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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/12846-0.txt b/12846-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4c5fcbe --- /dev/null +++ b/12846-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6055 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 12846 *** + +[Illustration: DANIEL BOONE.] + +[Illustration: BOONE'S FIRST VIEW OF KENTUCKY.] + + "Fair was the scene that lay + Before the little band, + Which paused upon its toilsome way, + To view this new found land. + + Field, stream and valley spread, + Far as the eye could gaze, + With summer's beauty o'er them shed, + And sunlight's brightest rays. + + Flowers of the fairest dyes, + Trees clothed in richest green; + And brightly smiled the deep-blue skies, + O'er this enchanting scene. + + Such was Kentucky then, + With wild luxuriance blest; + Where no invading hand had been, + The garden of the West." + + + + + THE FIRST WHITE MAN OF THE WEST, + + OR THE + + LIFE AND EXPLOITS OF COL. DAN'L. BOONE, + THE FIRST SETTLER OF KENTUCKY; + + INTERSPERSED WITH INCIDENTS IN THE + EARLY ANNALS OF THE COUNTRY. + + + BY TIMOTHY FLINT. + + 1856. + + + + +CONTENTS + + +CHAPTER I. + +Birth of Daniel Boone--His early propensities--His pranks at school--His +first hunting expedition--And his encounter with a panther.--Removal of +the family to North Carolina--Boone becomes a hunter--Description of +fire hunting, in which he was near committing a sad mistake--Its +fortunate result--and his marriage. + + +CHAPTER II. + +Boone removes to the head waters of the Yadkin river--He meets with +Finley, who had crossed the mountains into Tennessee--They agree to +explore the wilderness west of the Alleghanies together. + + +CHAPTER III. + +Boone, with Finley and others, start on their exploring +expedition--Boone kills a panther in the night--Their progress over the +mountains--They descend into the great valley--Description of the new +country--Herds of buffaloes--Their wanderings in the wilderness. + + +CHAPTER IV. + +The exploring party divide into different routes--Boone and Stewart +taken prisoners by the Indians, and their escape--Boone meets with his +elder brother and another white man in the woods--Stewart killed by the +Indians, and the companion of the elder Boone destroyed by wolves--The +elder brother returns to North Carolina, leaving Boone alone in the +wilderness. + + +CHAPTER V. + +Boone is pursued by the Indians, and eludes their pursuit--He encounters +and kills a bear--The return of his brother with ammunition--They +explore the country--Boone kills a panther on the back of a +buffalo--They return to North Carolina. + + +CHAPTER VI. + +Boone starts with his family to Kentucky--Their return to Clinch +river--He conducts a party of surveyors to the Falls of Ohio--He helps +build Boonesborough, and removes his family to the fort--His daughter +and two of Col. Calloway's daughters taken prisoners by the +Indians--They pursue the Indians and rescue the captives. + + +CHAPTER VII. + +Settlement of Harrodsburgh--Indian mode of besieging and +warfare--Fortitude and privation of the Pioneers--The Indians attack +Harrodsburgh and Boonesborough--Description of a Station--Attack of +Bryant's Station. + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +Boone being attacked by two Indians near the Blue Licks, kills them +both--Is afterwards taken prisoner and marched to Old Chillicothe--Is +adopted by the Indians--Indian ceremonies. + + +CHAPTER IX. + +Boone becomes a favorite among the Indians--Anecdotes relating to his +captivity--Their mode of tormenting and burning prisoners--Their +fortitude under the infliction of torture--Concerted attack on +Boonesborough--Boone escapes. + + +CHAPTER X. + +Six hundred Indians attack Boonesborough--Boone and Captain Smith go out +to treat with the enemy under a flag of truce, and are extricated from a +treacherous attempt to detain them as prisoners--Defence of the +fort--The Indians defeated--Boone goes to North Carolina to bring back +his family. + + +CHAPTER XI. + +A sketch of the character and adventures of several other +pioneers--Harrod, Kenton, Logan, Ray, McAffee, and others. + + +CHAPTER XII. + +Boone's brother killed, and Boone himself narrowly escapes from the +Indians--Assault upon Ashton's station--and upon the station near +Shelbyville--Attack upon McAffee's station. + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +Disastrous battle near the Blue Licks--General Clarke's expedition +against the Miami towns--Massacre of McClure's family--The horrors of +Indian assaults throughout the settlements--General Harmar's +expedition--Defeat of General St. Clair--Gen. Wayne's victory, and a +final peace with the Indians. + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +Rejoicings on account of the peace--Boone indulges his propensity for +hunting--Kentucky increases in population--Some account of their +conflicting land titles--Progress of civil improvement destroying the +range of the hunter--Litigation of land titles--Boone loses his +lands--Removes from Kentucky to the Kanawha--Leaves the Kanawha and goes +to Missouri, where he is appointed Commandant. + + +CHAPTER XV. + +Anecdotes of Colonel Boone, related by Mr. Audubon--A remarkable +instance of memory. + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +Progress of improvement in Missouri--Old age of Boone--Death of his +wife--He goes to reside with his son--His death--His personal appearance +and character. + + + + +PREFACE. + + +Our eastern brethren have entered heartily into the pious duty of +bringing to remembrance the character and deeds of their forefathers. +Shall we of the west allow the names of those great men, who won for us, +from the forest, the savages, and wild beasts, our fair domain of +fertile fields and beautiful rivers, to fade into oblivion? They who +have hearts to admire nobility imparted by nature's great +seal--fearlessness, strength, energy, sagacity, generous forgetfulness +of self, the delineation of scenes of terror, and the relation of deeds +of daring, will not fail to be interested in a sketch of the life of the +pioneer and hunter of Kentucky, Daniel Boone. Contemplated in any light, +we shall find him in his way and walk, a man as truly great as Penn, +Marion, and Franklin, in theirs. True, he was not learned in the lore of +books, or trained in the etiquette of cities. But he possessed a +knowledge far more important in the sphere which Providence called him +to fill. He felt, too, the conscious dignity of self-respect, and would +have been seen as erect, firm, and unembarrassed amid the pomp and +splendor of the proudest court in Christendom, as in the shade of his +own wilderness. Where nature in her own ineffaceable characters has +marked superiority, she looks down upon the tiny and elaborate +acquirements of art, and in all positions and in all time entitles her +favorites to the involuntary homage of their fellow-men. They are the +selected pilots in storms, the leaders in battles, and the pioneers in +the colonization of new countries. + +Such a man was Daniel Boone, and wonderfully was he endowed by +Providence for the part which he was called to act. Far be it from us to +undervalue the advantages of education: It can do every thing but assume +the prerogative of Providence. God has reserved for himself the +attribute of creating. Distinguished excellence has never been attained, +unless where nature and education, native endowment and circumstances, +have concurred. This wonderful man received his commission for his +achievements and his peculiar walk from the sign manual of nature. He +was formed to be a woodsman, and the adventurous precursor in the first +settlement of Kentucky. His home was in the woods, where others were +bewildered and lost. It is a mysterious spectacle to see a man possessed +of such an astonishing power of being perfectly familiar with his route +and his resources in the depths of the untrodden wilderness, where +others could as little divine their way, and what was to be done, as +mariners on mid-ocean, without chart or compass, sun, moon, or stars. +But that nature has bestowed these endowments upon some men and denied +them to others, is as certain as that she has given to some animals +instincts of one kind, fitting them for peculiar modes of life, which +are denied to others, perhaps as strangely endowed in another way. + +The following pages aim to present a faithful picture of this singular +man, in his wanderings, captivities, and escapes. If the effort be +successful, we have no fear that the attention of the reader will +wander. There is a charm in such recitals, which lays its spell upon +all. The grave and gay, the simple and the learned, the young and +gray-haired alike yield to its influence. + +We wish to present him in his strong incipient manifestations of the +development of his peculiar character in boyhood. We then see him on +foot and alone, with no companion but his dog, and no friend but his +rifle, making his way over trackless and unnamed mountains, and +immeasurable forests, until he explores the flowering wilderness of +Kentucky. Already familiar, by his own peculiar intuition, with the +Indian character, we see him casting his keen and searching glance +around, as the ancient woods rung with the first strokes of his axe, and +pausing from time to time to see if the echoes have startled the red +men, or the wild beasts from their lair. We trace him through all the +succeeding explorations of the Bloody Ground, and of Tennessee, until so +many immigrants have followed in his steps, that he finds his privacy +too strongly pressed upon; until he finds the buts and bounds of legal +tenures restraining his free thoughts, and impelling him to the distant +and unsettled shores of the Missouri, to seek range and solitude anew. +We see him there, his eyes beginning to grow dim with the influence of +seventy winters--as he can no longer take the unerring aim of his +rifle--casting wistful looks in the direction of the Rocky Mountains and +the western sea; and sadly reminded that man has but one short life, in +which to wander. + +No book can be imagined more interesting than would have been the +personal narrative of such a man, written by himself. What a new pattern +of the heart he might have presented! But, unfortunately, he does not +seem to have dreamed of the chance that his adventures would go down to +posterity in the form of recorded biography. We suspect that he rather +eschewed books, parchment deeds, and clerkly contrivances, as forms of +evil; and held the dead letter of little consequence. His associates +were as little likely to preserve any records, but those of memory, of +the daily incidents and exploits, which indicate character and assume +high interest, when they relate to a person like the subject of this +narrative. These hunters, unerring in their aim to prostrate the +buffalo on his plain, or to bring down the geese and swans from the +clouds, thought little of any other use of the gray goose quill, than +its market value. + +Had it been otherwise, and had these men themselves furnished the +materials of this narrative, we have no fear that it would go down to +futurity, a more enduring monument to these pioneers and hunters, than +the granite columns reared by our eastern brethren, amidst assembled +thousands, with magnificent array, and oratory, and songs, to the memory +of their forefathers. Ours would be the record of human nature speaking +to human nature in simplicity and truth, in a language always +impressive, and always understood. Their pictures of their own felt +sufficiency to themselves, under the pressure of exposure and want; of +danger, wounds, and captivity; of reciprocal kindness, warm from the +heart; of noble forgetfulness of self, unshrinking firmness, calm +endurance, and reckless bravery, would be sure to move in the hearts of +their readers strings which never fail to vibrate to the touch. + +But these inestimable data are wanting. Our materials are comparatively +few; and we have been often obliged to balance between doubtful +authorities, notwithstanding the most rigorous scrutiny of newspapers +and pamphlets, whose yellow and dingy pages gave out a cloud of dust at +every movement, and the equally rigid examination of clean modern books +and periodicals. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +Birth of Daniel Boone--His early propensities--His pranks at school--His +first hunting expedition--And his encounter with a panther. Removal of +the family to North Carolina--Boone becomes a hunter--Description of +fire hunting, in which he was near committing a sad mistake--Its +fortunate result--and his marriage. + + +Different authorities assign a different birth place to DANIEL BOONE. +One affirms that he was born in Maryland, another in North Carolina, +another in Virginia, and still another during the transit of his parents +across the Atlantic. But they are all equally in error. He was born in +the year 1746, in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, near Bristol, on the right +bank of the Delaware, about twenty miles from Philadelphia. His father +removed, when he was three years old, to the vicinity of Reading, on the +head waters of the Schuylkill. From thence, when his son was thirteen +years old, he migrated to North Carolina, and settled in one of the +valleys of South Yadkin. + +The remotest of his ancestors, of whom there is any recorded notice, is +Joshua Boone, an English Catholic. He crossed the Atlantic to the +shores of the Chesapeake Bay, with those who planted the first germ of +the colony of Maryland. A leading motive to emigration with most of +these colonists, was to avoid that persecution on account of their +religion, which however pleasant to inflict, they found it uncomfortable +to endure. Whether this gentleman emigrated from this inducement, as has +been asserted, or not, it is neither possible, nor, as we deem, +important to settle; for we cannot find, that religious motives had any +direct influence in shaping the character and fortunes of the hero of +the woods. Those who love to note the formation of character, and +believe in the hereditary transmission of peculiar qualities, naturally +investigate the peculiarities of parents, to see if they can find there +the origin of those of the children. Many--and we are of the +number--consider transmitted endowment as the most important link in the +chain of circumstances, with which character is surrounded. The most +splendid endowments in innumerable instances, have never been brought to +light, in defect of circumstances to call them forth. The ancestors of +Boone were not placed in positions to prove, whether he did or did not +receive his peculiar aptitudes a legacy from his parents, or a direct +gift from nature. He presents himself to us as a new man, the author and +artificer of his own fortunes, and showing from the beginning rudiments +of character, of which history has recorded no trace in his ancestors. +The promise of the future hunter appeared in his earliest boyhood. He +waged a war of extermination, as soon as he could poise a gun, with +squirrels, raccoons, and wild cats, at that time exceedingly annoying to +the fields and barn-yards of the back settlers. + +No scholar ever displayed more decided pre-eminence in any branch of +learning, than he did above the boys of his years, in adroitness and +success in this species of hunting. This is the only distinct and +peculiar trait of character recorded of his early years. The only +transmitted fact of his early training is presented in the following +anecdote. + +In that section of the frontier settlement to which Boone had removed, +where unhewn log cabins, and hewn log houses, were interspersed among +the burnt stumps, surrounded by a potato patch and cornfield, as the +traveller pursued his cow-path through the deep forest, there was an +intersection, or more properly concentration of wagon tracks, called the +"Cross Roads,"--a name which still designates a hundred frontier +positions of a post office, blacksmith's shop, and tavern. In the +central point of this metropolis stood a large log building, before +which a sign creaked in the wind, conspicuously lettered "Store and +Tavern." + +To this point, on the early part of a warm spring morning, a pedestrian +stranger was seen approaching in the path leading from the east. One +hand was armed with a walking stick, and the other carried a small +bundle inclosed in a handkerchief. His aspect was of a man, whose whole +fortunes were in his walking stick and bundle. He was observed to eye +the swinging sign with a keen recognition, inspiring such courage as +the mariner feels on entering the desired haven. + +His dialect betrayed the stranger to be a native of Ireland. He sat down +on the _stoup_, and asked in his own peculiar mode of speech, for cold +water. A supply from the spring was readily handed him in a gourd. But +with an arch pause between remonstrance and laughter, he added, that he +thought cold water in a warm climate injurious to the stomach and begged +that the element might be qualified with a little whisky. + +The whisky was handed him, and the usual conversation ensued, during +which the stranger inquired if a school-master was wanted in the +settlement--or, as he was pleased to phrase it, a professor in the +higher branches of learning? It is inferred that the father of Boone was +a person of distinction in the settlement, for to him did the master of +the "Store and Tavern" direct the stranger of the staff and bundle for +information. + +The direction of the landlord to enable him to find the house of Mr. +Boone, was a true specimen of similar directions in the frontier +settlements of the present; and they have often puzzled clearer heads +than that of the Irish school-master. + +"Step this way," said he, "and I will direct you there, so that you +cannot mistake your way. Turn down that right hand road, and keep on it +till you cross the dry branch--then turn to your left, and go up a +hill--then take a lane to your right, which will bring you to an open +field--pass this, and you will come to a path with three forks--take the +middle fork, and it will lead you through the woods in sight of Mr. +Boone's plantation." + +The Irishman lost his way, invoked the saints, and cursed his director +for his medley of directions many a time, before he stumbled at length +on Mr. Boone's house. He was invited to sit down and dine, in the simple +backwoods phrase, which is still the passport to the most ample +hospitality. + +After dinner, the school-master made known his vocation, and his desire +to find employment. To obtain a qualified school-master in those days, +and in such a place, was no easy business. This scarcity of supply +precluded close investigation of fitness. In a word, the Irishman was +authorized to enter upon the office of school-master of the settlement. +We have been thus particular in this description, because it was the way +in which most teachers were then employed. + +It will not be amiss to describe the school-house; for it stood as a +sample of thousands of west country school-houses of the present day. It +was of logs, after the usual fashion of the time and place. In +dimension, it was spacious and convenient. The chimney was peculiarly +ample, occupying one entire side of the whole building, which was an +exact square. Of course, a log could be "snaked" to the fire-place as +long as the building, and a file of boys thirty feet in length, could +all stand in front of the fire on a footing of the most democratic +equality. Sections of logs cut out here and there, admitted light and +air instead of windows. The surrounding forest furnished ample supplies +of fuel. A spring at hand, furnished with various gourds, quenched the +frequent thirst of the pupils. A ponderous puncheon door, swinging on +substantial wooden hinges, and shutting with a wooden latch, completed +the appendages of this primeval seminary. + +To this central point might he seen wending from the woods, in every +direction of the compass, flaxen-headed boys and girls, clad in +homespun, brushing away the early dews, as they hied to the place, where +the Hibernian, clothed in his brief authority, sometimes perpetrated +applications of birch without rhyme or reason; but much oftener allowed +his authority to be trampled upon, according as the severe or loving +humor prevailed. This vacillating administration was calculated for any +result, rather than securing the affectionate respect of the children. +Scarcely the first quarter had elapsed, before materials for revolt had +germinated under the very throne of the school-master. + +Young Boone, at this time, had reached the second stage of teaching the +young idea how to shoot. His satchel already held paper marked with +those mysterious hieroglyphics, vulgarly called _pot-hooks_, intended to +be gradually transformed to those clerkly characters, which are called +hand-writing. + +The master's throne was a block of a huge tree, and could not be said, +in any sense, to be a cushion of down. Of course, by the time he had +heard the first lessons of the morning, the master was accustomed to let +loose his noisy subjects, to wanton and bound on the grass, while he +took a turn abroad to refresh himself from his wearying duties. While he +was thus unbending his mind, the observant urchins had remarked, that +he always directed his walk to a deep grove not far distant. They had, +possibly, divined that the unequal tempers of his mind, and his rapid +transitions from good nature to tyrannical moroseness, and the reverse, +were connected with these promenades. The curiosity of young Boone had +been partially excited. An opportunity soon offered to gratify it. + +Having one day received the accustomed permission to retire a few +minutes from school, the darting of a squirrel across a fallen tree, as +he went abroad, awakened his ruling passion. He sprang after the nimble +animal, until he found himself at the very spot, where he had observed +his school-master to pause in his promenades. His attention was arrested +by observing a kind of opening under a little arbor, thickly covered +with a mat of vines. Thinking, perhaps, that it was the retreat of some +animal, he thrust in his hand, and to his surprise drew forth a glass +bottle, partly full of whisky. The enigma of his master's walks and +inequalities of temper stood immediately deciphered. After the +reflection of a moment, he carefully replaced the bottle in its +position, and returned to his place in school. In the evening he +communicated his discovery and the result of his meditations to the +larger boys of the school on their way home. They were ripe for revolt, +and the issue of their caucus follows: + +They were sufficiently acquainted with fever and ague, to have +experimented the nature of tartar emetic. They procured a bottle exactly +like the master's, filled with whisky, in which a copious quantity of +emetic had been dissolved. Early in the morning, they removed the +school-master's bottle, and replaced it by theirs, and hurried back to +their places, panting with restrained curiosity, and a desire to see +what results would come from their medical mixture. + +The accustomed hour for intermission came. The master took his usual +promenade, and the children hastened back with uncommon eagerness to +resume their seats and their lessons. The countenance of the master +alternately red and pale, gave portent of an approaching storm. + +"Recite your grammar lesson," said he, in a growling tone, to one of the +older boys. + +"How many parts of speech are there?" + +"Seven, sir," timidly answered the boy. + +"Seven, you numscull! is that the way you get your lesson?" Forthwith +descended a shower of blows on his devoted head. + +"On what continent is Ireland?" said he, turning from him in wrath to +another boy. The boy saw the shower pre-determined to fall, and the +medicine giving evident signs of having taken effect. Before he could +answer, "I reckon on the continent of England," he was gathering an +ample tithe of drubbing. + +"Come and recite your lesson in arithmetic?" said he to Boone, in a +voice of thunder. The usually rubicund face of the Irishman was by this +time a deadly pale. Slate in hand, the docile lad presented himself +before his master. + +"Take six from nine, and what remain?" + +"Three, sir." + +"True. That will answer for whole numbers, now for your fractions. Take +three-quarters from an integer, and what remains?" + +"The whole." + +"You blockhead! you numscull!" exclaimed the master, as the strokes fell +like a hail shower; "let me hear you demonstrate that." + +"If I subtract one bottle of whisky, and replace it with one in which I +have mixed an emetic, will not the whole remain, if nobody drinks it?" + +By this time the medicine was taking fearful effect. The united +acclamations and shouts of the children, and the discovery of the +compounder of his medicament, in no degree tended to soothe the +infuriated master. Young Boone, having paid for his sport by an ample +drubbing, seized the opportune moment, floored his master, already weak +and dizzy, sprang from the door, and made for the woods. The adventure +was soon blazoned. A consultation of the patrons of the school was held. +Though young Boone was reprimanded, the master was dismissed. + +This is all the certain information we possess, touching the training of +young Boone, in the lore of books and schools. Though he never +afterwards could be brought back to the restraint of the walls of a +school, it is well known, that in some way, in after life, he possessed +himself of the rudiments of a common education. His love for hunting and +the woods now became an absorbing passion. He possessed a dog and a +fowling piece, and with these he would range whole days alone through +the woods, often with no other apparent object, than the simple pleasure +of these lonely wanderings. + +One morning he was observed as usual, to throw the band, that suspended +his shot bag, over one shoulder, and his gun over the other, and go +forth accompanied by his dog. Night came, but to the astonishment and +alarm of his parents, the boy, as yet scarcely turned of fourteen, came +not. Another day and another night came, and passed, and still he +returned not. The nearest neighbors, sympathizing with the distressed +parents, who considered him lost, turned out, to aid in searching for +him. After a long and weary search, at a distance of a league from any +plantation, a smoke was seen arising from a temporary hovel of sods and +branches, in which the astonished father found his child, apparently +most comfortably established is his new experiment of house-keeping. +Numerous skins of wild animals were stretched upon his cabin, as +trophies of his hunting prowess. Ample fragments of their flesh were +either roasting or preparing for cookery. It may be supposed, that such +a lad would be the theme of wonder and astonishment to the other boys of +his age. + +At this early period, he hesitated not to hunt wolves, and even bears +and panthers. His exploits of this kind were the theme of general +interest in the vicinity. Many of them are recorded. But we pass over +most of them, in our desire to hasten to the exploits of his maturer +years. We select a single one of the most unquestionable character, as +a sample for the rest. + +In company with some of his young companions, he undertook a hunting +excursion, at a considerable distance from the settlements. Near +night-fall, the group of young Nimrods were alarmed with a sharp cry +from the thick woods. A panther! whispered the affrighted lads, in +accents scarcely above their breath, through fear, that their voice +would betray them. The scream of this animal is harsh, and grating, and +one of the most truly formidable of forest sounds. + +The animal, when pressed, does not shrink from encountering a man, and +often kills him, unless he is fearless and adroit in his defence. All +the companions of young Boone fled from the vicinity, as fast as +possible. Not so the subject of our narrative. He coolly surveyed the +animal, that in turn eyed him, as the cat does a mouse, when preparing +to spring upon it. Levelling his rifle, and taking deliberate aim, he +lodged the bullet in the heart of the fearful animal, at the very moment +it was in the act to spring upon him. It was a striking instance of that +peculiar self-possession, which constituted the most striking trait in +his character in after life. + +Observing these early propensities for the life of a hunter in his son, +and land having become dear and game scarce in the neighborhood where he +lived, Boone's father formed the design of removing to remote forests, +not yet disturbed by the sound of the axe, or broken by frequent +clearings; and having heard a good account of the country bordering upon +the Yadkin river, in North Carolina, he resolved to remove thither. +This river, which is a stream of considerable size, has its source among +the mountains in the north-east part of North Carolina, and pursues a +beautiful meandering course through that state until it enters South +Carolina. After watering the eastern section of the latter state, it +reaches the ocean a few miles above the mouth of the Santee. + +[Illustration] + +Having sold his plantation, on a fine April morning he set forth for the +land of promise--wife, children, servants, flocks, and herds, forming +a patriarchal caravan through the wilderness. No procession bound to the +holy cities of Mecca or Jerusalem, was ever more joyful; for to them the +forest was an asylum. Overhung by the bright blue sky, enveloped in +verdant forests full of game, nought cared they for the absence of +houses with their locks and latches. Their nocturnal caravansary was a +clear cool spring; their bed the fresh turf. Deer and turkeys furnished +their viands--hunger the richest sauces of cookery; and fatigue and +untroubled spirits a repose unbroken by dreams. Such were the primitive +migrations of the early settlers of our country. We love to meditate on +them, for we have shared them. We have fed from this table in the +wilderness. We have shared this mirth. We have heard the tinkle of the +bells of the flocks and herds grazing among the trees. We have seen the +moon rise and the stars twinkle upon this forest scene; and the +remembrance has more than once marred the pleasure of journeyings in the +midst of civilization and the refinements of luxury. + +The frontier country in which the family settled was as yet an unbroken +forest; and being at no great distance from the eastern slope of the +Alleghanies, in the valleys of which game was abundant, it afforded fine +range both for pasture and hunting. These forests had, moreover, the +charm of novelty, and the game had not yet learned to fear the rifles of +the new settlers. It need hardly be added that the spirits of young +Boone exulted in this new hunter's paradise. The father and the other +sons settled down quietly to the severe labor of making a farm, +assigning to Daniel the occupation of his rifle, as aware that it was +the only one he could be induced to follow; and probably from the +experience, that in this way he could contribute more effectually to the +establishment, than either of them in the pursuits of husbandry. + +An extensive farm was soon opened. The table was always amply supplied +with venison, and was the seat of ample and unostentatious hospitality. +The peltries of the young hunter yielded all the money which such an +establishment required, and the interval between this removal and the +coming of age of young Boone, was one of health, plenty, and privacy. + +But meanwhile this settlement began to experience the pressure of that +evil which Boone always considered the greatest annoyance of life. The +report of this family's prosperity had gone abroad. The young hunter's +fame in his new position, attracted other immigrants to come and fix +themselves in the vicinity. The smoke of new cabins and clearings went +up to the sky. The baying other dogs, and the crash of distant falling +trees began to be heard; and painful presentiments already filled the +bosom of young Boone, that this abode would shortly be more pressed upon +than that he had left. He was compelled, however, to admit, that if such +an order of things brings disadvantages, it has also its benefits. + +A thriving farmer, by the name of Bryan, had settled at no great +distance from Mr. Boone, by whose establishment the young hunter, now at +the period of life when other thoughts than those of the chase of wild +game are sometimes apt to cross the mind, was accustomed to pass. + +This farmer had chosen a most beautiful spot for his residence. The farm +occupied a space of some hundred acres on a gentle eminence, crested +with yellow poplars and laurels. Around it rolled a mountain stream. So +beautiful was the position and so many its advantages, that young Boone +used often to pause in admiration, on his way to the deeper woods beyond +the verge of human habitation. Who can say that the same dreamy thoughts +that inspired the pen of the eloquent Rousseau, did not occupy the mind +of the young hunter as he passed this rural abode? We hope we shall not +be suspected of a wish to offer a tale of romance, as we relate, how the +mighty hunter of wild beasts and men was himself subdued, and that by +the most timid and gentle of beings. We put down the facts as we find +them recorded, and our conscience is quieted, by finding them perfectly +natural to the time, place, and circumstances. + +Young Boone was one night engaged in a fire hunt, with a young friend. +Their course led them to the deeply timbered bottom that skirted the +stream which wound round this pleasant plantation. That the reader may +have an idea what sort of a pursuit it was that young Boone was engaged +in, during an event so decisive of his future fortunes, we present a +brief sketch of a night _fire_ hunt. Two persons are indispensable to +it. The horseman that precedes, bears on his shoulder what is called a +_fire pan_, full of blazing pine knots, which casts a bright and +flickering glare far through the forest. The second follows at some +distance, with his rifle prepared for action. No spectacle is more +impressive than this of pairs of hunters, thus kindling the forest into +a glare. The deer, reposing quietly in his thicket, is awakened by the +approaching cavalcade, and instead of flying from the portentous +brilliance, remains stupidly gazing upon it, as if charmed to the spot. +The animal is betrayed to its doom the gleaming of its fixed and +innocent eyes. This cruel mode of securing a fatal shot, is called in +hunter's phrase, _shining the eyes_. + +The two young men reached a corner of the farmer's field at an early +hour in the evening. Young Boone gave the customary signal to his +mounted companion preceding him, to stop, an indication that he had +_shined the eyes_ of a deer. Boone dismounted, and fastened his horse to +a tree. Ascertaining that his rifle was in order, he advanced +cautiously behind a covert of bushes, to reach the right distance for a +shot. The deer is remarkable for the beauty of its eyes when thus +_shined_. The mild brilliance of the two orbs was distinctly visible. +Whether warned by a presentiment, or arrested by a palpitation, and +strange feelings within, at noting a new expression in the blue and dewy +lights that gleamed to his heart, we say not. But the unerring rifle +fell, and a rustling told him that the game had fled. Something +whispered him it was not a _deer_; and yet the fleet step, as the game +bounded away, might easily be mistaken for that of the light-footed +animal. A second thought impelled him to pursue the rapidly retreating +game; and he sprang away in the direction of the sound, leaving his +companion to occupy himself as he might. The fugitive had the advantage +of a considerable advance of him, and apparently a better knowledge of +the localities of the place. But the hunter was perfect in all his field +exercises, and scarcely less fleet footed than a deer; and he gained +rapidly on the object of his pursuit, which advanced a little distance +parallel with the field-fence, and then, as if endowed with the utmost +accomplishment of gymnastics, cleared the fence at a leap. The hunter, +embarrassed with his rifle and accoutrements, was driven to the slow and +humiliating expedient of climbing it. But an outline of the form of the +fugitive, fleeting through the shades in the direction of the house, +assured him that he had mistaken the species of the game. His heart +throbbed from a hundred sensations; and among them an apprehension of +the consequences that would have resulted from discharging his rifle, +when he had first shined those liquid blue eyes. Seeing that the fleet +game made straight in the direction of the house, he said to himself, "I +will see the pet deer in its lair;" and he directed his steps to the +same place. Half a score of dogs opened their barking upon him, as he +approached the house, and advertised the master that a stranger was +approaching. Having hushed the dogs, and learned the name of his +visitant, he introduced him to his family, as the son of their neighbor, +Boone. + +Scarce had the first words of introduction been uttered, before the +opposite door opened, and a boy apparently of seven, and a girl of +sixteen, rushed in, panting for breath and seeming in affright. + +"Sister went down to the river, and a _painter_ chased her, and she is +almost scared to death," exclaimed the boy. + +The ruddy, flaxen-haired girl stood full in view of her terrible +pursuer, leaning upon his rifle, and surveying her with the most eager +admiration. "Rebecca, this is young Boone, son of our neighbor," was +their laconic introduction. Both were young, beautiful, and at the +period when the affections exercise their most energetic influence. The +circumstances of the introduction were favorable to the result, and the +young hunter felt that the eyes of the _deer_ had _shined_ his bosom as +fatally as his rifle shot had ever the innocent deer of the thickets. +She, too, when she saw the high, open, bold forehead; clear, keen, and +yet gentle and affectionate eye--the firm front, and the visible impress +of decision and fearlessness of the hunter--when she interpreted a +look, which said as distinctly as looks could say it, "how terrible it +would have been to have fired!" can hardly be supposed to have regarded +him with indifference. Nor can it be wondered at that she saw in him her +_beau ideal_ of excellence and beauty. The inhabitants of cities, who +live in mansions, and read novels stored with unreal pictures of life +and the heart, are apt to imagine that love, with all its golden +illusions, is reserved exclusively for them. It is a most egregious +mistake. A model of ideal beauty and perfection is woven in almost every +youthful heart, of the brightest and most brilliant threads that compose +the web of existence. It may not be said that this forest maiden was +deeply and foolishly smitten at first sight. All reasonable time and +space were granted to the claims of maidenly modesty. As for Boone, he +was incurably wounded by her, whose eyes he had _shined_, and as he was +remarkable for the backwoods attribute of _never being beaten out of his +track_, he ceased not to woo, until he gained the heart of Rebecca +Bryan. In a word, he courted her successfully, and they were married. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +Boone removes to the head waters of the Yadkin river--He meets with +Finley, who had crossed the mountains into Tennessee--They agree to +explore the wilderness west of the Alleghanies together. + + +After his marriage, Boone's first step was to consider where he should +find a place, in which he could unite the advantages of fields to +cultivate, and range for hunting. True to the impulse of his nature, he +plunged deeper into the wilderness, to realize this dream of comfort and +happiness. Leaving his wife, he visited the unsettled regions of North +Carolina, and selected a spot near the head waters of the Yadkin, for +his future home. + +The same spirit that afterwards operated to take Mrs. Boone to Kentucky, +now led her to leave her friends, and follow her husband to a region +where she was an entire stranger. Men change their place of abode from +ambition or interest; women from affection. In the course of a few +months, Daniel Boone had reared comfortable cabins upon a pleasant +eminence at a little distance from the river bank, inclosed a field, and +gathered around him the means of abundance and enjoyment. His dwelling, +though of rude exterior, offered the weary traveller shelter, a cheerful +fire, and a plentiful board, graced with the most cordial welcome. The +faces that looked on him were free from the cloud of care, the +constraint of ceremony, and the distrust and fear, with which men learn +to regard one another in the midst of the rivalry, competition, and +scramble of populous cities. The spoils of the chase gave variety to his +table, and afforded Boone an excuse for devoting his leisure hours to +his favorite pursuit. The country around spread an ample field for its +exercise, as it was almost untouched by the axe of the woodsman. + +The lapse of a few years--passed in the useful and unpretending +occupations of the husbandman--brought no external change to Daniel +Boone, deserving of record. His step was now the firm tread of sober +manhood; and his purpose the result of matured reflection. This +influence of the progress of time, instead of obliterating the original +impress of his character, only sunk it deeper. The dwellings of +immigrants were springing up in all directions around. Inclosures again +began to surround him on every hand, shutting him out from his +accustomed haunts in the depths of the forest shade. He saw cultivated +fields stretching over large extents of country; and in the distance, +villages and towns; and was made sensible of their train of forms, and +laws, and restrictions, and buts, and bounds, gradually approaching his +habitation. Be determined again to leave them far behind. His resolve +was made, but he had not decided to what point he would turn. +Circumstances soon occurred to terminate his indecision. + +As early as 1760, the country west of the Cumberland mountains was +considered by the inhabitants of Carolina and Virginia, as involved in +something of the same obscurity which lay over the American continent, +after its first discovery by Columbus. Those who spread their sails to +cross the sea, and find new skies, a new soil, and men in a new world, +were not deemed more daring by their brethren at home, than the few +hardy adventurers, who struck into the pathless forests stretching along +the frontier settlements of the western country, were estimated by their +friends and neighbors. Even the most informed and intelligent, where +information and intelligence were cultivated, knew so little of the +immense extent of country, now designated as the "Mississippi Valley," +that a book, published near the year 1800, in Philadelphia or New York, +by a writer of talent and standing, speaks of the _many_ mouths of the +Missouri, as entering the Mississippi _far below the Ohio_. + +The simple inmates of cabins, in the remote region bordering on the new +country, knew still less about it; as they had not penetrated its +wilderness, and were destitute of that general knowledge which prevents +the exercise of the exaggerations of vague conjecture. There was, +indeed, ample room for the indulgence of speculation upon the features +which the unexplored land was characterized. Its mountains, plains, and +streams, animals, and men, were yet to be discovered and named. It might +be found the richest land under the sun, exhaustless in fertility, +yielding the most valuable productions, and unfailing in its resources. +It was possible it would prove a sterile desert. Imagination could not +but expatiate in this unbounded field and unexplored wilderness; and +there are few persons entirely secure from the influence of +imagination. The real danger attending the first exploration of a +country filled with wild animals and savages; and the difficulty of +carrying a sufficient supply of ammunition to procure food, during a +long journey, necessarily made on foot, had prevented any attempt of the +kind. The Alleghany mountains had hitherto stood an unsurmounted barrier +between the Atlantic country and the shores of the beautiful Ohio. + +Not far from this period, Dr. Walker, an intelligent and enterprising +Virginian, collected a small party, and actually crossed the mountains +at the Cumberland Gap, after traversing Powell's valley. One of his +leading inducements to this tour, was the hope of making botanical +discoveries. The party crossed Cumberland river, and pursued a +north-east course over the highlands, which give rise to the sources of +the lesser tributaries of the important streams that water the Ohio +valley. They reached Big Sandy, after enduring the privations and +fatigue incident to such an undertaking. From this point they commenced +their return home. On reaching it, they showed no inclination to resume +their attempt, although the information thus gained respecting the +country, presented it in a very favorable light. These first adventurers +wanted the hardihood, unconquerable fortitude, and unwavering purpose, +which nothing but death could arrest, that marked the pioneers, who +followed in their footsteps. Some time elapsed before a second exploring +expedition was set on foot. The relations of what these men had seen on +the other side of the mountains had assumed the form of romance, rather +than reality. Hunters, alone or in pairs, now ventured to extend their +range into the skirts of the wilderness, thus gradually enlarging the +sphere of definite conceptions, respecting the country beyond it. + +In 1767, a backwoodsman of the name of Finley, of North Carolina, in +company with a few kindred spirits resembling him in character, advanced +still farther into the interior of the land of promise. It is probable, +they chose the season of flowers for their enterprise; as on the return +of this little band, a description of the soil they had trodden, and the +sights they had seen, went abroad, that charmed all ears, excited all +imaginations, and dwelt upon every tongue. Well might they so describe. +Their course lay through a portion of Tennessee. There is nothing grand +or imposing in scenery--nothing striking or picturesque in cascades and +precipitous declivities of mountains covered with woods--nothing +romantic and delightful in deep and sheltered valleys, through which +wind clear streams, which is not found in this first region they +traversed. The mountains here stretch along in continuous ridges--and +there shoot up into elevated peaks. On the summits of some, spread +plateaus, which afford the most commanding prospects, and offer all +advantages for cultivation, overhung by the purest atmosphere. No words +can picture the secluded beauty of some of the vales bordering the +creeks and small streams, which dash transparent as air over rocks, +moss-covered and time-worn--walled in by the precipitous sides of +mountains, down which pour numberless waterfalls. + +The soil is rich beyond any tracts of the same character in the west. +Beautiful white, gray, and red marbles are found here; and sometimes +fine specimens of rock-crystals. Salt springs abound. It has lead mines; +and iron ore is no where more abundant. Its salt-petre caves are most +astonishing curiosities. One of them has been traced ten miles. Another, +on a high point of Cumberland mountain, has a perpendicular descent, the +bottom of which has never been sounded. They abound in prodigious +vaulted apartments and singular chambers, the roofs springing up into +noble arches, or running along for miles in regular oblong excavations. +The gloomy grandeur, produced by the faint illumination of torches in +these immense subterranean retreats, may be imagined, but not described. +Springs rise, and considerable streams flow through them, on smooth +limestone beds. + +This is the very home of subterranean wonders, showing the noblest caves +in the world. In comparison with them, the celebrated one at Antiparos +is but a slight excavation. Spurs of the mountains, called the +"Enchanted Mountains," show traces impressed in the solid limestone, of +the footsteps of men, horses, and other animals, as distinctly as though +they had been made upon clay mortar. In places the tracks are such as +would be made by feet, that had slidden upon soft clay in descending +declivities. + +Prodigious remains of animals are found near the salines. Whole trees +are discovered completely petrified; and to crown the list of wonders, +in turning up the soil, graves are opened, which contain the skeletons +of figures, who must have been of mature age. Paintings of the sun, +moon, animals, and serpents, on high and apparently inaccessible cliffs, +out of question the work of former ages, in colors as fresh as if +recently laid on, and in some instances, just and ingenious in +delineation, are a subject of untiring speculation. Even the streams in +this region of wonders have scooped out for themselves immensely deep +channels hemmed in by perpendicular walls of limestone, sometimes +springing up to a height of three or four hundred feet. As the traveller +looks down upon the dark waters rolling so far beneath him, seeming to +flow in a subterranean world, he cannot but feel impressions of the +grandeur of nature stealing over him. + +It is not to be supposed, that persons, whose sole object in entering +the country was to explore it, would fail to note these surprising +traces of past races, the beautiful diversity of the aspect of the +country, or these wonders of nature exhibited on every hand. Being +neither incurious nor incompetent observers, their delineations were +graphic and vivid. + + "Their teachers had been woods and rills, + The silence, that is in the starry sky; + The sleep, that is among the lonely hills." + +They advanced into Kentucky so far, as to their imaginations with the +fresh and luxuriant beauty of its lawns, its rich cane-brakes and +flowering forests. To them it was a terrestrial paradise for it was +full of game. Deer, elk, bears, buffaloes, panthers, wolves, wild-cats, +and foxes, abounded in the thick tangles of the green cane; and in the +open woods, pheasants, partridges, and turkeys, were as plenty as +domestic fowls in the old settlements. + +Such were the materials, from which these hunters, on their return +formed descriptions that fixed in the remembrance, and operated upon the +fancy of all who heard. A year after Finley's return, his love of +wandering led him into the vicinity of Daniel Boone. They met, and the +hearts of these kindred spirits at once warmed towards each other. +Finley related his adventures, and painted the delights of +_Kain-tuck-kee_--for such was its Indian name. Boone had but few +hair-breath escapes to recount, in comparison with his new companion. +But it can readily be imagined, that a burning sensation rose in his +breast, like that of the celebrated painter Correggio, when low-born, +untaught, poor and destitute of every advantage, save that of splendid +native endowment, he stood before the work of the immortal Raphael, and +said, "I too am a painter!" Boone's purpose was fixed. In a region, such +as Finley described, far in advance of the wearying monotony of a life +of inglorious toil, he would have space to roam unwitnessed, undisturbed +by those of his own race, whose only thought was to cut down trees, at +least for a period of some years. We wish not to be understood to laud +these views, as wise or just. In the order of things, however, it was +necessary, that men like Finley and Boone, and their companions, should +precede in the wilderness, to prepare the way for the multitudes who +would soon follow. It is probable, that no motives but those ascribed to +them, would have induced these adventurers to face the hardships and +extremes of suffering from exposure and hunger, and the peril of life, +which they literally carried in their hand. + +No feeling, but a devotion to their favorite pursuits and modes of life, +stronger than the fear of abandonment, in the interminable and pathless +woods, to all forms of misery and death, could ever have enabled them to +persist in braving the danger and distress that stared them in the face +at every advancing step. + +Finley was invited by Boone permanently to share the comfort of his +fire-side,--for it was now winter. It needs no exercise of fancy to +conjecture their subjects of conversation during the long evening. The +bitter wintry wind burst upon their dwelling only to enhance the +cheerfulness of the blazing fire in the huge chimneys, by the contrast +of the inclemency of nature without. + +It does not seem natural, at first thought, that a season, in which +nature shows herself stern and unrelenting, should be chosen, as that in +which plans are originated and matured for settling the destiny of life. +But it was during this winter, that Boone and Finley arranged all the +preliminaries of their expedition, and agreed to meet on the first of +May in the coming spring; and with some others, whom they hoped to +induce to join them for greater strength and safety, to set forth +together on an expedition into Kentucky. + +Boone's array of arguments, to influence those whom he wished to share +this daring enterprise with him, was tinctured with the coloring of rude +poetry. "They would ascend," he said, "the unnamed mountains, whose +green heads rose not far from their former hunting-grounds, since fences +and inclosures had begun to surround them on all sides, shutting up the +hunter from his free range and support. The deer had fled from the sound +of the axe, which levelled the noble trees under whose shade they could +repose from the fatigues of pursuit. The springs and streams among the +hills were bared to the fierce sun, and would soon dry up and disappear. +Soon 'the horn would no more wake them up in the morn.' The sons of +their love and pride, instead of being trained hunters, with a free, +bold step, frank kindness, true honor, and a courage that knew not fear, +would become men to whom the pleasures and dangers of their fathers +would seem an idle tale." The prospect spreading on the other side of +the mountains, he pictured as filled with all the images of abundance +and freedom that could enter the thoughts of the hunter. The paintings +were drawn from nature, and the words few and simple, that spoke to the +hearts of these sons of the forest. "The broad woods," he pursued, +"would stretch beneath their eyes, when the mountain summits were +gained, one extended tuft of blossoms. The cane was a tangle of +luxuriance, affording the richest pastures. The only paths through it +were those made by buffaloes and bears. In the sheltered glades, +turkeys and large wild birds were so abundant, that a hunter could +supply himself in an hour for the wants of a week. They would not be +found like the lean and tough birds in the old settlements, that +lingered around the clearings and stumps of the trees, in the topmost of +whose branches the fear of man compelled them to rest, but young and +full fed. The trees in this new land were of no stinted or gnarled +growth, but shot up tall, straight, and taper. The yellow poplar here +threw up into the air a column of an hundred feet shaft in a contest +with the sycamore for the pre-eminence of the woods. Their wives and +children would remain safe in their present homes, until the first +dangers and fatigues of the new settlement had been met and overcome. +When their homes were selected, and their cabins built, they would +return and bring them out to their new abodes. The outward journey could +be regulated by the uncontrolled pleasure of their more frail +travellers. What guardians could be more true than their husbands with +their good rifles and the skill and determination to use them? They +would depend, not upon circumstances, but upon themselves. The babes +would exult in the arms of their mothers from the inspiring influence of +the fresh air; and at night a