The Plymouth Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1878-1901, 1901-09-05
CHAPTER II.
THE FIGHT AT THE RIVER.
nenbered

THE FIGHT AT THE RIVER.
The two men in the camp on the
point had passed night of much
anxiety. which was relieved only when
they diScerned the canoe returning over
the shimmering expanse of the lake
when the sun was about three hours
high. and the account of the adven-
ture led to much discussion. The
thing that seemed most likely, as
suming the Indians to be hostile, was
that they would reconnoitre the camp
during the day and make an attack
i'm force that night or just before day
break. the time usually chosen by
Indians for surprise. A vigilant
guard was therefore maintained that
night. and for the three following
days and nights, a rain having set in,
the four did not leave camp. Then it
cleared and the sergeant, again taking
Pierre because he could speak some
French, crossed to the east shore,
where there was village near fine
spring well up on the side of a hill
and near half mile from the edge of
the lake. Proceeding boldly as be-
fore the couple STROBE up the hill and
into the village. The squaws were
working in the corn, such of the
Young men as were not out hunting
were lounging lazily in the lodges and
the children and boys were amusing
themselves about the camp. The
lake in front was hidden from view
by the thick foliage sloping down the
long hillside and the slanting rays of
the morning sun from behind lit up
little patches of grass shining from
the recent rain.
The chief was away hunting and
there was no formal reception of the
visitors. but it was plain that the
news of their mission had been spread
among the villages. AS an excuse for
his presence Angus proposed to pur-
chase some meat and offered to pay
a good price for A venison carcass that
had evidently been brought in that
morning. but the bargain was de-
clined. the Indians saying that game
was scarce on that side of the lake
and they were depending largely on
fish for subsistence. The sergeant
knew that for miles TO the east there
stretched a high, rolling, fertile re-
gion, heavily timbered with hardwood,
and that this rich forest was literally
alive with game, but of this know
ledge he could say nothing there.
He questioned them about the success
OF the winter hunting and the trading
trip to Miami. also about the streams
and portages on the route to the St.
Soseph, and in this manner he drew
out a few statements corroborating
what he had learned in the other vii
lage: but the Indians made brief ans
wers and he did not dare ask leading
questions because he would have been
held as spy. Having no hope of Sc
curing further information the visit
was formally concluded and the re-
turn to the camp was made without
incident.
1t was decided to break camp and
resume the journey the same day, de-
lays being proverbially dangerous, SC
hasty meal was eaten, the canoe was
loaded and under MONDAY sun the
bay was again crossed to the north.
A landing was made on a broad sand
beach to the west of the village on
the bluff, tlSe load was parceled out,
one taking the light but awkward
canoe upside down on his back, and
the narrow trail leading up the bill
and across the level table land through
the woods to the bank of Yellow river
four miles distant was entered upon.
The loads being heavy the progress OF
the march was slow and frequent
stops were made to double up on the
loads in difficult places, and SO the sur
was hanging low to the left
when the leading man swung his
cap in token that he saw the river
The watchfulness for Indians had not