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urdered by hostile Indians in that region； it was deemed dangerous to travel the road without an escort。 Only the day before we started； the mail stage had been stopped and the passengers murdered； the driver alone escaping。 We were well armed； however； and trusted that our numbers would present too formidable a force to be attacked； though we dreaded to incur the risk。 Vivalla alone was fearless and was ready to encounter fifty Indians and drive them into the swamp。
〃Accordingly； when we had safely passed over the entire route to within fourteen miles of Montgomery； and were beyond the reach of danger； Joe Pentland determined to test Vivalla's bravery。 He had secretly purchased at Mt。 Megs； on the way； an old Indian dress with a fringed hunting shirt and moccasins and these he put on； after coloring his face with Spanish brown。 Then shouldering his musket he followed Vivalla and the party； and； approaching stealthily leaped into their midst with a tremendous whoop。
〃Vivalla's companions were in the secret； and they instantly fled in all directions。 Vivalla himself ran like a deer and Pentland after him； gun in hand and yelling horribly。 After running a full mile the poor little Italian； out of breath and frightened nearly to death； dropped on his knees and begged for his life。 The 'Indian' leveled his gun at his victim； but soon seemed to relent； and signified that Vivalla should turn his pockets inside outwhich he did； producing and handing over a purse containing eleven dollars。 The savage then marched Vivalla to an oak； and with a handkerchief tied him in the most approved Indian manner to the tree； leaving him half dead with fright。
〃Pentland then joined us； and washing his face and changing his dress； we all went to the relief of Vivalla。 He was overjoyed to see us； and when he was released his courage returned； he swore that after his companions left him； the Indian had been re…inforced by six more； to whom； in default of a gun or other means to defend himself； Vivalla had been compelled to surrender。 We pretended to believe his story for a week； and then told him the joke； which he refused to credit； and also declined to take the money which Pentland offered to return； as it could not possibly be his since seven Indians had taken his money。 We had a great deal of fun over Vivalla's courage； but the matter made him so cross and surly that we were finally obliged to drop it altogether。 From that time forward； however； Vivalla never boasted of his prowess。〃
At the end of February； 1837； they reached Montgomery； and there Barnum sold a half interest in his show to Henry Hawley； a sleight…of…hand performer。 He was a very clever fellow and was never known to be non…plussed or embarrassed in his tricks； except upon one occasion。 This was when he was performing the well…known egg and bag trick； which he did with great success； taking egg after egg from the bag and finally breaking one to show that they were genuine。 〃Now；〃 said he 〃I will show you the old hen that laid them。〃 But it happened that the negro boy to whom had been intrusted the duty of supplying 〃properties；〃 had made a slight mistake。 The result was that Hawley triumphantly produced not 〃the old hen that laid the eggs；〃 but a most palpable and evident rooster。 The audience roared with laughter； and Hawley； completely taken aback； fled in confusion to his dressing room； uttering furious maledictions upon the boy who was the author of his woe。
The show visited various places in Alabama； Tennessee and Kentucky； and finally disbanded at Nashville in May； 1837。 Vivalla went to New York and gave some performances on his own account before sailing for Cuba。 Hawley remained in Tennessee； and Barnum went home to his family。 Early in July； however； he formed a new company and went back to rejoin Hawley。 But they were not successful； and in August they parted again； Barnum forming a new partnership with one Z。 Graves。 He then went to Tiffin； Ohio； where he re…engaged Joe Pentland and got together the nucleus of a new company。
During his short stay at Tiffin； Barnum got into a discussion with various gentlemen on religious subjects； and in response to their invitation lectured； or preached； in the school…house on Sunday afternoon and evening。 He also went to the neighboring town of Republic and delivered two lectures。
On his way back to Kentucky； just before he reached Cincinnati； he met a drove of hogs。 One of the drivers made an insolent remark because the circus wagons interfered with the driving of the hogs； and Barnum responded angrily。 Thereupon the fellow jumped from his horse； pointed a pistol at Barnum's breast and swore he would shoot him if he did not apologize。 Barnum asked permission to speak first to a friend in the next wagon； after which； he said； he would give the man full satisfaction。 The 〃friend〃 proved to be a loaded double barrelled gun； which Barnum leveled at the hog…driver's head； saying：
〃Now； sir； you must apologize； or have your brains blown out。 You drew a weapon upon me for a careless remark。 You seem to hold human life at a cheap price。 Now you have the choice between a load of shot and an apology。〃
The man apologized promptly； a pleasant conversation ensued； and they parted excellent friends。
On this tour they exhibited at Nashville； where Barnum visited General Jackson at the Hermitage； at Huntsville； Tuscaloosa； Vicksburg and various other places； generally doing well。 At Vicksburg they bought a steamboat and went down the river； stopping at every important landing to exhibit。 At Natchez their cook deserted them； and Barnum set out to find another。 He found a white woman who was willing to go； only she expected to marry a painter in that town； and did not want to leave him。 Barnum went to see the painter and found that he had not fully made up his mind whether to marry the woman or not。 Thereupon the enterprising showman told the painter that if he would marry the woman the next morning he would hire him for 25 a month as painter； and his bride at the same wages as cook； give them both their board and add a cash bonus of 50。 There was a wedding on the boat the next day； and they had a good cook and a good dinner。
During one evening performance at Francisville； Louisiana； a man tried to pass Barnum at the door of the tent； claiming that he had paid for admittance。 Barnum refused him entrance； and as he was slightly intoxicated； he struck Barnum with a slung shot； mashing his hat and grazing what phrenologists call 〃the organ of caution。〃 He went away and soon returned with a gang of armed and half…drunken companions； who ordered the showmen to pack up their 〃traps and plunder〃 and to get on board their steamboat within an hour。 The big tent speedily came down。 No one was permitted to help； but the company worked with a will； and within five minutes of the expiration of the hour they were on board and ready to leave。 The scamps who had caused their departure escorted them and their last load； waving pine torches； and saluted them with a hurrah as they swung into the stream。
The New Orleans papers of March 19th； 1838； announced the arrival of the 〃Steamer Ceres； Captain Barnum； with a theatrical company。〃 After