cradle from the hollow tree would rock +them to a healthful repose. The older children, training to the pursuits +and pleasures of a life in the woods, and acquiring vigor of body and +mind with every day, in their season of prime, would feel no shame that +they had hearts softened by the warm current of true feeling. When their +own silver hairs lay thin upon the brow, and their eye was dim, and +sounds came confused on their ear, and their step faltered, and their +form bent, they would find consideration, and care, and tenderness from +children, whose breasts were not steeled by ambition, nor hardened by +avarice; in whom the beautiful influences of the indulgence of none but +natural desires and pure affections would not be deadened by the +selfishness, vanity, and fear of ridicule, that are the harvest of what +is called _civilized and cultivated_ life." Such at least, in after +life, were the contrasts that Boone used to present between social life +and that of the woodsman. + +[Illustration] + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +Boone, with Finley and others, start on their exploring +expedition--Boone kills a panther in the night--Their progress over the +mountains--They descend into the great valley--Description of the new +country--Herds of buffaloes--Their wanderings in the wilderness. + + +The first of May, 1769, Finley and Boone, with four others, whose names +were Stewart, Holden, Mooney, and Cool, and who had pledged themselves +to the undertaking, were assembled at the house of Boone, in readiness +to commence their journey. It may be imagined that all the neighbors +gathered to witness their departure. A rifle, ammunition, and a light +knapsack were all the baggage with which they dared encumber themselves. +Provisions for a few days were bestowed along with the clothing deemed +absolutely necessary for comfort upon the long route. No shame could +attach to the manhood and courage of Daniel Boone from the fact that +tears were said to have rushed to his eyes, as he kissed his wife and +children before he turned from his door for the last time for months, +and perhaps forever. The nature of the pioneer was as gentle and +affectionate as it was firm and persevering. He had power, however, to +send back the unbidden gush to its source, and forcibly to withdraw his +mind from enervating thoughts. + +Beside, the natural elasticity of his temperament and the buoyancy of +his character came to his aid. The anticipation of new and strange +incidents operated to produce in the minds of the travellers, from the +commencement of the enterprise, a kind of wild pleasure. + +With alert and vigorous steps they pursued a north-west course, and were +soon beyond the reach of the most distant view of their homes. This day +and night, and the succeeding one, the scenes in view were familiar; but +in the course of the four or five that followed, all vestiges of +civilized habitancy had disappeared. The route lay through a solitary +and trackless wilderness. Before them rose a line of mountains, shooting +up against the blue of the horizon, in peaks and elevations of all +forms. The slender store of food with which they had set out, was soon +exhausted. To obtain a fresh supply was the first and most pressing +want. Accordingly, a convenient place was selected, and a camp +constructed of logs and branches of trees, to keep out the dew and rain. +The whole party joined in this preliminary arrangement. When it was so +far completed, as to enable a part to finish it before night-fall, part +of the company took their rifles and went in different directions in +pursuit of game. They returned in time for supper, with a couple of deer +and some wild turkeys. Those, whose business it was to finish the camp, +had made a generous fire and acquired keen appetites for the coming +feast. The deer were rapidly dressed, so far at least as to furnish a +supper of venison. It had not been long finished, and the arrangements +for the night made, before the clouds, which had been gathering +blackness for some hours, rolled up in immense folds from the point, +whence was heard the sudden burst of a furious wind. The lightning +darted from all quarters of the heavens. At one moment every object +stood forth in a glare of dazzling light. The next the darkness might +almost be felt. The rain fell in torrents, in one apparently unbroken +sheet from the sky to the earth. The peals of thunder rolled almost +unheard amid this deafening rush of waters. The camp of the travellers, +erected with reference to the probability of such an occurrence, was +placed under the shelter of a huge tree, whose branches ran out +laterally, and were of a thickness of foliage to be almost impervious to +the rain. To this happy precaution of the woodsmen, they owed their +escape from the drenching of the shower. They were not, perhaps, aware +of the greater danger from lightning, to which their position had +exposed them. + +As was the universal custom in cases like theirs, a watch was kept by +two, while the others slept. The watches were relieved several times +during the night. About midnight, Boone and Holden being upon the watch, +the deep stillness abroad was broken by a shrill scream, resembling the +shriek of a frightened woman or child more nearly than any other sound. +The two companions had been sitting in a contemplative mood, listening +to the deep breathing of the sleepers, when this cry came upon their +ears. Both sprang erect. "What is that?" exclaimed Holden, who was not +an experienced backwoodsman, in comparison with the others. "Hush!" +answered Boone; "do not wake the rest. It is nothing but the cry of a +panther. Take your gun and come with me." + +They stole gently from the camp and listened in breathless silence for a +repetition of the cry. It was soon repeated, indicating the place where +the animal was. Groping cautiously through the bushes in its direction, +frequently stopping to look around, and holding their rifles ready for +an instantaneous shot, they drew near the formidable animal. At length +they discovered at a little distance before them, two balls that glared +with an intense brightness, like that of living coals of fire. Boone, +taking deliberate aim, in the best manner that the darkness would +permit, discharged his rifle. The yell of pain from the animal, as it +was heard leaping among the undergrowth in an opposite direction, +satisfied Boone that his shot had taken sufficient effect to prevent a +second disturbance from it, at least for that night, and he returned to +the camp with his companion. The sleepers, aroused by the report of the +gun, were awaiting him. The account of the adventure afforded +speculation, touching the point, whether the animal had been killed or +would return again. Early the next morning, some were dispatched to +bring in more game, while others prepared and dried what had already +been obtained. The whole day was spent in this way and the night +following passed without any disturbance. + +With the first light of the sun on the succeeding morning, they threw +their knapsacks over their shoulders, and leaving their temporary +shelter to benefit any who might come after them, resumed their route. +They had not proceeded far before an animal stretched on the ground +attracted attention. It was a dead panther. By comparing the size of the +ball, which had killed it, with those used by Boone, the party were +satisfied that this was the same animal he had shot the night after the +storm. + +During the day they began the ascent of the ridge of the Alleghany, that +had for some days bounded their view. The mountainous character of the +country, for some miles, before the highest elevations rose to sight, +rendered the travelling laborious and slow. Several days were spent in +this toilsome progress. Steep summits, impossible to ascend, impeded +their advance, compelling them to turn aside, and attain the point above +by a circuitous route. Again they were obliged to delay their journey +for a day, in order to obtain a fresh supply of provisions. This was +readily procured, as all the varieties of game abounded on every side. + +The last crags and cliffs of the middle ridges having been scrambled +over, on the following morning they stood on the summit of Cumberland +mountain, the farthest western spur of this line of heights. From this +point the descent into the great western valley began. What a scene +opened before them! A feeling of the sublime is inspired in every bosom +susceptible of it, by a view from any point of these vast ranges, of the +boundless forest valleys of the Ohio. It is a view more grand, more +heart-stirring than that of the ocean. Illimitable extents of wood, and +winding river courses spread before them like a large map. "Glorious +country!" they exclaimed. Little did Boone dream that in fifty years, +immense portions of it would pass from the domain of the hunter--that it +would contain four millions of freemen, and its waters be navigated by +nearly two hundred steam boats, sweeping down these streams that now +rolled through the unbroken forests before them. To them it stood forth +an unexplored paradise of the hunter's imagination. + +After a long pause, in thoughts too deep for words, they began the +descent, which was made in a much shorter time than had been required +for the opposite ascent; and the explorers soon found themselves on the +slopes of the subsiding hills. Here the hunter was in his element. To +all the party but Finley, the buffaloes incidentally seen in small +numbers in the valleys, were a novel and interesting sight. It had as +yet been impossible to obtain a shot at them, from their distance or +position. It may be imagined with what eagerness Boone sought an +opportunity to make his first essay in this exciting and noble species +of hunting. + +The first considerable drove came in sight on the afternoon of the day +on which the travellers reached the foot of the mountains. The day had +been one of the most beautiful of spring. The earth was covered with +grass of the freshest green. The rich foliage of the trees, in its +varied shading, furnished its portion of the loveliness of the +surrounding landscape. The light of the declining sun lay full on the +scene of boundless solitude. The party had descended into a deep glen, +which wound through the opening between the highlands, still extending a +little in advance of them. They pursued its course until it terminated +in a beautiful little plain. Upon advancing into this, they found +themselves in an area of considerable extent, almost circular in form, +bounded on one half its circumference by the line of hills, from among +which they had just emerged. The other sections of the circle were +marked by the fringe of wood that bordered a stream winding from the +hills, at a considerable distance above. The buffaloes advanced from the +skirt of wood, and the plain was soon filled by the moving mass of these +huge animals. + +The exploring adventurers perceived themselves in danger of what has +more than once happened in similar situations. The prospect seemed to be +that they would be trampled under the feet of the reckless and sweeping +body, in their onward course. + +"They will not turn out for us," said Finley; "and If we do not conduct +exactly right, we shall be crushed to death." + +The inexperienced adventurers bade him direct them in the emergency. +Just as the front of the phalanx was within short rifle distance, he +discharged his rifle and brought down one of the bulls, that seemed to +be a file leader, by a ball between the horns. The unwieldy animal fell. +The mass raised a deafening sort of bellow, and became arrested, as if +transfixed to the spot. A momentary confusion of the mass behind ensued. +But, borne along by the pressure of the multitudes still in the rear, +there was a gradual parting of the herd direct from the front, where the +fallen buffalo lay. The disruption once made, the chasm broadened, until +when the wings passed the travellers, they were thirty yards from the +divisions on either hand. To prevent the masses yet behind from closing +their lines, Finley took the rifle of one of his companions, and +levelled another. This changed the pace of the animals to a rout. The +last masses soon thundered by, and left them gazing in astonishment, not +unmixed with joy, in realizing their escape, "Job of Uz," exclaimed +Boone, "had not larger droves of cattle than we. In fact, we seem to +have had in this instance an abundance to a fault." + +As this was an era in their adventures, and an omen of the abundance of +the vast regions of forests which they had descried from the summits of +the mountains, they halted, made a camp, and skinned the animals, +preserving the skins, fat, tongues, and choice pieces. No epicures ever +feasted higher than these athletic and hungry hunters, as they sat +around their evening fire, and commented upon the ease with which their +wants would be supplied in a country thus abounding with such animals. + +After feasting again in the morning on the spoils of the preceding day, +and packing such parts of the animals as their probable necessities +suggested, they commenced their march; and in no great distance reached +Red river, a branch of the Cumberland. They followed the meanders of +this river for some miles, until they reached, on the 7th day of June, +Finley's former station, where his preceding explorations of the western +country had terminated. + +Their journey to this point had lasted more than a month; and though the +circumstances in which they had made it, had been generally auspicious, +so long a route through unknown forests, and over precipitous mountains, +hitherto untrodden by white men, could not but have been fatiguing in +the extreme. None but such spirits could have sustained their hardships +without a purpose to turn back, and leave their exploration +unaccomplished. + +They resolved in this place to encamp, and remain for a time sufficient +to recruit themselves for other expeditions and discoveries. The weather +had been for some time past, and still remained, rainy and unpleasant; +and it became necessary that their station should be of such a +construction, as to secure them a dry sleeping place from the rain. The +game was so abundant, that they found it a pleasure, rather than a +difficulty, to supply themselves with food. The buffaloes were seen like +herds of cattle, dispersed among the cane-brakes, or feeding on the +grass, or ruminating in the shade. Their skins were of great utility, in +furnishing them with moccasins, and many necessary articles +indispensable to their comfortable subsistence at their station. + +What struck them with unfailing pleasure was, to observe the soil, in +general, of a fertility without example on the other side of the +mountains. From an eminence in the vicinity of their station, they could +see, as far as vision could extend, the beautiful country of Kentucky. +They remarked with astonishment the tall, straight trees, shading the +exuberant soil, wholly clear from any other underbrush than the rich +cane-brakes, the image of verdure and luxuriance, or tall grass and +clover. Down the gentle slopes murmured clear limestone brooks. Finley, +who had some touch of scripture knowledge, exclaimed in view of this +wilderness-paradise, so abundant in game and wild fowls, "This +wilderness blossoms as the rose; and these desolate places are as the +garden of God." + +"Ay," responded Boone; "and who would remain on the sterile pine hills +of North Carolina, to hear the screaming of the jay, and now and then +bring down a deer too lean to be eaten? This is the land of hunters, +where man and beast will grow to their full size." + +They ranged through various forests, and crossed the numerous streams of +the vicinity. By following the paths of the buffaloes, bears, deer, and +other animals, they discovered the Salines or _Licks_, where salt is +made at the present day. The paths, in approaching the salines, were +trodden as hard and smooth, as in the vicinity of the farm-yards of the +old settlements. Boone, from the principle which places the best pilot +at the helm in a storm, was not slow to learn from innumerable +circumstances which would have passed unnoticed by a less sagacious +woodsman, that, although the country was not actually inhabited by +Indians, it was not the less a scene of strife and combat for the +possession of such rich hunting grounds by a great number of tribes. He +discovered that it was a common park to these fierce tribes; and none +the less likely to expose them to the dangers of Indian warfare, because +it was not claimed or inhabited by any particular tribe. On the +contrary, instead of having to encounter a single tribe in possession, +he foresaw that the jealousy of all the tribes would be united against +the new intruders. + +These fearless spirits, who were instinctively imbued with an abhorrence +of the Indians, heeded little, however, whether they had to make war on +them, or the wild beasts. They felt in its fullest force that +indomitable elasticity of character, which causes the possessor, every +where, and in all forms of imagined peril, to feel sufficient to +themselves. Hence the lonely adventurers continued fearlessly to explore +the beautiful positions for settlements, to cross and name the rivers, +and to hunt. + +By a happy fatality, through all the summer they met with no Indians, +and experienced no impediment in the way of the most successful hunting. +During the season, they had collected large quantities of peltries, and +meeting with nothing to excite apprehension or alarm, they became +constantly more delighted with the country. + +So passed their time, until the 22d of December. After this period +adventures of the most disastrous character began to crowd upon them. We +forthwith commence the narrative of incidents which constitute the +general color of Boone's future life. + +[Illustration] + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +The exploring party divide into different routes--Boone and Stewart +taken prisoners by the Indians, and their escape--Boone meets with his +elder brother and another white man in the woods--Stewart killed by the +Indians, and the companion of the elder Boone destroyed by wolves--The +elder brother returns to North Carolina, leaving Boone alone in the +wilderness. + + +In order to extend the means of gaining more exact information with +regard to this beautiful country, the party divided, and took different +directions. Boone and Stewart formed one division, and the remaining +three the other. The two former had as yet seen few thick forests. The +country was much of it of that description, now known by the name of +"Barrens," or open woods, which had the appearance of having been +planted out with trees at wide and regular distances from each other, +like those of an orchard, allowing the most luxuriant growth of cane, +grass, or clover beneath them. They now passed a wide and deep forest, +in which the trees were large and thick. Among them were many of the +laurel tribe, in full verdure in mid winter. Others were thick hung with +persimmons, candied by the frost, nutritive, and as luscious as figs. +Others again were covered with winter grapes. Every thing tended to +inspire them with exalted notions of the natural resources of the +country, and to give birth to those extravagant romances, which +afterwards became prevalent, as descriptions of Kentucky. Such were +Finley's accounts of it--views which went abroad, and created even in +Europe an impression of a kind of new El Dorado, or rather rural +paradise. Other and very different scenes, in no great length of time, +disenchanted the new paradise, and presented it in the sober traits of +truth. + +They were never out of sight of buffaloes, deer, and turkeys. At +night-fall they came in view of Kentucky river, and admired in unsated +astonishment, the precipices three hundred feet high, at the foot of +which, as in a channel cut out of the solid limestone, rolled the dark +waters of the beautiful stream. A lofty eminence was before them. +Thinking it would afford them a far view of the meanderings of the +river, they ascended it. This expectation was realized. A large extent +of country stretched beneath them. Having surveyed it, they proposed to +commence their return to rejoin their companions. As they were leisurely +descending the hill, little dreaming of danger, the Indian yell burst +upon their ears. A numerous party of Indians sprang from the cane-brake, +surrounded, vanquished, and bound them, before they had time to have +recourse to their arms. The Indians proceeded to plunder them of their +rifles, and every thing in their possession but the most indispensable +articles of dress. They then led them off to their camp, where they +confined them in such a manner as effectually to prevent their escape. + +Not knowing a word of the speech of their captors, who knew as little of +theirs, they were wholly ignorant of what fate awaited them. The Indians +next day marched them off rapidly towards the north, compelling them to +travel at a rate which was excessively annoying to captives in their +predicament-manacled, in momentary apprehension of death, and plunging +deeper into the wilderness in advancing towards the permanent abode of +their savage masters. It was well for them that they were more athletic +than the savages, equally capable of endurance, and alike incapable of +betraying groans, fear, or even marks of regret in their countenance. +They knew enough of savage modes to beware that the least indications of +weariness, and inability to proceed, would have brought the tomahawk and +scalping-knife upon their skulls--weapons with which they were thus +early supplied from Detroit. They therefore pushed resolutely on, with +cheerful countenances, watching the while with intense earnestness, to +catch from the signs and gestures of the Indians, what was their purpose +in regard to their fate. By the second day, they comprehended the words +of most frequent recurrence in the discussion, that took place +respecting them. Part, they perceived, were for putting them to death to +prevent their escape. The other portion advocated their being adopted +into the tribe, and domesticated. To give efficacy to the counsels of +these last, the captives not only concealed every trace of chagrin, but +dissembled cheerfulness, and affected to like their new mode of life; +and seemed as happy, and as much amused, as the Indians themselves. + +Fortunately, their previous modes of life, and in fact their actual +aptitudes and propensities wonderfully qualified them, along with their +reckless courage and elasticity of character, to enact this difficult +part with a success, which completely deceived the Indians, and gave the +entire ascendency to the advice of those who proposed to spare, and +adopt them into their tribe. Lulled by this semblance, the captors were +less and less strict in their guard. On the seventh night of their +captivity, the savages, having made a great fire, and fed plentifully, +all fell into a sound sleep, leaving their prisoners, who affected to be +as deeply asleep as themselves, wholly unguarded. + +It need hardly be said, that the appearance of content they had worn, +was mere outward show; and that they slept not. Boone slowly and +cautiously raised himself to a sitting posture, and thus remained a few +moments to mark, if his change of position had been observed. One of the +sleepers turned in his sleep. Boone instantly dropped back to his +recumbent posture and semblance of sleep. So he remained fifteen +minutes, when he once more raised himself, and continued sitting for +some time, without noting a movement among the slumberers around him. He +then ventured to communicate his purpose to his companion. + +The greatest caution was necessary to prevent disturbing the savages, as +the slightest noise would awake them, and probably bring instant death +upon the captives. Stewart succeeded in placing himself upon his feet +without any noise. The companions were not far apart, but did not dare +to whisper to each other the thought that occurred alike to both--that, +should they escape without rifles and ammunition, they must certainly +die of hunger. The place where their rifles stood had been carefully +noted by them, and by groping their way with the utmost care, they +finally reached them. Fortunately, the equipments, containing the usual +supply of powder and ball, were near the rifles. The feelings with which +Boone and Stewart stole forth from the circle of their captors may be +imagined. They made their way into the woods through the darkness, +keeping close together for some time, before they exchanged words. + +It was not far from morning when they began their attempt at escape; but +they had made considerable progress from the Indian encampment before +the dawn. They took their course with the first light, and pursued it +the whole day, reaching their camp without meeting with any accident. As +the sun was declining, forms were seen approaching the camp in the +distance. The uncertain light in which they were first visible, rendered +it impossible for Boone and Stewart to determine whether they were +whites or Indians; but they grasped their rifles, and stood ready for +defence. The forms continued to approach cautiously and slowly, until +they were within speaking distance. Boone then hailed them with the +challenge, "Who comes there?" The delight may be imagined with which +Boone and Stewart heard the reply of "White men and friends!" "Come on +then," said Boone. The next moment he found himself in the arms of his +brother, who, accompanied by a single companion, had left North +Carolina, and made his way all the distance from the Yadkin to the +Cumberland. They had been wandering many days in the woods, in pursuit +of Boone and his party, and had thus providentially fallen upon them. + +Notwithstanding the damp which it must cast on the spirits of these new +adventurers to hear of the recent captivity of Boone and Stewart, and +the uncertain fate of the rest of the company, this joyous meeting of +brothers and friends in the wilderness, and this intelligence from home, +filled the parties with a joy too sincere and unalloyed to be repressed +by apprehensions for the future. + +The four associates commenced the usual occupation of hunting, but were +soon alarmed by signs of the vicinity of Indians, and clear proofs that +they were prowling near them in the woods. These circumstances strongly +admonished them not to venture singly to any great distance from each +other. In the eagerness of pursuing a wounded buffalo, Boone and +Stewart, however, allowed themselves to be separated from their +companions. Aware of their imprudence, and halting to return, a party of +savages rushed from the cane-brake, and discharged a shower of arrows +upon them, one of which laid Stewart dead on the spot. The first purpose +of Boone was to fire upon them, and sell his life as dearly as possible. +But rashness is not bravery; and seeing the numbers of the foe, the +hopelessness of resistance, and the uselessness of bartering his own +life for the revenge of inflicting a single death--reflecting, moreover, +on the retaliation it would probably bring down on the remainder of his +companions, he retreated, and escaped, amidst a flight of arrows, in +safety to the camp. + +One would have supposed that this party would have needed no more +monition to keep them together, and always on their guard. But, +forgetful of the fate of Stewart, the partner of the elder Boone, who +had recently arrived, allowed himself to be beguiled away from the two +Boone's, as they were hunting together. The object of his curiosity was +of little importance. In pursuit of it, he wandered into a swamp, and +was lost. The two brothers sought him, long and painfully, to no +purpose. Discouraged, and perhaps exasperated in view of his careless +imprudence, they finally concluded he had chosen that method of +deserting them, and had set out on his return to North Carolina. Under +such impressions, they relinquished the search, and returned to camp. +They had reason afterwards to repent their harsh estimate of his +intentions. Fragments of his clothes, and traces of blood were found on +the opposite side of the swamp. A numerous pack of wolves had been heard +to howl in that direction the evening on which he had been lost. +Circumstances placed it beyond a doubt, that, while wandering about in +search of his companions, these terrible animals had come upon him and +torn him in pieces. He was never heard of afterwards. + +The brothers were thus left alone in this wide wilderness, the only +white men west of the mountains; as they concluded the remainder of the +original party had returned to North Carolina. But they were neither +desponding nor indolent. They held pleasant communion together--hunted +by day, cooked their game, sat by their bright fires, and sung the airs +of their country by night, as though in the midst of the gayest society. +They devoted, beside, much of their time and labor to preparing a +comfortable cabin to shelter them during the approaching winter. + +They were in want of many things. Clothing and moccasins they might +supply. With bread, sugar, and salt, though articles of the first +necessity, they could dispense. But ammunition, an article absolutely +indispensable, was failing them. They concluded, too, that horses would +be of essential service to them. They finally came to the resolution +that the elder Boone should return to North Carolina, and come out to +the new country with ammunition, horses, and supplies. + +The character of Daniel Boone, in consenting to be left alone in that +wilderness, surrounded by perils from the Indians and wild beasts, of +which he had so recently and terribly been made aware, appears in its +true light. We have heard of a Robinson Crusoe made so by the necessity +of shipwreck; but all history can scarcely parallel another such an +instance of a man voluntarily consenting to be left alone among savages +and wild beasts, seven hundred miles from the nearest white inhabitant. +The separation came. The elder brother disappeared in the forest, and +Daniel Boone was left in the cabin, so recently cheered by the presence +of his brother, entirely alone. Their only dog followed the departing +brother, and Boone had nothing but his unconquerable spirit to sustain +him during the long and lonely days and nights, visited by the +remembrance of his distant wife and children. + +To prevent the recurrence of dark and lonely thoughts, he set out, soon +after his brother left him, on a distant excursion to the north-west. +The country grew still more charming under his eye at every step of his +advance. He wandered through the delightful country of the Barrens, and +gained the heights of one of the ridges of Salt river, whence he could +look back on the Alleghany ridges, lifting their blue heads in the +direction of the country of his wife and children. Before him rolled the +majestic Ohio, down its dark forests, and seen by him for the first +time. It may be imagined what thoughts came over his mind, as the lonely +hunter stood on the shore of this mighty stream, straining his thoughts +towards its sources, and the unknown country where it discharged itself +into some other river, or the sea. During this journey he explored the +country on the south shore of the Ohio, between the Cumberland and the +present site of Louisville, experiencing in these lonely explorations a +strange pleasure, which, probably, none but those of his temperament can +adequately imagine. + +Returning to his cabin, as a kind of head quarters, he found it +undisturbed by the Indians. Caution suggested to him the expedient of +often changing his position, and not continuing permanently to sleep in +the cabin. Sometimes he slept in the cane-brake sometimes under the +covert of a limestone cliff, often made aware on his return to the cabin +that the Indians had discovered it, and visited it during his absence. +Surrounded with danger and death, though insensible to fear, he +neglected none of those prudent precautions of which men of his +temperament are much more able to avail themselves, than those always +forecasting the fashion of uncertain evils. He was, however, never for +an hour in want of the most ample supply of food. Herds of deer and +buffaloes were seldom out of his sight for a day together. His nights +were often disturbed by the howling of wolves, which abounded as much as +the other forest animals. His table thus abundantly spread in the +wilderness, and every excursion affording new views of the beautiful +solitudes, he used to affirm afterwards that this period was among the +happiest in his life; that during it, care and melancholy, and a painful +sense of loneliness, were alike unknown to him. + +We must not, however, suppose that the lonely hunter was capable only of +feeling the stern and sullen pleasures of the savage. On the contrary, +he was a man of the kindliest nature, and of the tenderest affections. +We have read of verses, in solid columns, said to have been made by him. +We would be sorry to believe him the author of these verses, for they +would redound little to his honor as a poet. But, though we believe he +did not attempt to make bad verses, the woodsman was essentially a +poet. He loved nature in all her aspects of beauty and grandeur with the +intensest admiration. He never wearied of admiring the charming natural +landscapes spread before him; and, to his latest days, his spirit in old +age seemed to revive in the season of spring, and when he visited the +fires of the sugar camps, blazing in the open maple groves. + +[Illustration] + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +Boone is pursued by the Indians, and eludes their pursuit--He encounters +and kills a bear--The return of his brother with ammunition--They +explore the country--Boone kills a panther on the back of a +buffalo--They return to North Carolina. + + +Boone's brother had departed on the first of May. During the period of +his absence, which lasted until the twenty-second of July, he considered +himself the only white person west of the mountains. It is true, some +time in this year, (1770,) probably in the latter part of it, an +exploring party led by General James Knox, crossed the Alleghany +mountains. But this exploring expedition confined its discoveries +principally to the country south and west of the river Kentucky. This +exploration was desultory, and without much result. Boone never met with +them, or knew that they were in the country. Consequently, in regard to +his own estimation, he was as completely alone in this unexplored world, +as though they had not been there. + +He never allowed himself to neglect his caution in respect to the +numerous savages spread over the country. He knew that he was exposed +every moment to the danger of falling into their hands. The fate of +Stewart had served as a warning to him. It is wonderful that he should +have been able to traverse such an extent of country as he did, and live +in it so many months, and yet evade them. It required no little +ingenuity and self-possession to take such measures as insured this good +fortune. + +About mid-day, near the close of the month of June, he paused in one of +his excursions for a short time under the shade of a tree. As he looked +cautiously around him, he perceived four Indians advancing openly +towards him, but at a considerable distance, and apparently without +having yet seen him. He did not delay to recommence his course through +the woods, hoping by short turns, and concealing himself among the +hills, to prevent an encounter with them, as the chance of four to one +was too great an odds against him. He advanced in this way one or two +miles; but as he cast a glance behind, he saw, with pain, that they +sedulously followed in his trail at nearly their first distance, showing +the same perseverance and sagacity of pursuit with which a hound follows +a deer. When he first perceived them, he was in such a position that he +could see them, and yet remain himself unseen. He was convinced that +they had not discovered his person, although so closely pursued by them. +But how to throw them off his trail, he was at a loss to conjecture. He +adopted a number of expedients in succession, but saw the Indians still +on the track behind. Suddenly a method occurred to his imagination, +which finally proved successful. Large grape vines swung from the trees +in all directions around him. + +Hastening onward at a more rapid pace, until he passed a hill that would +serve to conceal him for a few moments, he seized a vine sufficiently +strong to support his weight; and disengaging it from the roots, +climbed it a few feet, by bracing against the tree to which it was +attached. When he had attained the necessary height, he gave himself so +strong an impulse from the tree, that he reached the ground some yards +from the spot where he left it. By this expedient he broke his trail. + +Resuming his route in a course at right angles from that he had +previously followed, as fast as possible, he finally succeeded in +entirely distancing his pursuers, and leaving them at fault in pursuing +his trail. + +Boone soon after this met with a second adventure in which he actually +encountered a foe scarcely less formidable than the savage. Rendered +doubly watchful by his late escape, none of the forest sounds escaped +his notice. Hearing the approach of what he judged to be a large animal +by the noise of its movement through the cane, he held his rifle ready +for instant use, and drew from its sheath a long and sharp knife, which +he always wore in his belt. He determined to try the efficacy of his +rifle first. As the animal came in sight it proved to be a she bear. +They are exceedingly ferocious at all times, and their attack is +dangerous and often fatal; but particularly so, when they are surrounded +by their cubs, as was the case in this instance. + +As soon as the animal perceived him it gave indications of an intention +to make battle. Boone levelled his rifle, and remained quiet, until the +bear was sufficiently near to enable him to shoot with effect. In +general his aim was sure; but this time the ball not reach the point at +which he had aimed; and the wound it inflicted only served to render +the animal mad with rage and pain. It was impossible for him to reload +and discharge his gun a second time before it would reach him; and yet +he did not relish the idea of grappling with it in close fight. His +knife was the resource to which he instantly turned. He held it in his +right hand in such a position that the bear could not reach his person +without receiving its point. His rifle, held in his left hand, served as +a kind of shield. Thus prepared, he awaited the onset of the formidable +animal. When within a foot of him, it reared itself erect to grasp him +with its huge paws. In this position it pressed upon the knife until the +whole blade was buried in its body. Boone had pointed it directly to the +heart of the animal. It fell harmless to the ground. + +[Illustration] + +The time fixed for the return of his brother was drawing near. Extreme +solicitude respecting him now disturbed the hitherto even tenor of his +life. He remained most of his time in his cabin, hunting no more than +was necessary for subsistence, and then in the direction in which his +brother would be likely to approach. It was not doubt of his brother's +compliance with his promise of return, that disturbed the woodsman--such +a feeling never even entered his mind. He was confident he would prove +faithful to the trust reposed in him; but the difficulties and dangers +of the way were so great for a solitary individual upon the route before +him, that Boone feared he might fall a victim to them, notwithstanding +the utmost exertion of self-possession and fortitude. + +Day after day passed, after the extreme limit of the period fixed by the +elder Boone for his return, and still he came not. It may be imagined +that Boone had need of all the firmness and philosophy of character, +with which he was so largely endowed by nature, to sustain him under the +pressure of anxiety for the safety of his brother, and to hear through +him from his family. He suffered, too, from the conviction that he must +soon starve in the wilderness himself, as his ammunition was almost +gone. He could not hope to see his family again, unless his brother or +some other person furnished him the means of obtaining food on his way +to rejoin them. His rifle--his dependence for subsistence and +defence--would soon become entirely useless. What to others would have +been real dangers and trials--a solitary life in the wilderness, +exposure to the attacks of the savages and wild beasts--were regarded by +him as nothing; but here he saw himself driven to the last extremity, +and without resource. These meditations, although they made him +thoughtful, did not dispirit him. His spirit was unconquerable. He was +sitting one evening, near sunset, at the door of his cabin, indulging in +reflections naturally arising from his position. His attention was +withdrawn by a sound as of something approaching through the forest. +Looking up, he saw nothing, but he arose, and stood prepared for +defence. He could now distinguish the sound as of horses advancing +directly towards the cabin. A moment afterwards he saw, through the +trees, his brother mounted on one horse, and leading another heavily +laden. + +It would be useless to attempt to describe his sensations at this sight. +Every one will feel instantly, how it must have operated upon all the +sources of joy. More unmixed happiness is seldom enjoyed on the earth, +than that, in which the brothers spent this evening. His brother brought +him good news of the health and welfare of his family, and of the +affectionate remembrance in which he was held by them; and an abundant +supply of ammunition, beside many other articles, that in his situation, +might be deemed luxuries. The brothers talked over their supper, and +until late at night, for they had much to relate to each other, and both +had been debarred the pleasure of conversation so long that it now +seemed as though they could never weary of it. The sun was high when +they awoke the following morning. After breakfast, they held a +consultation with respect to what was next to be done. From observation, +Boone was satisfied that numbers of Indians, in small parties, were then +in the neighborhood. He knew it was idle to suppose that two men, +however brave and skilful in the use of their weapons, could survive +long in opposition to them. He felt the impolicy of wasting more time in +roaming over the country for the mere purpose of hunting. + +He proposed to his brother that they should immediately set themselves +seriously about selecting the most eligible spot on which permanently to +fix his family. This done, they would return together to North Carolina +to bring them out to the new country. He did not doubt, that he could +induce a sufficient number to accompany him, to render a residence in it +comparatively safe. That they might accomplish this purpose with as +little delay as possible, they proceeded the remainder of the day to +hunt, and prepare food sufficient for some time. The following day they +completed the necessary arrangement, and settled every thing for +departure on the next morning. + +They directed their course to Cumberland river. In common with all +explorers of unknown countries, they gave names to the streams which +they crossed. After reaching Cumberland river, they traversed the region +upon its banks in all directions for some days. Thence they took a more +northern route, which led them to Kentucky river. The country around the +latter river delighted them. Its soil and position were such as they +sought; and they determined, that here should be the location of the new +settlement. Having acquainted themselves, as far as they deemed +necessary, with the character of the region to be revisited, their +returning journey was recommenced. No incidents, but such as had marked +all the period of their journeyings in the wilderness, the occasional +encounter of Indians by day and the cries of wild beasts by night had +happened to them, during their last exploration. + +Upon the second day of their advance in the direction of their home, +they heard the approach of a drove of buffaloes. The brothers remarked, +that from the noise there must be an immense number, or some uncommon +confusion among them. As the buffaloes came in view, the woodsmen saw +the explanation of the unusual uproar in a moment. The herd were in a +perfect fury, stamping the ground and tearing it up, and rushing back +and forward upon one another in all directions. A panther had seated +himself upon the back of one of the largest buffaloes, and fastened his +claws and teeth into the flesh of the animal, wherever he could reach +it, until the blood ran down on all sides. The movements of a powerful +animal, under such suffering, may be imagined. But plunging, rearing, +and running were to no purpose. The panther retained its seat, and +continued its horrid work. The buffalo, in its agony, sought relief in +the midst of its companions, but instead of obtaining it, communicated +its fury to the drove. + +The travellers did not care to approach the buffaloes too closely; but +Boone, picking the flint of his rifle, and looking carefully at the +loading, took aim at the panther, determined to displace the monster +from its seat. It happened, that the buffalo continued a moment in a +position to allow the discharge to take effect. The panther released its +hold, and came to the ground. As generally happens in such cases, this +herd was followed by a band of wolves. They prowl around for the remains +usually found in the train of such numbers of animals. Another rifle was +discharged among them, for the sport of seeing them scatter through the +woods. + +[Illustration] + +The brothers left such traces--or blazes as they are technically +called--of their course, as they thought would enable them to find it +again, until they reached the foot of the mountains. They tried various +ascents, and finally discovered a route, which, with some labor might be +rendered tolerably easy. They proposed to cross the families here, and +blazed the path in a way that could not be mistaken. This important +point settled, they hastened to the settlement, which they reached +without accident. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +Boone starts with his family to Kentucky--Their return to Clinch +river--He conducts a party of surveyors to the Falls of Ohio--He helps +build Boonesborough, and removes his family to the fort--His daughter +and two of Col. Calloway's daughters taken prisoners by the +Indians--They pursue the Indians and rescue the captives. + + +The next step was to collect a sufficient number of emigrants who would +be willing to remove to the new country with the families of the Boones, +to give the settlements security and strength to resist the attacks of +the Indians. This was not an easy task. It may be readily imagined that +the Boones saw only the bright side of the contemplated expedition. They +painted the fertility and amenity of the flowering wilderness in the +most glowing colors. They described the cane-brakes, the clover and +grass, the transparent limestone springs and brooks, the open forests, +the sugar maple orchards, the buffaloes, deer, turkeys and wild fowls, +in all the fervid colors of their own imaginations. To them it was the +paradise of the first pair, whose inhabitants had only to put forth +their hands, and eat and enjoy. The depredations, captivities, and +scalpings, of the Indians; the howling of the wolves; the diseases, and +peculiar trials and difficulties of a new country, without houses, +mills, and the most indispensable necessaries of civilized life, were +all overlooked. But in such a case, in a compact settlement like that of +the Yadkin, there are never wanting gainsayers, opposers, gossips, who +envied the Boones. These caused those disposed to the enterprise to +hear the other part, and to contemplate the other side of the picture. +They put stories in circulation as eloquent as those of the Boones, +which told of all the scalpings, captivities, and murders of the +Indians, magnified in a tenfold proportion. With them, the savages were +like the ogres and bloody giants of nursery stories. They had pleasant +tales of horn-snakes, of such deadly malignity, that the thorn in their +tails, struck into the largest tree in full verdure, instantly blasted +it. They scented in the air of the country, deadly diseases, and to +them, Boone's paradise was a _Hinnom, the valley of the shadow of +death_. + +The minds of the half resolved, half doubting persons, that meditated +emigration, vibrated alternately backwards and forwards, inclined or +disinclined to it, according to the last view of the case presented to +them. But the natural love of adventure, curiosity, fondness for the +hunting life, dissatisfaction with the incessant labor necessary for +subsistence on their present comparatively sterile soil, joined to the +confident eloquence of the Boones, prevailed on four or five families to +join them in the expedition. + +All the necessary arrangements of preparing for this distant expedition, +of making sales and purchases, had occupied nearly two years. The +expedition commenced its march on the 26th of September, 1773. They all +set forth with confident spirits for the western wilderness, and were +joined by forty persons in Powell's Valley, a settlement in advance of +that on the Yadkin, towards the western country. The whole made a +cavalcade of nearly eighty persons. + +The three principal ranges of the Alleghany, over which they must pass, +were designated as Powell's, Walden's, and Cumberland. These mountains +forming the barrier between the old settlements and the new country, +stretch from the north-east to the south-west. They are of great length +and breadth, and not far distant from each other. There are +nature-formed passes over them, which render the ascent comparatively +easy. The aspect of these huge piles was so wild and rugged, as to make +it natural for those of the party who were unaccustomed to mountains, to +express fears of being able to reach the opposite side. The course +traced by the brothers on their return to Carolina, was found and +followed. The advantage of this forethought was strongly perceived by +all. Their progress was uninterrupted by any adverse circumstance, and +every one was in high spirits, until the west side of Walden's ridge, +the most elevated of the three, had been gained. They were now destined +to experience a most appalling reverse of fortune. + +On the tenth of October, as the party were advancing along a narrow +defile, unapprehensive of danger, they were suddenly terrified by +fearful yells. Instantly aware that Indians surrounded them, the men +sprang to the defence of the helpless women and children. But the attack +had been so sudden, and the Indians were so much superior in point of +numbers, that six men fell at the first onset of the savages. A seventh +was wounded, and the party would have been overpowered, but for a +general and effective discharge of the rifles of the remainder. The +Indians, terror-struck, took to flight, and disappeared. + +Had the numbers of the travellers allowed it, they felt no inclination +to pursue the retreating Indians. Their loss had been too serious to +permit the immediate gratification of revenge. The eldest son of Daniel +Boone was found among the slain. The domestic animals accompanying the +expedition were so scattered by the noise of the affray, that it was +impossible again to collect and recover them. The distress and +discouragement of the party were so great, as to produce an immediate +determination to drop the projected attempt of a settlement in Kentucky, +and return to Clinch river, which lay forty miles in their rear, where a +number of families had already fixed themselves. + +They then proceeded to perform the last melancholy duties to the bodies +of their unfortunate companions with all decent observances which +circumstances would allow. Their return was then commenced. Boone and +his brother, with some others, did not wish to forsake the undertaking +upon which they had set out; but the majority against them was so great, +and the feeling on the subject so strong, that they were compelled to +acquiesce. The party retraced, in deep sadness, the steps they had so +lately taken in cheerfulness, and even joy. + +Daniel Boone remained with his family on Clinch river, until June, 1774; +when he was requested by the governor of Virginia to go to the falls of +Ohio, to act as a guide to a party of surveyors. The manifestations of +hostility, on the part of the Indians, were such, that their longer stay +was deemed unsafe. Boone undertook to perform this service, and set out +upon this journey, with no other companion than a man by the name of +Stoner. They reached the point of destination, now Louisville, in a +surprisingly short period, without any accident. Under his guidance the +surveyors arrived at the settlements in safety. From the time that Boone +left his home, upon this enterprise, until he returned to it, was but +sixty-two days. During this period he travelled eight hundred miles on +foot, through a country entirely destitute of human habitations, save +the camps of the Indians. + +In the latter part of this year, the disturbances between the Indians +north-west of the Ohio, and the frontier settlers, grew to open +hostilities. Daniel Boone being in Virginia, the governor appointed him +to the command of three contiguous garrisons on the frontier, with the +commission of captain. The campaign of the year terminated in a battle, +after which the militia were disbanded. Boone was consequently relieved +from duty. + +Col. Henderson, of North Carolina, had been for some time engaged in +forming a company in that state, for the purpose of purchasing the lands +on the south side of the Kentucky, from the southern Indians. The plan +was now matured, and Boone was solicited by the company to attend the +treaty to be made between them and the Indians, at Wataga, in March, +1775, to settle the terms of the negociation. The requisite information, +in respect to the proposed purchase, was given him, and he acceded to +the request. At the appointed time, he attended and successfully +performed the service intrusted to him. Soon afterwards the same company +applied to him to lay out a road between the settlements on Holston +river and Kentucky river. No little knowledge of the country, and +judgment were requisite for the proper fulfilment of this service. A +great many different routes must be examined, before the most +practicable one could be fixed upon. The duty was, however, executed by +Boone, promptly and faithfully. The labor was great, owing to the rugged +and mountainous country, through which the route led. The laborers, too, +suffered from the repeated attacks of Indians. Four of them were killed, +and five wounded. The remainder completed this work, by reaching +Kentucky river, in April, of the same year. They immediately proceeded +to erect a fort near a salt spring, where Boonesborough now stands. The +party, enfeebled by its losses, did not complete the erection of the +fort until June. The Indians troubled them exceedingly, and killed one +man. The fort consisted of a block-house, and several cabins, surrounded +by palisades. + +The fort being finished, Boone returned to his family, and soon after +removed them to this first garrison of Kentucky. The purpose on which +his heart had so long been set, was now accomplished. His wife and +daughters were the first white women that ever stood on the banks of +Kentucky river. In our zeal to blazon our subject, it is not affirmed, +that Boone was absolutely the first discoverer and explorer of Kentucky, +for he was not. But the high meed of being the first actual settler and +cultivator of the soil, cannot be denied him. It was the pleasant season +of the close of summer and commencement of autumn, when the immigrants +would see their