It isn't easy to push your way through the throngs of people, but eventually you manage to shove your way to the front of the sidewalk. You now have a pretty fair command of vision up and down what you believe to be Lafayette Street (It's hard to say. You don't come to Indianapolis very often, and your understanding of the geography is a little sketchy.) Lafayette is a street running north-south right through the heart of Indianapolis, with the state capital visible to the north of you and a large pole or tower to the south. Right now, it's absolute bedlam. You conservatively estimate that there must be ten thousand people here, all of them shouting and carrying on as the biggest and grandest parade you've ever seen winds it's way down the avenue. Banners and streamers fill the air, with different slogans like "Tippecanoe and Tyler too!" and "Vote for Ben!"

You also notice several people wearing similar ribbons, featuring pictures of Benjamin Harrison and his running mate, Levi Morton::

Quickly, you deduce that this must be a Republican procession -- hardly surprising, considering the number of people who've turned out. Back in Clark's Hill, practically everyone votes the straight Republican ticket. Anyone who doesn't is instantly branded as an anarchist, or a friend of Great Britian, two of your hometown's vulgarest insults, always sure to elicit a sneer.

You turn your attention back to the parade, and, wait...are those LOG CABINS making their way down Lafayette Street?! They are! Several log cabins on horse-drawn floats are beginning to pass by! Apparently, the Republicans erected the cabins to portray Senator Harrison as a common man-of-the-people; a rough-hewn sort who lives in a log cabin. You snort as you think of this: you know for a fact that Mr. Harrison lives here in Indianapolis; you've seen his house before on trips to town with your father. It's a bit theatric, but it is sound. It's an unwritten law that Hoosiers dislike folks who try to put on airs, or try to appear better than others--a "man of the people" image is a wise one to cultivate here in Indiana. You soon notice other "folksy" symbols that litter the street. Cider barrels are set up at strategic locations along the boulevard, and men lined up for drinks wave their tin cups at the passing procession. Cages of raccoons, badgers, and other woodland animals can be seen, also, along with cages of eagles, the symbols of the Republican party.

You stand and watch the parade for a while, paying close attention to everything. At one point, a regiment of Civil War veterans, the 33rd Indiana Infantry, march by in their blue uniforms, another smart move on Harrison's part. Another attribute of the common man is that he probably fought in the Civil War. You also smile when you see a singlularly original display lumber it's way in your direction. It's a huge bull covered with a white cloth banner bearing the slogan "JOHN BULL RIDES THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND WE RIDE JOHN BULL." Leading the animal is a man dressed as Uncle Sam. You've gathered from a bit of reading and from overheard conversations that "John Bull" is Uncle Sam's English counterpart. "Savvy," you think to yourself. It's another common trait among the Hoosiers you've known that they generally have little trust for foreigners or for foreign countries, who they see as prideful or opponents of American business and jobs. You've known people who were poorly received in Clark's Hill after moving there from a neighboring town! Heaven help Cleveland if Harrison succeeds in portraying the Democrats as pro-foreigner!

The rest of the parade is standard fare: glee clubs, youth groups, and women's support groups. Then, the parade begins to reach the end of the street, and the torches of the marches give you your first good view of that towering structure you noticed to the south of you. It's a liberty pole! You've heard about these from townsmen who been in Indianapolis in earlier elections. It's a gigantic totem, about 100 feet high, and it must have once been a perfectly monstrous tree. Carved into it are all sorts of Republican images, slogans, and propaganda. From here, you can make out the slogan "Tippecanoe and Tyler Too!" You remember that Harrison borrowed this phrase from his Grandfather, who used it when he ran for president 50 years ago.

Suddenly, out of the corner of your eye, you notice a peculiar movement at the base of the pole. At the edge of the darkness, obviously trying to keep out of sight, you can barely make out an indeterminate number of men with a team of oxen. Getting closer, you get a clearer view, and you quickly comprehend the mens' purpose. They are Democrats, either completely insane or drunk as lords, for they've hitched up their oxen to the liberty pole and are attempting to bring it down! You are closer to the action than the majority of the crowd, so you are able to deduce this quicker than most, but soon the entire street notices them and comprehends the situation. Shouts of "Kill the bastards!" resound throughout the streets, and it's instantly obvious that things are about to get ugly. As you resist the pushing of the men rushing past you towards the malefactors, you notice a small alley off to your left. If you act quickly, you might be able to reach it and get out of here! On the other hand, you're sort of curious as to how this will all turn out...

What do you do?