahawk with true aim and with
out Stacking speed. Receiving the
weapon on the back of the head the
fleeing slave dropped and before be
could rise again the knife was poised
above him and the baleful eye vi the
Infatuated demon was upon him.
With motion incredibly swift An
gus raised his foot and planted it in
the Indian S stomach, springing to his
feet as his enemy staggered backward.
He was unarmed while his opponent
had a knife and the bowling pack from
the camp was almost within gunshot.
The desperate young man flew at the
Indians throat with all his force.
gripping the knife arm with a power
full hold with one hand and the en-
counter at close quarters was fast and
furious. but Angus succeeded in turn
ing the knife upon the breast of his
foe and pushing it up to the hllt
though it was still in its owner S hand,
and then he tore the weapon from the
bleeding and dying mans grasp and
fled away, followed by fusilade from
the other side of the creek, the bull
lets of which cut the twigs on either
side of him as he ran.
Inspired by the hope of freedom
the young man sped through the we,
and thickly-matted marsh. leapine
from hummock to hummock or splash
ing through the shallow water, ane
he made such progress that-he wa'
soon out of sight OF his pursuers, but
still he kept his pace. He ha0 but
two miles before him to the town
most of which was through the swamp
and outside the palisade there was
circle of Indian camps that he might
not be able to penetrate, though h'
hoped he would be seen from the for
and rescued from any attack thai
might be made upon him.
When he had come to the edge o
the morass nearest the town he paus
ed to reconnoitre. In the distance
loomed the tall stockade with its post
ern-gate Turing him to liberty and t.
reach it he must find way through
villages of Indians whose friendlines
she had every reason todoubt. Wheth
or he should make bold attempt il