new residence in the best light. Many of its actual +inconveniences were withheld from observation, as the mildness of the +air precluded the necessity of tight dwellings. Arrangements were made +for cultivating a field in the coming spring. The Indians, although far +from friendly, did not attempt any immediate assault upon their new +neighbors, and the first events of the settlement were decidedly +fortunate. The game in the woods was an unfailing resource for food. The +supplies brought from their former homes by the immigrants were not yet +exhausted, and things went on in their usual train, with the added +advantage, that over all, in their new home, was spread the charm of +novelty. + +Winter came and passed with as little discomfort to the inmates of the +garrison as could be expected from the circumstances of their position. +The cabins were thoroughly daubed, and fuel was of course abundant. It +is true, those who felled the trees were compelled to be constantly on +their guard, lest a red man should take aim at them from the shelter of +some one of the forest hiding places. But they were fitted for this way +of getting along by their training, natures, and predilections. There +was no want of excitement during the day, or even night--nothing of the +wearying monotony to which a life of safe and regular occupation is +subject. Spring opened. The trees were girdled, and the brush cut down +and burned, preparatory to ploughing the field. A garden spot was marked +off, the virgin earth thrown up and softened, and then given in charge +to the wives and daughters of the establishment. They brought out their +stock of seeds, gathered in the old settlements, and every bright day +saw them engaged in the light and healthful occupation of planting them. +They were protected by the vicinity of their husbands and fathers, and +in turn cheered them in their severer labors. The Indians had forborne +any attacks upon the settlers so long, that, as is naturally the case, +they had ceased in a degree to dwell upon the danger always to be +apprehended from them. The men did not fail to take their rifles and +knives with them whenever they went abroad; but the women ventured +occasionally a short distance without the palisades during the day, +never, however, losing sight of the fort. This temerity was destined to +cost them dear. + +Colonel Calloway, the intimate friend of Boone, had joined him in the +course of the spring, at the fort, which had received, by the consent of +all, the name of Boonesborough. He had two daughters. Captain Boone had +a daughter also, and the three were companions; and, if we may take the +portraits of the rustic time, patterns of youthful bloom and loveliness. +It cannot be doubted that they were inexpressibly dear to their +parents. These girls, at the close of a beautiful summer day, the 14th +of July, were tempted imprudently to wander into the woods at no great +distance from their habitations, to gather flowers with which to adorn +their rustic fire-places. They were suddenly surrounded by half a dozen +Indians. Their shrieks and efforts to flee were alike unavailing. They +were dragged rapidly beyond the power of making themselves heard. As +soon as they were deemed to be beyond the danger of rescue, they were +treated with the utmost indulgence and decorum. + +This forbearance, of a race that we are accustomed to call savages, was +by no means accidental, or peculiar to this case. While in battle, they +are unsparing and unrelenting as tigers--while, after the fury of its +excitement is past, they will exult with frantic and demoniac joy in the +cries of their victims expiring at a slow fire--while they dash the +tomahawk with merciless indifference into the cloven skulls of mothers +and infants, they are universally seen to treat captive women with a +decorous forbearance. This strange trait, so little in keeping with +other parts of their character, has been attributed by some to their +want of the sensibilities and passions of our race. The true solution +is, the force of their habits. Honor, as they estimate it, is, with +them, the most sacred and inviolable of all laws. The decorum of +forbearance towards women in their power has been incorporated with +their code as the peculiar honor of a warrior. It is usually kept sacred +and inviolate. Instances are not wanting where they have shown +themselves the most ardent lovers of their captives, and, we may add, +most successful in gaining their voluntary affection in return. Enough +such examples are recorded, were other proofs wanting, to redeem their +forbearance from the negative character resulting from the want of +passions. + +The captors of these young ladies, having reached the main body of their +people, about a dozen in number, made all the provision in their power +for the comfort of their fair captives. They served them with their best +provisions, and by signs and looks that could not be mistaken, attempted +to soothe their agonies, and quiet their apprehensions and fears. The +parents at the garrison, having waited in vain for the return of their +gay and beloved daughters to prepare their supper, and in torments of +suspense that may easily be imagined, until the evening, became aware +that they were either lost or made captives. They sallied forth in +search of them, and scoured the woods in every direction, without +discovering a trace of them. They were then but too well convinced that +they had been taken by the Indians. Captain Boone and Colonel Calloway, +the agonizing parents of the lost ones, appealed to the company to +obtain volunteers to pursue the Indians, under an oath, if they found +the captors, either to retake their daughters, or die in the attempt. +The oath of Boone on this occasion is recorded: "By the Eternal Power +that made me a father, if my daughter lives, and is found, I will either +bring her back, or spill my life blood." The oath was no sooner uttered +than every individual of the males crowded round Boone to repeat it. But +he reminded them that a part of their number must remain to defend the +station. Seven select persons only were admitted to the oath, along with +the fathers of the captives. The only difficulty was in making the +selection. Supplying themselves with knapsacks, rifles, ammunition, and +provisions, the party set forth on the pursuit. + +Hitherto they had been unable to find the trail of the captors. Happily +they fell upon it by accident. But the Indians, according to their +custom, had taken so much precaution to hide their trail, that they +found themselves exceedingly perplexed to keep it, and they were obliged +to put forth all the acquirement and instinct of woodsmen not to find +themselves every moment at fault in regard to their course. The rear +Indians of the file had covered their foot prints with leaves. They +often turned off at right angles; and whenever they came to a branch, +walked in the water for some distance. At a place of this sort, the +pursuers were for some time wholly unable to find at what point the +Indians had left the branch, and began to despair of regaining their +trail. In this extreme perplexity, one of the company was attracted by +an indication of their course, which proved that the daughters shared +the sylvan sagacity of their parents. "God bless my dear child," +exclaimed Colonel Calloway; "she has proved that she had strength of +mind in her deplorable condition to retain self possession." At the same +instant he picked up a little piece of ribbon, which he instantly +recognized as his daughter's. She had evidently committed it unobserved +to the air, to indicate the course of her captors. The trail was soon +regained, and the company resumed their march with renewed alacrity. + +They were afterwards often at a loss to keep the trail, from the extreme +care of the Indians to cover and destroy it. But still, in their +perplexity, the sagacious expedient of the fair young captives put them +right. A shred of their handkerchief, or of some part of their dress, +which they had intrusted to the wind unobserved, indicated their course, +and that the captives were thus far not only alive, but that their +reasoning powers, unsubdued by fatigue, were active and buoyant. Next +day, in passing places covered with mud, deposited by the dry branches +on the way, the foot prints of the captives were distinctly traced, +until the pursuers had learned to discriminate not only the number, but +the peculiar form of each foot print. + +Late in the evening of the fifteenth day's pursuit, from a little +eminence, they discovered in the distance before them, through the +woods, a smoke and the light of a fire. The palpitation of their +parental hearts may be easily imagined. They could not doubt that it was +the camp of the captors of their children. The plan of recapture was +intrusted entirely to Boone. He led his company as near the enemy as he +deemed might be done with safety, and selecting a position under the +shelter of a hill, ordered them to halt, with a view to passing the +night in that place. They then silently took food as the agitation of +their minds would allow. All but Calloway, another selected person of +their number, and himself, were permitted to lie down, and get that +sleep of which they had been so long deprived. The three impatiently +waited for midnight, when the sleep of the Indians would be most likely +to be profound. They stationed the third person selected, on the top of +the eminence, behind which they were encamped, as a sentinel to await a +given signal from the fathers, which should be his indication to fly to +the camp and arouse the sleepers, and bring them to their aid. Then +falling prostrate, they crept cautiously, and as it were by inches, +towards the Indian camp. + +Having reached a covert of bushes, close by the Indian camp, and +examined as well as they could by the distant light of the camp-fires, +the order of their rifles, they began to push aside the bushes, and +survey the camp through the opening. Seventeen Indians were stretched, +apparently in sound sleep, on the ground. But they looked in vain among +them for the dear objects of their pursuit. They were not long in +discovering another camp a little remote from that of the Indians. They +crawled cautiously round to take a survey of it. Here, to their +inexpressible joy, were their daughters in each others arms. Directly in +front of their camp were two Indians, with their tomahawks and other +weapons within their grasp. The one appeared to be in a sound sleep, and +the other keeping the most circumspective vigils. + +The grand object now was to get possession of the prisoners without +arousing their captors, the consequence of which it was obvious, would +be the immediate destruction of the captives. Boone made a signal to +Calloway to take a sure aim at the sleeping Indian, so as to be able to +despatch him in a moment, if the emergency rendered that expedient +necessary. Boone, the while, crawled round, so as to reach the waking +Indian from behind; intending to spring upon him and strangle him, so as +to prevent his making a noise to awaken the sleeper. But, unfortunately, +this Indian instead of being asleep was wide awake, and on a careful +look out. The shadow of Boone coming on them from behind, aroused him. +He sprang erect, and uttered a yell that made the ancient woods ring, +leaving no doubt that the other camp would be instantly alarmed. The +captives, terrified by the war yell of their sentinels, added their +screams of apprehension, and every thing was in a moment in confusion. +The first movement of Boone was to fire. But the forbearance of +Calloway, and his own more prudent second thought, restrained him. It +was hard to forego such a chance for vengeance, but their own lives and +their children's would probably pay the forfeit, and they fired not. On +the contrary, they surrendered themselves to the Indians, who rushed +furiously in a mass around them. By significant gestures, and a few +Indian words, which they had learned, they implored the lives of their +captive children, and opportunity for a parley. Seeing them in their +power, and comprehending the language of defenceless suppliants, their +fury was at length with some difficulty restrained and appeased. They +seemed evidently under the influence of a feeling of compassion towards +the daughters, to which unquestionably the adventurous fathers were +indebted, that their lives were not instantly sacrificed. Binding them +firmly with cords, and surrounding them with sentinels, the Indians +retired to their camp, not to resume their sleep, but to hold a council +to settle the fate of their new prisoners. + +What were the thoughts of the captive children, or of the disinterested +and brave parents, as they found themselves bound, and once more in the +power of their enemies--what was the bitter disappointment of the one, +and the agonizing filial apprehension of the other--may be much more +readily imagined than described. But the light of the dawn enabled the +daughters to see, in the countenances of their fathers, as they lay +bound and surrounded by fierce savages, unextinguishable firmness, and +undaunted resolution, and a consciousness of noble motives; and they +imbibed from the view something of the magnanimity of their parents, and +assumed that demeanor of composure and resolute endurance which is +always the readiest expedient to gain all the respect and forbearance +that an Indian can grant. + +It would be difficult to fancy a state of more torturing suspense than +that endured by the companions of Boone and Calloway, who had been left +behind the hill. Though they had slept little since the commencement of +the expedition, and had been encouraged by the two fathers, their +leaders to sleep that night, the emergency was too exciting to admit of +sleep. + +Often, during the night, had they aroused themselves, in expectation of +the return of the fathers, or of a signal for action. But the night wore +away, and the morning dawned, without bringing either the one or the +other. But notwithstanding this distressing state of suspense, they had +a confidence too undoubting in the firmness and prudence of their +leader, to think of approaching the Indian camp until they should +receive the appointed signal. + +It would naturally be supposed that the deliberation of the Indian +council, which had been held to settle the fate of Boone and Calloway, +would end in sentencing them to run the gauntlet, and then amidst the +brutal laughter and derision of their captors, to be burnt to death at a +slow fire. Had the prisoners betrayed the least signs of fear, the least +indications of a subdued mind, such would in all probability have been +the issue of the Indian consultation. Such, however, was not the result +of the council. It was decreed that they should be killed with as little +noise as possible; their scalps taken as trophies, and that their +daughters should remain captives as before. The lenity of this sentence +may be traced to two causes. The daring hardihood, the fearless +intrepidity of the adventure, inspired them with unqualified admiration +for their captives. Innumerable instances have since been recorded, +where the most inveterate enemies have boldly ventured into the camp of +their enemy, have put themselves in their power, defied them to their +face and have created an admiration of their fearless daring, which has +caused that they have been spared and dismissed unmolested. This sort of +feeling had its influence on the present occasion in favor of the +prisoners. Another extenuating influence was, that hostilities between +the white and red men in the west had as yet been uncommon; and the +mutual fury had not been exasperated by murder and retaliation. + +As soon as it was clear morning light, the Indian camp was in motion. As +a business preliminary to their march, Boone and Calloway were led out +and bound to a tree, and the warriors were selected who were to despatch +them with their tomahawks. The place of their execution was selected at +such a distance from their camp, as that the daughters might not be able +to witness it. The two prisoners were already at the spot, awaiting the +fatal blow, when a discharge of rifles, cutting down two of the savages +at the first shot, arrested their proceedings. Another and another +discharge followed. The Indians were as yet partially supplied with fire +arms, and had not lost any of their original dread of the effects of +this artificial thunder, and the invisible death of the balls. They were +ignorant, moreover, of the number of their assailants, and naturally +apprehended it to be greater than it was. They raised a yell of +confusion, and dispersed in every direction, leaving their dead behind, +and the captives to their deliverers. The next moment the children were +in the arms of their parents; and the whole party, in the unutterable +joy of conquest and deliverance, were on their way homewards. + +[Illustration] + +It need hardly be added that the brave associates of the expedition who +had been left in camp, having waited the signal for the return of Boone +and Calloway, until their patience and forbearance was exhausted, aware +that something serious must have prevented their return, reconnoitered +the movement of the Indians as they moved from their camp to despatch +their two prisoners, and fired upon them at the moment they were about +to put their sentence into execution. + +About this time a new element began to exasperate and extend the ravages +of Indian warfare, along the whole line of the frontier settlements. The +war of Independence had already begun to rage. The influence and +resources of Great Britain extended along the immense chain of our +frontier, from the north-eastern part of Vermont and New York, all the +way to the Mississippi. Nor did this nation, to her everlasting infamy, +hesitate to engage these infuriate allies of the wilderness, whose known +rule of warfare was indiscriminate vengeance; without reference to the +age or sex of the foe, as auxiliaries in the war. + +As this biographical sketch of the life of Boone is inseparably +interwoven with this border scene of massacres, plunderings, burnings, +and captivities, which swept the incipient northern and western +settlements with desolation, it may not be amiss to take a brief +retrospect of the state of these settlements at this conjuncture in the +life of Boone. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +Settlement of Harrodsburgh--Indian mode of besieging and +warfare--Fortitude and privation of the Pioneers--The Indians attack +Harrodsburgh and Boonesborough--Description of a Station--Attack of +Bryant's Station. + + +A road sufficient for the passage of pack horses in single file, had +been opened from the settlements already commenced on Holston river to +Boonesborough in Kentucky. It was an avenue which soon brought other +adventurers, with their families to the settlement. On the northern +frontier of the country, the broad and unbroken bosom of the Ohio opened +an easy liquid highway of access to the country. The first spots +selected as landing places and points of ingress into the country, were +Limestone--now Maysville--at the mouth of Limestone creek, and Beargrass +creek, where Louisville now stands. Boonesborough and Harrodsburgh were +the only stations in Kentucky sufficiently strong to be safe from the +incursions of the Indians; and even these places afforded no security a +foot beyond the palisades. These two places were the central points +towards which emigrants directed their course from Limestone and +Louisville. The routes from these two places were often ambushed by the +Indians. But notwithstanding the danger of approach to the new country, +and the incessant exposure during the residence there, immigrants +continued to arrive at the stations. + +The first female white settlers of Harrodsburgh, were Mrs. Denton, +McGary, and Hogan, who came with their husbands and families. A number +of other families soon followed, among whom, in 1776, came Benjamin +Logan, with his wife and family. These were all families of +respectability and standing, and noted in the subsequent history of the +country. + +Hordes of savages were soon afterwards ascertained to have crossed the +Ohio, with the purpose to extirpate these germs of social establishments +in Kentucky. According to their usual mode of warfare, they separated +into numerous detachments, and dispersed in all directions through the +forests. This gave them the aspect of numbers and strength beyond +reality. It tended to increase the apprehensions of the recent +immigrants, inspiring the natural impressions, that the woods in all +directions were full of Indians. It enabled them to fight in detail,--to +assail different settlements at the same time, and to fill the whole +country with consternation. + +Their mode of besieging these places, though not at all conformable to +the notions of a siege derived from the tactics of a civilized people, +was dictated by the most profound practical observation, operating upon +existing circumstances. Without cannon or scaling ladders, their hope of +carrying a station, or fortified place, was founded upon starving the +inmates, cutting off their supplies of water, killing them, as they +exposed themselves, in detail, or getting possession of the station by +some of the arts of dissimulation. Caution in their tactics is still +more strongly inculcated than bravery. Their first object is to secure +themselves; their next, to kill their enemy. This is the universal +Indian maxim from Nova Zembla to Cape Horn. In besieging a place, they +are seldom seen in force upon any particular quarter. Acting in small +parties, they disperse themselves, and lie concealed among bushes or +weeds, behind trees or stumps. They ambush the paths to the barn, +spring, or field. They discharge their rifle or let fly their arrow, and +glide away without being seen, content that their revenge should issue +from an invisible source. They kill the cattle, watch the watering +places, and cut off all supplies. During the night, they creep, with the +inaudible and stealthy step dictated by the animal instinct, to a +concealed position near one of the gates, and patiently pass many +sleepless nights, so that they may finally cut off some ill-fated +person, who incautiously comes forth in the morning. During the day, if +there be near the station grass, weeds, bushes, or any distinct +elevation of the soil, however small, they crawl, as prone as reptiles, +to the place of concealment, and whoever exposes the smallest part of +his body through any part or chasm, receives their shot, behind the +smoke of which they instantly cower back to their retreat. When they +find their foe abroad, they boldly rush upon him, and make him prisoner, +or take his scalp. At times they approach the walls or palisades with +the most audacious daring, and attempt to fire them, or beat down the +gate. They practice, with the utmost adroitness, the stratagem of a +false alarm on one side when the real assault is intended for the other. +With untiring perseverance, when their stock of provisions is exhausted, +they set forth to hunt, as on common occasions, resuming their station +near the besieged place as soon as they are supplied. + +It must he confessed, that they had many motives to this persevering and +deadly hostility, apart from their natural propensity to war. They saw +this new and hated race of pale faces gradually getting possession of +their hunting grounds, and cutting down their forests. They reasoned +forcibly and justly, that the time, when to oppose these new intruders +with success, was to do it before they had become numerous and strong in +diffused population and resources. Had they possessed the skill of +corporate union, combining individual effort with a general concert of +attack, and directed their united force against each settlement in +succession, there is little doubt, that at this time they might have +extirpated the new inhabitants from Kentucky, and have restored it to +the empire of the wild beasts and the red men. But in the order of +events it was otherwise arranged. They massacred, they burnt, and +plundered, and destroyed. They killed cattle, and carried off the +horses;--inflicting terror, poverty, and every species of distress; but +were not able to make themselves absolute masters of a single station. + +It has been found by experiment, that the settlers in such predicaments +of danger and apprehension, act under a most spirit-stirring excitement, +which, notwithstanding its alarms, is not without its pleasures. They +acquired fortitude, dexterity, and that kind of courage which results +from becoming familiar with exposure. + +The settlements becoming extended, the Indians, in their turn, were +obliged to put themselves on the defensive. They cowered in the distant +woods for concealment, or resorted to them for hunting. In these +intervals, the settlers, who had acquired a kind of instinctive +intuition to know when their foe was near them, or had retired to +remoter forests, went forth to plough their corn, gather in their +harvests, collect their cattle, and pursue their agricultural +operations. These were their holyday seasons for hunting, during which +they often exchanged shots with their foe. The night, as being most +secure from Indian attack, was the common season selected for journeying +from garrison to garrison. + +We, who live in the midst of scenes of abundance and tranquillity can +hardly imagine how a country could fill with inhabitants, under so many +circumstances of terror, in addition to all the hardships incident to +the commencement of new establishments in the wilderness; such as want +of society, want of all the regular modes of supply, in regard to the +articles most indispensable in every stage of the civilized condition. +There were no mills, no stores, no regular supplies of clothing, salt, +sugar, and the luxuries of tea and coffee. But all these dangers and +difficulties notwithstanding, under the influence of an inexplicable +propensity, families in the old settlements used to comfort and +abundance, were constantly arriving to encounter all these dangers and +privations. They began to spread over the extensive and fertile country +in every direction--presenting such numerous and dispersed marks to +Indian hostility, red men became perplexed, amidst so many conflicting +temptations to vengeance, which to select. + +The year 1776 was memorable in the annals of Kentucky, as that in which +General George Rogers Clark first visited it, unconscious, it may be, of +the imperishable honors which the western country would one day reserve +for him. This same year Captain Wagin arrived in the country, and +_fixed_ in a solitary cabin on Hinkston's Fork of the Licking. + +In the autumn of this year, most of the recent immigrants to Kentucky +returned to the old settlements, principally in Virginia. They carried +with them strong representations, touching the fertility and advantages +of their new residence; and communicated the impulse of their hopes and +fears extensively among their fellow-citizens by sympathy. + +The importance of the new settlement was already deemed to be such, that +on the meeting of the legislature of Virginia, the governor recommended +that the south-western part of the county of Fincastle--so this vast +tract of country west of the Alleghanies had hitherto been +considered--should be erected into a separate county by the name of +Kentucky. + +This must be considered an important era in the history of the country. +The new county became entitled to two representatives in the legislature +of Virginia, to a court and judge; in a word, to all the customary +civil, military, and judicial officers of a new county. In the year +1777, the county was duly organized, according to the act of the +Virginia legislature. Among the names of the first officers in the new +county, we recognize those of Floyd, Bowman, Logan, and Todd. + +Harrodsburgh, the strongest and most populous station in the country, +had not hitherto been assailed by the Indians. Early in the spring of +1777, they attacked a small body of improvers marching to Harrodsburgh, +about four miles from that place. Mr. Kay, afterwards General Kay, and +his brother were of the party. The latter was killed, and another man +made prisoner. The fortunate escape of James Kay, then fifteen years +old, was the probable cause of the saving of Harrodsburgh from +destruction. Flying from the scene of attack and the death of his +brother, he reached the station and gave the inhabitants information, +that a large body of Indians was marching to attack the place. The +Indians themselves, aware that the inhabitants had been premonished of +their approach, seem to have been disheartened; for they did not reach +the station till the next day. Of course, it had been put in the best +possible state of defence, and prepared for their reception. + +The town was now invested by the savage force, and something like a +regular siege commenced. A brisk firing ensued. In the course of the day +the Indians left one of their dead to fall into the hands of the +besieged--a rare occurrence, as it is one of their most invariable +customs to remove their wounded and dead from the possession of the +enemy. The besieged had four men wounded and one of them mortally. The +Indians, unacquainted with the mode of conducting a siege, and little +accustomed to open and fair fight, and dispirited by the vigorous +reception given them by the station, soon decamped, and dispersed in the +forests to supply themselves with provisions by hunting. + +On the 15th of April, 1777, a body of one hundred savages invested +Boonesborough, the residence of Daniel Boone. The greater number of the +Indians had fire arms, though some of them were still armed with bows +and arrows. This station, having its defence conducted by such a gallant +leader, gave them such a warm reception that they were glad to draw off; +though not till they had killed one and wounded four of the inhabitants. +Their loss could not be ascertained, as they carefully removed their +dead and wounded. + +In July following, the residence of Boone was again besieged by a body +of Indians, whose number was increased to two hundred. With their +numbers, their hardihood and audacity were increased in proportion. To +prevent the neighboring stations from sending assistance, detachments +from their body assailed most of the adjacent settlements at the same +time. The gallant inmates of the station made them repent their +temerity, though, as formerly, with some loss; one of their number +having been killed and two wounded. Seven of the Indians were distinctly +counted from the fort among the slain; though, according to custom, the +bodies were removed. After a close siege, and almost constant firing +during two days, the Indians raised a yell of disappointment, and +disappeared in the forests. + +In order to present distinct views of the sort of enemy, with whom Boone +had to do, and to present pictures of the aspect of Indian warfare in +those times, we might give sketches of the repeated sieges of +Harrodsburgh and Boonesborough, against which--as deemed the strong +holds of the _Long-knife,_ as they called the Americans--their most +formidable and repeated efforts were directed. There is such a sad and +dreary uniformity in these narratives, that the history of one may +almost stand for that of all. They always present more or less killed +and wounded on the part of the stations, and a still greater number on +that of the Indians. Their attacks of stations having been uniformly +unsuccessful, they returned to their original modes of warfare, +dispersing themselves in small bodies over all the country, and +attacking individual settlers in insulated cabins, and destroying women +and children. But as most of these annals belong to the general history +of Kentucky, and do not particularly tend to develop the character of +the subject of this biography, we shall pretermit them, with a single +exception. At the expense of an anachronism, and as a fair sample of the +rest, we shall present that, as one of the most prominent Indian sieges +recorded in these early annals. It will not be considered an episode, if +it tend to convey distinct ideas of the structure and form of a +_station_, and the modes of attack and defence in those times. It was in +such scenes that the fearless daring, united with the cool, prudent, and +yet efficient counsels of Daniel Boone, were peculiarly conspicuous. +With this view we offer a somewhat detailed account of the attack of +Bryant's station. + +As we know of no place, nearer than the sources of the Mississippi, or +the Rocky Mountains, where the refuge of a _station_ is now requisite +for security from the Indians; as the remains of those that were +formerly built are fast mouldering to decay; and as in a few years +history will be the only depository of what the term _station_ imports, +we deem it right, in this place, to present as graphic a view as we may, +of a station, as we have seen them in their ruins in various points of +the west. + +The first immigrants to Tennessee and Kentucky, as we have seen, came in +pairs and small bodies. These pioneers on their return to the old +settlements, brought back companies and societies.--Friends and +connections, old and young, mothers and daughters, flocks, herds, +domestic animals, and the family dogs, all set forth on the patriarchal +emigration for the land of promise together. No disruption of the tender +natal and moral ties; no annihilation of the reciprocity of domestic +kindness, friendship, and love, took place. The cement and panoply +of affection, and good will bound them together at once in the social +tie, and the union for defence. Like the gregarious tenants of the air +in their annual migrations, they brought their true home, that is to say +their charities with them. In their state of extreme isolation from the +world they had left, the kindly social propensities were found to grow +more strong in the wilderness. The current of human affections in fact +naturally flows in a deeper and more vigorous tide, in proportion as it +is diverted into fewer channels. + +These immigrants to the Bloody Ground, coming to survey new aspects of +nature, new forests and climates, and to encounter new privations, +difficulties and dangers, were bound together by a new sacrament of +friendship, new and unsworn oaths, to stand by each other for life and +for death. How often have we heard the remains of this primitive race of +Kentucky deplore the measured distance and jealousy, the heathen rivalry +and selfishness of the present generation, in comparison with the unity +of heart, dangers and fortunes of these primeval times--reminding one of +the simple kindness, the community of property, and the union of heart +among the first Christians! + +Another circumstance of this picture ought to be redeemed from oblivion. +We suspect that the general impressions of the readers of this day is, +that the first hunters and settlers of Kentucky and Tennessee were a +sort of demi-savages. Imagination depicts them with long beard, and a +costume of skins, rude, fierce, and repulsive. Nothing can be wider from +the fact. These progenitors of the west were generally men of noble, +square, erect forms, broad chests, clear, bright, truth-telling eyes, +and of vigorous intellects. + +All this is not only matter of historical record, but in the natural +order of things. The first settlers of America were originally a noble +stock. These, their descendants, had been reared under circumstances +every way calculated to give them manly beauty and noble forms. They had +breathed a free and a salubrious air. The field and forest exercise +yielded them salutary viands, and appetite and digestion corresponding. +Life brought them the sensations of high health, herculean vigor, and +redundant joy. + +When a social band of this description had planted their feet on the +virgin soil, the first object was to fix on a spot, central to the most +fertile tract of land that could be found, combining the advantages +usually sought by the first settlers. Among these was, that the station +should be on the summit of a gentle swell, where pawpaw, cane, and wild +clover, marked exuberant fertility; and where the trees were so sparse, +and the soil beneath them so free from underbrush, that the hunter could +ride at half speed. The virgin soil, as yet friable, untrodden, and not +cursed with the blight of politics, party, and feud, yielded, with +little other cultivation than planting, from eighty to a hundred bushels +of maize to the acre, and all other edibles suited to the soil and +climate, in proportion. + +The next thing, after finding this central nucleus of a settlement, was +to convert it into a _station_, an erection which now remains to be +described. It was a desirable requisite, that a station should in close +or command a flush limestone spring, for water for the settlement. The +contiguity of a salt lick and a sugar orchard, though not indispensable, +was a very desirable circumstance. The next preliminary step was to +clear a considerable area, so as to leave nothing within a considerable +distance of the station that could shelter an enemy from observation and +a shot. If a spring were not inclosed, or a well dug within, as an +Indian siege seldom lasted beyond a few days, it was customary, in +periods of alarm to have a reservoir of some sort within the station, +that should be filled with water enough to supply the garrison, during +the probable continuance of a siege. It was deemed a most important +consideration, that the station should overlook and command as much of +the surrounding country as possible. + +The form was a perfect parallelogram, including from a half to a whole +acre. A trench was then dug four or five feet deep, and large and +contiguous pickets planted in this trench, so as to form a compact wall +from ten to twelve feet high above the soil. The pickets were of hard +and durable timber, about a foot in diameter. The soil about them was +rammed hard. They formed a rampart beyond the power of man to leap, +climb, or by unaided physical strength to overthrow. At the angles were +small projecting squares, of still stronger material and planting, +technically called _flankers_, with oblique port-holes, so as that the +sentinel within could rake the external front of the station, without +being exposed to shot from without. Two folding gates in the front and +rear, swinging on prodigious wooden hinges, gave egress and ingress to +men and teams in times of security. + +In periods of alarm a trusty sentinel on the roof of the building was so +stationed, as to be able to descry every suspicious object while yet in +the distance. The gates were always firmly barred by night; and +sentinels took their alternate watch, and relieved each other until +morning. Nothing in the line of fortification can be imagined more easy +of construction, or a more effectual protection against a savage enemy, +than this simple erection. Though the balls of the smallest dimensions +of cannon would have swept them away with ease, they were proof against +the Indian rifle, patience, and skill. The only expedient of the red men +was to dig under them and undermine them, or destroy them by fire; and +even this could not be done without exposing them to the rifles of the +flankers. Of course, there are few recorded instances of their having +been taken, when defended by a garrison, guided by such men as Daniel +Boone. + +Their regular form, and their show of security, rendered these walled +cities in the central wilderness delightful spectacles in the eye of +immigrants who had come two hundred leagues without seeing a human +habitation. Around the interior of these walls the habitations of the +immigrants arose, and the remainder of the surface was a clean-turfed +area for wrestling and dancing, and the vigorous and athletic amusements +of the olden time. It is questionable if heartier dinners and profounder +sleep and more exhilarating balls and parties fall to the lot of their +descendants, who ride in coaches and dwell in mansions. Venison and wild +turkeys, sweet potatoes and pies, smoked on their table; and persimmon +and maple beer, stood them well instead of the poisonous whisky of their +children. + +The community, of course, passed their social evenings together; and +while the fire blazed bright within the secure square, the far howl of +wolves, or even the distant war-whoop of the savages, sounded in the ear +of the tranquil in-dwellers like the driving storm pouring on the +sheltering roof above the head of the traveller safely reposing in his +bed; that is, brought the contrast of comfort and security with more +home-felt influence to their bosom. + +Such a station was Bryant's, no longer ago than 1782. It was the nucleus +of the settlements of that rich and delightful country, of which at +present Lexington is the centre. There were but two others of any +importance, at this time north of Kentucky river. It was more open to +attack than any other in the country. The Miami on the north, and the +Licking on the south of the Ohio, were long canals, which floated the +Indian canoes from the northern hive of the savages, between the lakes +and the Ohio, directly to its vicinity. + +In the summer of this year a grand Indian assemblage took place at +Chillicothe, a famous central Indian town on the Little Miami. The +Cherokees, Wyandots, Tawas, Pottawattomies, and most of the tribes +bordering on the lakes, were represented in it. Besides their chiefs and +some Canadians, they were aided by the counsels of the two Girtys, and +McKee, renegado whites. We have made diligent enquiry touching the +biography of these men, particularly Simon Girty, a wretch of most +infamous notoriety in those times, as a more successful instigator of +Indian assault and massacre, than any name on record. Scarcely a +tortured captive escaped from the northern Indians, who could not tell +the share which this villain had in his sufferings--no burning or murder +of prisoners, at which he had not assisted by his presence or his +counsels. These refugees from our white settlements, added the +calculation and power of combining of the whites to the instinctive +cunning and ferocity of the savages. They possessed their thirst for +blood without their active or passive courage--blending the bad points +of character in the whites and Indians, without the good of either. The +cruelty of the Indians had some show of palliating circumstances, in the +steady encroachments of the whites upon them. Theirs was gratuitous, +coldblooded, and without visible motive, except that they appeared to +hate the race more inveterately for having fled from it. Yet Simon +Girty, like the Indians among whom he lived, sometimes took the freak of +kindness, nobody could divine why, and he once or twice saved an unhappy +captive from being roasted alive. + +This vile renegado, consulted by the Indians as an oracle, lived in +plenty, smoked his pipe, and drank off his whisky in his log palace. He +was seen abroad clad in a ruffled shirt, a red and blue uniform, with +pantaloons and gaiters to match. He was belted with dirks and pistols, +and wore a watch with enormous length of chain, and most glaring +ornaments, all probably the spoils of murder. So habited, he strutted, +in the enormity of his cruelty in view of the ill-fated captives of the +Indians, like the peacock spreading his morning plumage. There is little +doubt that his capricious acts of saving the few that were spared +through his intercession, were modified results of vanity; and that they +were spared to make a display of his power, and the extent of his +influence among the Indians. + +The assemblage of Indians bound to the assault of Bryant's station, +gathered round the shrine of Simon Girty, to hear the response of this +oracle touching the intended expedition. He is said to have painted to +them, in a set speech, the abundance and delight of the fair valleys of +Kan-tuck-ee, for which so much blood of red men had been shed--the land +of clover, deer, and buffaloes. He described the gradual encroachment of +the whites, and the certainty that they would soon occupy the whole +land. He proved the necessity of a vigorous, united, and persevering +effort against them, now while they were feeble, and had scarcely gained +foot-hold on the soil, if they ever intended to regain possession of +their ancient, rich, and rightful domain; assuring them, that as things +now went on, they would soon have no hunting grounds worth retaining, no +blankets with which to clothe their naked backs, or whisky to warm and +cheer their desolate hearts. They were advised to descend the Miami, +cross the Ohio, ascend the Licking, paddling their canoes to the +immediate vicinity of Bryant's station, which he counselled them to +attack. + +Forthwith, the mass of biped wolves raised their murderous yell, as they +started for their canoes on the Miami. Girty, in his ruffled shirt and +soldier coat, stalked at their head, silently feeding upon his prowess +and grandeur. + +The station against which they were destined, inclosed forty cabins. +They arrived before it on the fifteenth of August, in the night. The +inhabitants were advertised of their arrival in the morning, by being +fired upon as they opened the gates. The time of their arrival was +apparently providential. In two hours most of the efficient male inmates +of the station were to have marched to the aid of two other stations, +which were reported to have been attacked. This place would thus have +been left completely defenceless. As soon as the garrison saw themselves +besieged, they found means to despatch one of their number to Lexington, +to announce the assault and crave aid. Sixteen mounted men, and +thirty-one on foot, were immediately despatched to their assistance. + +The number of the assailants amounted to at least six hundred. In +conformity with the common modes of their warfare, they attempted to +gain the place by stratagem. The great body concealed themselves among +high weeds, on the opposite side of the station, within pistol shot of +the spring which supplied it with water. A detachment of a hundred +commenced a false attack on the south-east angle, with a view to draw +the whole attention of the garrison to that point. They hoped that while +the chief force of the station crowded there, the opposite point would +be left defenceless. In this instance they reckoned without their host. +The people penetrated their deception, and instead of returning their +fire, commenced what had been imprudently neglected, the repairing their +palisades, and putting the station in a better condition of defence. The +tall and luxuriant strammony weeds instructed these wary backwoodsmen to +suspect that a host of their tawny foe lay hid beneath their sheltering +foliage, lurking for a chance to fire upon them, as they should come +forth for water. + +Let modern wives, who refuse to follow their husbands abroad, alleging +the danger of the voyage or journey, or the unhealthiness of the +proposed residence, or because the removal will separate them from the +pleasures of fashion and society, contemplate the example of the wives +of the defenders of this station. These noble mothers, wives, and +daughters, assuring the men that there was no probability that the +Indians would fire upon them, offered to go out and draw water for the +supply of the garrison, and that even if they did shoot down a few of +them, it would not reduce the resources of the garrison as would the +killing of the men. The illustrious heroines took up their buckets, and +marched out to the spring, espying here and there a painted face, or an +Indian body crouched under the covert of the weeds. Whether their +courage or their beauty fascinated the Indians to suspend their fire, +does not appear. But it was so, that these generous women came and went +until the reservoir was amply supplied with crater. Who will doubt that +the husbands of such wives must have been alike gallant and +affectionate. + +After this example, it was not difficult to procure some young +volunteers to tempt the Indians in the same way. As was expected, they +had scarcely advanced beyond their station, before a hundred Indians +fired a shower of balls upon them, happily too remote to do more than +inflict slight wounds with spent balls. They retreated within the +palisades, and the whole Indian force, seeing no results from stratagem, +rose from their covert and rushed towards the palisade. The exasperation +of their rage may be imagined, when they found every thing prepared for +their reception. A well aimed fire drove them to a more cautious +distance. Some of the more audacious of their number, however, ventured +so near a less exposed point, as to be able to discharge burning arrows +upon the roofs of the houses. Some of them were fired and burnt. But an +easterly wind providentially arose at the moment, and secured the mass +of the habitations from the further spread of the flames. These they +could no longer reach with their burning arrows. + +The enemy cowered back, and crouched to their covert in the weeds; +where, panther-like, they waited for less dangerous game. They had +divided, on being informed, that aid was expected from Lexington; and +they arranged an ambuscade to intercept it, on its approach to the +garrison. When the reinforcement, consisting of forty-six persons, came +in sight, the firing had wholly ceased, and the invisible enemy were +profoundly still. The auxiliaries hurried on in reckless confidence, +under the impression that they had come on a false alarm. A lane opened +an avenue to the station, through a thick cornfield. This lane was +way-laid on either side, by Indians, for six hundred yards. Fortunately, +it was mid-summer, and dry; and the horsemen raised so thick a cloud of +dust, that the Indians could fire only at random amidst the palpable +cloud, and happily killed not a single man. The footmen were less +fortunate. Being behind the horse, as soon as they heard the firing, +they dispersed into the thick corn, in hopes to reach the garrison +unobserved. They were intercepted by masses of the savages, who threw +themselves between them and the station. Hard fighting ensued, in which +two of the footmen were killed and four wounded. Soon after the +detachment had joined their friends, and the Indians were again +crouching close in their covert, the numerous flocks and herds of the +station came in from the woods as usual, quietly ruminating, as they +made their way towards their night-pens. Upon these harmless animals the +Indians wreaked unmolested revenge, and completely destroyed them. + +A little after sunset the famous Simon, in all his official splendor, +covertly approached the garrison, mounted a stump, whence he could be +heard by the people of the station, and holding a flag of truce, +demanded a parley and the surrender of the place. He managed his +proposals with no small degree of art, assigning, in imitation of the +commanders of what are called civilized armies, that his proposals were +dictated by humanity and a wish to spare the effusion of blood. He +affirmed, that in case of a prompt surrender, he could answer for the +safety of the prisoners; but that in the event of taking the garrison by +storm, he could not; that cannon and a reinforcement were approaching, +in which case they must be aware that their palisades could no longer +interpose any resistance to their attack, or secure them from the +vengeance of an exasperated foe. He calculated that his imposing +language would have the more effect in producing belief and +consternation, inasmuch as the garrison must know, that the same foe had +used cannon in the attack of Ruddle's and Martin's stations. Two of +their number had been already slain, and there were four wounded in the +garrison; and some faces were seen to blanch as Girty continued his +harangue of menace, and insidious play upon their fears. Some of the +more considerate of the garrison, apprised by the result, of the folly +of allowing such a negotiation to intimidate the garrison in that way, +called out to shoot the rascal, adding the customary Kentucky epithet. +Girty insisted upon the universal protection every where accorded to a +flag of truce, while this parley lasted; and demanded with great assumed +dignity, if they did not know who it was that thus addressed them? + +A spirited young man, named Reynolds, of whom the most honorable mention +is made in the subsequent annals of the contests with the Indians, was +selected by the garrison to reply to the renegado Indian negotiator. His +object seems to have been to remove the depression occasioned by Girty's +speech, by treating it with derision; and perhaps to establish a +reputation for successful waggery, as he had already for hard fighting. + +"You ask," answered he, "if we do not know you? Know you! Yes. We know +you too well. Know Simon Girty! Yes. He is the renegado, cowardly +villain, who loves to murder women and children, especially those of his +own people. Know Simon Girty! Yes. His father was a panther and his dam +a wolf. I have a worthless dog, that kills lambs. Instead of shooting +him, I have named him Simon Girty. You expect reinforcements and cannon, +do you? Cowardly wretches, like you, that make war upon women and +children, would not dare to touch them off, if you had them. We expect +reinforcements, too, and in numbers to give a short account of the +murdering cowards that follow you. Even if you could batter down our +pickets, I, for one, hold your people in too much contempt to discharge +rifles at them. Should you see cause to enter our fort, I have been +roasting a great number of hickory switches, with which we mean to whip +your naked cut-throats out of the country." + +Simon, apparently little edified or flattered by this speech, wished him +some of his hardest curses; and affecting to deplore the obstinacy and +infatuation of the garrison, the ambassador of ruffled shirt and soldier +coat withdrew. The besieged gave a good account of every one, who came +near enough to take a fair shot. But before morning they decamped, +marching direct to the Blue Licks, where they obtained very different +success, and a most signal and bloody triumph. We shall there again meet +Daniel Boone, in his accustomed traits of heroism and magnanimity. + +[Illustration] + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +Boone being attacked by two Indians near the Blue Licks, kills them +both--Is afterwards taken prisoner and marched to Old Chillicothe--Is +adopted by the Indians--Indian ceremonies. + + +We return to the subject of our memoir, from which the reader may +imagine we have wandered too long. He had already conducted the defence +of Boonesborough, during two Indian sieges. The general estimate of his +activity, vigilance, courage, and enterprise, was constantly rising. By +the Indians he was regarded as the most formidable and intelligent +captain of the Long-knife; and by the settlers and immigrants as a +disinterested and heroic patriarch of the infant settlements. He often +supplied destitute families gratuitously with game. He performed the +duties of surveyor and spy, generally as a volunteer, and without +compensation. When immigrant families were approaching the country, he +often went out to meet them and conduct them to the settlements. Such, +in general, were the paternal feelings of the pioneers of this young +colony. + +The country was easily and amply supplied with meat from the chase, and +with vegetables from the fertility of the soil. The hardy settlers could +train themselves without difficulty to dispense with many things which +habit and long use in the old settlements had led them to consider as +necessaries. But to every form of civilized communities salt is an +indispensable article. The settlement of Boonesborough had been fixed +near a lick, with a view to the supply of that article. But the amount +was found to be very inadequate to the growing demand. The settlement +deemed it necessary to send out a company to select a place where the +whole country could be supplied with that article at a reasonable rate. + +Captain Boone