"
The trader did not like to carry all the powder back to his camp; so
thought he would play a trick on the Indians, and induce them to buy it.
Going to an open piece of ground near the Indian camp, he dug some
little holes in the soft, rich soil; then mixing a quantity of onion
seed with his powder, he began to plant it.
The Indians were curious to know what he was doing, and stood by greatly
interested.
"What are you doing?" said one. "Planting gunpowder," replied the
trader.
"Why do you plant it?" inquired another.
"To raise a crop of powder. How could I raise it without planting?" said
the trader. "Do you not plant corn in the ground?"
"And will gunpowder grow like corn?" exclaimed half a dozen at once.
"Certainly it will," said the trader. "Did you not know it? As you do
not want my powder, I thought I would plant it, and raise a crop which I
could gather and sell to the Crows."
Now the Crows were another tribe of Indians, which was always at war
with this tribe. The idea of their enemies having a large supply of
powder increased the excitement, and one of the Indians said:
"Well, well, if we can raise powder like corn, we will buy your stock
and plant it.
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