about the last of May, 1834, went on a buffalo hunt out west of old Fort Towson. Besides his little 9-year-old son, Matthew W., and two Negro servants, several settlers, among them Daniel Davis, James and Robert Gamble, were in the party. While they were hunting, a band of Indians, supposedly Comanches, surrounded them. They fired and Judge Martin was killed. The old Negro, Zack Bottom, escaped by running, but the young Negro, boy playmate of Martin, Jr., and the latter himself, were captured and carried away by the Indians. The old Negro escaping, of course, notified the white settlers with all speed possible, and they pursued the Indians, hoping to overtake and rescue the captives, but were too late.

The young Negro captured with Matthew was named Hardy. He proved to be a very loyal slave. With all his African cunning he led the Indians to believe that his life among them was a happy one. Hence they trusted him implicitly. He had in his mind all the while the rescue of his young master, Matthew. Hence, in a very short time he had procured a store of cold rations and two of the Indians' horses; and by travelling two or three days and nights, together with his young master, he brought him back to his mother. Mrs. Martin very promptly gave Hardy his freedom. She laid off a small block of land with a house on it for Hardy's use and benefit the rest of his life. This old home place of this faithful Negro I personally know of.