was deputed by the settlers to this service. He selected +thirty associates, and set out on the first of January, 1779, for the +Blue Licks, on Licking river, a well known stream emptying into the +Ohio, opposite where Cincinnati now stands. They arrived at the place, +and successfully commenced their operations. Boone, instead of taking a +part in the diurnal and uninterrupted labor, of evaporating the water, +performed the more congenial duty of hunting to keep the company in +provisions, while they labored. In this pursuit he had one day wandered +some distance from the bank of the river. Two Indians, armed with +muskets,--for they had now generally added these efficient weapons to +their tomahawks--came upon him. His first thought was to retreat. But he +discovered from their nimbleness, that this was impossible. His second +thought was resistance, and he slipped behind a tree to await their +coming within rifle shot. He then exposed himself so as to attract their +aim. The foremost levelled his musket. Boone, who could dodge the flash, +at the pulling of the trigger, dropped behind his tree unhurt. His next +object W&B to cause the fire of the Second musket to be thrown away in +the same manner. He again exposed a part of his person. The eager Indian +instantly fired, and Boone evaded the shot as before. Both the Indians, +having thrown away their fire, were eagerly striving, but with trembling +hands, to reload. Trepidation and too much haste retarded their object. +Boone drew his rifle and one of them fell dead. The two antagonists, now +on equal grounds, the one unsheathing his knife, and the other poising +his tomahawk, rushed toward the dead body of the fallen Indian. Boone, +placing his foot on the dead body, dexterously received the well aimed +tomahawk of his powerful enemy on the barrel of his rifle, thus +preventing his skull from being cloven by it. In the very attitude of +firing the Indian had exposed his body to the knife of Boone, who +plunged it in his body to the hilt. This is the achievement commemorated +in sculpture over the southern door of the Rotunda in the Capitol at +Washington. + +This adventure did not deter him from exposing himself in a similar way +again. He was once more hunting for the salt makers, when, on the +seventh day of February following, he came in view of a body of one +hundred and two Indians, evidently on their march to the assault of +Boonesborough--that being a particular mark for Indian revenge. They +were in want of a prisoner, from whom to obtain intelligence, and Boone +was the person of all others whom they desired. He fled; but among so +many warriors, it proved, that some were swifter of foot than himself, +and these overtook him and made him prisoner. + +By a tedious and circuitous march they brought him back to the Blue +Licks, and took their measures with so much caution, as to make +twenty-seven of the thirty salt makers prisoners. Boone obtained for +them a capitulation, which stipulated, that their lives should be +spared, and that they should be kindly treated. The fortunate three, +that escaped, had just been sent home with the salt that had been made +during their ill-fated expedition. + +The Indians were faithful to the stipulations of the capitulation; and +treated their prisoners with as much kindness both on their way, and +after their arrival at Chillicothe, as their habits and means would +admit. The march was rapid and fatiguing, occupying three days of +weather unusually cold and inclement. + +The captivity of twenty-eight of the select and bravest of the Kentucky +settlers, without the hope of liberation or exchange, was a severe blow +to the infant settlement. Had the Indians, after this achievement, +immediately marched against Boonesborough, so materially diminished in +its means of defence, they might either have taken the place by +surprise, or, availing themselves of the influence which the possession +of these prisoners gave them over the fears and affections of the +inmates, might have procured a capitulation of the fort. Following up +this plan in progression, the weaker station would have followed the +example of Boonesborough; since it is hardly supposable, that the +united influence of fear, example, and the menace of the massacre of so +many prisoners would not have procured the surrender of all the rest. +But, though on various occasions they manifested the keenest +observation, and the acutest quickness of instinctive cunning--though +their plans were generally predicated on the soundest reason, they +showed in this, and in all cases, a want of the combination of thought, +and the abstract and extended views of the whites on such occasions. For +a single effort, nothing could be imagined wiser than their views. For a +combination made up of a number of elements of calculation, they had no +reasoning powers at all. + +Owing to this want of capacity for combined operations of thought, and +their, habitual intoxication of excitement, on the issue of carrying +some important enterprise without loss, they hurried home with their +prisoners, leaving the voice of lamentation and the sentiment of extreme +dejection among the bereaved inmates of Boonesborough. + +Throwing all the recorded incidents and circumstances of the life of +Boone, during his captivity among them, together, we shall reserve them +for another place, and proceed here to record what befell him among the +whites. + +He resided as a captive among the Indians until the following March. At +that time, he, and ten of the persons who were taken with him at the +Blue Licks, were conducted by forty Indians to Detroit, where the party +arrived on the thirteenth of the month. The ten men were put into the +hands of Governor Hamilton, who, to his infinite credit, treated them +with kindness. For each of these they received a moderate ransom. Such +was their respect, and even affection for the hunter of Kentucky, and +such, perhaps, their estimate of his capability of annoying them, that +although Governor Hamilton offered them the large sum of a hundred +pounds sterling for his ransom, they utterly refused to part with him. +It may easily be imagined, in what a vexatious predicament this +circumstance placed him; a circumstance so much the more embarrassing, +as he could not express his solicitude for deliverance, without alarming +the jealousy and ill feeling of the Indians. Struck with his appearance +and development of character, several English gentlemen, generously +impressed with a sense of his painful position, offered him a sum of +money adequate to the supply of his necessities. Unwilling to accept +such favors from the enemies of his country, he refused their kindness, +alleging a motive at once conciliating and magnanimous, that it would +probably never be in his power to repay them. It will be necessary to +contemplate his desolate and forlorn condition, haggard, and without any +adequate clothing in that inclement climate, destitute of money or +means, and at the same time to realize that these men, who so generously +offered him money, were in league with those that were waging war +against the United States, fully to appreciate the patriotism and +magnanimity of this refusal. It is very probable, too, that these men +acted from the interested motive of wishing to bind the hands of this +stern border warrior from any further annoyance to them and their red +allies, by motives of gratitude and a sense of obligation. + +It must have been mortifying to his spirit to leave his captive +associates in comfortable habitations and among a civilized people at +Detroit, while he, the single white man of the company, was obliged to +accompany his red masters through the forest in a long and painful +journey of fifteen days, at the close of which he found himself again at +Old Chillicothe, as the town was called. + +This town was inhabited by the Shawnese, and Boone was placed in a most +severe school, in which to learn Indian modes and ceremonies, by being +himself the subject of them. On the return of the party that led him to +their home, he learned that some superstitious scruple induced them to +halt at mid-day when near their village, in order to solemnize their +return by entering their town in the evening. A runner was despatched +from their halting place to instruct the chief and the village touching +the material incidents of their expedition. + +Before the expedition made the triumphal entry into their village, they +clad their white prisoner in a new dress, of material and fashion like +theirs. They proceeded to shave his head and skewer his hair after their +own fashion, and then rouged him with a plentiful smearing of vermilion +and put into his hand a white staff, gorgeously tasselated with the +tails of deer. The war-captain or leader of the expedition gave as many +yells as they had taken prisoners and scalps. This operated as +effectually as ringing a tocsin, to assemble the whole village round +the camp. As soon as the warriors from the village appeared, four young +warriors from the camp, the two first carrying each a calumet, +approached the prisoner, chanting a song as they went, and taking him by +the arm, led him in triumph to the cabin, where he was to remain until +the announcement of his doom. The resident in this cabin, by their +immemorial usage, had the power of determining his fate, whether to be +tortured and burnt at the stake, or adopted into the tribe. + +The present occupant of the cabin happened to be a woman, who had lost a +son during the war. It is very probable that she was favorably impressed +towards him by noting his fine person, and his firm and cheerful +visage--circumstances which impress the women of the red people still +more strongly than the men. She contemplated him stedfastly for some +time, and sympathy and humanity triumphed, and she declared that she +adopted him in place of the son she had lost. The two young men, who +bore the calumet, instantly unpinioned his hands, treating him with +kindness and respect. Food was brought him, and he was informed that he +was considered as a son, and she, who had adopted him, as his mother. He +was soon made aware, by demonstrations that could not be dissembled or +mistaken, that he was actually loved, and trusted, as if he really were, +what his adoption purported to make him. In a few days he suffered no +other penalty of captivity than inability to return to his family. He +was sufficiently instructed in Indian customs to know well, that any +discovered purpose or attempt to escape would be punished with instant +death. + +Strange caprice of inscrutable instincts and results of habit! A +circumstance, apparently fortuitous and accidental, placed him in the +midst of an Indian family, the female owner of which loved him with the +most disinterested tenderness, and lavished upon him all the +affectionate sentiments of a mother towards a son. Had the die of his +lot been cast otherwise, all the inhabitants of the village would have +raised the death song, and each individual would have been as fiercely +unfeeling to torment him, as they were now covetous to show him +kindness. It is astonishing to see, in their habits of this sort, no +interval between friendship and kindness, and the most ingenious and +unrelenting barbarity. Placed between two posts, and his arms and feet +extended between them, nearly in the form of a person suffering +crucifixion, he would have been burnt to death at a slow fire, while +men, women, and children would have danced about him, occasionally +applying torches and burning splinters to die most exquisitely sensible +parts of the frame, prolonging his torture, and exulting in it with the +demoniac exhilaration of gratified revenge. + +This was the most common fate of prisoners of war at that time. +Sometimes they fastened the victim to a single stake, built a fire of +green wood about him, and then raising their yell of exultation, marched +off into the desert, leaving him to expire unheeded and alone. At other +times they killed their prisoners by amputating their limbs joint by +joint. Others they destroyed by pouring on them, from time to time, +streams of scalding water. At other times they have been seen to hang +their victim to a sapling tree by the hands, bending it down until the +wretched sufferer has seen himself swinging up and down at the play of +the breeze, his feet often, within a foot of the ground. In a word, they +seem to have exhausted the invention and ingenuity of all time and all +countries in the horrid art of inflicting torture. + +The mention of a circumstance equally extraordinary in the Indian +character, may be recorded here. If the sufferer in these afflictions be +an Indian, during the whole of his agony a strange rivalry passes +between them which shall outdo each other, they inflicting, and he in +enduring these tortures. Not a groan, not a sigh, not a distortion of +countenance is allowed to escape him. He smokes, and looks even +cheerful. He occasionally chants a strain of his war song. He vaunts his +exploits performed in afflicting death and desolation in their villages. +He enumerates the names of their relatives and friends that he has +slain. He menaces them with the terrible revenge that his friends will +inflict by way of retaliation. He even derides their ignorance in the +art of tormenting; assures them that he had afflicted much more +ingenious torture upon their people; and indicates more excruciating +modes of inflicting pain, and more sensitive parts of the frame to which +to apply them. + +They are exceedingly dexterous in the horrid surgical operation of +taking off the scalp--that is, a considerable surface of the hairy +integument of the crown of the cranium. Terrible as the operation is, +there are not wanting great numbers of cases of persons who have +survived, and recovered from it. The scalps of enemies thus taken, even +when not paid for, as has been too often the infamous custom of their +white auxiliaries, claiming to be civilized, are valued as badges of +family honor, and trophies of the bravery of the warrior. On certain +days and occasions, young warriors take a new name, constituting a new +claim to honor, according to the number of scalps they have taken, or +the bravery and exploits of those from whom they were taken. This name +they deem a sufficient compensation for every fatigue and danger. +Another ludicrous superstition tends to inspire them with the most +heroic sentiments. They believe that all the fame, intelligence, and +bravery that appertained to the enemy they have slain is transferred to +them, and thenceforward becomes their intellectual property. Hence, they +are excited with the most earnest appetite to kill warriors of +distinguished fame. This article of Indian faith affords an apt +illustration of the ordinary influence of envy, which seems to inspire +the person whom it torments with the persuasion, that all the merit it +can contract from the envied becomes its own, and that the laurels shorn +from another's brow will sprout on its own. + +He witnessed also their modes of hardening their children to that +prodigious power of unshrinking endurance, of which such astonishing +effects have just been recorded. This may be fitly termed the Indian +system of gymnastics. The bodies of the children of both sexes are +inured to hardships by compelling them to endure prolonged fastings, and +to bathe in the coldest water. A child of eight years, fasts half a day; +and one of twelve, a whole day without food or drink. The face is +blacked during the fast, and is washed immediately before eating. The +male face is entirely blacked; that of the female only on the cheeks. +The course is discontinued in the case of the male at eighteen, and of +the female at fourteen. At eighteen, the boy is instructed by his +parents that his education is completed, and that he is old enough to be +a man. His face is then blacked for the last time, and he is removed at +the distance of some miles from the village, and placed in a temporary +cabin. He is there addressed by his parent or guardian to this purport: +"My son, it has pleased the Great Spirit that you should live to see +this day. We all have noted your conduct since I first blacked your +face. They well understand whether you have strictly followed the advice +I have given you, and they will conduct themselves towards you according +to their knowledge. You must remain here until I, or some of your +friends, come for you." + +The party then returns, resumes his gun, and seeming to forget the +sufferer, goes to his hunting as usual, and the son or ward is left to +endure hunger as long as it can be endured, and the party survive. The +hunter, meanwhile, has procured the materials for a feast, of which the +friends are invited to partake They accompany the father or guardian to +the unfortunate starving subject. He then accompanies them home, and is +bathed in cold water, and his head shaved after the Indian fashion--all +but a small space on the centre of the crown. He is then allowed to take +food, which, however, as a consecrated thing, is presented him in a +vessel distinct from that used by the rest. After he has eaten, he is +presented with a looking-glass, and a bag of vermilion. He is then +complimented for the firmness with which he has sustained his fasting, +and is told that he is henceforward a man, and to be considered as such. +The instance is not known of a boy eating or drinking while under this +interdict of the blacked face. They are deterred, not only by the strong +sentiments of Indian honor, but by a persuasion that the _Great Spirit_ +would severely punish such disobedience of parental authority. + +The most honorable mode of marriage, and that generally pursued by the +more distinguished warriors, is to assemble the friends and relatives, +and consult with them in regard to the person whom it is expedient to +marry. The choice being made, the relations of the young man collect +such presents as they deem proper for the occasion, go to the parents of +the woman selected, make known the wishes of their friend, deposit their +presents, and return without waiting for an answer. The relations of the +girl assemble and consult on the subject. If they confirm the choice, +they also collect presents, dress her in her best clothes, and take her +to the friends of the bridegroom who made the application for the match, +when it is understood that the marriage is completed. She herself has +still a negative; and if she disapprove the match, the presents from the +friends of the young man are returned, and this is considered as a +refusal. Many of the more northern nations, as the Dacotas, for example, +have a custom, that, when the husband deceases, his widow immediately +manifests the deepest mourning, by putting off all her finery, and +dresses herself in the coarsest Indian attire, the sackcloth of Indian +lamentation. Meanwhile she makes up a respectable sized bundle of her +clothes into the form of a kind of doll-man, which represents her +husband. With this she sleeps. To this she converses and relates the +sorrows of her desolate heart. It would be indecorous for any warrior, +while she is in this predicament, to show her any attentions of +gallantry. She never puts on any habiliments but those of sadness and +disfigurement. The only comfort she is permitted in this desolate state +is, that her budgetted husband is permitted, when drams are passing, to +be considered as a living one, and she is allowed to cheer her depressed +spirits with a double dram, that of her budget-husband and her own. +After a full year of this penance with the budget-husband, she is +allowed to exchange it for a living one, if she can find him. + +When an Indian party forms for private revenge the object is +accomplished in the following manner. The Indian who seeks revenge, +proposes his project to obtain it to some of his more intimate +associates, and requests them to accompany him. When the requisite +number is obtained, and the plan arranged it is kept a profound secret +from all others, and the proposer of the plan is considered the leader. +The party leaves the village secretly, and in the night. When they halt +for the night, the eldest encamp in front, and the younger in the rear. +The foremen hunt for the party, and perform the duty of spies. The +latter cook, make the fires, mend the moccasins, and perform the other +drudgery of the expedition. + +Every war party has a small budget, called the _war budget_, which +contains something belonging to each one of the party, generally +representing some animal; for example, the skin of a snake, the tail of +a buffalo, the skin of a martin, or the feathers of some extraordinary +bird. This budget is considered a sacred deposit, and is carried by some +person selected for the purpose, who marches in front, and leads the +party against the enemy. When the party halts, the budget is deposited +in front, and no person passes it without authority. No one, while such +an exhibition is pending, is allowed to lay his pack on a log, converse +about women or his home. When they encamp, the heart of whatever beast +they have killed on the preceding day is cut into small pieces and +burnt. No person is allowed, while it is burning, to step across the +fire, but must go round it, and always in the direction of the sun. + +When an attack is to be made, the war budget is opened, and each man +takes out his budget, or _totem_, and attaches it to that part of his +body which has been indicated by tradition from his ancestors. When the +attack is commenced, the body of the fighter is painted, generally +black, and is almost naked. After the action, each party returns his +_totem_ to the commander of the party, who carefully wraps them all up, +and delivers them to the man who has taken the first prisoner or scalp; +and he is entitled to the honor of leading the party home in triumph. +The war budget is then hung in front of the door of the person who +carried it on the march against the enemy, where it remains suspended +thirty or forty days, and some one of the party often sings and dances +round it. + +One mode of Indian burial seems to have prevailed, not only among the +Indians of the lakes and of the Ohio valley, but over all the western +country. Some lay the dead body on the surface of the ground, make a +crib or pen over it, and cover it with bark. Others lay the body in a +grave, covering it first with bark, and then with earth. Others make a +coffin out of the cloven section of trees, in the form of plank, and +suspend it from the top of a tree. Nothing can be more affecting than to +see a young mother hanging the coffin that contains the remains of her +beloved child to the pendent branches of the flowering maple, and +singing her lament over her love and hope, as it waves in the breeze. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +Boone becomes a favorite among the Indians--Anecdotes relating to his +captivity--Their mode of tormenting and burning prisoners--Their +fortitude under the infliction of torture--Concerted attack on +Boonesborough--Boone escapes. + + +Boone, being now a son in a principal Shawnee family, presents himself +in a new light to our observation. We would be glad to be able give a +diurnal record of his modes of deportment, and getting along. Unhappily, +the records are few and meagre. It will be obvious, that the necessity +for a more profound dissimulation of contentment, cheerfulness, and a +feeling of loving his home, was stronger than ever. It was a semblance +that must be daily and hourly sustained. He would never have acquitted +himself successfully, but for a wonderful versatility, which enabled him +to enter into the spirit of whatever parts he was called upon to +sustain; and a real love for the hunting and pursuits of the Indians, +which rendered what was at first assumed, with a little practice, and +the influence of habit, easy and natural. He soon became in semblance so +thoroughly one of them, and was able in all those points of practice +which give them reputation, to conduct himself with so much skill and +adroitness, that he gained the entire confidence of the family into +which he was adopted, and become as dear to his mother of adoption as +her own son. + +Trials of Indian strength and skill are among their most common +amusements. Boone was soon challenged to competition in these trials. In +these rencounters of loud laughter and boisterous merriment, where all +that was done seemed to pass into oblivion as fast as it transpired, +Boone had too much tact and keen observation not to perceive that +jealousy, envy, and the origin of hatred often lay hid under the +apparent recklessness of indifference. He was not sorry that some of the +Indians could really beat him in the race, though extremely light of +foot; and that in the game of ball, at which they had been practised all +their lives, he was decidedly inferior. But there was another +sport--that of shooting at a mark--a new custom to the Indians but +recently habituated to the use of fire arms; a practice which they had +learned from the whites, and they were excessively jealous of reputation +of great skill in this exercise, so important in hunting and war. Boone +was challenged to shoot with them at a mark. It placed him in a most +perplexing dilemma. If he shot his best, he could easily and far excel +their most practised marksmen. But he was aware, that to display his +superiority would never be forgiven him. On the other hand, to fall far +short of them in an exercise which had been hitherto peculiar to the +whites, would forfeit their respect. In this predicament, he judiciously +allowed himself sometimes to be beaten; and when it became prudent to +put forth all his skill, a well dissembled humility and carelessness +subdued the mortification and envy of the defeated competitor. + +He was often permitted to accompany them in their hunting parties; and +here their habits and his circumstances alike invoked him to do his +best. They applauded his skill and success as a hunter, with no mixture +of envy or ill will. He was particularly fortunate in conciliating the +good will of the Shawnee chief. To attain this result, Boone not only +often presented him with a share of his game, but adopted the more +winning deportment of always affecting to treat his opinions and +counsels with deference. The chief, on his part, often took occasion to +speak of Boone as a most consummate proficient in hunting, and a warrior +of great bravery. Not long after his residence among them, he had +occasion to witness their manner of celebrating their victories, by +being an eye witness to one which commemorated the successful return of +a war party with some scalps. + +Within a day's march of the village, the party dispatched a runner with +the joyful intelligence of their success, achieved without loss. Every +cabin in the village was immediately ordered to be swept perfectly +clean, with the religious intention to banish every source of pollution +that might mar the ceremony. The women, exceedingly fearful of +contributing in any way to this pollution, commenced an inveterate +sweeping, gathering up the collected dirt, and carefully placing it in a +heap behind the door. There it remained until the medicine man, or +priest, who presides over the powow, ordered them to remove it, and at +the same time every savage implement and utensil upon which the women +had laid their hands during the absence of the expedition. + +Next day the party came in sight of the village, painted in alternate +compartments of red and black, their heads enveloped in swan's down, and +the centre of their crown, surmounted with long white feathers. They +advanced, singing their war song, and bearing the scalps on a verdant +branch of evergreen. + +Arrived at the village, the chief who had led the party advanced before +his warriors to his winter cabin, encircling it in an order of march +contrary to the course of the sun, singing the war song after a +particular mode, sometimes on the ten or and sometimes on the bass key, +sometimes in high and shrill, and sometimes in deep and guttural notes. +The _waiter_, or servant of the leader, called _Etissu_, placed a couple +of blocks of wood near the war-pole, opposite the door of a circular +cabin, called the _hot-house_, in the centre of which was the council +fire. On these blocks he rested a kind of ark, deemed among their most +sacred things. While this was transacting the party were profoundly +silent. The chief bade all set down, and then inquired whether his cabin +was prepared and every thing unpolluted, according to the custom of +their fathers? After the answer, they rose up in concert and began the +war-whoop, walking slowly round the war-pole as they sung. All the +consecrated things were then carried, with no small show of solemnity, +into the hot-house. Here they remained three whole days and nights, in +separation from the rest of the people, applying warm ablutions to +their bodies, and sprinkling themselves with a decoction of snake root. +During a part of the time, the female relations of each of the +consecrated company, after having bathed, anointed, and drest themselves +in their finest apparel, stood, in two lines opposite the door, and +facing each other. This observance they kept up through the night, +uttering a peculiar, monotonous song, in a shrill voice for a minute; +then intermitting it about ten minutes, and resuming it again. When not +singing their silence was profound. + +The chief, meanwhile, at intervals of about three hours, came out at the +head of his company, raised the war-whoop, and marched round the red +war-pole, holding in his right hand the pine or cedar boughs, on which +the scalps were attached, waving them backward and forward, and then +returned again. To these ceremonies they conformed without the slightest +interruption, during the whole three days' purification. To proceed with +the whole details of the ceremony to its close, would be tedious. We +close it, only adding, that a small twig of the evergreen was fixed upon +the roof of each one of their cabins, with a fragment of the scalps +attached to it, and this, as it appeared, to appease the ghosts of their +dead. When Boone asked them the meaning of all these long and tedious +ceremonies, they answered him by a word which literally imports "holy." +The leader and his waiter kept apart and continued the purification +three days longer, and the ceremony closed. + +He observed, that when their war-parties returned from an expedition, +and had arrived near their village, they followed their file leader, in +what is called _Indian file_, one by one, each a few yards behind the +other, to give the procession an appearance of greater length and +dignity. If the expedition had been unsuccessful, and they had lost any +of their warriors, they returned without ceremony and in noiseless +sadness. But if they had been successful, they fired their guns in +platoons, yelling, whooping, and insulting their prisoners, if they had +made any. Near their town was a large square area, with a war-pole in +the centre, expressly prepared for such purposes. To this they fasten +their prisoners. They then advance to the house of their leader, +remaining without, and standing round his red war-pole, until they +determine concerning the fate of their prisoner. If any prisoner should +be fortunate enough to break from his pinions, and escape into the house +of the chief medicine man, or conductor of the powow, it is an +inviolable asylum, and by immemorial usage, the refugee is saved from +the fire. + +Captives far advanced in life, or such as had been known to have shed +the blood of their tribe, were sure to atone for their decrepitude, or +past activity in shedding blood, by being burnt to death. They readily +know those Indians who have killed many, by the blue marks on their +breasts and arms, which indicate the number they have slain. These +hieroglyphics are to them as significant as our alphabetical characters. +The ink with which these characters are impressed, is a sort of +lampblack, prepared from the soot of burning pine, which they catch by +causing it to pass through a sort of greased funnel. Having prepared +this lampblack, they tattoo it into the skin, by punctures made with +thorns or the teeth of fish. The young prisoners, if they seem capable +of activity and service, and if they preserve an intrepid and unmoved +countenance, are generally spared, unless condemned to death by the +party, while undergoing the purification specified above. As soon as +their case is so decided, they are tied to the stake, one at a time. A +pair of bear-skin moccasins, with the hair outwards, are put on their +feet. They are stripped naked to the loins, and are pinioned firmly to +the stake. + +Their subsequent punishment, in addition to the suffering of slow fire, +is left to the women. Such are the influences of their training, that +although the female nature, in all races of men, is generally found to +be more susceptible of pity than the male, in this case they appear to +surpass the men in the fury of their merciless rage, and the industrious +ingenuity of their torments. Each is prepared with a bundle of long, +dry, reed cane, or other poles, to which are attached splinters of +burning pine. As the victim is led to the stake, the women and children +begin their sufferings by beating them with switches and clubs; and as +they reel and recoil from the blows, these fiendish imps show their +gratification by unremitting peals of laughter; too happy, if their +tortures ended here, or if the merciful tomahawk brought them to an +immediate close. + +The signal for a more terrible infliction being given--the arms of the +victim are pinioned, and he is disengaged from the pole, and a grapevine +passed round his neck, allowing him a circle of about fifteen yards in +circumference, in which he can he made to march round his pole. They +knead tough clay on his head to secure the cranium from the effects of +the blaze, that it may not inflict immediate death. Under the excitement +of ineffable and horrid joy, they whip him round the circle, that he may +expose each part of his body to the flame, while the other part is +fanned by the cool air, that he may thus undergo the literal operation +of slow roasting. During this abhorrent process, the children fill the +circle in convulsions of laughter; and the women begin to thrust their +burning torches into his body, lacerating the quick of the flesh, that +the flame may inflict more exquisite anguish. The warrior, in these +cases; goaded to fury, sweeps round the extent of his circle, kicking, +biting, and stamping with inconceivable fury. The throng of women and +children laugh, and fly from the circle, and fresh tormentors fill it +again. At other times the humor takes him to show them, that he can bear +all this, without a grimace, a spasm, or indication of suffering. In +this case, as we have seen, he smokes, derides, menaces, sings, and +shows his contempt, by calling them by the most reproachful of all +epithets--_old women_. When he falls insensible, they scalp and +dismember him, and the remainder of his body is consumed. + +We have omitted many of these revolting details, many of the atrocious +features of this spectacle, as witnessed by Boone. While we read with +indignation and horror, let us not forget that savages have not alone +inflicted these detestable cruelties. Let us not forget that the +professed followers of Jesus Christ have given examples of a barbarity +equally unrelenting and horrible, in the form of religious persecution, +and avowedly to glorify God. + +During Boone's captivity among the Shawnese, they took prisoner a noted +warrior of a western tribe, with which they were then at war. He was +condemned to the stake with the usual solemnities. Having endured the +preliminary tortures with the most fearless unconcern, he told them, +when preparing to commence a new series, with a countenance of scorn, he +could teach them how to make an enemy eat fire to some purpose; and +begged that they would give him an opportunity, together with a pipe and +tobacco. In respectful astonishment, at an unwonted demonstration of +invincible endurance, they granted his request. He lighted his pipe, +began to smoke, and sat down, all naked as he was, upon the burning +torches, which were blazing within his circle. Every muscle of his +countenance retained its composure. On viewing this, a noted warrior +sprang up, exclaiming, that this was a true warrior; that though his +nation was treacherous, and he had caused them many deaths, yet such was +their respect for true courage, that if the fire had not already spoiled +him, he should be spared. That being now impossible, he promised him the +merciful release of the tomahawk. He then held the terrible instrument +suspended some moments over his head, during all which time he was +seen neither to change his posture, move a muscle, or his countenance to +blench. The tomahawk fell, and the impassable warrior ceased to suffer. + +[Illustration] + +We shall close these details of the Shawnese customs, at the time when +Boone was prisoner among them, by giving his account of their ceremonies +at making peace. The chief warriors, who arrange the conditions of the +peace and subsequent friendship, first mutually eat and smoke together. +They then pledge each other in the sacred drink called _Cussena_. The +Shawnese then wave large fans of eagles' tails, and conclude with a +dance. The stranger warriors, who have come to receive the peace, select +half a dozen of their most active young men, surmounting their crowns +with swan's feathers, and painting their bodies with white clay. They +then place their file leader on the consecrated seat of what imports in +their language, the "beloved cabin." Afterwards they commence singing +the peace song, with an air of great solemnity. They begin to dance, +first in a prone or bowing posture. They then raise themselves erect, +look upwards, and wave their eagles' tails towards the sky, first with a +slow, and then with a quick and jerky motion. At the same time, they +strike their breast with a calabash fastened to a stick about a foot in +length, which they hold in their left hand, while they wave the eagles' +feathers with the right, and keep time by rattling pebbles in a gourd. +These ceremonies of peace-making they consider among their most solemn +duties; and to be perfectly accomplished in all the notes and gestures +is an indispensable acquirement to a thorough trained warrior. + +Boone has related, at different times, many oral details of his private +and domestic life, and his modes of getting along in the family, of +which he was considered a member. He was perfectly trained to their +ways, could prepare their food, and perform any of their common domestic +operations with the best of them. He often accompanied them in their +hunting excursions, wandering with them over the extent of forest +between Chillicothe and lake Erie. These conversations presented curious +and most vivid pictures of their interior modes; their tasks of diurnal +labor and supply; their long and severe fasts; their gluttonous +indulgence, when they had food; and their reckless generosity and +hospitality, when they had any thing to bestow to travelling visitants. + +To become, during this tedious captivity, perfectly acquainted with +their most interior domestic and diurnal manners, was not without +interest for a mind constituted like his. To make himself master of +their language, and to become familiarly acquainted with their customs, +he considered acquisitions of the highest utility in the future +operations, in which, notwithstanding his present duress, he hoped yet +to be beneficial to his beloved settlement of Kentucky. + +Although the indulgence with which he was treated in the family, in +which he was adopted, and these acquisitions, uniting interest with +utility, tended to beguile the time of his captivity, it cannot be +doubted, that his sleeping and waking thoughts were incessantly occupied +with the chances of making his escape. An expedition was in +contemplation, by the tribe, to the salt licks on the Scioto, to make +salt. Boone dissembled indifference whether they took him with them, or +left him behind, with so much success, that, to his extreme joy, they +determined that he should accompany them. The expedition started on the +first day of June, 1778, and was occupied ten days in making salt. + +During this expedition, he was frequently sent out to hunt, to furnish +provisions for the party; but always under such circumstances, that, +much as he had hoped to escape on this expedition, no opportunity +occurred, which he thought it prudent to embrace. He returned with the +party to Chillicothe, having derived only one advantage from the +journey, that of furnishing, by his making no attempt to escape, and by +his apparently cheerful return, new motives to convince the Indians, +that he was thoroughly domesticated among them, and had voluntarily +renounced his own race; a persuasion, which, by taking as much apparent +interest as any of them, in all their diurnal movements and plans, he +constantly labored to establish. + +Soon after his return he attended a warrior-council, at which, in virtue +of being a member of one of the principal families, he had a right of +usage and prescription, to be present. It was composed of a hundred and +fifty of their bravest men, all painted and armed for an expedition, +which he found was intended against Boonesborough. It instantly +occurred to him, as a most fortunate circumstance, that he had not +escaped on the expedition to Scioto. Higher and more imperious motives, +than merely personal considerations, now determined him at every risk to +make the effort to escape, and prepare, if he might reach it, the +station for a vigorous defence, by forewarning it of what was in +preparation among the Indians. + +The religious ceremonies of the council and preparation for the +expedition were as follow. One of the principal war chiefs announced the +intention of a party to commence an expedition against Boonesborough. +This he did by beating their drum, and marching with their war standard +three times round the council-house. On this the council dissolved, and +a sufficient number of warriors supplied themselves with arms, and a +quantity of parched corn flour, as a supply of food for the expedition. +All who had volunteered to join in it, then adjourned to their "winter +house," and drank the war-drink, a decoction of bitter herbs and roots, +for three days--preserving in other respects an almost unbroken fast. +This is considered to be an act tending to propitiate the Great Spirit +to prosper their expedition. During this period of purifying themselves, +they were not allowed to sit down, or even lean upon a tree, however +fatigued, until after sun-set. If a bear or deer even passed in sight, +custom forbade them from killing it for refreshment. The more rigidly +punctual they are in the observance of these rights, the more +confidently they expect success. + +While the young warriors were under this probation, the aged ones, +experienced in the usages of their ancestors, watched them most narrowly +to see that, from irreligion, or hunger, or recklessness, they did not +violate any of the transmitted religious rites, and thus bring the wrath +of the Great Spirit upon the expedition. Boone himself, as a person +naturally under suspicion of having a swerving of inclination towards +the station to be assailed, was obliged to observe the fast with the +most rigorous exactness. During the three days' process of purification, +he was not once allowed to go out of the medicine or sanctified ground, +without a trusty guard, lest hunger or indifference to their laws should +tempt him to violate them. + +When the fast and purification was complete, they were compelled to set +forth, prepared or unprepared, be the weather fair or foul. Accordingly, +when the time arrived, they fired their guns, whooped, and danced, and +sung--and continued firing their guns before them on the commencement of +their route. The leading war-chief marched first, carrying their +medicine bag, or budget of holy things. The rest followed in Indian +file, at intervals of three or four paces behind each other, now and +then chiming the war-whoop in concert. + +They advanced in this order until they were out of sight and hearing of +the village. As soon as they reached the deep woods, all became as +silent as death. This silence they inculcate, that their ears may be +quick to catch the least portent of danger. + +Every one acquainted with the race, has remarked their intense keenness +of vision. Their eyes, for acuteness, and capability of discerning +distant objects, resemble those of the eagle or the lynx; and their +cat-like tread among the grass and leaves, seems so light as scarcely to +shake off the dew drops. Thus they advance on their expedition rapidly +and in profound silence, unless some one of the party should relate that +he has had an unpropitious dream When this happens, an immediate arrest +is put upon the expedition, and the whole party face about, and return +without any sense of shame or mortification. A whole party is thus often +arrested by a single person; and their return is applauded by the tribe, +as a respectful docility to the divine impulse, as they deem it, from +the Great Spirit. These dreams are universally reverenced, as the +warnings of the guardian spirits of the tribe. There is in that country +a sparrow, of an uncommon species, and not often seen. This bird is +called in the Shawnese dialect by a name importing "kind messenger," +which they deem always a true omen, whenever it appears, of bad news. +They are exceedingly intimidated whenever this bird sings near them; and +were it to perch and sing over their war-camp, the whole party would +instantly disperse in consternation and dismay. + +Every chief has his warrior, Etissu, or waiter, to attend on him and his +party. This confidential personage has charge of every thing that is +eaten or drank during the expedition. He parcels it out by rules of +rigid abstemiousness. Though each warrior carries on his back all his +travelling conveniences, and his food among the rest, yet, however keen +the appetite sharpened by hunger, however burning the thirst, no one +dares relieve his hunger or thirst, until his rations are dispensed to +him by the Etissu. + +Boone had occasion to have all these rites most painfully impressed on +his memory; for he was obliged to conform to them with the rest. One +single thought occupied his mind--to seize the right occasion to escape. + +It was sometime before it offered. At length a deer came in sight. He +had a portion of his unfinished breakfast in his hand. He expressed a +desire to pursue the deer. The party consented. As soon as he was out of +sight, he instantly turned his course towards Boonesborough. Aware that +he should be pursued by enemies as keen on the scent as bloodhounds, he +put forth his whole amount of backwoods skill, in doubling in his track, +walking in the water, and availing himself of every imaginable expedient +to throw them off his trail. His unfinished fragment of his breakfast +was his only food, except roots and berries, during this escape for his +life, through unknown forests and pathless swamps, and across numerous +rivers, spreading in an extent of more than two hundred miles. Every +forest sound must have struck his ear, as a harbinger of the approaching +Indians. + +No spirit but such an one as his, could have sustained the apprehension +and fatigue. No mind but one guided by the intuition of instinctive +sagacity, could have so enabled him to conceal his trail, and find his +way. But he evaded their pursuit. He discovered his way. He found in +roots, in barks, and berries, together with what a single shot of his +rifle afforded, wherewith to sustain the cravings of nature. Travelling +night and day, in an incredible short space of time he was in the arms +of his friends at Boonesborough, experiencing a reception, after such a +long and hopeless absence, as words would in vain attempt to portray. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +Six hundred Indians attack Boonesborough--Boone and Captain Smith go out +to treat with the enemy under a flag of truce, and are extricated from a +treacherous attempt to detain them as prisoners--Defence of the +fort--The Indians defeated--Boone goes to North Carolina to bring bark +his family. + + +It will naturally be supposed that foes less wary and intelligent, than +those from whom Boone had escaped, after they had abandoned the hope of +recapturing him, would calculate to find Boonesborough in readiness for +their reception. + +Boonesborough, though the most populous and important station in +Kentucky, had been left by the abstraction of so many of the select +inhabitants in the captivity of the Blue Licks, by the absence of +Colonel Clarke in Illinois, and by the actual decay of the pickets, +almost defenceless. Not long before the return of Boone, this important +post had been put under the care of Major Smith, an active and +intelligent officer. He repaired thither, and put the station, with +great labor and fatigue, in a competent state of defence. Learning from +the return of some of the prisoners, captured at the Blue Licks, the +great blow which the Shawnese meditated against this station, he deemed +it advisable to anticipate their movements, and to fit out an expedition +to meet them on their own ground.