W.A YNE 'S SCO UTS.

949

It appears, however, that Ensign Lutz, the commander of the little party posted there for the protection of the settlers, did not feel himself positively hound to erect the fort at any particular place, hut that he had the liberty to select the best spot calculated to afford the most extensive protection to the settlers at large. Viewing his duty in that light, he put up a small temporary work, sufficiently strong to give secmity to his men, however much Judge Symmes entreated him to erect at once a substantial and spacious block-house sufficient for the protection of the inhabitants of the village. In fact, Ensign Lutz shortly thereafter left the Bend and went to Losantiville with his command, where he immediately began the construction of a strong military work, which was completed during the course of the summer of 1789, when Major Doughty arrived here Avith troops from Fort Harmar. There is a romantic story connected with this change of base on the part of Ensign Lutz, which is told by Judge Burnet in his " Notes on the Early Settlement of the North-western Territory," as follows :

"While the officer in command at North Bend Avas looking out very leisurely for a suitable site on which to build the block-house, he formed an acquaintance with a beautiful black-eyed female, who called forth his most assiduous and tender attentions. She was the Avife of one of the settlers at the Bend. ' Her husband saAV the danger to Avhich he Avould be exposed if he remained Avhere he was. He therefore resolved at once to remove to Losantiville, and very promptly executed his resolution. As soon as the gallant commandant discovered that the object of his admiration had changed her residence he began to think that the Bend Avas not an advantageous situation for a military work, and communicated that opinion to Judge Symmes, who strenuously opposed it. His reasoning, hoAvever, was not as persuasive as the sparkling eyes of the fair Dul-cinea, then at Losantiville. The result was a determination to visit Losantiville and examine its advantage's for a military post, Avhich he communicated to the judge, with an assurance