--Leaving twenty young men to defend +the place, he marched with thirty chosen men towards the Shawnese +towns. + +At the Blue Licks, a place of evil omen to Kentucky, eleven of the men, +anxious for the safety of the families they had left behind and deeming +their force too small for the object contemplated, abandoned the +enterprise and retreated to the fort. The remaining nineteen, not +discouraged by the desertion of their companions, heroically persevered. +They crossed the Ohio to the present site of Cincinnati, on rafts. They +then painted their faces, and in other respects assumed the guise and +garb of savages, and marched upon the Indian towns. + +When arrived within twenty miles of these towns they met the force with +which Boone had set out. Discouraged by his escape, the original party +had returned, had been rejoined by a considerable reinforcement, the +whole amounting to two hundred and fifty men on horse-back, and were +again on their march against Boonesborough. Fortunately, Major Smith and +his small party discovered this formidable body before they were +themselves observed. But instead of endeavoring to make good their +retreat from an enemy so superior in numbers, and mounted upon horses, +they fired upon them and killed two of their number. An assault so +unexpected alarmed the Indians; and without any effort to ascertain the +number of their assailants, they commenced a precipitate retreat. If +these rash adventurers had stopped here, they might have escaped +unmolested. But, flushed with this partial success, they rushed upon the +retreating foe, and repeated their fire. The savages, restored to +self-possession, halted in their turn, deliberated a moment, and turned +upon the assailants. Major Smith, perceiving the imprudence of having +thus put the enemy at bay, and the certainty of the destruction of his +little force, if the Indians should perceive its weakness, ordered a +retreat in time; and being considerably in advance of the foe, succeeded +in effecting it without loss. By a rapid march during the night, in the +course of the next morning they reached Boonesborough in safety. + +Scarcely an hour after the last of their number had entered the fort, a +body of six hundred Indians, in three divisions of two hundred each, +appeared with standards and much show of warlike array, and took their +station opposite the fort. The whole was commanded by a Frenchman named +Duquesne. They immediately sent a flag requesting the surrender of the +place, in the name of the king of Great Britain. A council was held, and +contrary to the opinion of Major Smith, it was decided to pay no +attention to the proposal. They repeated their flag of truce, stating +that they had letters from the commander at Detroit to Colonel Boone. On +this, it was resolved that Colonel Boone and Major Smith should venture +out, and hear what they had to propose. + +Fifty yards from the fort three chiefs met them with great parade, and +conducted them to the spot designated for their reception, and spread a +panther's skin for their seat, while two other Indians held branches +over their heads to protect them from the fervor of the sun. The chiefs +then commenced an address five minutes in length, abounding in friendly +assurances, and the avowal of kind sentiments. A part of the advanced +warriors grounded their arms, and came forward to shake hands with them. + +The letter from Governor Hamilton of Detroit was then produced, and +read. It proposed the most favorable terms of surrender, provided the +garrison would repair to Detroit. Major Smith assured them that the +proposition seemed a kind one; but that it was impossible, in their +circumstances, to remove their women and children to Detroit. The reply +was that this difficulty should be removed, for that they had brought +forty horses with them, expressly prepared for such a contingency. + +In a long and apparently amicable interview, during which the Indians +smoked with them, and vaunted their abstinence in not having killed the +swine and cattle of the settlement, Boone and Smith arose to return to +the fort, and make known these proposals, and to deliberate upon their +decision. Twenty Indians accompanied their return as far as the limits +stipulated between the parties allowed. The negotiators having returned, +and satisfied the garrison that the Indians had no cannon, advised to +listen to no terms, but to defend the fort to the last extremity. The +inmates of the station resolved to follow this counsel. + +In a short time the Indians sent in another flag, with a view, as they +stated, to ascertain the result of the deliberations of the fort. Word +was sent them, that if they wished to settle a treaty, a place of +conference must be assigned intermediate between their camp and the +fort. The Indians consented to this stipulation, and deputed thirty +chiefs to arrange the articles, though such appeared to be their +distrust, that they could not be induced to come nearer than eighty +yards from the fort. Smith and Boone with four others were deputed to +confer with them. After a close conference of two days, an arrangement +was agreed upon, which contained a stipulation, that neither party +should cross the Ohio, until after the terms had been decided upon by +the respective authorities on either side. The wary heads of this +negotiation considered these terms of the Indians as mere lures to +beguile confidence. + +When the treaty was at last ready for signature, an aged chief, who had +seemed to regulate all the proceedings, remarked that he must first go +to his people, and that he would immediately return, and sign the +instrument. He was observed to step aside in conference with some young +warriors. On his return the negotiators from the garrison asked the +chief why he had brought young men in place of those who had just been +assisting at the council? His answer was prompt and ingenious. It was, +that he wished to gratify his young warriors, who desired to become +acquainted with the ways of the whites. It was then proposed, according +to the custom of both races, that the parties should shake hands. As the +two chief negotiators, Smith and Boone, arose to depart, they were both +seized from behind. + +Suspicious of treachery, they had posted twenty-five men in a bastion, +with orders to fire upon the council, as soon as they should see any +marks of treachery or violence. The instant the negotiators were seized, +the whole besieging force fired upon them, and the fire was as promptly +returned by the men in the bastion. The powerful savages who had grasped +Boone and Smith, attempted to drag them off as prisoners. The one who +held Smith was compelled to release his grasp by being shot dead. +Colonel Boone was slightly wounded. A second tomahawk, by which his +skull would have been cleft asunder, he evaded, and it partially fell on +Major Smith; but being in a measure spent, it did not inflict a +dangerous wound. The negotiators escaped to the fort without receiving +any other injury. The almost providential escape of Boone and Smith can +only be accounted for by the confusion into which the Indians were +thrown, as soon as these men were seized, and by the prompt fire of the +men concealed in the bastion. Added to this, the two Indians who seized +them were both shot dead, by marksmen who knew how to kill the Indians, +and at the same time spare the whites, in whose grasp they were held. + +The firing on both sides now commenced in earnest, and was kept up +without intermission from morning dawn until dark. The garrison, at once +exasperated and cheered by the meditated treachery of the negotiation +and its result, derided the furious Indians, and thanked them for the +stratagem of the negotiation, which had given them time to prepare the +fort for their reception. Goaded to desperation by these taunts, and by +Duquesne, who harangued them to the onset, they often rushed up to the +fort, as if they purposed to storm it. Dropping dead under the cool and +deliberate aim of the besieged, the remainder of the forlorn hope, +raising a yell of fury and despair, fell back. Other infuriated bands +took their place; and these scenes were often repeated, invariably with +the same success, until both parties were incapable of taking aim on +account of the darkness. + +They then procured a quantity of combustible matter, set fire to it, and +approached under covert of the darkness, so near the palisades as to +throw the burning materials into the fort. But the inmates had availed +themselves of the two days' consultation, granted them by the +treacherous foe, to procure an ample supply of water; and they had the +means of extinguishing the burning faggots as they fell. + +Finding their efforts to fire the fort ineffectual, they returned again +to their arms, and continued to fire upon the station for some days. +Taught a lesson of prudence, however, by what had already befallen them, +they kept at such a cautious distance, as that their fire took little +effect. A project to gain the place, more wisely conceived, and +promising better success, was happily discovered by Colonel Boone. The +walls of the fort were distant sixty yards from the Kentucky river. The +bosom of the current was easily discernible by the people within. Boone +discovered in the morning that the stream near the shore was extremely +turbid. He immediately divined the cause. + +The Indians had commenced a trench at the water level of the river +bank, mining upwards towards the station, and intending to reach the +interior by a passage under the wall. He took measures to render their +project ineffectual, by ordering a trench to be cut inside the fort, +across the line of their subterraneous passage. They were probably +apprised of the countermine that was digging within, by the quantity of +earth thrown over the wall. But, stimulated by the encouragement of +their French engineer, they continued to advance their mine towards the +wall, until, from the friability of the soil through which it passed, it +fell in, and all their labor was lost. With a perseverance that in a +good cause would have done them honor, in no wise discouraged by this +failure to intermit their exertions, they returned again to their fire +arms, and kept up a furious and incessant firing for some days, but +producing no more impression upon the station than before. + +During the siege, which lasted eight days, they proposed frequent +parleys, requesting the surrender of the place, and professing to treat +the garrison with the utmost kindness. They were answered, that they +must deem the garrison to be still more brutally fools than themselves, +to expect that they would place any confidence in the proposals of +wretches who had already manifested such base and stupid treachery. They +were bidden to fire on, for that their waste of powder and lead gave the +garrison little uneasiness, and were assured that they could not hope +the surrender of the place, while there was a man left within it. On the +morning of the ninth day from the commencement of the siege, after +having, as usual, wreaked their disappointed fury upon the cattle and +swine, they decamped, and commenced a retreat. + +No Indian expedition against the whites had been known to have had such +a disastrous issue for them. During the siege, their loss was estimated +by the garrison at two hundred killed, beside a great number wounded. +The garrison, on the contrary, protected by the palisades, behind which +they could fire in safety, and deliberately prostrate every foe that +exposed himself near enough to become a mark, lost but two killed, and +had six wounded. + +After the siege, the people of the fort, to whom lead was a great +object, began to collect the balls that the Indians had fired upon them. +They gathered in the logs of the fort, beside those that had fallen to +the ground, a hundred and twenty-five pounds. The failure of this +desperate attempt, with such a powerful force, seems to have discouraged +the Indians and their Canadian allies from making any further effort +against Boonesborough. In the autumn of this season, Colonel Boone +returned to North Carolina to visit his wife and family. + +When he was taken at the Blue Licks, with his associates, who had +returned, while he was left behind in a long captivity, during which no +more news of him transpired than as if he were actually among the dead, +the people of the garrison naturally concluded that he had been killed. +His wife and family numbered him as among the dead; and often had they +shuddered on the bare recurrence of some one to the probability of the +tortures he had undergone. Deeply attached to him, and inconsolable, +they could no longer endure a residence which so painfully reminded them +of their loss. As soon as they had settled their minds to the conviction +that their head would return to them no more, they resolved to leave +these forests that had been so fatal to them, and return to the banks of +the Yadkin, where were all their surviving connections. A family so +respectable and dear to the settlement would not be likely to leave +without having to overcome many tender and pressing solicitations to +remain, and many promises that if they would, their temporal wants +should be provided for. + +To all this Mrs. Boone could only object, that Kentucky had indeed been +to her, as its name imported, a dark and _Bloody Ground_. She had lost +her eldest son by the savage fire before they had reached the country. +Her daughter had been made a captive, and had experienced a forbearance +from the Indians to her inexplicable. She would have been carried away +to the savage towns, and there would have been forcibly married to some +warrior, but for the perilous attempt, and improbable success of her +father in recapturing her. Now the father himself, her affectionate +husband, and the heroic defender of the family, had fallen a sacrifice, +probably in the endurance of tortures on which the imagination dared not +to dwell. Under the influence of griefs like these, next to the +unfailing resource of religion, the heart naturally turns to the +sympathy and society of those bound to it by the ties of nature and +affinity. They returned to their friends in North Carolina. + +It was nearly five years since this now desolate family had started in +company with the first emigrating party of families, in high hopes and +spirits, for Kentucky. We have narrated their disastrous rencounter with +the Indians in Powell's valley, and their desponding return to Clinch +river. We have seen their subsequent return to Boonesborough, on +Kentucky river. Tidings of the party thus far had reached the relatives +of Mrs. Boone's family in North Carolina; but no news from the country +west of the Alleghanies had subsequently reached them. All was uncertain +conjecture, whether they still lived, or had perished by famine, wild +beasts, or the Indians. + +At the close of the summer of 1778, the settlement on the Yadkin saw a +company on pack horses approaching in the direction from the western +wilderness. They had often seen parties of emigrants departing in that +direction, but it was a novel spectacle to see one return from that +quarter. At the head of that company was a blooming youth, scarcely yet +arrived at the age of manhood. It was the eldest surviving son of Daniel +Boone. Next behind him was a matronly woman, in weeds, and with a +countenance of deep dejection. It was Mrs. Boone. Still behind was the +daughter who had been a captive with the Indians. The remaining children +were too young to feel deeply. The whole group was respectable in +appearance, though clad in skins, and the primitive habiliments of the +wilderness. It might almost have been mistaken for a funeral +procession. It stopped at the house of Mr. Bryan, the father of Mrs. +Boone. + +The people of the settlement were not long in collecting to hear news +from the west, and learn the fate of their former favorite, Boone, and +his family. As Mrs. Boone, in simple and backwood's phrase, related the +thrilling story of their adventures, which needed no trick of venal +eloquence to convey it to the heart, an abundant tribute of tears from +the hearers convinced the bereaved narrator that true sympathy is +natural to the human heart. As they shuddered at the dark character of +many of the incidents related, it was an hour of triumph, +notwithstanding their pity, for those wiser ones, who took care, in an +under tone, to whisper that it might be remembered that they had +predicted all that had happened. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +A sketch of the character and adventures of several other +pioneers--Harrod, Kenton, Logan, Ray, McAffee, and others. + + +Colonel Boone having seen the formidable invasion of Boonesborough +successfully repelled, and with such a loss as would not be likely to +tempt the Indians to repeat such assaults--and having thus disengaged +his mind from public duties, resigned it to the influence of domestic +sympathies. The affectionate husband and father, concealing the +tenderest heart under a sun-burnt and care-worn visage, was soon seen +crossing the Alleghanies in pursuit of his wife and children. The bright +star of his morning promise had been long under eclipse; for this +journey was one of continued difficulties, vexations, and dangers--so +like many of his sufferings already recounted, that we pass them by, +fearing the effect of incidents of so much monotony upon the reader's +patience. The frame and spirit of the western adventurer were of iron. +He surmounted all, and was once more in the bosom of his family on the +Yadkin, who, in the language of the Bible, hailed him as one _who had +been dead and was alive again; who had been lost and was found_. + +Many incidents of moment and interest in the early annals of Kentucky +occurred during this reunion of Boone with his family. As his name is +forever identified with these annals, we hope it will not be deemed +altogether an episode if we introduce here a brief chronicle of those +incidents--though not directly associated with the subject of our +memoir. In presenting those incidents, we shall be naturally led to +speak of some of the other patriarchs of Kentucky--all Boones in their +way--all strangely endowed with that peculiar character which fitted +them for the time, place, and achievements. We thus discover the +foresight of Providence in the arrangement of means to ends. This is no +where seen more conspicuously than in the characters of the founders of +states and institutions. + +During the absence of Colonel Boone, there was a general disposition in +Kentucky to retaliate upon the Shawnese some of the injuries and losses +which they had so often inflicted upon the infant settlement. Colonel +Bowman, with a force of a hundred and sixty men, was selected to command +the expedition; and it was destined against Old Chillicothe--the den +where the red northern savages had so long concentrated their +expeditions against the settlements south of the Ohio. + +The force marched in the month of July, 1779, and reached its +destination undiscovered by the Indians. A contest commenced with the +Indians at early dawn, which lasted until ten in the morning. But, +although Colonel Bowman's force sustained itself with great gallantry, +the numbers and concealment of the enemy precluded the chance of a +victory. He retreated, with an inconsiderable loss, a distance of thirty +miles. The Indians, collecting all their forces, pursued and overtook +him. Another engagement of two hours ensued, more to the disadvantage +of the Kentuckians than the former. Colonel Harrod proposed to mount a +number of horse, and make a charge upon the Indians, who continued the +fight with great fury. This apparently desperate measure was followed by +the happiest results. The Indian front was broken, and their force +thrown into irreparable confusion. Colonel Bowman, having sustained a +loss of nine killed and one wounded, afterwards continued an unmolested +retreat. + +In June of the next year, 1780, six hundred Indians and Canadians, +commanded by Colonel Bird, a British officer, attacked Riddle's and +Martin's stations, at the forks of the Licking, with six pieces of +cannon. They conducted this expedition with so much secrecy, that the +first intimation of it which the unsuspecting inhabitants had, was being +fired upon. Unprepared to resist so formidable a force, provided +moreover with cannon, against which their palisade walls would not +stand, they were obliged to surrender at discretion. The savages +immediately prostrated one man and two women with the tomahawk. All the +other prisoners, many of whom were sick, were loaded with baggage and +forced to accompany their return march to the Indian towns. Whoever, +whether male or female, infant or aged, became unable, from sickness or +exhaustion, to proceed, was immediately dispatched with the tomahawk. + +The inhabitants, exasperated by the recital of cruelties to the children +and women, too horrible to be named, put themselves under the standard +of the intrepid and successful General Clarke, who commanded a regiment +of United States' troops at the falls of Ohio. He was joined by a number +of volunteers from the country, and they marched against Pickaway, one +of the principal towns of the Shawnese, on the Great Miami. He conducted +this expedition with his accustomed good fortune. He burnt their town to +ashes. Beside the dead, which, according to their custom, the Indians +carried off, seventeen bodies were left behind. The loss of General +Clarke was seventeen killed. + +We here present brief outlines of some of the other more prominent +western pioneers, the kindred spirits, the Boones of Kentucky. High +spirited intelligent, intrepid as they were, they can never supplant the +reckless hero of Kentucky and Missouri in our thoughts. It is true, +these men deserve to have their memories perpetuated in monumental +brass, and the more enduring page of history. But there is a sad +interest attached to the memory of Daniel Boone, which can never belong, +in an equal degree, to theirs. They foresaw what this beautiful country +would become in the hands of its new possessors. Extending their +thoughts beyond the ken of a hunter's calculations, they anticipated the +consequences of buts and bounds, officers of registry and record, and +courts of justice. In due time, they secured a fair and adequate +reversion in the soil which they had planted and so nobly defended. +Hence, their posterity, with the inheritance of their name and renown, +enter into the heritage of their possessions, and find an honorable and +an abundant residence in the country which their fathers settled. +Boone, on the contrary, was too simple-minded, too little given to +prospective calculations, and his heart in too much what was passing +under his eye, to make this thrifty forecast. In age, in penury, +landless, and without a home, he is seen leaving Kentucky, then an +opulent and flourishing country, for a new wilderness and new scenes of +adventure. + +Among the names of the conspicuous backwoodsmen who settled the west, we +cannot fail to recognize that of James Harrod. He was from the banks of +the Monongahela, and among the earliest immigrants to the "Bloody +Ground." He descended the Great Kenhawa, and returned to Pennsylvania in +1774. He made himself conspicuous with a party of his friends at the +famous contest with the Indians at the "Point," Next year he returned to +Kentucky with a party of immigrants, fixing himself at one of the +earliest settlements in the country, which, in honor of him, was called +Harrodsburgh. + +Nature had moulded him of a form and temperament to look the formidable +red man in the face. He was six feet, muscular, broad chested, of a firm +and animated countenance, keen and piercing eyes, and sparing of speech. +He gained himself an imperishable name in the annals of Kentucky, under +the extreme disadvantage of not knowing how to read or write! Obliging +and benevolent to his neighbors, he was brave and active in their +defence. A successful, because a persevering and intelligent hunter, he +was liberal to profuseness in the distribution of the spoils. Vigilant +and unerring with his rifle, it was at one time directed against the +abundant game for the sake of his friends rather than himself; and at +others, against the enemies of his country. Guided by the inexplicable +instinct of forest skill, he could conduct the wanderer in the woods +from point to point through the wilderness, as the needle guides the +mariner upon the ocean. So endowed, others equally illiterate, and less +gifted, naturally, and from instinct, arranged themselves under his +banner, and fearlessly followed such a leader. + +If it was reported, that a family, recently arrived in the country, and +not yet acquainted with the backwood's modes of supply, was in want of +food, Harrod was seen at the cabin door, offering the body of a deer or +buffalo, which he had just killed. The commencing farmer, who had lost +his oxen, or plough horse, in the range, and unused to the vocation of +hunting them, or fearful of the Indian rifle, felt no hesitancy, from +his known character, in applying to Harrod. He would disappear in the +woods, and in the exercise of his own wonderful tact, the lost beast was +soon seen driving to the door. + +But the precincts of a station, or the field of a farm, were too +uncongenial a range for such a spirit as his. To breathe the fresh +forest air--to range deserts where man was not to be seen--to pursue the +wild deer and buffalo--to trap the bear and the wolf, or beside the +still pond, or the unexplored stream, to catch otters and beavers--to +bring down the wild turkey from the summit of the highest trees; such +were the congenial pursuits in which he delighted. + +But, in a higher sphere, and in the service of his country, he united +the instinctive tact and dexterity of a huntsman with the bravery of a +soldier. No labor was too severe for his hardihood; no enterprise too +daring and forlorn for his adventure; no course too intricate and +complicated for his judgment, so far as native talent could guide it. As +a Colonel of the militia, he conducted expeditions against the Indians +with uncommon success. After the country had become populous, and he a +husband and a father, in the midst of an affectionate family, possessed +of every comfort--such was the effect of temperament, operating upon +habit, that he became often silent and thoughtful in the midst of the +social circle, and was seen in that frame to wander away into remote +forests, and to bury himself amidst the unpeopled knobs, where, in a few +weeks, he would reacquire his cheerfulness. In one of these excursions +he disappeared, and was seen no more, leaving no trace to determine +whether he died a natural death, was slain by wild beasts, or the +tomahawk of the savage. + +Among the names of many of the first settlers of Harrodsburgh, are those +that are found most prominent in the early annals of Kentucky. In the +first list of these we find the names of McGary, Harland, McBride, and +Chaplain. Among the young settlers, none were more conspicuous for +active, daring, and meritorious service, than James Ray. Prompt at his +post at the first moment of alarm, brave in the field, fearless and +persevering in the pursuit of the enemy, scarcely a battle, skirmish, or +expedition took place in which he had not a distinguished part. Equally +expert as a woodsman, and skilful and successful as a hunter, he was +often employed as a spy. It is recorded of him that he left his +garrison, when short of provisions, by night marched to a forest at the +distance of six miles, killed a buffalo, and, loaded with the choice +parts of the flesh, returned to regale the hungry inhabitants in the +morning. He achieved this enterprise, too, when it was well known that +the vicinity was thronged with Indians, lurking for an opportunity to +kill. These are the positions which try the daring and skill, the +usefulness and value of men, furnishing a criterion which cannot be +counterfeited between reality and resemblance. + +We may perhaps in this place most properly introduce another of the +famous partisans in savage warfare, Simon Kenton, alias Butler, who, +from humble beginnings, made himself conspicuous by distinguished +services and achievements in the first settlements of this country, and +ought to be recorded as one of the patriarchs of Kentucky. He was born +in Virginia, in 1753. He grew to maturity without being able to read or +write; but from his early exploits he seems to have been endowed with +feelings which the educated and those born in the upper walks of life, +appear to suppose a monopoly reserved for themselves. It is recorded of +him, that at the age of nineteen, he had a violent contest with another +competitor for the favor of the lady of his love. She refused to make an +election between them, and the subject of this notice indignantly exiled +himself from his native place. After various peregrinations on the long +rivers of the west, he fixed himself in Kentucky, and soon became a +distinguished partisan against the savages. In 1774, he joined himself +to Lord Dunmore, and was appointed one of his spies. He made various +excursions, and performed important services in this employ. He finally +selected a place for improvement on the site where Washington now is. +Returning one day from hunting, he found one of his companions slain by +the Indians, and his body thrown into the fire. He left Washington in +consequence, and joined himself to Colonel Clarke in his fortunate and +gallant expedition against Vincennes and Kaskaskia. He was sent by that +commander with despatches for Kentucky. He passed through the streets of +Vincennes, then in possession of the British and Indians, without +discovery. Arriving at White river, he and his party made a raft on +which to cross with their guns and baggage, driving their horses into +the river and compelling them to swim it. A party of Indians was +concealed on the opposite bank, who took possession of the horses as +they mounted the bank from crossing the river. Butler and his party +seeing this, continued to float down the river on their raft without +coming to land. They concealed themselves in the bushes until night, +when they crossed the river, pursued their journey, and delivered their +despatches. + +After this, Butler made a journey of discovery to the northern regions +of the Ohio country, and was made prisoner by the Indians. They painted +him black, as is their custom when a victim is destined for their +torture, and informed him that he was to be burned at Chillicothe. +Meanwhile, for their own amusement, and as a prelude of his torture, +they manacled him hand and foot, and placed him on an unbridled and +unbroken horse, and turned the animal loose, driving it off at its +utmost speed, with shouts, delighted at witnessing its mode of managing +with its living burden. The horse unable to shake off this new and +strange encumbrance, made for the thickest covert of the woods and +brambles, with the speed of the winds. It is easy to conjecture the +position and suffering of the victim. The terrified animal exhausted +itself in fruitless efforts to shake off its burden, and worn down and +subdued, brought Butler back amidst the yells of the exulting savages to +the camp. + +Arrived within a mile of Chillicothe, they halted, took Butler from his +horse and tied him to a stake, where he remained twenty-four hours in +one position. He was taken from the stake to "run the gauntlet." The +Indian mode of managing this kind of torture was as follows: The +inhabitants of the tribe, old and young, were placed in parallel lines, +armed with clubs and switches. The victim was to make his way to the +council house through these files, every member of which struggled to +beat him as he passed as severely as possible. If he reached the council +house alive, he was to be spared. In the lines were nearly six hundred +Indians, and Butler had to make his way almost a mile in the endurance +of this infernal sport. He was started by a blow; but soon broke through +the files, and had almost reached the council house, when a stout +warrior knocked him down with a club. He was severely beaten in this +position, and taken back again into custody. + +It seems incredible that they sometimes adopted their prisoners, and +treated them with the utmost lenity and even kindness. At other times, +ingenuity was exhausted to invent tortures, and every renewed endurance +of the victim seemed to stimulate their vengeance to new discoveries of +cruelty. Butler was one of these ill-fated subjects. No way satisfied +with what they had done, they marched him from village to village to +give all a spectacle of his sufferings. He run the gauntlet thirteen +times. He made various attempts to escape; and in one instance would +have effected it, had he not been arrested by some savages who were +accidentally returning to the village from which he was escaping. It was +finally determined to burn him at the Lower Sandusky, but an apparent +accident changed his destiny. + +In passing to the stake, the procession went by the cabin of Girty, of +whom we have already spoken. This renegado white man lived among these +Indians, and had just returned from an unsuccessful expedition against +the whites on the frontiers of Pennsylvania. The wretch burned with +disappointment and revenge, and hearing that there was a white man going +to the torture, determined to wreak his vengeance on him. He found the +unfortunate Butler, threw him to the ground, and began to beat him. +Butler, who instantly recognized in Girty the quondam companion and +playmate of youth, at once made himself known to him. This sacramental +tie of friendship, on recognition, caused the savage heart of Girty to +relent. He raised him up, and promised to save him. He procured the +assemblage of a council, and persuaded the savages to relinquish Butler +to him. He took the unfortunate man home, fed, and clothed him, and +Butler began to recruit from his wounds and torture. But the relenting +of the savages was only transient and momentary. After five days they +repented of their relaxation in his favor, reclaimed him, and marched +him to Lower Sandusky to be burned there, according to their original +purpose. By a fortunate coincidence, he there met the Indian agent from +Detroit, who, from motives of humanity, exerted his influence with the +savages for his release, and took him with him to Detroit. Here he was +paroled by the Governor. He escaped; and being endowed, like Daniel +Boone, to be at home in the woods, by a march of thirty days through the +wilderness, he reached Kentucky. + +In 1784, Simon Kenton reoccupied the settlement, near Washington, which +he had commenced in 1775. Associated with a number of people, he erected +a block-house, and made a station here. This became an important point +of covering and defence for the interior country. Immigrants felt more +confidence in landing at Limestone. To render this confidence more +complete, Kenton and his associates built a block-house at Limestone. +Two men, of the name of Tanner, had made a small settlement the year +preceding at Blue Lick, and were now making salt there. The route from +Limestone to Lexington became one of the most general travel for +immigrants, and many stations sprang up upon it. Travellers to the +country had hitherto been compelled to sleep under the open canopy, +exposed to the rains and dews of the night. But cabins were now so +common, that they might generally repose under a roof that sheltered +them from the weather, and find a bright fire, plenty of wood, and with +the rustic fare, a most cheerful and cordial welcome. The people of +these new regions were hospitable from native inclination. They were +hospitable from circumstances. None but those who dwell in a wilderness, +where the savages roam and the wolves howl, can understand all the +pleasant associations connected with the sight of a stranger of the same +race. The entertainer felt himself stronger from the presence of his +guest. His offered food and fare were the spoils of the chase. He heard +news from the old settlements and the great World; and he saw in the +accession of every stranger a new guaranty of the security, wealth, and +improvement of the infant country where he had chosen his resting place. + +Among other worthy associates of Boone, we may mention the family of +McAffee. Two brothers, James and Robert, emigrated from the county of +Botetourt, Virginia, and settled on Salt river, six miles from +Harrodsburgh. Having revisited their parent country, on their return +they brought with them William and George McAffee. In 1777, the Indians +destroyed the whole of their valuable stock of cattle, while they were +absent from Kentucky. In 1779 they returned, and settled McAffee's +station, which was subsequently compelled to take its full share in the +sufferings and dangers of Indian hostilities. + +Benjamin Logan immigrated to the country in 1775, as a private citizen. +But he was a man of too much character to remain unnoted. As his +character developed, he was successively appointed a magistrate, elected +a member of the legislature and rose, as a military character, to the +rank of general. His parents were natives of Ireland, who emigrated, +while young, to Pennsylvania, where they married, and soon afterwards +removed to Augusta county, Virginia. + +Benjamin, their oldest son, was born there; and at the age of fourteen, +lost his father. Charged, at this early age, with the care of a widowed +mother, and children still younger than himself, neither the +circumstances of his family, of the country, or his peculiar condition, +allowed him the chances of education. Almost as unlettered as James +Harrod, he was a memorable example of a self-formed man. Great natural +acuteness, and strong intellectual powers, were, however, adorned by a +disposition of uncommon benevolence. Under the eye of an excellent +father, he commenced with the rudiments of common instruction, the +soundest lessons of Christian piety and morality, which were continued +by the guidance and example of an admirable mother, with whom he resided +until he was turned of twenty-one. + +His father had deceased intestate, and, in virtue of the laws then in +force, the whole extensive inheritance of his father's lands descended +to him, to the exclusion of his brothers and sisters. His example ought +to be recorded for the benefit of those grasping children in these days, +who, dead to all natural affection, and every sentiment but avarice, +seize all that the law will grant, whether equity will sanction it or +not. Disregarding this claim of primogeniture, he insisted that the +whole inheritance should be parceled into equal shares, of which he +accepted only his own. But the generous impulses of his noble nature, +were not limited to the domestic circle. His heart was warm with the +more enlarged sentiments of patriotism. At the age of twenty-one, he +accompanied Colonel Beauquette, as a serjeant, in a hostile expedition +against the Indians of the north. Having provided for the comfortable +settlement of his mother and family on James River, Virginia, he moved +to the Holston, where he settled and married. + +Having been in the expedition of Lord Dunmore against the Indians, and +having thus acquired a taste for forest marches and incident, he +determined, in 1775, to try his fortunes in Kentucky, which country had +then just become a theme of discussion. He set forth from his mother's +family with three slaves, leaving the rest to her. In Powell's valley he +met with Boone, Henderson, and other kindred spirits, and pursued his +journey towards Kentucky in company with them. He parted from them, +before they reached Boonesborough, and selected a spot for himself, +afterwards called Logan's fort, or station. + +In the winter of 1776, he removed his family from Holston, and in March, +arrived with it in Kentucky. It was the same year in which the daughter +of Col. Boone, and those of Col. Calloway were made captives. The +whole-country being in a state of alarm, he endeavored to assemble some +of the settlers that were dispersed in the country called the Crab +Orchard, to join him at his cabins, and there form a station of +sufficient strength to defend itself against Indian assault. But finding +them timid and unresolved, he was himself obliged to desert his +incipient settlement, and move for safety to Harrodsburgh. Yet, such was +his determination not to abandon his selected spot, that he raised a +crop of corn there, defenceless and surrounded on all sides by Indian +incursion. + +In the winter of 1777, and previous to the attack of Harrodsburgh, he +found six families ready to share with him the dangers of the selected +spot; and he removed his family with them to his cabins, where the +settlement immediately united in the important duty of palisading a +station. + +Before these arrangements were fully completed as the females of the +establishment, on the twentieth of May, were milking their cows, +sustained by a guard of their husbands and fathers, the whole party was +suddenly assailed by a large body of Indians, concealed in a cane-brake. +One man was killed, and two wounded, one mortally, the other severely. +The remainder reached the interior of the palisades in safety. The +number in all was thirty, half of whom were women and children. A +circumstance was now discovered, exceedingly trying to such a benevolent +spirit as that of Logan. While the Indians were still firing, and the +inmates part exulting in their safety, and the others mourning over +their dead and wounded, it was perceived, that one of the wounded, by +the name of Harrison, was still alive, and exposed every moment to be +scalped by the Indians. All this his wife and family could discern from +within. It is not difficult to imagine their agonizing condition, and +piercing lamentations for the fate of one so dear to them. Logan +discovered, on this occasion, the same keen sensibility to tenderness, +and insensibility to danger, that characterized his friend Boone in +similar predicaments. He endeavored to rally a few of the small number +of the male inmates of the place to join him, and rush out, and assist +in attempting to bring the wounded man within the palisades. But so +obvious was the danger, so forlorn appeared the enterprise, that no one +could be found disposed to volunteer his aid, except a single individual +by the name of John Martin. When they had reached the gate, the wounded +man raised himself partly erect, and made a movement, as if disposed to +try to reach the fort himself. On this, Martin desisted from the +enterprise, and left Logan to attempt it alone. He rushed forward to the +wounded man. He made some efforts to crawl onwards by the aid of Logan; +but weakened by the loss of blood, and the agony of his wounds, he +fainted, and Logan taking him up in his arms, bore him towards the +fort. A shower of bullets was discharged upon them, many of which struck +the palisades close to his head, as he brought the wounded man safe +within the gate, and deposited him in the care of his family. + +The station, at this juncture, was destitute of both powder and ball; +and there was no chance of supply nearer than Holston. All intercourse +between station and station was cut off. Without ammunition the station +could not be defended against the Indians. The question was, how to +obviate this pressing emergency, and obtain a supply? Captain Logan +selected two trusty companions, left the fort by night, evaded the +besieging Indians, reached the woods, and with his companions made his +way in safety to Holston, procured the necessary supply of ammunition, +packed it under their care on horseback, giving them directions how to +proceed. He then left them, and traversing the forests by a shorter +route on foot, he reached the fort in safety, in ten days from his +departure. The Indians still kept up the siege with unabated +perseverance. The hopes of the diminished garrison had given way to +despair. The return of Logan inspired them with renewed confidence. + +Uniting the best attributes of a woodsman and a soldier to uncommon +local acquaintance with the country, his instinctive sagacity prescribed +to him, on this journey, the necessity of deserting the beaten path, +where, he was aware, he should be intercepted by the savages. Avoiding, +from the same calculation, the passage of the Cumberland Gap, he +explored a track in which man, or at least the white man, had never +trodden before. We may add, it has never been trodden since. Through +cane-brakes and tangled thickets, over cliffs and precipices, and +pathless mountains, he made his solitary way. Following his directions +implicitly, his companions, who carried the ammunition, also reached the +fort, and it was saved. + +His rencounters with the Indians, and his hairbreadth escapes make no +inconsiderable figure in the subsequent annals of Kentucky. The year +after the siege of his fort, on a hunting excursion, he discovered an +Indian camp, at Big Flat Spring, two miles from his station. Returning +immediately he raised a party, with which he attacked the camp, from +which the Indians fled with precipitation, without much loss on their +part, and none on his. A short time after he was attacked at the same +place, by another party of Indians. His arm was broken by their fire, +and he was otherwise slightly wounded in the breast. They even seized +the mane of his horse, and he escaped them from their extreme eagerness +to take him alive. + +No sooner were his wounds healed, than we find him in the fore front of +the expedition against the Indians. In 1779, he served as a captain in +Bowman's campaign. He signalized his bravery in the unfortunate battle +that ensued, and was with difficulty compelled to retire, when retreat +became necessary. The next year a party travelling from Harrodsburgh +towards Logan's fort, were fired upon by the Indians, and two of them +mortally wounded One, however, survived to reach the fort, and give an +account of the fate of his wounded companion. Logan immediately raised a +small party of young men, and repaired to the aid of the wounded man, +who had crawled out of sight of the Indians behind a clump of bushes. He +was still alive. Logan took him on his shoulders, occasionally relieved +in sustaining the burden by his younger associates, and in this way +conveyed him to the fort. On their return from Harrodsburgh, Logan's +party were fired upon, and one of the party wounded. The assailants were +repelled with loss; and it was Logan's fortune again to be the bearer of +the wounded man upon his shoulders for a long distance, exposed, the +while, to the fire of the Indians. + +His reputation for bravery and hospitality, and the influence of a long +train of connections, caused him to be the instrument of bringing out +many immigrants to Kentucky. They were of a character to prove an +acquisition to the country. Like his friends, Daniel Boone, and James +Harrod, his house was open to all the recent immigrants. In the early +stages of the settlement of the country, his station, like Boone's and +Harrod's, was one of the main pillars of the colony. Feeling the +importance of this station, as a point of support to the infant +settlements, he took effectual measures to keep up an intercourse with +the other stations, particularly those of Boone and Harrod. Dangerous as +this intercourse was, Logan generally travelled alone, often by night, +and universally with such swiftness of foot, that few could be found +able to keep speed with him. + +In the year 1780, he received his commission as Colonel, and was soon +after a member of the Virginia legislature at Richmond. In the year +1781, the Indians attacked Montgomery's station, consisting of six +families, connected by blood with Colonel Logan. The father and brother +of Mrs. Logan were killed, and her sister-in-law, with four children, +taken prisoners. This disaster occurred about ten miles from Logan's +fort. His first object was to rescue the prisoners, and his next to +chastise the barbarity of the Indians. He immediately collected a party +of his friends, and repaired to the scene of action. He was here joined +by the bereaved relatives of Montgomery's family. He commanded a rapid +pursuit of the enemy, who were soon overtaken, and briskly attacked. +They faced upon their assailants, but were beaten after a severe +conflict. William Montgomery killed three Indians, and wounded a fourth. +Two women and three children were rescued. The savages murdered the +other child to prevent its being re-taken. The other prisoners would +have experienced the same fate, had they not fled for their lives into +the thickets. + +It would be very easy to extend this brief sketch of some of the more +conspicuous pioneers of Kentucky. Their heroic and disinterested +services, their lavish prodigality of their blood and property, gave +them that popularity which is universally felt to be a high and +priceless acquisition. Loved, and trusted, and honored as fathers of +their country; while they lived, they had the persuasion of such +generous minds as theirs, that their names would descend with blessings +to their grateful posterity. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +Boone's brother killed, and Boone himself narrowly escapes from the +Indians--Assault upon Ashton's station--and upon the station near +Shelbyville--Attack upon McAffee's station. + + +We have already spoken of the elder brother of Col. Boone and his second +return to the Yadkin. A fondness for the western valleys seems to have +been as deeply engraven in his affections, as in the heart of his +brother. He subsequently returned once more with his family to Kentucky. +In 1780 we find a younger brother of Daniel Boone resident with him. The +two brothers set out on the sixth of October of that year, to revisit +the blue Licks. It may well strike us as a singular fact, that Colonel +Boone should have felt any disposition to revisit a place that was +connected with so many former disasters. But, as a place convenient for +the manufacture of salt, it was a point of importance to the rapidly +growing settlement. They had manufactured as much salt as they could +pack, and were returning to Boonesborough, when they were overtaken by a +party of Indians. By the first fire Colonel Boone's brother fell dead by +his side. Daniel Boone faced the enemy, and aimed at the foremost +Indian, who appeared to have been the slayer of his brother. That Indian +fell. By this time he discovered a host advancing upon him. Taking the +still loaded rifle of his fallen brother, he prostrated another foe, and +while flying from his enemy found time to reload his rifle. The bullets +of a dozen muskets whistled about his head; but the distance of the foe +rendered them harmless. No scalp would have been of so much value to his +pursuers as that of the well known Daniel Boone; and they pursued him +with the utmost eagerness. His object was so far to outstrip them, as to +be able to conceal his trail, and put them to fault in regard to his +course. He made for a little hill, behind which was a stream of water. +He sprang into the water and waded up its current for some distance, and +then emerged and struck off at right angles to his former course. +Darting onward at the height of his speed, he hoped that he had +distanced them, and thrown them off his trail. To his infinite +mortification, he discovered that his foe, either accidentally, or from +their natural sagacity, had rendered all his caution fruitless, and were +fiercely pursuing him still. His next expedient was that of a swing by +the aid of a grape-vine, which had so well served him on a like occasion +before. He soon found one convenient for the experiment, and availed +himself of it, as before. This hope was also disappointed. His foe still +hung with staunch perseverance on his trail. He now perceived by their +movements, that they were conducted by a dog, that easily ran in zig-zag +directions, when at fault, until it had re-scented his course. The +expedient of Boone was the only one that seemed adequate to save him. +His gun was reloaded. The dog was in advance of the Indians, still +scenting his track. A rifle shot delivered him from his officious +pursuer. He soon reached a point convenient for concealing his trail, +and while the Indians were hunting for it, gained so much upon them as +to be enabled to reach Boonesborough in safety. + +At the close of the autumn of 1780, Kentucky, from being one county, was +divided into three, named Jefferson, Fayette, and Lincoln. William Pope, +Daniel Boone, and Benjamin Logan, were appointed to the important +offices of commanding the militia of their respective counties. + +During this year Col. Clarke descended the Ohio, with a part of his +Virginia regiment, and after entering the Mississippi, at the first +bluff on the eastern bank, he landed and built Fort Jefferson. The +occupation of this fort, for the time, added the Chickasaws to the +number of hostile Indians that the western people had to encounter. It +was soon discovered, that it would be advisable to evacuate it, as a +mean of restoring peace. It was on their acknowleged territory. It had +been erected without their consent. They boasted it, as a proof of their +friendship, that they had never invaded Kentucky; and they indignantly +resented this violation of their territory. The evacuation of the fort +was the terms of a peace which the Chickasaws faithfully observed. + +The winter of 1781, was one of unusual length and distress for the young +settlement of Kentucky. Many of the immigrants arrived after the close +of the hunting season; and beside, were unskilful in the difficult +pursuit of supplying themselves with game. The Indians had destroyed +most of the corn of the preceding summer, and the number of persons to +be supplied had rapidly increased. These circumstances created a +temporary famine, which, added to the severity of the season, inflicted +much severe suffering upon the settlement. Boone and Harrod were abroad, +breasting the keen forest air, and seeking the retreat of the deer and +buffalo, now becoming scarce, as the inhabitants multiplied. These +indefatigable and intrepid men supplied the hungry immigrants with the +flesh of buffaloes and deers; and the hardy settlers, accustomed to +privations, and not to over delicacy in their food, contented themselves +to live entirely on meat, until, in the ensuing autumn, they once more +derived abundance from the fresh and fertile soil. + +In May, 1782, a body of savages assaulted Ashton's station, killed one +man, and took another prisoner. Captain Ashton, with twenty-five men, +pursued and overtook them. An engagement, which lasted two hours, +ensued. But the great superiority of the Indians in number, obliged +Captain Ashton to retreat. The loss of this intrepid party was severe. +Eight were killed, and four mortally wounded--their brave commander +being among the number of the slain. Four children were taken captive +from Major Hoy's station, in August following. Unwarned by the fate of +Captain Ashton's party. Captain Holden, with the inadequate force of +seventeen men, pursued the captors, came up with them, and were defeated +with the loss of four men killed, and one wounded. + +This was one of the most disastrous periods since the settlement of the +country. A number of the more recent and feeble stations, were so +annoyed by savage hostility as to be broken up. The horses were carried +off, and the cattle killed in every direction. Near Lexington, a man at +work in his field, was shot dead by a single Indian, who ran upon his +foe to scalp him, and was himself shot dead from the fort, and fell on +the body of his foe. + +During the severity of winter, the fury of Indian incursion was awhile +suspended, and the stern and scarred hunters had a respite of a few +weeks about their cabin fires. But in March, the hostilities were +renewed, and several marauding parties of Indians entered the country +from north of the Ohio. Col. William Lyn, and Captains Tipton and +Chapman, were killed by small detachments that waylaid them upon the +Beargrass. In pursuit of one of these parties, Captain Aquila White, +with seventeen men trailed the Indians to the Falls of the Ohio. +Supposing that they had crossed, he embarked his men in canoes to follow +them on the other shore. They had just committed themselves to the +stream, when they were fired upon from the shore they had left. Nine of +the party were killed or wounded. Yet, enfeebled as the remainder were, +they relanded, faced the foe, and compelled them to retreat. + +In April following, a station settled by Boone's elder brother, near the +present site where Shelbyville now stands, became alarmed by the +appearance of parties of Indians in its vicinity. The people, in +consternation, unadvisedly resolved to remove to Beargrass. The men +accordingly set out encumbered with women, children, and baggage. In +this defenceless predicament, they were attacked by the Indians near +Long Run. They experienced some loss, and a general dispersion from each +other in the woods. Colonel Floyd, in great haste, raised twenty-five +men, and repaired to the scene of action, intent alike upon +administering relief to the sufferers, and chastisement to the enemy. He +divided his party, and advanced upon them with caution. But their +superior knowledge of the country, enabled the Indians to ambuscade both +divisions, and to defeat them with the loss of half his men; a loss +poorly compensated by the circumstance, that a still greater number of +the savages fell in the engagement. The number of the latter were +supposed to be three times that of Colonel Floyd's party. The Colonel +narrowly escaped with his life, by the aid of Captain Samuel Wells, who, +seeing him on foot, pursued by the enemy, dismounted and gave him his +own horse, and as he fled, ran by his side to support him on the saddle, +from which he might have fallen through weakness from his wounds.--This +act of Captain Wells was the more magnanimous, as Floyd and himself were +not friends at the time. Such noble generosity was not thrown away upon +Floyd. It produced its natural effect, and these two persons lived and +died friends. It is pleasant to record such a mode of quelling +animosity. + +Early in May, two men, one of whom was Samuel McAffee, left James +McAffee's station, to go to a clearing at a short distance. They had +advanced about a fourth of a mile, when they were fired upon. The +companion of McAffee fell. The latter turned and fled towards the +station. He had not gained more than fifteen steps when he met an +Indian. Both paused a moment to raise their guns, in order to discharge +them. The muzzles almost touched. Both fired at the same moment. The +Indian's gun flashed in the pan, and he fell. McAffee continued his +retreat; but before he reached the station, its inmates had heard the +report of the guns; and James and Robert, brothers of McAffee, had come +out to the aid of those attacked. The three brothers met, Robert, +notwithstanding the caution he received from his brother, ran along the +path to see the dead Indian. The party of Indians to which he had +belonged, were upon the watch among the trees, and several of them +placed themselves between Robert and the station, to intercept his +return. Soon made aware of the danger to which his thoughtlessness had +exposed him, he found all his dexterity and knowledge of Indian warfare +requisite to ensure his safety. He sprang from behind one tree to +another, in the direction of the station, pursued by an Indian until he +reached a fence within a hundred yards of it, which he cleared by a +leap. The Indian had posted himself behind a tree to take safe +aim.--McAffee was now prepared for him. As the Indian put his head out +from the cover of his tree, to look for his object, he caught McAffee's +ball in his mouth, and fell. McAffee reached the station in safety. + +James, though he did not expose himself as his brother had done, was +fired upon by five Indians who lay in ambush. He fled to a tree for +protection. Immediately after he had gained one, three or four aimed at +him from the other side. The balls scattered earth upon him, as they +struck around his feet, but he remained unharmed. He had no sooner +entered the inclosure of the station in safety, than Indians were seen +approaching in all directions. Their accustomed horrid yells preceded a +general attack upon the station. Their fire was returned with spirit, +the women running balls as fast as they were required. The attack +continued two hours, when the Indians withdrew. + +The firing had aroused the neighborhood; and soon after the retreat of +the Indians, Major McGary appeared with forty men. It was determined to +pursue the Indians, as they could not have advanced far. This purpose +was immediately carried into execution. The Indians were overtaken and +completely routed. The station suffered inconvenience from the loss of +their domestic animals, which were all killed by the Indians, previous +to their retreat. One white man was killed and another died of his +wounds in a few days. This was the last attack upon this station by the +Indians, although it remained for some years a frontier post. + +We might easily swell these annals to volumes, by entering into details +of the attack of Kincheloe's station, and its defence by Colonel Floyd; +the exploits of Thomas Randolph; the captivity of Mrs. Bland and Peake; +and the long catalogue of recorded narratives of murders, burnings, +assaults, heroic defences, escapes, and the various incidents of Indian +warfare upon the incipient settlements. While their barbarity and horror +chill the blood, they show us what sort of men the first settlers of +the country were, and what scenes they had to witness, and what events +to meet, before they prepared for us our present peace and abundance. +The danger and apprehension of their condition must have been such, that +we cannot well imagine how they could proceed to the operations of +building and fencing, with sufficient composure and quietness of spirit, +to complete the slow and laborious preliminaries of founding such +establishments, as they have transmitted to their children. Men they +must have been, who could go firmly and cheerfully to the common +occupations of agriculture, with their lives in their hands, and under +the constant expectation of being greeted from the thickets and +cane-brakes with the rifle bullet and the Indian yell. Even the women +were heroes, and their are instances in abundance on record, where, in +defence of their children and cabins, they conducted with an undaunted +energy of attack or defence, which would throw into shade the vaunted +bravery in the bulletins of regular battles. + +These magnanimous pioneers seem to have had a presentiment that they had +a great work to accomplish--laying the foundations of a state in the +wilderness--a work from which they were to be deterred, neither by +hunger, nor toil, nor danger, nor death. For tenderness and affection, +they had hearts of flesh. For the difficulties and dangers of their +positions, their bosoms were of iron. THEY FEARED GOD, AND HAD NO OTHER +FEAR. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +Disastrous battle near the Blue Licks--General Clarke's expedition +against the Miami towns--Massacre of McClure's family--The horrors of +Indian assaults throughout the settlements--General Harmar's +expedition--Defeat of General St. Clair--Gen. Wayne's victory, and a +final peace with the Indians. + + +Here, in the order of the annals of the country, would be the place to +present the famous attack of Bryant's station, which we have anticipated +by an anachronism, and given already, in order to present the reader +with a clear view of a _station_, and the peculiar mode of _attack and +defence_ in these border wars. The attack upon Bryant's station was made +by the largest body of Indians that had been seen in Kentucky, the whole +force amounting at least to six hundred men. We have seen that they did +not decamp until they had suffered a severe loss of their warriors. They +departed with so much precipitation as to have left their tents +standing, their fires burning, and their meat roasting. They took the +road to the lower Blue Licks. + +Colonel Todd, of Lexington, despatched immediate intelligence of this +attack to Colonel Trigg, near Harrodsburgh, and Colonel Boone, who had +now returned with his family from North Carolina to Boonesborough. These +men were prompt in collecting volunteers in their vicinity. Scarcely had +the Indians disappeared from Bryant's station, before a hundred and +sixty-six men were assembled to march in pursuit of nearly triple their +number of Indians. Besides Colonels Trigg, Todd, and Boone, Majors +McGary and Harland, from the vicinity of Harrodsburgh, had a part in +this command: A council was held, in which, after considering the +disparity of numbers, it was still determined to pursue the Indians. +Such was their impetuosity, that they could not be persuaded to wait for +the arrival of Colonel Logan, who was known to be collecting a strong +party to join them. + +The march was immediately commenced upon their trail. They had not +proceeded far before Colonel Boone, experienced in the habits of Indians +and the indications of their purposes, announced that he discovered +marks that their foe was making demonstrations of willingness to meet +them. He observed that they took no pains to conceal their route, but +carefully took measures to mislead their pursuers in regard to their +number. Their first purpose was indicated by cutting trees on their +path--the most palpable of all directions as to their course. The other +was equally concealed by a cautious concentration of their camp, and by +the files taking particular care to step in the foot prints of their +file leaders, so that twenty warriors might be numbered from the +foot-marks only as one. + +Still no Indians were actually seen, until the party arrived on the +southern bank of the Licking, at the point of the Blue Licks. A body of +Indians was here discovered, mounting the summit of an opposite hill, +moving leisurely, and apparently without hurry or alarm--retiring +slowly from sight, as on a common march. + +The party halted. The officers assembled, and a general consultation +took place, respecting what was to be done. The alternatives were, +whether it was best to cross the Licking at the hazard of an engagement +with the Indians; or to wait where they were, reconnoiter the country, +act on the defensive, and abide the coming up of Colonel Logan with his +force. + +Colonels Todd and Trigg, little acquainted with the Indians, were +desirous to be guided by the judgment of Colonel Boone. His opinion +being called for, he gave it with his usual clearness and +circumspection. As regarded the number of the enemy, his judgment was, +that it should be counted from three to five hundred. From the careless +and leisurely manner of the march of the body, they had seen, he was +aware, that the main body was near, and that the show of this small +party was probably, with a view to draw on the attack, founded upon an +entire ignorance of their numbers. With the localities of the country +about the Licks, from his former residence there, he was perfectly +acquainted. The river forms, by its curves, an irregular ellipsis, +embracing the great ridge and buffalo road leading from the Licks. Its +longest line of bisection leads towards Limestone, and is terminated by +two ravines heading together in a point, and diverging thence in +opposite directions to the river. In his view, it was probable that the +Indians had formed an ambuscade behind these ravines, in a position as +advantageous for them as it would be dangerous to the party, if they +continued their march. He advised that the party should divide; the one +half march up the Licking on the opposite side, and crossing at the +mouth of a small branch, called Elk creek, fall over upon the eastern +curve of the ravine; while the other half should take a position +favorable for yielding them prompt co-operation in case of an attack. He +demonstrated, that in this way the advantage of position might be taken +from the enemy, and turned in their favor. He was decided and pressing, +that if it was determined to attack a force superior, before the arrival +of Colonel Logan, they ought at least to send out spies and explore the +country before they marched the main body over the river. + +This wise counsel of Colonel Boone was perfectly accordant with the +views of Colonels Todd and Trigg, and of most of the persons consulted +on the occasion. But while they were deliberating, Major McGary, +patriotic, no doubt, in his intentions, but ardent, rash, hot-headed, +and indocile to military rule, guided his horse into the edge of the +river, raised the war-whoop in Kentucky style, and exclaimed, in a voice +of gay confidence, "All those that are not cowards will follow me; I +will show them where the Indians are!" Saying this, he spurred his horse +into the water. One and another, under the impulse of such an appeal to +their courage, dashed in after him. The council was thus broken up by +force. A part caught the rash spirit by sympathy. The rest, who were +disposed to listen to better counsels, were borne along, and their +suggestions drowned in the general clamor. All counsel and command were +at an end. And it is thus that many of the most important events of +history have been determined. + +The whole party crossed the river, keeping straight forward in the +beaten buffalo road. Advanced a little, parties flanked out from the +main body, as the irregularity and unevenness of the ground would allow. +The whole body moved on in reckless precipitation and disorder, over a +surface covered with rocks, laid bare by the trampling of buffaloes, and +the washing of the rain of ages. Their course led them in front of the +high ridge which extends for some distance to the left of the road. They +were decoyed on in the direction of one of the ravines of which we have +spoken, by the reappearance of the party of Indians they had first seen. + +The termination of this ridge sloped off in a declivity covered with a +thick forest of oaks. The ravines were thick set on their banks with +small timber, or encumbered with burnt wood, and the whole area before +them had been stripped bare of all herbage by the buffaloes that had +resorted to the Licks. Clumps of soil here and there on the bare rock +supported a few trees, which gave the whole of this spot of evil omen a +most singular appearance. The advance of the party was headed by McGary, +Harland, and McBride. A party of Indians, as Boone had predicted, that +had been ambushed in the woods here met them. A warm and bloody action +immediately commenced, and the rifles on either side did fatal +execution. It was discovered in a moment that the whole line of the +ravine concealed Indians, who, to the number of thrice that of their +foes, rushed upon them. Colonels Todd and Trigg, whose position had been +on the right, by the movement in crossing, were thrown in the rear. They +fell in their places, and the rear was turned. Between twenty and thirty +of these brave men had already paid the forfeit of their rashness, when +a retreat commenced under the edge of the tomahawk, and the whizzing of +Indian bullets. When the party first crossed the river all were mounted. +Many had dismounted at the commencement of the action. Others engaged on +horseback. On the retreat, some were fortunate enough to recover their +horses, and fled on horseback. Others retreated on foot. From the point +where the engagement commenced to the Licking river was about a mile's +distance. A high and rugged cliff environed either shore of the river, +which sloped off to a plain near the Licks. The ford was narrow, and the +water above and below it deep. Some were overtaken on the way, and fell +under the tomahawk. But the greatest slaughter was at the river. Some +were slain in crossing, and some on either shore. + +A singular spectacle was here presented in the case of a man by the name +of Netherland, who had been derided for his timidity. He was mounted on +a fleet and powerful horse, the back of which he had never left for a +moment. He was one of the first to recross the Licking. Finding himself +safe upon the opposite shore, a sentiment of sympathy came upon him as +he looked back and took a survey of the scene of murder going on in the +river and on its shore. Many had reached the river in a state of +faintness and exhaustion, and the Indians were still cutting them down. +Inspired with the feeling of a commander, he cried out in a loud and +authoritative voice, "Halt! Fire on the Indians. Protect the men in the +river." The call was obeyed. Ten or twelve men instantly turned, fired +on the enemy, and checked their pursuit for a moment, thus enabling some +of the exhausted and wounded fugitives to evade the tomahawk, already +uplifted to destroy them. The brave and benevolent Reynolds, whose reply +to Girty has been reported, relinquished his own horse to Colonel Robert +Patterson, who was infirm from former wounds, and was retreating on +foot. He thus enabled that veteran to escape. While thus signalizing his +disinterested intrepidity, he fell himself into the hands of the +Indians. The party that took him consisted of three. Two whites passed +him on their retreat. Two of the Indians pursued, leaving him under the +guard of the third. His captor stooped to tie his moccasin, and he +sprang away from him and escaped. It is supposed that one-fourth of the +men engaged in this action were commissioned officers. The whole number +engaged was one hundred and seventy-six. Of these, sixty were slain, and +eight made prisoners. Among the most distinguished names of those who +fell, were those of Colonels Todd and Trigg, Majors Harland and Bulger, +Captains Gordon and McBride, and a son of Colonel Boone. The loss of the +savages has never been ascertained. It could not have equalled that of +the assailants, though some supposed it greater. This sanguinary affair +took place August 19, 1782. + +Colonel Logan, on arriving at Bryant's station, with a force of three +hundred men, found the troops had already marched. He made a rapid +advance in hopes to join them before they should have met with the +Indians. He came up with the survivors, on their retreat from their +ill-fated contest, not far from Bryant's station. He determined to +pursue his march to the battle ground to bury the dead, if he could not +avenge their fall. He was joined by many friends of the killed and +missing, from Lexington and Bryant's station. They reached the battle +ground on the 25th. It presented a heartrending spectacle. Where so +lately had arisen the shouts of the robust and intrepid woodsmen, and +the sharp yell of the savages, as they closed in the murderous contest, +the silence of the wide forest was now unbroken, except by birds of +prey, as they screamed and sailed over the carnage. The heat was so +excessive, and the bodies were so changed by it and the hideous gashes +and mangling of the Indian tomahawk and knife, that friends could no +longer recognize their dearest relatives. They performed the sad rights +of sepulture as they might, upon the rocky ground. + +The Indian forces that had fought at the Blue Licks, in the exultation +of victory and revenge, returned homeward with their scalps. Those from +the north--and they constituted the greater numbers--returned quietly. +The western bands took their route through Jefferson county, in hopes to +add more scalps to the number of their trophies. Colonel Floyd led out a +force to protect the country. They marched through the region on Salt +river, and saw no traces of Indians. They dispersed on their return. The +greater number of them reached their station, and laid down, fatigued +and exhausted, without any precaution against a foe. The Indians came +upon them in this predicament in the night, and killed several women and +children. A few escaped under the cover of the darkness. A woman, taken +prisoner that night, escaped from her savage captors by throwing herself +into the bushes, while they passed on. She wandered about the woods +eighteen days, subsisting only on wild fruits, and was then found and +carried to Lynn's station. She survived the extreme state of exhaustion +in which she was discovered. Another woman, taken with four children, at +the same time, was carried to Detroit. + +The terrible blow which the savages had struck at the Blue Licks, +excited a general and immediate purpose of retaliation through Kentucky. +General Clarke was appointed commander-in-chief, and Colonel Logan next +under him in command of the expedition, to be raised for that purpose. +The forces were to rendezvous at Licking. The last of September, 1782, +General Clarke, with one thousand men, marched from the present site of +Cincinnati, for the Indian towns on the Miami. They fell in on their +route with the camp of Simon Girty, who would have been completely +surprised with his Indians, had not a straggling savage espied the +advance, and reported it to them just in season to enable them to +scatter in every direction. They soon spread the intelligence that an +army from Kentucky was marching upon their towns. + +As the army approached the towns on their route, they found that the +inhabitants had evacuated them, and fled into the woods. All the cabins +at Chillicothe, Piqua, and Willis were burned. Some skirmishing took +place, however, in which five Indians were killed, and seven made +prisoners, without any loss to the Kentuckians, save the wounding of one +man, which afterwards proved mortal. One distinguished Indian +surrendered himself, and was afterwards inhumanly murdered by one of the +troops, to the deep regret and mortification of General Clarke. + +In October, 1785, Mr. McClure and family, in company with a number of +other families, were assailed on Skegg's creek. Six of the family were +killed, and Mrs. McClure, a child, and a number of other persons made +prisoners. The attack took place in the night. The circumstances of the +capture of Mrs. McClure, furnish an affecting incident illustrating the +invincible force of natural tenderness. She had concealed herself, with +her four children, in the brush of a thicket, which, together with the +darkness, screened her from observation. Had she chosen to have left her +infant behind, she might have escaped. But she grasped it, and held it +to her bosom, although aware that its shrieks would betray their covert. +The Indians, guided to the spot by its cries, killed the three larger +children, and took her and her infant captives. The unfortunate and +bereaved mother was obliged to accompany their march on an untamed and +unbroken horse. + +Intelligence of these massacres and cruelties circulated rapidly. +Captain Whitley immediately collected twenty-one men from the adjoining +stations, overtook, and killed two of these savages, retook the desolate +mother, her babe, and a negro servant, and the scalps of the six persons +whom they had killed. Ten days afterwards, another party of immigrants, +led by Mr. Moore, were attacked, and nine of their number killed. +Captain Whitley pursued the perpetrators of this bloody act, with thirty +men. On the sixth day of pursuit through the wilderness, he came up with +twenty Indians, clad in the dresses of those whom they had slain. They +dismounted and dispersed in the woods though not until three of them +were killed. The pursuers recovered eight scalps, and all the plunder +which the Indians had collected at the late massacre. + +An expedition of General Clarke, with a thousand men, against the Wabash +Indians, failed in consequence of the impatience and discouragement of +his men from want of provisions. Colonel Logan was more successful in an +expedition against the Shawnese Indians on the Scioto. He surprised one +of the towns, and killed a number of the warriors, and took some +prisoners. + +In October, 1785, the General Government convoked a meeting of all the +Lake and Ohio tribes to meet at the mouth of the Great Miami. The +Indians met the summons with a moody indifference and neglect, alleging +the continued aggressions of the Kentuckians as a reason for refusing to +comply with the summons. + +The horrors of Indian assault were occasionally felt in every +settlement. We select one narrative in detail, to convey an idea of +Indian hostility on the one hand, and the manner in which it was met on +the other. A family lived on Coope's run, in Bourbon county, consisting +of a mother, two sons of a mature age, a widowed daughter, with an +infant in her arms, two grown daughters, and a daughter of ten years. +The house was a double cabin. The two grown daughters and the smaller +girl were in one division, and the remainder of the family in the other. +At evening twilight, a knocking was heard at the door of the latter +division, asking in good English, and the customary western phrase, "Who +keeps house?" As the sons went to open the door, the mother forbade +them, affirming that the persons claiming admittance were Indians. The +young men sprang to their guns. The Indians, finding themselves refused +admittance at that door, made an effort at the opposite one. That door +they soon beat open with a rail, and endeavored to take the three girls +prisoners. The little girl sprang away, and might have escaped from them +in the darkness and the woods. But the forlorn child, under the natural +impulse of instinct, ran for the other door and cried for help. The +brothers within, it may be supposed, would wish to go forth and protect +the feeble and terrified wailer. The mother, taking a broader view of +expedience and duty, forbade them. They soon hushed the cries of the +distracted child by the merciless tomahawk. While a part of the Indians +were engaged in murdering this child, and another in confining one of +the grown girls that they had made captive, the third heroically +defended herself with a knife, which she was using at a loom at the +moment of attack. The intrepidity she put forth was unavailing. She +killed one Indian, and was herself killed by another. The Indians, +meanwhile, having obtained possession of one half the house, fired it. +The persons shut up in the other half had now no other alternative than +to be consumed in the flames rapidly spreading towards them, or to go +forth and expose themselves to the murderous tomahawks, that had already +laid three of the family in their blood. The Indians stationed +themselves in the dark angles of the fence, where, by the bright glare +of the flames, they could see every thing, and yet remain themselves +unseen. Here they could make a sure mark of all that should escape from +within. One of the sons took charge of his aged and infirm mother, and +the other of his widowed sister and her infant. The brothers emerged +from the burning ruins, separated, and endeavored to spring over the +fence. The mother was shot dead as her son was piously aiding her over +the fence. The other brother was killed as he was gallantly defending +his sister. The widowed sister, her infant, and one of the brothers +escaped the massacre, and alarmed the settlement. Thirty men, commanded +by Colonel Edwards, arrived next day to witness the appalling spectacle +presented around the smoking ruins of this cabin. Considerable snow had +fallen, and the Indians were obliged to leave a trail, which easily +indicated their path. In the evening of that day, they came upon the +expiring body of the young woman, apparently murdered but a few moments +before their arrival. The Indians had been premonished of their pursuit +by the barking of a dog that followed them. They overtook and killed two +of the Indians that had staid behind, apparently as voluntary victims to +secure the retreat of the rest. + +To prevent immigrants from reaching the country, the Indians infested +the Ohio river, and concealed themselves in small parties at different +points from Pittsburgh to Louisville, where they laid in ambush and +fired upon the boats as they passed. They frequently attempted by false +signals to decoy the boats ashore, and in several instances succeeded by +these artifices in capturing and murdering whole families, and +plundering them of their effects. They even armed and manned some of the +boats and scows they had taken, and used them as a kind of floating +battery, by means of which they killed and captured many persons +approaching the settlements. + +The last boat which brought immigrants to the country down the Ohio, +that was known to have been attacked by the Indians, was assaulted in +the spring of 1791. This circumstance gives it a claim to be mentioned +in this place. It was commanded by Captain Hubbel, and brought +immigrants from Vermont. The whole number of men, women, and children +amounted to twenty persons. These persons had been forewarned by various +circumstances that they noted, that hostile Indians were along the shore +waiting to attack them. They came up with other boats descending the +river, and bound in the same direction with themselves. They endeavored +ineffectually to persuade the passengers to join them, that they might +descend in the strength of numbers and union. They continued to move +down the river alone. The first attempt upon them was a customary Indian +stratagem. A person, affecting to be a white man, hailed them, and +requested them to lie by, that he might come on board. Finding that the +boat's crew were not to be allured to the shore by this artifice, the +Indians put off from the shore in three canoes, and attacked the boat. +Never was a contest of this sort maintained with more desperate bravery. +The Indians attempted to board the boat, and the inmates made use of all +arms of annoyance and defence. Captain Hubbel, although he had been +severely wounded in two places, and had the cock of his gun shot off by +an Indian fire, still continued to discharge his mutilated gun by a +fire-brand. After a long and desperate conflict, in which all the +passengers capable of defence but four, had been wounded, the Indians +paddled off their canoes to attack the boats left behind. They were +successful against the first boat they assailed. The boat yielded to +them without opposition. They killed the Captain and a boy, and took the +women on board prisoners. Making a screen of these unfortunate women, by +exposing them to the fire of Captain Hubbel's boat, they returned to the +assault. It imposed upon him the painful alternative, either to yield to +the Indians, or to fire into their canoes at the hazard of killing the +women of their own people. But the intrepid Captain remarked, that if +these women escaped their fire, it would probably be to suffer a more +terrible death from the savages. He determined to keep up his fire, even +on these hard conditions; and the savages were beaten off a second time. +In the course of the engagement, the boat, left to itself, had floated +with the current near the north shore, where four or five hundred +Indians were collected, who poured a shower of balls upon the boat. All +the inmates could do, was to avoid exposure as much as possible, and +exercise their patience until the boat should float past the Indian +fire. One of the inmates of the boat, seeing, as it slowly drifted on, a +fine chance for a shot at an Indian, although warned against it, could +not resist the temptation of taking his chance. He raised his head to +take aim, and was instantly shot dead. When the boat had drifted beyond +the reach of the Indian fire, but two of the nine fighting men on board +were found unhurt. Two were killed, and two mortally wounded. The noble +courage of a boy on board deserves to be recorded. When the boat was now +in a place of safety, he requested his friends to extract a ball that +had lodged in the skin of his forehead. When this ball had been +extracted, he requested them to take out a piece of bone that had been +fractured in his elbow by another shot. When asked by his mother why he +had not complained or made known his suffering during the engagement, he +coolly replied, intimating that there was noise enough without his, that +the Captain had ordered the people to make no noise. + +All attempts of the General Government to pacify the Indians, having +proved ineffectual, an expedition was planned against the hostile tribes +north-west of the Ohio. The object was to bring the Indians to a general +engagement; or, if that might not be, to destroy their establishments on +the waters of the Scioto and the Wabash. General Harmar was appointed to +the command of this expedition. Major Hamtranck, with a detachment, was +to make a diversion in his favor up the Wabash. + +On the 13th of September, 1791, General Harmar marched from Fort +Washington, the present site of Cincinnati, with three hundred and +twenty regulars, and effected a junction with the militia of +Pennsylvania and Kentucky, which had advanced twenty-five miles in +front. The whole force amounted to one thousand four hundred and +fifty-three men. Col. Hardin, who commanded the Kentucky militia, was +detached with six hundred men, chiefly militia, to reconnoiter. On his +approach to the Indian settlements, the Indians set fire to their +villages and fled. In order, if possible, to overtake them, he was +detached with a smaller force, that could be moved more rapidly. It +consisted of two hundred and ten men. A small party of Indians met and +attacked them; and the greater part of the militia behaved +badly,--leaving a few brave men, who would not fly, to their fate. +Twenty-three of the party fell, and seven only made their escape and +rejoined the army. Notwithstanding this check, the army succeeded so far +as to reduce the remaining towns to ashes, and destroy their provisions. + +On their return to Fort Washington, Gen. Harmar was desirous of wiping +off, in another action, the disgrace which public opinion had impressed +upon his arms. He halted eight miles from Chillicothe, and late at night +detached Col. Hardin, with orders to find the enemy, and bring them to +an engagement. Early in the morning this detachment reached the enemy, +and a severe engagement ensued. The savages fought with desperation. +Some of the American troops shrunk; but the officers conducted with +great gallantry. Most of them fell, bravely discharging their duty. More +than fifty regulars and one hundred militia, including the brave +officers, Fontaine, Willys, and Frothingham, were slain. + +Harmar, in his official account of this affair, claimed the victory, +although the Americans seem clearly to have had the worst of it. At his +request, he was tried by a court martial, and honorably acquitted. The +enemy had suffered so severely, that they allowed him to return +unmolested to Fort Washington. + +The terrors and the annoyance of Indian hostilities still hung over the +western settlements. The call was loud and general from the frontiers, +for ample and efficient protection. Congress placed the means in the +hands of the executive. Major General Arthur St. Clair was appointed +commander-in-chief of the forces to be employed in the meditated +expedition. The objects of it were, to destroy the Indian settlements +between the Miamies; to expel them from the country; and establish a +chain of posts which should prevent their return during the war. This +army was late in assembling in the vicinity of Fort Washington. They +marched directly towards the chief establishments of the enemy, building +and garrisoning in their way the two intermediate forts, Hamilton and +Jefferson. After the detachments had been made for these garrisons, the +effective force that remained amounted to something less than two +thousand men. To open a road for their march, was a slow and tedious +business. Small parties of Indians were often seen hovering about their +march; and some unimportant skirmishes took place. As the army +approached the enemy's country, sixty of the militia deserted in a body. +To prevent the influence of such an example, Major Hamtranck was +detached with a regiment in pursuit of the deserters. The army now +consisting of one thousand four hundred men continued its march. On the +third of November 1792, it encamped fifteen miles south of the Miami +villages. Having been rejoined by Major Hamtranck, General St. Clair +proposed to march immediately against them. + +Half an hour before sunrise, the militia was attacked by the savages, +and fled in the utmost confusion. They burst through the formed line of +the regulars into the camp. Great efforts were made by the officers to +restore order; but not with the desired success. The Indians pressed +upon the heels of the flying militia, and engaged General Butler with +great intrepidity. The action became warm and general; and the fire of +the assailants passing round both flanks of the first line, in a few +minutes was poured with equal fury upon the rear. The artillerists in +the centre were mowed down, and the fire was the more galling, as it was +directed by an invisible enemy, crouching on the ground, or concealed +behind trees. In this manner they advanced towards the very mouths of +the cannon; and fought with the infuriated fierceness with which success +always animates savages. Some of the soldiers exhibited military +fearlessness, and fought with great bravery. Others were timid and +disposed to fly. With a self-devotion which the occasion required, the +officers generally exposed themselves to the hottest of the contest, and +fell in great numbers, in desperate efforts to restore the battle. + +The commanding general, though he had been for some time enfeebled with +severe disease, acted with personal bravery, and delivered his orders +with judgment and self-possession. A charge was made upon the savages +with the bayonet: and they were driven from their covert with some loss, +a distance of four hundred yards. But as soon as the charge was +suspended, they returned to the attack. General Butler was mortally +wounded; the left of the right wing broken, and the artillerists killed +almost to a man. The guns were seized and the camp penetrated by the +enemy. A desperate charge was headed by Colonel Butler, although he was +severely wounded, and the Indians were again driven from the camp, and +the artillery recovered. Several charges were repeated with partial +success. The enemy only retreated, to return to the charge, flashed with +new ardor. The ranks of the troops were broken, and the men pressed +together in crowds, and were shot down without resistance. A retreat was +all that remained, to save the remnant of the army. Colonel Darke was +ordered to charge a body of savages that intercepted their retreat. +Major Clark, with his battalion, was directed to cover the rear. These +orders were carried into effect, and a most disorderly retreat +commenced. A pursuit was kept up four miles, when, fortunately for the +surviving Americans, the natural greediness of the savage appetite for +plunder, called back the victorious Indians to the camp, to divide the +spoils. The routed troops continued their flight to fort Jefferson, +throwing away their arms on the road. The wounded were left here, and +the army retired upon fort Washington. + +In this fatal battle, fell thirty-eight commissioned officers, and five +hundred and ninety-three non-commissioned officers and privates. +Twenty-one commissioned officers, many of whom afterwards died of their +wounds, and two hundred and forty-two non-commissioned officers and +privates were wounded. + +The savage force, in this fatal engagement, was led by a Mississago +chief, who had been trained to war under the British, during the +revolution. So superior was his knowledge of tactics, that the Indian +chiefs, though extremely jealous of him, yielded the entire command to +him; and he arranged and fought the battle with great combination of +military skill. Their force amounted to four thousand; and they stated +the Americans killed, at six hundred and twenty, and their own at +sixty-five; but it was undoubtedly much greater. They took seven pieces +of cannon and two hundred oxen, and many horses. The chief, at the close +of the battle, bade the Indians forbear the pursuit of the Americans, as +he said they had killed enough. + +General Scott, with one thousand mounted volunteers from Kentucky, soon +after marched against a party of the victors, at St. Clair's fatal +field. He found the Indians rioting in their plunder, riding the oxen in +the glee of triumph, and acting as if the whole body was intoxicated. +General Scott immediately attacked them. The contest was short but +decisive. The Indians had two hundred killed on the spot. The cannon and +military stores remaining, were retaken, and the savages completely +routed. The loss of the Kentuckians was inconsiderable. + +The reputation of the government was now committed in the fortunes of +the war. Three additional regiments were directed to be raised. On the +motion in congress for raising these regiments, there was an animated, +and even a bitter debate. It was urged on one hand, that the expense of +such a force would involve the necessity of severe taxation; that too +much power was thrown into the hands of the president; that the war had +been badly managed, and ought to have been entrusted to the militia of +the west, under their own officers; and with more force they urged that +no success could be of any avail, so long as the British held those +posts within our acknowledged limits, from which the savages were +supplied with protection, shelter, arms, advice, and instigation to the +war. + +On the other hand, the justice of the cause, as a war of defence, and +not of conquest, was unquestionable. It was proved, that between 1783 +and 1790, no less than one thousand five hundred people of Kentucky had +been massacred by the savages, or dragged into a horrid captivity; and +that the frontiers of Pennsylvania and Virginia had suffered a loss not +much less. It was proved that every effort had been made to pacify the +savages without effect. They showed that in 1790, when a treaty was +proposed to the savages at the Miami, they first refused to treat, and +then asked thirty days for deliberation. It was granted. In the interim, +they stated that not less than one hundred and twenty persons had been +killed and captured, and several prisoners roasted alive; at the term of +which horrors, they refused any answer at all to the proposition to +treat. Various other remarks were made in defence of the bill. It tried +the strength of parties in congress, and was finally carried. + +General St. Clair resigned, and Major General Anthony Wayne was +appointed to succeed him. This officer commanded the confidence of the +western people, who confided in that reckless bravery, which had long +before procured him the appellation of "Mad Anthony." There was a +powerful party who still affected to consider this war unnecessary, and +every impediment was placed in the way of its success, which that party +could devise. To prove to them that the government was still disposed to +peace, two excellent officers and valuable men, Col. Hardin, and Major +Truman, were severally despatched with propositions of peace. They were +both murdered by the savages. These unsuccessful attempts at +negotiation, and the difficulties and delays naturally incident to the +preparation of such a force, together with the attempts that had been +made in congress, to render the war unpopular, had worn away so much +time that the season for operations for the year had almost elapsed. But +as soon as the negotiations had wholly failed, the campaign was opened +with as much vigor as the nature of the case would admit. The general +was able, however, to do no more this autumn, than to advance into the +forest towards the country of the savages, six miles in advance of fort +Jefferson. He took possession of the ground on which the fatal defeat of +St. Clair had taken place, in 1792. He here erected a fortification, +with the appropriate name of Fort Recovery. His principal camp was +called Greenville. + +In Kentucky, meanwhile, many of the people clamored against these +measures, and loudly insisted that the war ought to be carried on by +militia, to be commanded by an officer taken from their state. It was +believed, too, by the executive, that the British government, by +retaining their posts within our limits, and by various other measures, +at least countenanced the Indians in their hostilities. That government +took a more decisive measure early in the spring. A British detachment +from Detroit, advanced near fifty miles south of that place, and +fortified themselves on the Miami of the lakes. In one of the numerous +skirmishes which took place between the savages and the advance of +General Wayne, it was affirmed, that the British were mingled with the +Indians. + +On the 8th of August, 1794, General Wayne reached the confluence of the +Au Glaize, and the Miami of the lakes. The richest and most extensive +settlements of the western Indians were at this place. It was distant +only about thirty miles from the post on the Miami, which the British; +had recently occupied. The whole strength of the enemy, amounting to +nearly two thousand warriors, was collected in the vicinity of that +post. The regulars of General Wayne were not much inferior in numbers. A +reinforcement of one thousand one hundred mounted Kentucky militia, +commanded by General Scott, gave a decided superiority to the American +force. The general was well aware that the enemy were ready to give him +battle, and he ardently desired it. But in pursuance of the settled +policy of the United States, another effort was made for the attainment +of peace, without the shedding of blood. The savages were exhorted by +those who were sent to them, no longer to follow the counsels of the bad +men at the foot of the Rapids, who urged them on to the war, but had +neither the power nor the inclination to protect them; that to listen to +the propositions of the government of the United States, would restore +them to their homes, and rescue them from famine. To these propositions +they returned only an evasive answer. + +On the 20th of August, the army of General Wayne marched in columns. A +select battalion, under Major Price, moved as a reconnoitering force in +front. After marching five miles, he received so heavy a fire from the +savages, concealed as usual, that he was compelled to retreat. The +savages had chosen their ground with great judgment. They had moved into +a thick wood, in advance of the British works, and had taken a position +behind fallen timber, prostrated by a tornado. This rendered their +position almost inaccessible to horse. They were formed in three regular +lines, according to Indian custom, very much extended in front. Their +first effort was to turn the left flank of the American army. + +The American legion was ordered to advance with trailed arms, and rouse +the enemy from his covert at the point of the bayonet, and then deliver +its fire. The cavalry, led by Captain Campbell, was ordered to advance +between the Indians and the river, where the wood permitted them to +penetrate, and charge their left flank. General Scott, at the head of +the mounted volunteers, was commanded to make a considerable circuit +and turn their right. These, and all the complicated orders of General +Wayne, were promptly executed. But such was the impetuosity of the +charge made by the first line of infantry, so entirely was the enemy +broken by it, and so rapid was the pursuit, that only a small part of +the second line, and of the mounted volunteers could take any part in +the action. In the course of an hour, the savages were driven more than +two miles, and within gun-shot of the British fort. + +General Wayne remained three days on the field of battle, reducing the +houses and corn-fields, above and below the fort, and some of them +within pistol shot of it, to ashes. The houses and stores of Col. M'Kee, +an English trader, whose great influence among the savages had been +uniformly exerted for the continuance of the war, was burned among the +rest. Correspondence upon these points took place between General Wayne +and Major Campbell, who commanded the British fort. That of General +Wayne was sufficiently firm; and it manifested that the latter only +avoided hostilities with him, by acquiescing in the destruction of +British property within the range of his guns. + +On the 28th the army returned to Au Glaize, destroying all the villages +and corn within fifty miles of the river. In this decisive battle, the +American loss, in killed and wounded, amounted to one hundred and seven, +including officers. Among those that fell, were Captain Campbell and +Lieutenant Towles. The general bestowed great and merited praise, for +their bravery and promptitude in this affair, to all his troops. + +The hostility of the Indians still continuing, the whole country was +laid waste: and forts were erected in the heart of their settlements, to +prevent their return. This seasonable victory, and this determined +conduct on the part of the United States, rescued them from a general +war with all the nations north-west of the Ohio. The Six Nations had +manifested resentments, which were only appeased for the moment, by the +suspension of a settlement, which Pennsylvania was making at Presqu' +Isle, within their alleged limits. The issue of this battle dissipated +the clouds at once which had been thickening in that quarter. Its +influence was undoubtedly felt far to the south. The Indian inhabitants +of Georgia, and still farther to the south had been apparently on the +verge of a war, and had been hardly restrained from hostility by the +feeble authority of that state. + +No incidents of great importance occurred in this quarter, until August +3d, of the next year when a definitive treaty was concluded by General +Wayne, with the hostile Indians north-west of the Ohio. By this treaty, +the destructive war which had so long desolated that frontier, was ended +in a manner acceptable to the United States. An accommodation was also +brought about with the southern Indians, notwithstanding the intrigues +of their Spanish neighbors. The regions of the Mississippi valley were +opened on all sides to immigration, and rescued from the dread of Indian +hostilities. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +Rejoicings on account of the peace--Boone indulges his propensity for +hunting--Kentucky increases in population--Some account of their +conflicting land titles--Progress of civil improvement destroying the +range of the hunter--Litigation of land titles--Boone loses his +lands--Removes from Kentucky to the Kanawha--Leaves the Kanawha and goes +to Missouri, where he is appointed Commandant. + + +The peace which followed the defeat of the northern tribes of Indians by +General Wayne, was most grateful to the harassed settlers of the west. +The news of it was received every where with the most lively joy. Every +one had cause of gratulation. The hardy warriors, whose exploits we have +recounted, felt that they were relieved from the immense +responsibilities which rested upon them as the guardians and protectors +of the infant settlements. The new settlers could now clear their wild +lands, and cultivate their rich fields in peace--without fearing the +ambush and the rifles of a secret foe; and the tenants of the scattered +cabins could now sleep in safety, and without the dread of being wakened +by the midnight war-whoop of the savage. Those who had been pent up in +forts and stations joyfully sallied forth, and settled wherever the soil +and local advantages appeared the most inviting. + +Colonel Boone, in particular, felt that a firm and resolute perseverance +had finally triumphed over every obstacle. That the rich and boundless +valleys of the great west--the garden of the earth--and the paradise +of hunters, had been won from the dominion of the savage tribes, and +opened as an asylum for the oppressed, the enterprising, and the free of +every land. He had travelled in every direction through this great +valley. He had descended from the Alleghanies into the fertile regions +of Tennessee, and traced the courses of the Cumberland and Tennessee +rivers. He had wandered with delight through the blooming forests of +Kentucky. He had been carried prisoner by the Indians through the +wilderness which is now the state of Ohio to the great lakes of the +north; he had traced the head waters of the Kentucky, the Wabash, the +Miamies, the Scioto, and other great rivers of the west, and had +followed their meanderings to their entrance into the Ohio; he had stood +upon the shores of this beautiful river, and gazed with admiration, as +he pursued its winding and placid course through endless forests to +mingle with the Mississippi; he had caught some glimmerings of the +future, and saw with the prophetic eye of a patriot, that this great +valley must soon become the abode of millions of freemen; and his heart +swelled with joy, and warmed with a transport which was natural to a +mind so unsophisticated and disinterested as his. + +Boone rejoiced in a peace which put an end to his perils and anxieties, +and which now gave him full leisure and scope to follow his darling +pursuit of hunting. He had first been led to the country by that spirit +of the hunter, which in him amounted almost to a passion. This +propensity may be said to be natural to man. Even in cities and populous +places we find men so fond of this pastime that they ransack the +cultivated fields and enclosures of the farmer, for the purpose of +killing the little birds and squirrels, which, from their +insignificance, have ventured to take up their abode with civilized man. +What, then, must have been the feelings of Boone, to find himself in the +grand theatre of the hunter--filled with buffaloes, deer, bears, wild +turkeys, and other noble game? + +The free exercise of this darling passion had been checked and +restrained, ever since the first settlement of the country, by the +continued wars and hostile incursions of the Indians. The path of the +hunter had been ambushed by the wily savage, and he seldom ventured +beyond the purlieus of his cabin, or the station where he resided. He +was now free to roam in safety through the pathless wilderness--to camp +out in security whenever he was overtaken by night; and to pursue the +game wherever it was to be found in the greatest abundance. + +Civilization had not yet driven the primitive tenants of the forest from +their favorite retreats. Most of the country was still in a state of +nature--unsettled and unappropriated. Few fences or inclosures impeded +the free range of the hunter, and very few buts and bounds warned him of +his being about to trespass upon the private property of some neighbor. +Herds of buffaloes and deer still fed upon the rich cane-brake and rank +vegetation of the boundless woods, and resorted to the numerous Licks +for salt and drink. + +Boone now improved this golden opportunity of indulging in his favorite +pursuit. He loved to wander alone, with his unerring rifle upon his +shoulder, through the labyrinths of the tangled forests, and to rouse +the wild beast from his secret lair. There was to him a charm in these +primeval solitudes which suited his peculiar temperament, and he +frequently absented himself on these lonely expeditions for days +together. He never was known to return without being loaded with the +spoils of the chase. The choicest viands and titbits of all the +forest-fed animals were constantly to be found upon his table. Not that +Boone was an epicure; far from it. He would have been satisfied with a +soldier's fare. In common with other pioneers of his time, he knew what +it was to live upon roots and herbs for days together. He had suffered +hunger and want in all its forms without a murmur or complaint. But when +peace allowed him to follow his profession of a hunter, and to exercise +that tact and superiority which so much distinguished him, he selected +from the abundance and profusion of the game which fell victims to his +skill, such parts as were most esteemed. His friends and neighbors were +also, at all times, made welcome to a share of whatever he killed. And +he continued to live in this primitive simplicity--enjoying the luxury +of hunting, and of roving in the woods, and indulging his generous and +disinterested disposition towards his neighbors, for several years after +the peace. + +In the meantime, while Boone had been thus courting solitude, and +absorbed by the engrossing excitement of hunting, the restless spirit of +immigration, and of civil and physical improvement, had not been idle. +After the peace the tide of population poured into the country in a +continual stream and the busy spirit of civilization was every where +making inroads into the ancient forests, and encroaching upon the +dominions of the hunter. + +In order, however, that the reader may more readily comprehend the +causes which operated as grievances to Boone, and finally led him to +abandon Kentucky, and seek a home in regions more congenial, it will be +necessary to allude to the progress made in population, and the civil +polity, and incidents attending the settlement of the country. + +The state of Kentucky was not surveyed by the government and laid off +into sections and townships as has been the case with all the lands +north of the Ohio. But the government of Virginia had issued land +warrants, or certificates entitling the holder to locate wherever he +might choose, the number of acres named in the warrant. They also grave +to actual settlers certain pre-emption rights to such lands as they +might occupy and improve by building a cabin, raising a crop, &c. The +holders of these warrants, after selecting the land which they intended +to cover, with their titles, were required to enter a survey and +description of the tracts selected, in the Land office, which had been +opened for the purpose, to be recorded there, for the information of +others, and to prevent subsequent holders of warrants from locating the +same lands. Yet notwithstanding these precautions, such was the careless +manner in which these surveys were made, that many illiterate persons, +ignorant of the forms of law, and the necessity of precision in the +specification and descriptions of the tracts on which they had laid +their warrants, made such loose and vague entries in the land office, as +to afford no accurate information to subsequent locators, who frequently +laid their warrants on the same tracts. It thus happened that the whole +or a part of almost every tract was covered with different and +conflicting titles--forming what have been aptly called 'shingle +titles'--overlaying and lapping upon each other, as shingles do upon the +roof of a building. In this way twice the existing acres of land were +sold and the door opened for endless controversy about boundaries and +titles. The following copy of an entry may serve as a specimen of the +vagueness of the lines, buts, and bounds of their claims, and as +accounting for the flood of litigation that ensued. + +"George Smith enters nine hundred acres of land on a treasury warrant, +lying on the north side of Kentucky river, a mile below a creek; +beginning about twenty poles below a lick; and running down the river +westwardly, and northwestwardly for quantity." + +It will easily be seen that a description, so general and indefinite in +its terms, could serve as no guide to others who might wish to avoid +entering the same lands. This defect in providing for the certainty and +safety of land titles, proved a sore evil to the state of Kentucky. As +these lands increased in value and importance, controversies arose as to +the ownership of almost every tract: and innumerable suits, great +strife and excitement, prevailed in every neighborhood, and continued +until within a late period, to agitate the whole body of society. The +legislature of the state, by acts of limitation and judicious +legislation upon the subject, have finally quieted the titles of the +actual occupants. + +Among others who made these loose and unfortunate entries, was Daniel +Boone. Unaccustomed to the forms of law and technical precision, he was +guided by his own views of what was proper and requisite, and made such +brief and general entries, as were afterwards held not sufficient to +identify the land. He had discovered and explored the country when it +was all one vast wilderness--unoccupied, and unclaimed. He and a few +other hardy pioneers, by almost incredible hardships, dangers, and +sacrifices, had won it from the savage foe; and judging from his own +single and generous mind, he did not suppose that question would ever be +made of his right to occupy such favorite portions as he might select +and pay for. He did not think it possible that any one, knowing these +circumstances, could be found so greedy or so heartless, as to grudge +him the quiet and unmolested enjoyment of what he had so dearly earned. +But in this he was sadly mistaken. A set of speculators and interlopers, +who, following in the train of civilization and wealth, came to enrich +themselves by monopolizing the rich lands which had thus been won for +them, and by the aid of legal advisers, following all the nice +requisitions of the law, pounced, among others, upon the lands of our +old pioneer. He was not at first disturbed by these speculating +harpies; and game being plenty, he gave himself little uneasiness about +the claims and titles to particular spots, so long as he had such vast +hunting grounds to roam in--which, however, he had the sorrow to see +daily encroached upon by the new settlements of the immigrants. + +But the inroads made by the frequent settlements in his accustomed +hunting range, were not the only annoyances which disturbed the simple +habits and patriarchal views of Boone. Civilization brought along with +it all the forms of law, and the complicated organization of society and +civil government, the progress of which had kept pace with the +increasing population. + +As early as 1783, the territory of Kentucky had been laid off into three +counties, and was that year, by law, formed into one District, +denominated the District of Kentucky. Regular courts of justice were +organized--log court-houses and log jails were erected--judges, lawyers, +sheriffs, and juries were engaged in the administration of +justice--money began to circulate--cattle and flocks multiplied--reading +and writing schools were commenced--more wealthy immigrants began to +flock to the country, bringing with them cabinet furniture, and many of +the luxuries of more civilized life--and merchandize began to be wagoned +from Philadelphia across the mountains to fort Pitt, now Pittsburgh, +from whence it was conveyed in flat boats to Maysville and Louisville. + +In 1785 a convention was convoked at Danville, who adopted a memorial, +addressed to the Legislature of Virginia, and another to the people of +Kentucky--suggesting the propriety, and reasons for erecting the new +country into an independent state. In the discussion of this question +parties arose, and that warmth and excitement were elicited, which are +inseparable from the free and unrestrained discussion of public +measures. + +In 1786 the legislature of Virginia enacted the preliminary provisions +for the separation of Kentucky, as an independent state, provided that +Congress should admit it into the Union. About this time another source +of party discord was opened in agitating debates touching the claims of +Kentucky and the West to the navigation of the Mississippi. The +inhabitants were informed by malcontents in Western Pennsylvania, that +the American Secretary of State was making propositions to the Spanish +minister, to cede to Spain the exclusive right of navigation of the +Mississippi for twenty-five years. This information as might be +supposed, created a great sensation. It had been felt from the beginning +of the western settlements, that the right to the free navigation of the +Mississippi was of vital importance to the whole western country, and +the least relinquishment of this right--even for the smallest space of +time, would be of dangerous precedent and tendency. Circulars were +addressed by the principal settlers to men of influence in the nation. +But before any decisive measures could be taken, Virginia interfered, by +instructing her representatives in Congress to make strong +representations against the ruinous policy of the measure. + +In 1787 commenced the first operations of that mighty engine, the +press, in the western country. Nothing could have been wider from the +anticipations, perhaps from the wishes of Boone, than this progress of +things. But in the order of events, the transition of unlettered +backwoods emigrants to a people with a police, and all the engines of +civilization was uncommonly rapid. There was no other paper within five +hundred miles of the one now established by Mr. Bradford, at Lexington. +The political heart-burnings and slander that had hitherto been +transmitted through oral channels, were now concentrated for circulation +in this gazette. + +In April, 1792, Kentucky was admitted into the Union as an independent +state; improvements were steadily and rapidly progressing, and +notwithstanding the hostility of the Indians, the population of the +state was regularly increasing until the peace which followed the +victory of Gen. Wayne. After which, as has been observed, the tide of +emigration poured into the country with unexampled rapidity. + +Litigation in regard to land titles now began to increase, and continued +until it was carried to a distressing height. Col. Boone had begun to +turn his attention to the cultivation of the choice tracts he had +entered; and he looked forward with the consoling thought that he had +enough to provide for a large and rising family, by securing to each of +his children, as they became of age, a fine plantation. But in the +vortex of litigation which ensued, he was not permitted to escape. The +speculators who had spread their greedy claims over the lands which had +been previously located and paid for by Boone, relying upon his +imperfect entries, and some legal flaws in his titles, brought their +ejectments against him, and dragged him into a court of law. He employed +counsel, and from term to term, was compelled to dance attendance at +court. Here the old hunter listened to the quibbles--the subtleties, and +to him, inexplicable jargon of the lawyers. His suits were finally +decided against him, and he was cast out of the possession of all, or +nearly all the lands which he had looked upon as being indubitably his +own. The indignation of the old pioneer can well be imagined, as he saw +himself thus stript, by the quibbles and intricacies of the law, of all +the rewards of his exposures, labors, sufferings, and dangers in the +first settlement of Kentucky. He became more than ever disgusted with +the grasping and avaricious spirit--the heartless intercourse and +technical forms of what is called civilized society. + +But having expended his indignation in a transient paroxysm, he soon +settled back to his customary mental complacency and self-possession; +and as he had no longer any pledge of consequence remaining to him in +the soil of Kentucky--and as it was, moreover, becoming on all sides +subject to the empire of the cultivator's axe and plough, he resolved to +leave the country. He had witnessed with regret the dispersion of the +band of pioneers, with whom he had hunted and fought, side by side, and +like a band of brothers, shared every hardship and every danger; and he +sighed for new fields of adventure, and the excitement of a hunter's +life. + +Influenced by these feelings, he removed from Kentucky to the great +Kanawha; where he settled near Point Pleasant. He had been informed that +buffaloes and deer were still to be found in abundance on the unsettled +bottoms of this river, and that it was a fine country for trapping. Here +he continued to reside several years. But he was disappointed in his +expectations of finding game. The vicinity of the settlements above and +below this unsettled region, had driven the buffaloes from the country; +and though there were plenty of deer, yet he derived but little success +from his trapping. He finally commenced raising stock, and began to turn +his attention to agriculture. + +While thus engaged, he met with some persons who had returned from a +tour up the Missouri, who described to him the fine country bordering +upon that river. The vast prairies--the herds of buffaloes--the grizzly +bears--the beavers and otters; and above all, the ancient and unexplored +forests of that unknown region, fired his imagination, and produced at +once a resolve to remove there. + +Accordingly, gathering up such useful articles of baggage as were of +light carriage, among which his trusty rifle was not forgotten, he +started with his family, driving his whole stock of cattle along with +him, on a pilgrimage to this new land of promise. He passed through +Cincinnati on his way thither in 1798. Being enquired of as to what had +induced him to leave all the comforts of home, and so rich and +flourishing a country as his dear Kentucky, which he had discovered, and +might almost call his own, for the wilds of Missouri? "Too much +crowded," replied he--"too crowded--I want more elbow room." He +proceeded about forty-five miles above St. Louis, and settled in what is +now St. Charles county. This country being still in the possession of +the French and Spanish, the ancient laws by which these territories were +governed were still in force there. Nothing could be more simple than +their whole system of administration. They had no constitution, no king, +no legislative assemblies, no judges, juries, lawyers, or sheriffs. An +officer, called the Commandant, and the priests, exercised all the +functions of civil magistrates, and decided the few controversies which +arose among these primitive in habitants, who held and occupied many +things in common. They suffered their ponies, their cattle, their swine, +and their flocks, to ramble and graze on the same common prairies and +pastures--having but few fences or inclosures, and possessing but little +of that spirit of speculation, enterprise, and money-making, which has +always characterized the Americans. + +These simple laws and neighborly customs suited the peculiar habits and +temper of Boone. And as his character for honesty, courage, and fidelity +followed him there, he was appointed Commandant for the district of St. +Charles by the Spanish Commandant. He retained this command, and +continued to exercise the duties of his office with credit to himself, +and to the satisfaction of all concerned, until the government of the +United States went into effect. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +Anecdotes of Colonel Boone, related by Mr. Audubon--A remarkable +instance of memory. + + +As an evidence of the development of backwoods skill, and a vivid +picture of Daniel Boone, we give the following from Mr. Audubon: + +"Daniel Boone, or as he was usually called in the Western country, +Colonel Boone, happened to spend a night under the same roof with me, +more than twenty years ago. We had returned from a shooting excursion, +in the course of which his extraordinary skill in the management of a +rifle had been fully displayed. On retiring to the room appropriated to +that remarkable individual and myself for the night, I felt anxious to +know more of his exploits and adventures than I did, and accordingly +took the liberty of proposing numerous questions to him. The stature and +general appearance of this wanderer of the western forests, approached +the gigantic. His chest was broad and prominent; his muscular powers +displayed themselves in every limb; his countenance gave indication of +his great courage, enterprise, and perseverance; and when he spoke, the +very motion of his lips brought the impression, that whatever he uttered +could not be otherwise than strictly true. I undressed, whilst he merely +took off his hunting shirt, and arranged a few folds of blankets on the +floor; choosing rather to lie there, as he observed, than on the softest +bed. When we had both disposed of ourselves, each after his own +fashion, he related to me the following account of his powers of memory, +which I lay before you, kind reader, in his own words, hoping that the +simplicity of his style may prove interesting to you. + +"I was once," said he, "on a hunting expedition on the banks of the +Green river, when the lower parts of this (Kentucky,) were still in the +hands of nature, and none but the sons of the soil were looked upon as +its lawful proprietors. We Virginians had for some time been waging a +war of intrusion upon them, and I, amongst the rest, rambled through the +woods, in pursuit of their race, as I now would follow the tracks of any +ravenous animal. The Indians outwitted me one dark night, and I was as +unexpectedly as suddenly made a prisoner by them. The trick had been +managed with great skill; for no sooner had I extinguished the fire of +my camp, and laid me down to rest, in full security, as I thought, than +I felt myself seized by an indistinguishable number of hands, and was +immediately pinioned, as if about to be led to the scaffold for +execution. To have attempted to be refractory, would have proved useless +and dangerous to my life; and I suffered myself to be removed from my +camp to theirs, a few miles distant, without uttering even a word of +complaint. You are aware, I dare say, that to act in this manner, was +the best policy, as you understand that by so doing, I proved to the +Indians at once, that I was born and bred as fearless of death as any of +themselves. + +"When we reached the camp, great rejoicings were exhibited. Two squaws, +and a few papooses, appeared particularly delighted at the sight of me, +and I was assured, by very unequivocal gestures and words, that, on the +morrow, the mortal enemy of the Red-skins would cease to live. I never +opened my lips, but was busy contriving some scheme which might enable +me to give the rascals the slip before dawn. The women immediately fell +a searching about my hunting shirt for whatever they might think +valuable, and fortunately for me, soon found my flask, filled with +_Monongahela_, (that is, reader, strong whisky.) A terrific grin was +exhibited on their murderous countenances, while my heart throbbed with +joy at the anticipation of their intoxication. The crew immediately +began to beat their bellies and sing, as they passed the bottle from +mouth to mouth. How often did I wish the flask ten times its size, and +filled with aquafortis! I observed that the squaws drank more freely +than the warriors, and again my spirits were about to be depressed, when +the report of a gun was heard at a distance. The Indians all jumped on +their feet. The singing and drinking were both brought to a stand; and I +saw with inexpressible joy, the men walk off to some distance, and talk +to the squaws. I knew that they were consulting about me, and I foresaw, +that in a few moments the warriors would go to discover the cause of the +gun having been fired so near their camp. I expected the squaws would be +left to guard me. Well, sir, it was just so. They returned; the men took +up their guns and walked away. The squaws sat down again, and in less +than five minutes they had my bottle up to their dirty mouths, gurgling +down their throats the remains of the whisky. + +"With what pleasure did I see them becoming more and more drunk, until +the liquor took such hold of them that it was quite impossible for these +women to be of any service. They tumbled down, rolled about, and began +to snore; when I, having no other chance of freeing myself from the +cords that fastened me, rolled over and over towards the fire, and after +a short time burned them asunder. I rose on my feet; stretched my +stiffened sinews; snatched up my rifle, and, for once in my life, spared +that of Indians. I now recollect how desirous I once or twice felt to +lay open the skulls of the wretches with my tomahawk; but when I again +thought upon killing beings unprepared and unable to defend themselves, +it looked like murder without need, and I gave up the idea. + +"But, sir, I felt determined to mark the spot, and walking to a thrifty +ash sapling, I cut out of it three large chips, and ran off. I soon +reached the river; soon crossed it, and threw myself deep into the +cane-brakes, imitating the tracks of an Indian with my feet, so that no +chance might be left for those from whom I had escaped to overtake me. + +"It is now nearly twenty years since this happened, and more than five +since I left the whites' settlements, which I might probably never have +visited again, had I not been called on as a witness in a law-suit that +was pending in Kentucky, and which, I really believe, would never have +been settled, had I not come forward, and established the beginning of +a certain boundary line. This is the story, sir. + +"Mr. ---- moved from old Virginia into Kentucky, and having a large tract +granted to him in the new state, laid claim to a certain parcel of land +adjoining Green river, and as chance would have it, he took for one of +his corners the very ash tree on which I had made my mark, and finished +his survey of some thousands of acres, beginning, as it is expressed in +the deed, "at an ash marked by three distinct notches of the tomahawk of +a white man." + +"The tree had grown much, and the bark had covered the marks; but, some +how or other, Mr. ---- heard from some one all that I have already said +to you, and thinking that I might remember the spot alluded to in the +deed, but which was no longer discoverable, wrote for me to come and try +at least to find the place on the tree. His letter mentioned, that all +my expenses should be paid; and not caring much about once more going +back to Kentucky, I started and met Mr.----. After some conversation, +the affair with the Indians came to my recollection. I considered for a +while, and began to think that after all, I could find the very spot, as +well as the tree, if it was yet standing. + +"Mr. ---- and I mounted our horses, and off we went to the Green river +bottoms. After some difficulties, for you must be aware, sir, that great +changes had taken place in these woods, I found at last the spot where I +had crossed the river, and waiting for the moon to rise, made for the +course in which I thought the ash tree grew. On approaching the place, +I felt as if the Indians were there still, and as if I was still a +prisoner among them, Mr. ---- and I camped near what I conceived the +spot, and waited till the, return of day. + +"At the rising of the sun I was on foot, and after a good deal of +musing, thought that an ash tree then in sight must be the very one on +which I had made my mark. I felt as if there could be no doubt of it, +and mentioned my thought to Mr. ----. "Well, Colonel Boone," said he, "if +you think so, I hope it may prove true, but we must have some witnesses; +do you stay hereabout, and I will go and bring some of the settlers whom +I know." I agreed. Mr. ---- trotted off, and I, to pass the time, rambled +about to see if a deer was still living in the land. But ah! sir, what a +wonderful difference thirty years makes in the country! Why, at the time +when I was caught by the Indians, you would not have walked out in any +direction for more than a mile without shooting a buck or a bear. There +were then thousands of buffaloes on the hills in Kentucky; the land +looked as if it would never become poor; and to hunt in those days was a +pleasure indeed. But when I was left to myself on the banks of Green +river, I dare say for the last time in my life, a few _signs_ only of +deer were to be seen, and as to a deer itself, I saw none. + +"Mr. ---- returned, accompanied by three gentlemen. They looked upon me +as if I had been Washington himself, and walked to the ash tree which I +now called my own, as if in quest of a long lost treasure. I took an axe +from one of them and cut a few chips off the bark. Still no signs were +to be seen. So I cut again, until I thought it time to be cautious, and +I scraped and worked away with my butcher knife, until I _did_ come to +where my tomahawk had left an impression in the wood. We now went +regularly to work, and scraped at the tree with care, until three hacks, +as plain as any three notches ever were, could be seen. Mr. ---- and the +other gentlemen were astonished, and, I must allow, I was as much +surprised as pleased, myself. I made affidavit of this remarkable +occurrence in the presence of these gentlemen. Mr. ---- gained his cause. +I left Green river, forever, and came to where we now are; and, sir, I +wish you a good night." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +Progress of improvement in Missouri--Old age of Boone--Death of his +wife--He goes to reside with his son--His death--His personal appearance +and character. + + +Soon after the purchase of Missouri from the French by our government, +the American system of government began to be introduced there. American +laws, American courts, and the whole American system of politics and +jurisprudence spread over the country, changing, by degrees, the +features of civil society; infusing life and vigor into the body +politic, and introducing that restless spirit of speculation and +improvement which characterise the people of the United States. The tide +of emigration once more swept by the dwelling of Daniel Boone, driving +off the game and monopolizing the rich hunting grounds. His office of +commandant was merged and lost in the new order of things. He saw that +it was in vain to contend with fate; that go where he would, American +enterprize seemed doomed to follow him, and to thwart all his schemes of +backwoods retirement. He found himself once more surrounded by the rapid +march of improvement, and he accommodated himself, as well as he might, +to a state of things which he could not prevent. He had the satisfaction +of seeing his children well settled around him, and he spent his time in +hunting and exploring the new country. + +Meantime, old age began to creep upon him by degrees, and he had the +mortification to find himself surpassed in his own favorite pursuit. The +_sharp shooters_, and younger hunters could scour the forests with +fleeter pace, and bring down the bears and buffaloes with surer aim, +than his time-worn frame, and impaired vision would allow. Even the +French, with their fleets of periogues, ascended the Missouri to points +where his stiffened sinews did not permit him to follow. These volatile +and babbling hunters, with their little, and to him despicable shot +guns, could bring down a turkey, where the rifle bullet, now directed by +his dimmed eye, could not reach. It was in vain that the sights were +made more conspicuous by shreds of white paper. No vigor of will can +repair the irresistible influence of age. And however the heart and +juvenile remembrances of Boone might follow these brisk and talkative +hunters to the Rocky mountains and the Western sea, the sad +consciousness that years were stronger than the subduer of bears and +Indians, came over his mind like a cloud. + +Other sorrows came also with age. In March, 1813, he had the misfortune +to lose his wife. She had been to him a faithful companion--participating +the same heroic and generous nature with himself. She had followed him +from North Carolina into the far wilderness, without a road or even a +trace to guide their way--surrounded at every step by wild beasts and +savages, and was one of the first white women in the state of Kentucky. +She had united her fate to his, and in all his hardships, perils, and +trials, had stood by him, a meek, yet courageous and affectionate +friend. She was now taken from him in his old age, and he felt for a +time, that he was alone in the world, and that the principal tie to his +own existence was sundered. + +About this time, too, the British war with its influence upon the savage +auxiliaries of Britain, extended even to the remote forests of Missouri, +which rendered the wandering life of a hunter extremely dangerous. He +was no longer able to make one of the rangers who pursued the Indians. +But he sent numerous substitutes in his children and neighbors. + +After the death of his wife, he went to reside with his son Major Nathan +Boone, and continued to make his home there until his death. After the +peace he occupied himself in hunting, trapping, and exploring the +country--being absent sometimes two or three months at a time--solacing +his aged ear with the music of his young days--the howl of the nocturnal +wolf--and the war song of the prowling savages, heard far away from the +companionship of man. + +When the writer lived in St. Charles, in 1816, Colonel Boone, with the +return of peace, had resumed his Kentucky habits. He resided, as has +been observed, with his son on the Missouri--surrounded by the +plantations of his children and connections--occasionally farming, and +still felling the trees for his winter fire into his door yard; and +every autumn, retiring to the remote and moon-illumined cities of the +beavers, for the trapping of which, age had taken away none of his +capabilities. He could still, by the aid of paper on his rifle sights, +bring down an occasional turkey; at the salt licks, he still waylaid the +deer; and he found and cut down bee-trees as readily as in his morning +days. Never was old age more green, or gray hairs more graceful. His +high, calm, bold forehead seemed converted by years, into iron. Decay +came to him without infirmity, palsy, or pain--and surrounded and +cherished by kind friends, he died as he had lived, composed and +tranquil. This event took place in the year 1818, and in the +eighty-fourth year of his age. + +Frequent enquiries, and opposite statements have been made, in regard to +the religious tenets of the Kentucky hunter. It is due to truth to +state, that Boone, little addicted to books, knew but little of the +bible, the best of all. He worshipped, as he often said, the Great +Spirit--for the woods were his books and his temple; and the creed of +the red men naturally became his. But such were the truth, simplicity, +and kindness of his character, there can be but little doubt, had the +gospel of the Son of God been proposed to him, in its sublime truth and +reasonableness, that he would have added to all his other virtues, the +higher name of Christian. + +He was five feet ten inches in height, of a very erect, clean limbed, +and athletic form--admirably fitted in structure, muscle, temperament, +and habit, for the endurance of the labors, changes, and sufferings he +underwent. He had what phrenologists would have considered a model +head--with a forehead peculiarly high, noble, and bold--thin and +compressed lips--a mild, clear, blue eye--a large and prominent chin, +and a general expression of countenance in which fearlessness and +courage sat enthroned, and which told the beholder at a glance, what he +had been, and was formed to be. + +We have only to add, that the bust of Boone, in Washington, the painting +of him ordered by the General Assembly of Missouri, and the engravings +of him in general, have--his family being judges--very little +resemblance. They want the high port and noble daring of his +countenance. + +Though ungratefully requited by his country, he has left a name +identified with the history of Kentucky, and with the founders and +benefactors of our great republic. In all future time, and in every +portion of the globe; in history, in sculpture, in song, in +eloquence--the name of Daniel Boone will be recorded as the patriarch of +Backwoods Pioneers. + +His name has already been celebrated by more than one poet. He is the +hero of a poem called the "MOUNTAIN MUSE," by our amiable countryman, +Bryan. He is supposed to be the original from which the inimitable +characters of LEATHER STOCKING, HAWKEYE, and the TRAPPER of the +PRAIRIES, in Cooper's novels, were drawn; and we will close these +memoirs, with the splendid tribute to the patriarch of backwoodsmen, by +the prince of modern poets, Lord Byron. + + Of all men, saving Sylla, the man-slayer, + Who passes for in life and death most lucky, + Of the great names which in our faces stare, + The General Boone, backwoodsman of Kentucky, + Was happiest among mortals any where, + For killing nothing, but a bear or buck; he + Enjoy'd the lonely, vigorous, harmless days + Of his old age, in wilds of deepest maze. + + Crime came not near him; she is not the child + Of solitude; health shrank not from him, for + Her home is in the rarely trodden wild, + Which, if men seek her not, and death be more + Their choice than life, forgive them, as beguil'd + By habit to what their own hearts abhor-- + In cities cag'd. The present case in point I + Cite is, Boone liv'd hunting up to ninety: + + And what is stranger, left behind a name, + For which men vainly decimate the throng; + Not only famous, but of that good fame, + Without which glory's but a tavern song; + Simple, serene, the antipodes of shame, + Which hate or envy e'er could tinge with wrong; + An active hermit; even in age the child + Of nature, or the Man of Ross run wild. + + 'Tis true, he shrank from men even of his nation, + When they built up unto his darling trees; + He mov'd some hundred miles off, for a station, + Where there were fewer houses and more ease. + The inconvenience of civilization + Is, that you neither can be pleased, nor please. + But where he met the individual man, + He showed himself as kind as mortal can. + + He was not all alone; around him grew + A sylvan tribe of children of the chase, + Whose young unwaken'd world was always new; + Nor sword, nor sorrow, yet had left a trace + On her unwrinkled brow, nor could you + A frown on nature's, or on human face. + The free-born forest found, and kept them free, + And fresh as is a torrent or a tree. + + And tall, and strong, and swift of foot were they, + Beyond the dwarfing city's pale abortions; + Because their thoughts had never been the prey + Of care or gain; the green woods were their portions + No sinking spirits told them they grew gray, + No fashion made them apes of her distortions. + Simple they were; not savage; and their rifles, + Though very true, were not yet used for trifles. + + Motion was in their days; rest in their slumbers; + And cheerfulness, the handmaid of their toil; + Nor yet too many, nor too few their numbers; + Corruption could not make their hearts her soil + The lust, which stings; the splendor which encumbers, + With the free foresters divide no spoil. + Serene, not sullen, were the solitudes + Of this unsighing people of the woods + + +THE END. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The First White Man of the West, by Timothy Flint + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 12846 *** diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..09e06a9 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #12846 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/12846) diff --git a/old/12846.txt b/old/12846.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6f2058e --- /dev/null +++ b/old/12846.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6446 @@ +Project Gutenberg's The First White Man of the West, by Timothy Flint + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The First White Man of the West + Life And Exploits Of Col. Dan'l. Boone, The First Settler Of Kentucky; + Interspersed With Incidents In The Early Annals Of The Country. + + +Author: Timothy Flint + +Release Date: July 7, 2004 [EBook #12846] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE FIRST WHITE MAN OF THE WEST *** + + + + +Produced by Curtis Weyant, Stephanie and +the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + + + + + +[Illustration: DANIEL BOONE.] + +[Illustration: BOONE'S FIRST VIEW OF KENTUCKY.] + + "Fair was the scene that lay + Before the little band, + Which paused upon its toilsome way, + To view this new found land. + + Field, stream and valley spread, + Far as the eye could gaze, + With summer's beauty o'er them shed, + And sunlight's brightest rays. + + Flowers of the fairest dyes, + Trees clothed in richest green; + And brightly smiled the deep-blue skies, + O'er this enchanting scene. + + Such was Kentucky then, + With wild luxuriance blest; + Where no invading hand had been, + The garden of the West." + + + + + THE FIRST WHITE MAN OF THE WEST, + + OR THE + + LIFE AND EXPLOITS OF COL. DAN'L. BOONE, + THE FIRST SETTLER OF KENTUCKY; + + INTERSPERSED WITH INCIDENTS IN THE + EARLY ANNALS OF THE COUNTRY. + + + BY TIMOTHY FLINT. + + 1856. + + + + +CONTENTS + + +CHAPTER I. + +Birth of Daniel Boone--His early propensities--His pranks at school--His +first hunting expedition--And his encounter with a panther.--Removal of +the family to North Carolina--Boone becomes a hunter--Description of +fire hunting, in which he was near committing a sad mistake--Its +fortunate result--and his marriage. + + +CHAPTER II. + +Boone removes to the head waters of the Yadkin river--He meets with +Finley, who had crossed the mountains into Tennessee--They agree to +explore the wilderness west of the Alleghanies together. + + +CHAPTER III. + +Boone, with Finley and others, start on their exploring +expedition--Boone kills a panther in the night--Their progress over the +mountains--They descend into the great valley--Description of the new +country--Herds of buffaloes--Their wanderings in the wilderness. + + +CHAPTER IV. + +The exploring party divide into different routes--Boone and Stewart +taken prisoners by the Indians, and their escape--Boone meets with his +elder brother and another white man in the woods--Stewart killed by the +Indians, and the companion of the elder Boone destroyed by wolves--The +elder brother returns to North Carolina, leaving Boone alone in the +wilderness. + + +CHAPTER V. + +Boone is pursued by the Indians, and eludes their pursuit--He encounters +and kills a bear--The return of his brother with ammunition--They +explore the country--Boone kills a panther on the back of a +buffalo--They return to North Carolina. + + +CHAPTER VI. + +Boone starts with his family to Kentucky--Their return to Clinch +river--He conducts a party of surveyors to the Falls of Ohio--He helps +build Boonesborough, and removes his family to the fort--His daughter +and two of Col. Calloway's daughters taken prisoners by the +Indians--They pursue the Indians and rescue the captives. + + +CHAPTER VII. + +Settlement of Harrodsburgh--Indian mode of besieging and +warfare--Fortitude and privation of the Pioneers--The Indians attack +Harrodsburgh and Boonesborough--Description of a Station--Attack of +Bryant's Station. + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +Boone being attacked by two Indians near the Blue Licks, kills them +both--Is afterwards taken prisoner and marched to Old Chillicothe--Is +adopted by the Indians--Indian ceremonies. + + +CHAPTER IX. + +Boone becomes a favorite among the Indians--Anecdotes relating to his +captivity--Their mode of tormenting and burning prisoners--Their +fortitude under the infliction of torture--Concerted attack on +Boonesborough--Boone escapes. + + +CHAPTER X. + +Six hundred Indians attack Boonesborough--Boone and Captain Smith go out +to treat with the enemy under a flag of truce, and are extricated from a +treacherous attempt to detain them as prisoners--Defence of the +fort--The Indians defeated--Boone goes to North Carolina to bring back +his family. + + +CHAPTER XI. + +A sketch of the character and adventures of several other +pioneers--Harrod, Kenton, Logan, Ray, McAffee, and others. + + +CHAPTER XII. + +Boone's brother killed, and Boone himself narrowly escapes from the +Indians--Assault upon Ashton's station--and upon the station near +Shelbyville--Attack upon McAffee's station. + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +Disastrous battle near the Blue Licks--General Clarke's expedition +against the Miami towns--Massacre of McClure's family--The horrors of +Indian assaults throughout the settlements--General Harmar's +expedition--Defeat of General St. Clair--Gen. Wayne's victory, and a +final peace with the Indians. + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +Rejoicings on account of the peace--Boone indulges his propensity for +hunting--Kentucky increases in population--Some account of their +conflicting land titles--Progress of civil improvement destroying the +range of the hunter--Litigation of land titles--Boone loses his +lands--Removes from Kentucky to the Kanawha--Leaves the Kanawha and goes +to Missouri, where he is appointed Commandant. + + +CHAPTER XV. + +Anecdotes of Colonel Boone, related by Mr. Audubon--A remarkable +instance of memory. + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +Progress of improvement in Missouri--Old age of Boone--Death of his +wife--He goes to reside with his son--His death--His personal appearance +and character. + + + + +PREFACE. + + +Our eastern brethren have entered heartily into the pious duty of +bringing to remembrance the character and deeds of their forefathers. +Shall we of the west allow the names of those great men, who won for us, +from the forest, the savages, and wild beasts, our fair domain of +fertile fields and beautiful rivers, to fade into oblivion? They who +have hearts to admire nobility imparted by nature's great +seal--fearlessness, strength, energy, sagacity, generous forgetfulness +of self, the delineation of scenes of terror, and the relation of deeds +of daring, will not fail to be interested in a sketch of the life of the +pioneer and hunter of Kentucky, Daniel Boone. Contemplated in any light, +we shall find him in his way and walk, a man as truly great as Penn, +Marion, and Franklin, in theirs. True, he was not learned in the lore of +books, or trained in the etiquette of cities. But he possessed a +knowledge far more important in the sphere which Providence called him +to fill. He felt, too, the conscious dignity of self-respect, and would +have been seen as erect, firm, and unembarrassed amid the pomp and +splendor of the proudest court in Christendom, as in the shade of his +own wilderness. Where nature in her own ineffaceable characters has +marked superiority, she looks down upon the tiny and elaborate +acquirements of art, and in all positions and in all time entitles her +favorites to the involuntary homage of their fellow-men. They are the +selected pilots in storms, the leaders in battles, and the pioneers in +the colonization of new countries. + +Such a man was Daniel Boone, and wonderfully was he endowed by +Providence for the part which he was called to act. Far be it from us to +undervalue the advantages of education: It can do every thing but assume +the prerogative of Providence. God has reserved for himself the +attribute of creating. Distinguished excellence has never been attained, +unless where nature and education, native endowment and circumstances, +have concurred. This wonderful man received his commission for his +achievements and his peculiar walk from the sign manual of nature. He +was formed to be a woodsman, and the adventurous precursor in the first +settlement of Kentucky. His home was in the woods, where others were +bewildered and lost. It is a mysterious spectacle to see a man possessed +of such an astonishing power of being perfectly familiar with his route +and his resources in the depths of the untrodden wilderness, where +others could as little divine their way, and what was to be done, as +mariners on mid-ocean, without chart or compass, sun, moon, or stars. +But that nature has bestowed these endowments upon some men and denied +them to others, is as certain as that she has given to some animals +instincts of one kind, fitting them for peculiar modes of life, which +are denied to others, perhaps as strangely endowed in another way. + +The following pages aim to present a faithful picture of this singular +man, in his wanderings, captivities, and escapes. If the effort be +successful, we have no fear that the attention of the reader will +wander. There is a charm in such recitals, which lays its spell upon +all. The grave and gay, the simple and the learned, the young and +gray-haired alike yield to its influence. + +We wish to present him in his strong incipient manifestations of the +development of his peculiar character in boyhood. We then see him on +foot and alone, with no companion but his dog, and no friend but his +rifle, making his way over trackless and unnamed mountains, and +immeasurable forests, until he explores the flowering wilderness of +Kentucky. Already familiar, by his own peculiar intuition, with the +Indian character, we see him casting his keen and searching glance +around, as the ancient woods rung with the first strokes of his axe, and +pausing from time to time to see if the echoes have startled the red +men, or the wild beasts from their lair. We trace him through all the +succeeding explorations of the Bloody Ground, and of Tennessee, until so +many immigrants have followed in his steps, that he finds his privacy +too strongly pressed upon; until he finds the buts and bounds of legal +tenures restraining his free thoughts, and impelling him to the distant +and unsettled shores of the Missouri, to seek range and solitude anew. +We see him there, his eyes beginning to grow dim with the influence of +seventy winters--as he can no longer take the unerring aim of his +rifle--casting wistful looks in the direction of the Rocky Mountains and +the western sea; and sadly reminded that man has but one short life, in +which to wander. + +No book can be imagined more interesting than would have been the +personal narrative of such a man, written by himself. What a new pattern +of the heart he might have presented! But, unfortunately, he does not +seem to have dreamed of the chance that his adventures would go down to +posterity in the form of recorded biography. We suspect that he rather +eschewed books, parchment deeds, and clerkly contrivances, as forms of +evil; and held the dead letter of little consequence. His associates +were as little likely to preserve any records, but those of memory, of +the daily incidents and exploits, which indicate character and assume +high interest, when they relate to a person like the subject of this +narrative. These hunters, unerring in their aim to prostrate the +buffalo on his plain, or to bring down the geese and swans from the +clouds, thought little of any other use of the gray goose quill, than +its market value. + +Had it been otherwise, and had these men themselves furnished the +materials of this narrative, we have no fear that it would go down to +futurity, a more enduring monument to these pioneers and hunters, than +the granite columns reared by our eastern brethren, amidst assembled +thousands, with magnificent array, and oratory, and songs, to the memory +of their forefathers. Ours would be the record of human nature speaking +to human nature in simplicity and truth, in a language always +impressive, and always understood. Their pictures of their own felt +sufficiency to themselves, under the pressure of exposure and want; of +danger, wounds, and captivity; of reciprocal kindness, warm from the +heart; of noble forgetfulness of self, unshrinking firmness, calm +endurance, and reckless bravery, would be sure to move in the hearts of +their readers strings which never fail to vibrate to the touch. + +But these inestimable data are wanting. Our materials are comparatively +few; and we have been often obliged to balance between doubtful +authorities, notwithstanding the most rigorous scrutiny of newspapers +and pamphlets, whose yellow and dingy pages gave out a cloud of dust at +every movement, and the equally rigid examination of clean modern books +and periodicals. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +Birth of Daniel Boone--His early propensities--His pranks at school--His +first hunting expedition--And his encounter with a panther. Removal of +the family to North Carolina--Boone becomes a hunter--Description of +fire hunting, in which he was near committing a sad mistake--Its +fortunate result--and his marriage. + + +Different authorities assign a different birth place to DANIEL BOONE. +One affirms that he was born in Maryland, another in North Carolina, +another in Virginia, and still another during the transit of his parents +across the Atlantic. But they are all equally in error. He was born in +the year 1746, in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, near Bristol, on the right +bank of the Delaware, about twenty miles from Philadelphia. His father +removed, when he was three years old, to the vicinity of Reading, on the +head waters of the Schuylkill. From thence, when his son was thirteen +years old, he migrated to North Carolina, and settled in one of the +valleys of South Yadkin. + +The remotest of his ancestors, of whom there is any recorded notice, is +Joshua Boone, an English Catholic. He crossed the Atlantic to the +shores of the Chesapeake Bay, with those who planted the first germ of +the colony of Maryland. A leading motive to emigration with most of +these colonists, was to avoid that persecution on account of their +religion, which however pleasant to inflict, they found it uncomfortable +to endure. Whether this gentleman emigrated from this inducement, as has +been asserted, or not, it is neither possible, nor, as we deem, +important to settle; for we cannot find, that religious motives had any +direct influence in shaping the character and fortunes of the hero of +the woods. Those who love to note the formation of character, and +believe in the hereditary transmission of peculiar qualities, naturally +investigate the peculiarities of parents, to see if they can find there +the origin of those of the children. Many--and we are of the +number--consider transmitted endowment as the most important link in the +chain of circumstances, with which character is surrounded. The most +splendid endowments in innumerable instances, have never been brought to +light, in defect of circumstances to call them forth. The ancestors of +Boone were not placed in positions to prove, whether he did or did not +receive his peculiar aptitudes a legacy from his parents, or a direct +gift from nature. He presents himself to us as a new man, the author and +artificer of his own fortunes, and showing from the beginning rudiments +of character, of which history has recorded no trace in his ancestors. +The promise of the future hunter appeared in his earliest boyhood. He +waged a war of extermination, as soon as he could poise a gun, with +squirrels, raccoons, and wild cats, at that time exceedingly annoying to +the fields and barn-yards of the back settlers. + +No scholar ever displayed more decided pre-eminence in any branch of +learning, than he did above the boys of his years, in adroitness and +success in this species of hunting. This is the only distinct and +peculiar trait of character recorded of his early years. The only +transmitted fact of his early training is presented in the following +anecdote. + +In that section of the frontier settlement to which Boone had removed, +where unhewn log cabins, and hewn log houses, were interspersed among +the burnt stumps, surrounded by a potato patch and cornfield, as the +traveller pursued his cow-path through the deep forest, there was an +intersection, or more properly concentration of wagon tracks, called the +"Cross Roads,"--a name which still designates a hundred frontier +positions of a post office, blacksmith's shop, and tavern. In the +central point of this metropolis stood a large log building, before +which a sign creaked in the wind, conspicuously lettered "Store and +Tavern." + +To this point, on the early part of a warm spring morning, a pedestrian +stranger was seen approaching in the path leading from the east. One +hand was armed with a walking stick, and the other carried a small +bundle inclosed in a handkerchief. His aspect was of a man, whose whole +fortunes were in his walking stick and bundle. He was observed to eye +the swinging sign with a keen recognition, inspiring such courage as +the mariner feels on entering the desired haven. + +His dialect betrayed the stranger to be a native of Ireland. He sat down +on the _stoup_, and asked in his own peculiar mode of speech, for cold +water. A supply from the spring was readily handed him in a gourd. But +with an arch pause between remonstrance and laughter, he added, that he +thought cold water in a warm climate injurious to the stomach and begged +that the element might be qualified with a little whisky. + +The whisky was handed him, and the usual conversation ensued, during +which the stranger inquired if a school-master was wanted in the +settlement--or, as he was pleased to phrase it, a professor in the +higher branches of learning? It is inferred that the father of Boone was +a person of distinction in the settlement, for to him did the master of +the "Store and Tavern" direct the stranger of the staff and bundle for +information. + +The direction of the landlord to enable him to find the house of Mr. +Boone, was a true specimen of similar directions in the frontier +settlements of the present; and they have often puzzled clearer heads +than that of the Irish school-master. + +"Step this way," said he, "and I will direct you there, so that you +cannot mistake your way. Turn down that right hand road, and keep on it +till you cross the dry branch--then turn to your left, and go up a +hill--then take a lane to your right, which will bring you to an open +field--pass this, and you will come to a path with three forks--take the +middle fork, and it will lead you through the woods in sight of Mr. +Boone's plantation." + +The Irishman lost his way, invoked the saints, and cursed his director +for his medley of directions many a time, before he stumbled at length +on Mr. Boone's house. He was invited to sit down and dine, in the simple +backwoods phrase, which is still the passport to the most ample +hospitality. + +After dinner, the school-master made known his vocation, and his desire +to find employment. To obtain a qualified school-master in those days, +and in such a place, was no easy business. This scarcity of supply +precluded close investigation of fitness. In a word, the Irishman was +authorized to enter upon the office of school-master of the settlement. +We have been thus particular in this description, because it was the way +in which most teachers were then employed. + +It will not be amiss to describe the school-house; for it stood as a +sample of thousands of west country school-houses of the present day. It +was of logs, after the usual fashion of the time and place. In +dimension, it was spacious and convenient. The chimney was peculiarly +ample, occupying one entire side of the whole building, which was an +exact square. Of course, a log could be "snaked" to the fire-place as +long as the building, and a file of boys thirty feet in length, could +all stand in front of the fire on a footing of the most democratic +equality. Sections of logs cut out here and there, admitted light and +air instead of windows. The surrounding forest furnished ample supplies +of fuel. A spring at hand, furnished with various gourds, quenched the +frequent thirst of the pupils. A ponderous puncheon door, swinging on +substantial wooden hinges, and shutting with a wooden latch, completed +the appendages of this primeval seminary. + +To this central point might he seen wending from the woods, in every +direction of the compass, flaxen-headed boys and girls, clad in +homespun, brushing away the early dews, as they hied to the place, where +the Hibernian, clothed in his brief authority, sometimes perpetrated +applications of birch without rhyme or reason; but much oftener allowed +his authority to be trampled upon, according as the severe or loving +humor prevailed. This vacillating administration was calculated for any +result, rather than securing the affectionate respect of the children. +Scarcely the first quarter had elapsed, before materials for revolt had +germinated under the very throne of the school-master. + +Young Boone, at this time, had reached the second stage of teaching the +young idea how to shoot. His satchel already held paper marked with +those mysterious hieroglyphics, vulgarly called _pot-hooks_, intended to +be gradually transformed to those clerkly characters, which are called +hand-writing. + +The master's throne was a block of a huge tree, and could not be said, +in any sense, to be a cushion of down. Of course, by the time he had +heard the first lessons of the morning, the master was accustomed to let +loose his noisy subjects, to wanton and bound on the grass, while he +took a turn abroad to refresh himself from his wearying duties. While he +was thus unbending his mind, the observant urchins had remarked, that +he always directed his walk to a deep grove not far distant. They had, +possibly, divined that the unequal tempers of his mind, and his rapid +transitions from good nature to tyrannical moroseness, and the reverse, +were connected with these promenades. The curiosity of young Boone had +been partially excited. An opportunity soon offered to gratify it. + +Having one day received the accustomed permission to retire a few +minutes from school, the darting of a squirrel across a fallen tree, as +he went abroad, awakened his ruling passion. He sprang after the nimble +animal, until he found himself at the very spot, where he had observed +his school-master to pause in his promenades. His attention was arrested +by observing a kind of opening under a little arbor, thickly covered +with a mat of vines. Thinking, perhaps, that it was the retreat of some +animal, he thrust in his hand, and to his surprise drew forth a glass +bottle, partly full of whisky. The enigma of his master's walks and +inequalities of temper stood immediately deciphered. After the +reflection of a moment, he carefully replaced the bottle in its +position, and returned to his place in school. In the evening he +communicated his discovery and the result of his meditations to the +larger boys of the school on their way home. They were ripe for revolt, +and the issue of their caucus follows: + +They were sufficiently acquainted with fever and ague, to have +experimented the nature of tartar emetic. They procured a bottle exactly +like the master's, filled with whisky, in which a copious quantity of +emetic had been dissolved. Early in the morning, they removed the +school-master's bottle, and replaced it by theirs, and hurried back to +their places, panting with restrained curiosity, and a desire to see +what results would come from their medical mixture. + +The accustomed hour for intermission came. The master took his usual +promenade, and the children hastened back with uncommon eagerness to +resume their seats and their lessons. The countenance of the master +alternately red and pale, gave portent of an approaching storm. + +"Recite your grammar lesson," said he, in a growling tone, to one of the +older boys. + +"How many parts of speech are there?" + +"Seven, sir," timidly answered the boy. + +"Seven, you numscull! is that the way you get your lesson?" Forthwith +descended a shower of blows on his devoted head. + +"On what continent is Ireland?" said he, turning from him in wrath to +another boy. The boy saw the shower pre-determined to fall, and the +medicine giving evident signs of having taken effect. Before he could +answer, "I reckon on the continent of England," he was gathering an +ample tithe of drubbing. + +"Come and recite your lesson in arithmetic?" said he to Boone, in a +voice of thunder. The usually rubicund face of the Irishman was by this +time a deadly pale. Slate in hand, the docile lad presented himself +before his master. + +"Take six from nine, and what remain?" + +"Three, sir." + +"True. That will answer for whole numbers, now for your fractions. Take +three-quarters from an integer, and what remains?" + +"The whole." + +"You blockhead! you numscull!" exclaimed the master, as the strokes fell +like a hail shower; "let me hear you demonstrate that." + +"If I subtract one bottle of whisky, and replace it with one in which I +have mixed an emetic, will not the whole remain, if nobody drinks it?" + +By this time the medicine was taking fearful effect. The united +acclamations and shouts of the children, and the discovery of the +compounder of his medicament, in no degree tended to soothe the +infuriated master. Young Boone, having paid for his sport by an ample +drubbing, seized the opportune moment, floored his master, already weak +and dizzy, sprang from the door, and made for the woods. The adventure +was soon blazoned. A consultation of the patrons of the school was held. +Though young Boone was reprimanded, the master was dismissed. + +This is all the certain information we possess, touching the training of +young Boone, in the lore of books and schools. Though he never +afterwards could be brought back to the restraint of the walls of a +school, it is well known, that in some way, in after life, he possessed +himself of the rudiments of a common education. His love for hunting and +the woods now became an absorbing passion. He possessed a dog and a +fowling piece, and with these he would range whole days alone through +the woods, often with no other apparent object, than the simple pleasure +of these lonely wanderings. + +One morning he was observed as usual, to throw the band, that suspended +his shot bag, over one shoulder, and his gun over the other, and go +forth accompanied by his dog. Night came, but to the astonishment and +alarm of his parents, the boy, as yet scarcely turned of fourteen, came +not. Another day and another night came, and passed, and still he +returned not. The nearest neighbors, sympathizing with the distressed +parents, who considered him lost, turned out, to aid in searching for +him. After a long and weary search, at a distance of a league from any +plantation, a smoke was seen arising from a temporary hovel of sods and +branches, in which the astonished father found his child, apparently +most comfortably established is his new experiment of house-keeping. +Numerous skins of wild animals were stretched upon his cabin, as +trophies of his hunting prowess. Ample fragments of their flesh were +either roasting or preparing for cookery. It may be supposed, that such +a lad would be the theme of wonder and astonishment to the other boys of +his age. + +At this early period, he hesitated not to hunt wolves, and even bears +and panthers. His exploits of this kind were the theme of general +interest in the vicinity. Many of them are recorded. But we pass over +most of them, in our desire to hasten to the exploits of his maturer +years. We select a single one of the most unquestionable character, as +a sample for the rest. + +In company with some of his young companions, he undertook a hunting +excursion, at a considerable distance from the settlements. Near +night-fall, the group of young Nimrods were alarmed with a sharp cry +from the thick woods. A panther! whispered the affrighted lads, in +accents scarcely above their breath, through fear, that their voice +would betray them. The scream of this animal is harsh, and grating, and +one of the most truly formidable of forest sounds. + +The animal, when pressed, does not shrink from encountering a man, and +often kills him, unless he is fearless and adroit in his defence. All +the companions of young Boone fled from the vicinity, as fast as +possible. Not so the subject of our narrative. He coolly surveyed the +animal, that in turn eyed him, as the cat does a mouse, when preparing +to spring upon it. Levelling his rifle, and taking deliberate aim, he +lodged the bullet in the heart of the fearful animal, at the very moment +it was in the act to spring upon him. It was a striking instance of that +peculiar self-possession, which constituted the most striking trait in +his character in after life. + +Observing these early propensities for the life of a hunter in his son, +and land having become dear and game scarce in the neighborhood where he +lived, Boone's father formed the design of removing to remote forests, +not yet disturbed by the sound of the axe, or broken by frequent +clearings; and having heard a good account of the country bordering upon +the Yadkin river, in North Carolina, he resolved to remove thither. +This river, which is a stream of considerable size, has its source among +the mountains in the north-east part of North Carolina, and pursues a +beautiful meandering course through that state until it enters South +Carolina. After watering the eastern section of the latter state, it +reaches the ocean a few miles above the mouth of the Santee. + +[Illustration] + +Having sold his plantation, on a fine April morning he set forth for the +land of promise--wife, children, servants, flocks, and herds, forming +a patriarchal caravan through the wilderness. No procession bound to the +holy cities of Mecca or Jerusalem, was ever more joyful; for to them the +forest was an asylum. Overhung by the bright blue sky, enveloped in +verdant forests full of game, nought cared they for the absence of +houses with their locks and latches. Their nocturnal caravansary was a +clear cool spring; their bed the fresh turf. Deer and turkeys furnished +their viands--hunger the richest sauces of cookery; and fatigue and +untroubled spirits a repose unbroken by dreams. Such were the primitive +migrations of the early settlers of our country. We love to meditate on +them, for we have shared them. We have fed from this table in the +wilderness. We have shared this mirth. We have heard the tinkle of the +bells of the flocks and herds grazing among the trees. We have seen the +moon rise and the stars twinkle upon this forest scene; and the +remembrance has more than once marred the pleasure of journeyings in the +midst of civilization and the refinements of luxury. + +The frontier country in which the family settled was as yet an unbroken +forest; and being at no great distance from the eastern slope of the +Alleghanies, in the valleys of which game was abundant, it afforded fine +range both for pasture and hunting. These forests had, moreover, the +charm of novelty, and the game had not yet learned to fear the rifles of +the new settlers. It need hardly be added that the spirits of young +Boone exulted in this new hunter's paradise. The father and the other +sons settled down quietly to the severe labor of making a farm, +assigning to Daniel the occupation of his rifle, as aware that it was +the only one he could be induced to follow; and probably from the +experience, that in this way he could contribute more effectually to the +establishment, than either of them in the pursuits of husbandry. + +An extensive farm was soon opened. The table was always amply supplied +with venison, and was the seat of ample and unostentatious hospitality. +The peltries of the young hunter yielded all the money which such an +establishment required, and the interval between this removal and the +coming of age of young Boone, was one of health, plenty, and privacy. + +But meanwhile this settlement began to experience the pressure of that +evil which Boone always considered the greatest annoyance of life. The +report of this family's prosperity had gone abroad. The young hunter's +fame in his new position, attracted other immigrants to come and fix +themselves in the vicinity. The smoke of new cabins and clearings went +up to the sky. The baying other dogs, and the crash of distant falling +trees began to be heard; and painful presentiments already filled the +bosom of young Boone, that this abode would shortly be more pressed upon +than that he had left. He was compelled, however, to admit, that if such +an order of things brings disadvantages, it has also its benefits. + +A thriving farmer, by the name of Bryan, had settled at no great +distance from Mr. Boone, by whose establishment the young hunter, now at +the period of life when other thoughts than those of the chase of wild +game are sometimes apt to cross the mind, was accustomed to pass. + +This farmer had chosen a most beautiful spot for his residence. The farm +occupied a space of some hundred acres on a gentle eminence, crested +with yellow poplars and laurels. Around it rolled a mountain stream. So +beautiful was the position and so many its advantages, that young Boone +used often to pause in admiration, on his way to the deeper woods beyond +the verge of human habitation. Who can say that the same dreamy thoughts +that inspired the pen of the eloquent Rousseau, did not occupy the mind +of the young hunter as he passed this rural abode? We hope we shall not +be suspected of a wish to offer a tale of romance, as we relate, how the +mighty hunter of wild beasts and men was himself subdued, and that by +the most timid and gentle of beings. We put down the facts as we find +them recorded, and our conscience is quieted, by finding them perfectly +natural to the time, place, and circumstances. + +Young Boone was one night engaged in a fire hunt, with a young friend. +Their course led them to the deeply timbered bottom that skirted the +stream which wound round this pleasant plantation. That the reader may +have an idea what sort of a pursuit it was that young Boone was engaged +in, during an event so decisive of his future fortunes, we present a +brief sketch of a night _fire_ hunt. Two persons are indispensable to +it. The horseman that precedes, bears on his shoulder what is called a +_fire pan_, full of blazing pine knots, which casts a bright and +flickering glare far through the forest. The second follows at some +distance, with his rifle prepared for action. No spectacle is more +impressive than this of pairs of hunters, thus kindling the forest into +a glare. The deer, reposing quietly in his thicket, is awakened by the +approaching cavalcade, and instead of flying from the portentous +brilliance, remains stupidly gazing upon it, as if charmed to the spot. +The animal is betrayed to its doom the gleaming of its fixed and +innocent eyes. This cruel mode of securing a fatal shot, is called in +hunter's phrase, _shining the eyes_. + +The two young men reached a corner of the farmer's field at an early +hour in the evening. Young Boone gave the customary signal to his +mounted companion preceding him, to stop, an indication that he had +_shined the eyes_ of a deer. Boone dismounted, and fastened his horse to +a tree. Ascertaining that his rifle was in order, he advanced +cautiously behind a covert of bushes, to reach the right distance for a +shot. The deer is remarkable for the beauty of its eyes when thus +_shined_. The mild brilliance of the two orbs was distinctly visible. +Whether warned by a presentiment, or arrested by a palpitation, and +strange feelings within, at noting a new expression in the blue and dewy +lights that gleamed to his heart, we say not. But the unerring rifle +fell, and a rustling told him that the game had fled. Something +whispered him it was not a _deer_; and yet the fleet step, as the game +bounded away, might easily be mistaken for that of the light-footed +animal. A second thought impelled him to pursue the rapidly retreating +game; and he sprang away in the direction of the sound, leaving his +companion to occupy himself as he might. The fugitive had the advantage +of a considerable advance of him, and apparently a better knowledge of +the localities of the place. But the hunter was perfect in all his field +exercises, and scarcely less fleet footed than a deer; and he gained +rapidly on the object of his pursuit, which advanced a little distance +parallel with the field-fence, and then, as if endowed with the utmost +accomplishment of gymnastics, cleared the fence at a leap. The hunter, +embarrassed with his rifle and accoutrements, was driven to the slow and +humiliating expedient of climbing it. But an outline of the form of the +fugitive, fleeting through the shades in the direction of the house, +assured him that he had mistaken the species of the game. His heart +throbbed from a hundred sensations; and among them an apprehension of +the consequences that would have resulted from discharging his rifle, +when he had first shined those liquid blue eyes. Seeing that the fleet +game made straight in the direction of the house, he said to himself, "I +will see the pet deer in its lair;" and he directed his steps to the +same place. Half a score of dogs opened their barking upon him, as he +approached the house, and advertised the master that a stranger was +approaching. Having hushed the dogs, and learned the name of his +visitant, he introduced him to his family, as the son of their neighbor, +Boone. + +Scarce had the first words of introduction been uttered, before the +opposite door opened, and a boy apparently of seven, and a girl of +sixteen, rushed in, panting for breath and seeming in affright. + +"Sister went down to the river, and a _painter_ chased her, and she is +almost scared to death," exclaimed the boy. + +The ruddy, flaxen-haired girl stood full in view of her terrible +pursuer, leaning upon his rifle, and surveying her with the most eager +admiration. "Rebecca, this is young Boone, son of our neighbor," was +their laconic introduction. Both were young, beautiful, and at the +period when the affections exercise their most energetic influence. The +circumstances of the introduction were favorable to the result, and the +young hunter felt that the eyes of the _deer_ had _shined_ his bosom as +fatally as his rifle shot had ever the innocent deer of the thickets. +She, too, when she saw the high, open, bold forehead; clear, keen, and +yet gentle and affectionate eye--the firm front, and the visible impress +of decision and fearlessness of the hunter--when she interpreted a +look, which said as distinctly as looks could say it, "how terrible it +would have been to have fired!" can hardly be supposed to have regarded +him with indifference. Nor can it be wondered at that she saw in him her +_beau ideal_ of excellence and beauty. The inhabitants of cities, who +live in mansions, and read novels stored with unreal pictures of life +and the heart, are apt to imagine that love, with all its golden +illusions, is reserved exclusively for them. It is a most egregious +mistake. A model of ideal beauty and perfection is woven in almost every +youthful heart, of the brightest and most brilliant threads that compose +the web of existence. It may not be said that this forest maiden was +deeply and foolishly smitten at first sight. All reasonable time and +space were granted to the claims of maidenly modesty. As for Boone, he +was incurably wounded by her, whose eyes he had _shined_, and as he was +remarkable for the backwoods attribute of _never being beaten out of his +track_, he ceased not to woo, until he gained the heart of Rebecca +Bryan. In a word, he courted her successfully, and they were married. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +Boone removes to the head waters of the Yadkin river--He meets with +Finley, who had crossed the mountains into Tennessee--They agree to +explore the wilderness west of the Alleghanies together. + + +After his marriage, Boone's first step was to consider where he should +find a place, in which he could unite the advantages of fields to +cultivate, and range for hunting. True to the impulse of his nature, he +plunged deeper into the wilderness, to realize this dream of comfort and +happiness. Leaving his wife, he visited the unsettled regions of North +Carolina, and selected a spot near the head waters of the Yadkin, for +his future home. + +The same spirit that afterwards operated to take Mrs. Boone to Kentucky, +now led her to leave her friends, and follow her husband to a region +where she was an entire stranger. Men change their place of abode from +ambition or interest; women from affection. In the course of a few +months, Daniel Boone had reared comfortable cabins upon a pleasant +eminence at a little distance from the river bank, inclosed a field, and +gathered around him the means of abundance and enjoyment. His dwelling, +though of rude exterior, offered the weary traveller shelter, a cheerful +fire, and a plentiful board, graced with the most cordial welcome. The +faces that looked on him were free from the cloud of care, the +constraint of ceremony, and the distrust and fear, with which men learn +to regard one another in the midst of the rivalry, competition, and +scramble of populous cities. The spoils of the chase gave variety to his +table, and afforded Boone an excuse for devoting his leisure hours to +his favorite pursuit. The country around spread an ample field for its +exercise, as it was almost untouched by the axe of the woodsman. + +The lapse of a few years--passed in the useful and unpretending +occupations of the husbandman--brought no external change to Daniel +Boone, deserving of record. His step was now the firm tread of sober +manhood; and his purpose the result of matured reflection. This +influence of the progress of time, instead of obliterating the original +impress of his character, only sunk it deeper. The dwellings of +immigrants were springing up in all directions around. Inclosures again +began to surround him on every hand, shutting him out from his +accustomed haunts in the depths of the forest shade. He saw cultivated +fields stretching over large extents of country; and in the distance, +villages and towns; and was made sensible of their train of forms, and +laws, and restrictions, and buts, and bounds, gradually approaching his +habitation. Be determined again to leave them far behind. His resolve +was made, but he had not decided to what point he would turn. +Circumstances soon occurred to terminate his indecision. + +As early as 1760, the country west of the Cumberland mountains was +considered by the inhabitants of Carolina and Virginia, as involved in +something of the same obscurity which lay over the American continent, +after its first discovery by Columbus. Those who spread their sails to +cross the sea, and find new skies, a new soil, and men in a new world, +were not deemed more daring by their brethren at home, than the few +hardy adventurers, who struck into the pathless forests stretching along +the frontier settlements of the western country, were estimated by their +friends and neighbors. Even the most informed and intelligent, where +information and intelligence were cultivated, knew so little of the +immense extent of country, now designated as the "Mississippi Valley," +that a book, published near the year 1800, in Philadelphia or New York, +by a writer of talent and standing, speaks of the _many_ mouths of the +Missouri, as entering the Mississippi _far below the Ohio_. + +The simple inmates of cabins, in the remote region bordering on the new +country, knew still less about it; as they had not penetrated its +wilderness, and were destitute of that general knowledge which prevents +the exercise of the exaggerations of vague conjecture. There was, +indeed, ample room for the indulgence of speculation upon the features +which the unexplored land was characterized. Its mountains, plains, and +streams, animals, and men, were yet to be discovered and named. It might +be found the richest land under the sun, exhaustless in fertility, +yielding the most valuable productions, and unfailing in its resources. +It was possible it would prove a sterile desert. Imagination could not +but expatiate in this unbounded field and unexplored wilderness; and +there are few persons entirely secure from the influence of +imagination. The real danger attending the first exploration of a +country filled with wild animals and savages; and the difficulty of +carrying a sufficient supply of ammunition to procure food, during a +long journey, necessarily made on foot, had prevented any attempt of the +kind. The Alleghany mountains had hitherto stood an unsurmounted barrier +between the Atlantic country and the shores of the beautiful Ohio. + +Not far from this period, Dr. Walker, an intelligent and enterprising +Virginian, collected a small party, and actually crossed the mountains +at the Cumberland Gap, after traversing Powell's valley. One of his +leading inducements to this tour, was the hope of making botanical +discoveries. The party crossed Cumberland river, and pursued a +north-east course over the highlands, which give rise to the sources of +the lesser tributaries of the important streams that water the Ohio +valley. They reached Big Sandy, after enduring the privations and +fatigue incident to such an undertaking. From this point they commenced +their return home. On reaching it, they showed no inclination to resume +their attempt, although the information thus gained respecting the +country, presented it in a very favorable light. These first adventurers +wanted the hardihood, unconquerable fortitude, and unwavering purpose, +which nothing but death could arrest, that marked the pioneers, who +followed in their footsteps. Some time elapsed before a second exploring +expedition was set on foot. The relations of what these men had seen on +the other side of the mountains had assumed the form of romance, rather +than reality. Hunters, alone or in pairs, now ventured to extend their +range into the skirts of the wilderness, thus gradually enlarging the +sphere of definite conceptions, respecting the country beyond it. + +In 1767, a backwoodsman of the name of Finley, of North Carolina, in +company with a few kindred spirits resembling him in character, advanced +still farther into the interior of the land of promise. It is probable, +they chose the season of flowers for their enterprise; as on the return +of this little band, a description of the soil they had trodden, and the +sights they had seen, went abroad, that charmed all ears, excited all +imaginations, and dwelt upon every tongue. Well might they so describe. +Their course lay through a portion of Tennessee. There is nothing grand +or imposing in scenery--nothing striking or picturesque in cascades and +precipitous declivities of mountains covered with woods--nothing +romantic and delightful in deep and sheltered valleys, through which +wind clear streams, which is not found in this first region they +traversed. The mountains here stretch along in continuous ridges--and +there shoot up into elevated peaks. On the summits of some, spread +plateaus, which afford the most commanding prospects, and offer all +advantages for cultivation, overhung by the purest atmosphere. No words +can picture the secluded beauty of some of the vales bordering the +creeks and small streams, which dash transparent as air over rocks, +moss-covered and time-worn--walled in by the precipitous sides of +mountains, down which pour numberless waterfalls. + +The soil is rich beyond any tracts of the same character in the west. +Beautiful white, gray, and red marbles are found here; and sometimes +fine specimens of rock-crystals. Salt springs abound. It has lead mines; +and iron ore is no where more abundant. Its salt-petre caves are most +astonishing curiosities. One of them has been traced ten miles. Another, +on a high point of Cumberland mountain, has a perpendicular descent, the +bottom of which has never been sounded. They abound in prodigious +vaulted apartments and singular chambers, the roofs springing up into +noble arches, or running along for miles in regular oblong excavations. +The gloomy grandeur, produced by the faint illumination of torches in +these immense subterranean retreats, may be imagined, but not described. +Springs rise, and considerable streams flow through them, on smooth +limestone beds. + +This is the very home of subterranean wonders, showing the noblest caves +in the world. In comparison with them, the celebrated one at Antiparos +is but a slight excavation. Spurs of the mountains, called the +"Enchanted Mountains," show traces impressed in the solid limestone, of +the footsteps of men, horses, and other animals, as distinctly as though +they had been made upon clay mortar. In places the tracks are such as +would be made by feet, that had slidden upon soft clay in descending +declivities. + +Prodigious remains of animals are found near the salines. Whole trees +are discovered completely petrified; and to crown the list of wonders, +in turning up the soil, graves are opened, which contain the skeletons +of figures, who must have been of mature age. Paintings of the sun, +moon, animals, and serpents, on high and apparently inaccessible cliffs, +out of question the work of former ages, in colors as fresh as if +recently laid on, and in some instances, just and ingenious in +delineation, are a subject of untiring speculation. Even the streams in +this region of wonders have scooped out for themselves immensely deep +channels hemmed in by perpendicular walls of limestone, sometimes +springing up to a height of three or four hundred feet. As the traveller +looks down upon the dark waters rolling so far beneath him, seeming to +flow in a subterranean world, he cannot but feel impressions of the +grandeur of nature stealing over him. + +It is not to be supposed, that persons, whose sole object in entering +the country was to explore it, would fail to note these surprising +traces of past races, the beautiful diversity of the aspect of the +country, or these wonders of nature exhibited on every hand. Being +neither incurious nor incompetent observers, their delineations were +graphic and vivid. + + "Their teachers had been woods and rills, + The silence, that is in the starry sky; + The sleep, that is among the lonely hills." + +They advanced into Kentucky so far, as to their imaginations with the +fresh and luxuriant beauty of its lawns, its rich cane-brakes and +flowering forests. To them it was a terrestrial paradise for it was +full of game. Deer, elk, bears, buffaloes, panthers, wolves, wild-cats, +and foxes, abounded in the thick tangles of the green cane; and in the +open woods, pheasants, partridges, and turkeys, were as plenty as +domestic fowls in the old settlements. + +Such were the materials, from which these hunters, on their return +formed descriptions that fixed in the remembrance, and operated upon the +fancy of all who heard. A year after Finley's return, his love of +wandering led him into the vicinity of Daniel Boone. They met, and the +hearts of these kindred spirits at once warmed towards each other. +Finley related his adventures, and painted the delights of +_Kain-tuck-kee_--for such was its Indian name. Boone had but few +hair-breath escapes to recount, in comparison with his new companion. +But it can readily be imagined, that a burning sensation rose in his +breast, like that of the celebrated painter Correggio, when low-born, +untaught, poor and destitute of every advantage, save that of splendid +native endowment, he stood before the work of the immortal Raphael, and +said, "I too am a painter!" Boone's purpose was fixed. In a region, such +as Finley described, far in advance of the wearying monotony of a life +of inglorious toil, he would have space to roam unwitnessed, undisturbed +by those of his own race, whose only thought was to cut down trees, at +least for a period of some years. We wish not to be understood to laud +these views, as wise or just. In the order of things, however, it was +necessary, that men like Finley and Boone, and their companions, should +precede in the wilderness, to prepare the way for the multitudes who +would soon follow. It is probable, that no motives but those ascribed to +them, would have induced these adventurers to face the hardships and +extremes of suffering from exposure and hunger, and the peril of life, +which they literally carried in their hand. + +No feeling, but a devotion to their favorite pursuits and modes of life, +stronger than the fear of abandonment, in the interminable and pathless +woods, to all forms of misery and death, could ever have enabled them to +persist in braving the danger and distress that stared them in the face +at every advancing step. + +Finley was invited by Boone permanently to share the comfort of his +fire-side,--for it was now winter. It needs no exercise of fancy to +conjecture their subjects of conversation during the long evening. The +bitter wintry wind burst upon their dwelling only to enhance the +cheerfulness of the blazing fire in the huge chimneys, by the contrast +of the inclemency of nature without. + +It does not seem natural, at first thought, that a season, in which +nature shows herself stern and unrelenting, should be chosen, as that in +which plans are originated and matured for settling the destiny of life. +But it was during this winter, that Boone and Finley arranged all the +preliminaries of their expedition, and agreed to meet on the first of +May in the coming spring; and with some others, whom they hoped to +induce to join them for greater strength and safety, to set forth +together on an expedition into Kentucky. + +Boone's array of arguments, to influence those whom he wished to share +this daring enterprise with him, was tinctured with the coloring of rude +poetry. "They would ascend," he said, "the unnamed mountains, whose +green heads rose not far from their former hunting-grounds, since fences +and inclosures had begun to surround them on all sides, shutting up the +hunter from his free range and support. The deer had fled from the sound +of the axe, which levelled the noble trees under whose shade they could +repose from the fatigues of pursuit. The springs and streams among the +hills were bared to the fierce sun, and would soon dry up and disappear. +Soon 'the horn would no more wake them up in the morn.' The sons of +their love and pride, instead of being trained hunters, with a free, +bold step, frank kindness, true honor, and a courage that knew not fear, +would become men to whom the pleasures and dangers of their fathers +would seem an idle tale." The prospect spreading on the other side of +the mountains, he pictured as filled with all the images of abundance +and freedom that could enter the thoughts of the hunter. The paintings +were drawn from nature, and the words few and simple, that spoke to the +hearts of these sons of the forest. "The broad woods," he pursued, +"would stretch beneath their eyes, when the mountain summits were +gained, one extended tuft of blossoms. The cane was a tangle of +luxuriance, affording the richest pastures. The only paths through it +were those made by buffaloes and bears. In the sheltered glades, +turkeys and large wild birds were so abundant, that a hunter could +supply himself in an hour for the wants of a week. They would not be +found like the lean and tough birds in the old settlements, that +lingered around the clearings and stumps of the trees, in the topmost of +whose branches the fear of man compelled them to rest, but young and +full fed. The trees in this new land were of no stinted or gnarled +growth, but shot up tall, straight, and taper. The yellow poplar here +threw up into the air a column of an hundred feet shaft in a contest +with the sycamore for the pre-eminence of the woods. Their wives and +children would remain safe in their present homes, until the first +dangers and fatigues of the new settlement had been met and overcome. +When their homes were selected, and their cabins built, they would +return and bring them out to their new abodes. The outward journey could +be regulated by the uncontrolled pleasure of their more frail +travellers. What guardians could be more true than their husbands with +their good rifles and the skill and determination to use them? They +would depend, not upon circumstances, but upon themselves. The babes +would exult in the arms of their mothers from the inspiring influence of +the fresh air; and at night a cradle from the hollow tree would rock +them to a healthful repose. The older children, training to the pursuits +and pleasures of a life in the woods, and acquiring vigor of body and +mind with every day, in their season of prime, would feel no shame that +they had hearts softened by the warm current of true feeling. When their +own silver hairs lay thin upon the brow, and their eye was dim, and +sounds came confused on their ear, and their step faltered, and their +form bent, they would find consideration, and care, and tenderness from +children, whose breasts were not steeled by ambition, nor hardened by +avarice; in whom the beautiful influences of the indulgence of none but +natural desires and pure affections would not be deadened by the +selfishness, vanity, and fear of ridicule, that are the harvest of what +is called _civilized and cultivated_ life." Such at least, in after +life, were the contrasts that Boone used to present between social life +and that of the woodsman. + +[Illustration] + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +Boone, with Finley and others, start on their exploring +expedition--Boone kills a panther in the night--Their progress over the +mountains--They descend into the great valley--Description of the new +country--Herds of buffaloes--Their wanderings in the wilderness. + + +The first of May, 1769, Finley and Boone, with four others, whose names +were Stewart, Holden, Mooney, and Cool, and who had pledged themselves +to the undertaking, were assembled at the house of Boone, in readiness +to commence their journey. It may be imagined that all the neighbors +gathered to witness their departure. A rifle, ammunition, and a light +knapsack were all the baggage with which they dared encumber themselves. +Provisions for a few days were bestowed along with the clothing deemed +absolutely necessary for comfort upon the long route. No shame could +attach to the manhood and courage of Daniel Boone from the fact that +tears were said to have rushed to his eyes, as he kissed his wife and +children before he turned from his door for the last time for months, +and perhaps forever. The nature of the pioneer was as gentle and +affectionate as it was firm and persevering. He had power, however, to +send back the unbidden gush to its source, and forcibly to withdraw his +mind from enervating thoughts. + +Beside, the natural elasticity of his temperament and the buoyancy of +his character came to his aid. The anticipation of new and strange +incidents operated to produce in the minds of the travellers, from the +commencement of the enterprise, a kind of wild pleasure. + +With alert and vigorous steps they pursued a north-west course, and were +soon beyond the reach of the most distant view of their homes. This day +and night, and the succeeding one, the scenes in view were familiar; but +in the course of the four or five that followed, all vestiges of +civilized habitancy had disappeared. The route lay through a solitary +and trackless wilderness. Before them rose a line of mountains, shooting +up against the blue of the horizon, in peaks and elevations of all +forms. The slender store of food with which they had set out, was soon +exhausted. To obtain a fresh supply was the first and most pressing +want. Accordingly, a convenient place was selected, and a camp +constructed of logs and branches of trees, to keep out the dew and rain. +The whole party joined in this preliminary arrangement. When it was so +far completed, as to enable a part to finish it before night-fall, part +of the company took their rifles and went in different directions in +pursuit of game. They returned in time for supper, with a couple of deer +and some wild turkeys. Those, whose business it was to finish the camp, +had made a generous fire and acquired keen appetites for the coming +feast. The deer were rapidly dressed, so far at least as to furnish a +supper of venison. It had not been long finished, and the arrangements +for the night made, before the clouds, which had been gathering +blackness for some hours, rolled up in immense folds from the point, +whence was heard the sudden burst of a furious wind. The lightning +darted from all quarters of the heavens. At one moment every object +stood forth in a glare of dazzling light. The next the darkness might +almost be felt. The rain fell in torrents, in one apparently unbroken +sheet from the sky to the earth. The peals of thunder rolled almost +unheard amid this deafening rush of waters. The camp of the travellers, +erected with reference to the probability of such an occurrence, was +placed under the shelter of a huge tree, whose branches ran out +laterally, and were of a thickness of foliage to be almost impervious to +the rain. To this happy precaution of the woodsmen, they owed their +escape from the drenching of the shower. They were not, perhaps, aware +of the greater danger from lightning, to which their position had +exposed them. + +As was the universal custom in cases like theirs, a watch was kept by +two, while the others slept. The watches were relieved several times +during the night. About midnight, Boone and Holden being upon the watch, +the deep stillness abroad was broken by a shrill scream, resembling the +shriek of a frightened woman or child more nearly than any other sound. +The two companions had been sitting in a contemplative mood, listening +to the deep breathing of the sleepers, when this cry came upon their +ears. Both sprang erect. "What is that?" exclaimed Holden, who was not +an experienced backwoodsman, in comparison with the others. "Hush!" +answered Boone; "do not wake the rest. It is nothing but the cry of a +panther. Take your gun and come with me." + +They stole gently from the camp and listened in breathless silence for a +repetition of the cry. It was soon repeated, indicating the place where +the animal was. Groping cautiously through the bushes in its direction, +frequently stopping to look around, and holding their rifles ready for +an instantaneous shot, they drew near the formidable animal. At length +they discovered at a little distance before them, two balls that glared +with an intense brightness, like that of living coals of fire. Boone, +taking deliberate aim, in the best manner that the darkness would +permit, discharged his rifle. The yell of pain from the animal, as it +was heard leaping among the undergrowth in an opposite direction, +satisfied Boone that his shot had taken sufficient effect to prevent a +second disturbance from it, at least for that night, and he returned to +the camp with his companion. The sleepers, aroused by the report of the +gun, were awaiting him. The account of the adventure afforded +speculation, touching the point, whether the animal had been killed or +would return again. Early the next morning, some were dispatched to +bring in more game, while others prepared and dried what had already +been obtained. The whole day was spent in this way and the night +following passed without any disturbance. + +With the first light of the sun on the succeeding morning, they threw +their knapsacks over their shoulders, and leaving their temporary +shelter to benefit any who might come after them, resumed their route. +They had not proceeded far before an animal stretched on the ground +attracted attention. It was a dead panther. By comparing the size of the +ball, which had killed it, with those used by Boone, the party were +satisfied that this was the same animal he had shot the night after the +storm. + +During the day they began the ascent of the ridge of the Alleghany, that +had for some days bounded their view. The mountainous character of the +country, for some miles, before the highest elevations rose to sight, +rendered the travelling laborious and slow. Several days were spent in +this toilsome progress. Steep summits, impossible to ascend, impeded +their advance, compelling them to turn aside, and attain the point above +by a circuitous route. Again they were obliged to delay their journey +for a day, in order to obtain a fresh supply of provisions. This was +readily procured, as all the varieties of game abounded on every side. + +The last crags and cliffs of the middle ridges having been scrambled +over, on the following morning they stood on the summit of Cumberland +mountain, the farthest western spur of this line of heights. From this +point the descent into the great western valley began. What a scene +opened before them! A feeling of the sublime is inspired in every bosom +susceptible of it, by a view from any point of these vast ranges, of the +boundless forest valleys of the Ohio. It is a view more grand, more +heart-stirring than that of the ocean. Illimitable extents of wood, and +winding river courses spread before them like a large map. "Glorious +country!" they exclaimed. Little did Boone dream that in fifty years, +immense portions of it would pass from the domain of the hunter--that it +would contain four millions of freemen, and its waters be navigated by +nearly two hundred steam boats, sweeping down these streams that now +rolled through the unbroken forests before them. To them it stood forth +an unexplored paradise of the hunter's imagination. + +After a long pause, in thoughts too deep for words, they began the +descent, which was made in a much shorter time than had been required +for the opposite ascent; and the explorers soon found themselves on the +slopes of the subsiding hills. Here the hunter was in his element. To +all the party but Finley, the buffaloes incidentally seen in small +numbers in the valleys, were a novel and interesting sight. It had as +yet been impossible to obtain a shot at them, from their distance or +position. It may be imagined with what eagerness Boone sought an +opportunity to make his first essay in this exciting and noble species +of hunting. + +The first considerable drove came in sight on the afternoon of the day +on which the travellers reached the foot of the mountains. The day had +been one of the most beautiful of spring. The earth was covered with +grass of the freshest green. The rich foliage of the trees, in its +varied shading, furnished its portion of the loveliness of the +surrounding landscape. The light of the declining sun lay full on the +scene of boundless solitude. The party had descended into a deep glen, +which wound through the opening between the highlands, still extending a +little in advance of them. They pursued its course until it terminated +in a beautiful little plain. Upon advancing into this, they found +themselves in an area of considerable extent, almost circular in form, +bounded on one half its circumference by the line of hills, from among +which they had just emerged. The other sections of the circle were +marked by the fringe of wood that bordered a stream winding from the +hills, at a considerable distance above. The buffaloes advanced from the +skirt of wood, and the plain was soon filled by the moving mass of these +huge animals. + +The exploring adventurers perceived themselves in danger of what has +more than once happened in similar situations. The prospect seemed to be +that they would be trampled under the feet of the reckless and sweeping +body, in their onward course. + +"They will not turn out for us," said Finley; "and If we do not conduct +exactly right, we shall be crushed to death." + +The inexperienced adventurers bade him direct them in the emergency. +Just as the front of the phalanx was within short rifle distance, he +discharged his rifle and brought down one of the bulls, that seemed to +be a file leader, by a ball between the horns. The unwieldy animal fell. +The mass raised a deafening sort of bellow, and became arrested, as if +transfixed to the spot. A momentary confusion of the mass behind ensued. +But, borne along by the pressure of the multitudes still in the rear, +there was a gradual parting of the herd direct from the front, where the +fallen buffalo lay. The disruption once made, the chasm broadened, until +when the wings passed the travellers, they were thirty yards from the +divisions on either hand. To prevent the masses yet behind from closing +their lines, Finley took the rifle of one of his companions, and +levelled another. This changed the pace of the animals to a rout. The +last masses soon thundered by, and left them gazing in astonishment, not +unmixed with joy, in realizing their escape, "Job of Uz," exclaimed +Boone, "had not larger droves of cattle than we. In fact, we seem to +have had in this instance an abundance to a fault." + +As this was an era in their adventures, and an omen of the abundance of +the vast regions of forests which they had descried from the summits of +the mountains, they halted, made a camp, and skinned the animals, +preserving the skins, fat, tongues, and choice pieces. No epicures ever +feasted higher than these athletic and hungry hunters, as they sat +around their evening fire, and commented upon the ease with which their +wants would be supplied in a country thus abounding with such animals. + +After feasting again in the morning on the spoils of the preceding day, +and packing such parts of the animals as their probable necessities +suggested, they commenced their march; and in no great distance reached +Red river, a branch of the Cumberland. They followed the meanders of +this river for some miles, until they reached, on the 7th day of June, +Finley's former station, where his preceding explorations of the western +country had terminated. + +Their journey to this point had lasted more than a month; and though the +circumstances in which they had made it, had been generally auspicious, +so long a route through unknown forests, and over precipitous mountains, +hitherto untrodden by white men, could not but have been fatiguing in +the extreme. None but such spirits could have sustained their hardships +without a purpose to turn back, and leave their exploration +unaccomplished. + +They resolved in this place to encamp, and remain for a time sufficient +to recruit themselves for other expeditions and discoveries. The weather +had been for some time past, and still remained, rainy and unpleasant; +and it became necessary that their station should be of such a +construction, as to secure them a dry sleeping place from the rain. The +game was so abundant, that they found it a pleasure, rather than a +difficulty, to supply themselves with food. The buffaloes were seen like +herds of cattle, dispersed among the cane-brakes, or feeding on the +grass, or ruminating in the shade. Their skins were of great utility, in +furnishing them with moccasins, and many necessary articles +indispensable to their comfortable subsistence at their station. + +What struck them with unfailing pleasure was, to observe the soil, in +general, of a fertility without example on the other side of the +mountains. From an eminence in the vicinity of their station, they could +see, as far as vision could extend, the beautiful country of Kentucky. +They remarked with astonishment the tall, straight trees, shading the +exuberant soil, wholly clear from any other underbrush than the rich +cane-brakes, the image of verdure and luxuriance, or tall grass and +clover. Down the gentle slopes murmured clear limestone brooks. Finley, +who had some touch of scripture knowledge, exclaimed in view of this +wilderness-paradise, so abundant in game and wild fowls, "This +wilderness blossoms as the rose; and these desolate places are as the +garden of God." + +"Ay," responded Boone; "and who would remain on the sterile pine hills +of North Carolina, to hear the screaming of the jay, and now and then +bring down a deer too lean to be eaten? This is the land of hunters, +where man and beast will grow to their full size." + +They ranged through various forests, and crossed the numerous streams of +the vicinity. By following the paths of the buffaloes, bears, deer, and +other animals, they discovered the Salines or _Licks_, where salt is +made at the present day. The paths, in approaching the salines, were +trodden as hard and smooth, as in the vicinity of the farm-yards of the +old settlements. Boone, from the principle which places the best pilot +at the helm in a storm, was not slow to learn from innumerable +circumstances which would have passed unnoticed by a less sagacious +woodsman, that, although the country was not actually inhabited by +Indians, it was not the less a scene of strife and combat for the +possession of such rich hunting grounds by a great number of tribes. He +discovered that it was a common park to these fierce tribes; and none +the less likely to expose them to the dangers of Indian warfare, because +it was not claimed or inhabited by any particular tribe. On the +contrary, instead of having to encounter a single tribe in possession, +he foresaw that the jealousy of all the tribes would be united against +the new intruders. + +These fearless spirits, who were instinctively imbued with an abhorrence +of the Indians, heeded little, however, whether they had to make war on +them, or the wild beasts. They felt in its fullest force that +indomitable elasticity of character, which causes the possessor, every +where, and in all forms of imagined peril, to feel sufficient to +themselves. Hence the lonely adventurers continued fearlessly to explore +the beautiful positions for settlements, to cross and name the rivers, +and to hunt. + +By a happy fatality, through all the summer they met with no Indians, +and experienced no impediment in the way of the most successful hunting. +During the season, they had collected large quantities of peltries, and +meeting with nothing to excite apprehension or alarm, they became +constantly more delighted with the country. + +So passed their time, until the 22d of December. After this period +adventures of the most disastrous character began to crowd upon them. We +forthwith commence the narrative of incidents which constitute the +general color of Boone's future life. + +[Illustration] + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +The exploring party divide into different routes--Boone and Stewart +taken prisoners by the Indians, and their escape--Boone meets with his +elder brother and another white man in the woods--Stewart killed by the +Indians, and the companion of the elder Boone destroyed by wolves--The +elder brother returns to North Carolina, leaving Boone alone in the +wilderness. + + +In order to extend the means of gaining more exact information with +regard to this beautiful country, the party divided, and took different +directions. Boone and Stewart formed one division, and the remaining +three the other. The two former had as yet seen few thick forests. The +country was much of it of that description, now known by the name of +"Barrens," or open woods, which had the appearance of having been +planted out with trees at wide and regular distances from each other, +like those of an orchard, allowing the most luxuriant growth of cane, +grass, or clover beneath them. They now passed a wide and deep forest, +in which the trees were large and thick. Among them were many of the +laurel tribe, in full verdure in mid winter. Others were thick hung with +persimmons, candied by the frost, nutritive, and as luscious as figs. +Others again were covered with winter grapes. Every thing tended to +inspire them with exalted notions of the natural resources of the +country, and to give birth to those extravagant romances, which +afterwards became prevalent, as descriptions of Kentucky. Such were +Finley's accounts of it--views which went abroad, and created even in +Europe an impression of a kind of new El Dorado, or rather rural +paradise. Other and very different scenes, in no great length of time, +disenchanted the new paradise, and presented it in the sober traits of +truth. + +They were never out of sight of buffaloes, deer, and turkeys. At +night-fall they came in view of Kentucky river, and admired in unsated +astonishment, the precipices three hundred feet high, at the foot of +which, as in a channel cut out of the solid limestone, rolled the dark +waters of the beautiful stream. A lofty eminence was before them. +Thinking it would afford them a far view of the meanderings of the +river, they ascended it. This expectation was realized. A large extent +of country stretched beneath them. Having surveyed it, they proposed to +commence their return to rejoin their companions. As they were leisurely +descending the hill, little dreaming of danger, the Indian yell burst +upon their ears. A numerous party of Indians sprang from the cane-brake, +surrounded, vanquished, and bound them, before they had time to have +recourse to their arms. The Indians proceeded to plunder them of their +rifles, and every thing in their possession but the most indispensable +articles of dress. They then led them off to their camp, where they +confined them in such a manner as effectually to prevent their escape. + +Not knowing a word of the speech of their captors, who knew as little of +theirs, they were wholly ignorant of what fate awaited them. The Indians +next day marched them off rapidly towards the north, compelling them to +travel at a rate which was excessively annoying to captives in their +predicament-manacled, in momentary apprehension of death, and plunging +deeper into the wilderness in advancing towards the permanent abode of +their savage masters. It was well for them that they were more athletic +than the savages, equally capable of endurance, and alike incapable of +betraying groans, fear, or even marks of regret in their countenance. +They knew enough of savage modes to beware that the least indications of +weariness, and inability to proceed, would have brought the tomahawk and +scalping-knife upon their skulls--weapons with which they were thus +early supplied from Detroit. They therefore pushed resolutely on, with +cheerful countenances, watching the while with intense earnestness, to +catch from the signs and gestures of the Indians, what was their purpose +in regard to their fate. By the second day, they comprehended the words +of most frequent recurrence in the discussion, that took place +respecting them. Part, they perceived, were for putting them to death to +prevent their escape. The other portion advocated their being adopted +into the tribe, and domesticated. To give efficacy to the counsels of +these last, the captives not only concealed every trace of chagrin, but +dissembled cheerfulness, and affected to like their new mode of life; +and seemed as happy, and as much amused, as the Indians themselves. + +Fortunately, their previous modes of life, and in fact their actual +aptitudes and propensities wonderfully qualified them, along with their +reckless courage and elasticity of character, to enact this difficult +part with a success, which completely deceived the Indians, and gave the +entire ascendency to the advice of those who proposed to spare, and +adopt them into their tribe. Lulled by this semblance, the captors were +less and less strict in their guard. On the seventh night of their +captivity, the savages, having made a great fire, and fed plentifully, +all fell into a sound sleep, leaving their prisoners, who affected to be +as deeply asleep as themselves, wholly unguarded. + +It need hardly be said, that the appearance of content they had worn, +was mere outward show; and that they slept not. Boone slowly and +cautiously raised himself to a sitting posture, and thus remained a few +moments to mark, if his change of position had been observed. One of the +sleepers turned in his sleep. Boone instantly dropped back to his +recumbent posture and semblance of sleep. So he remained fifteen +minutes, when he once more raised himself, and continued sitting for +some time, without noting a movement among the slumberers around him. He +then ventured to communicate his purpose to his companion. + +The greatest caution was necessary to prevent disturbing the savages, as +the slightest noise would awake them, and probably bring instant death +upon the captives. Stewart succeeded in placing himself upon his feet +without any noise. The companions were not far apart, but did not dare +to whisper to each other the thought that occurred alike to both--that, +should they escape without rifles and ammunition, they must certainly +die of hunger. The place where their rifles stood had been carefully +noted by them, and by groping their way with the utmost care, they +finally reached them. Fortunately, the equipments, containing the usual +supply of powder and ball, were near the rifles. The feelings with which +Boone and Stewart stole forth from the circle of their captors may be +imagined. They made their way into the woods through the darkness, +keeping close together for some time, before they exchanged words. + +It was not far from morning when they began their attempt at escape; but +they had made considerable progress from the Indian encampment before +the dawn. They took their course with the first light, and pursued it +the whole day, reaching their camp without meeting with any accident. As +the sun was declining, forms were seen approaching the camp in the +distance. The uncertain light in which they were first visible, rendered +it impossible for Boone and Stewart to determine whether they were +whites or Indians; but they grasped their rifles, and stood ready for +defence. The forms continued to approach cautiously and slowly, until +they were within speaking distance. Boone then hailed them with the +challenge, "Who comes there?" The delight may be imagined with which +Boone and Stewart heard the reply of "White men and friends!" "Come on +then," said Boone. The next moment he found himself in the arms of his +brother, who, accompanied by a single companion, had left North +Carolina, and made his way all the distance from the Yadkin to the +Cumberland. They had been wandering many days in the woods, in pursuit +of Boone and his party, and had thus providentially fallen upon them. + +Notwithstanding the damp which it must cast on the spirits of these new +adventurers to hear of the recent captivity of Boone and Stewart, and +the uncertain fate of the rest of the company, this joyous meeting of +brothers and friends in the wilderness, and this intelligence from home, +filled the parties with a joy too sincere and unalloyed to be repressed +by apprehensions for the future. + +The four associates commenced the usual occupation of hunting, but were +soon alarmed by signs of the vicinity of Indians, and clear proofs that +they were prowling near them in the woods. These circumstances strongly +admonished them not to venture singly to any great distance from each +other. In the eagerness of pursuing a wounded buffalo, Boone and +Stewart, however, allowed themselves to be separated from their +companions. Aware of their imprudence, and halting to return, a party of +savages rushed from the cane-brake, and discharged a shower of arrows +upon them, one of which laid Stewart dead on the spot. The first purpose +of Boone was to fire upon them, and sell his life as dearly as possible. +But rashness is not bravery; and seeing the numbers of the foe, the +hopelessness of resistance, and the uselessness of bartering his own +life for the revenge of inflicting a single death--reflecting, moreover, +on the retaliation it would probably bring down on the remainder of his +companions, he retreated, and escaped, amidst a flight of arrows, in +safety to the camp. + +One would have supposed that this party would have needed no more +monition to keep them together, and always on their guard. But, +forgetful of the fate of Stewart, the partner of the elder Boone, who +had recently arrived, allowed himself to be beguiled away from the two +Boone's, as they were hunting together. The object of his curiosity was +of little importance. In pursuit of it, he wandered into a swamp, and +was lost. The two brothers sought him, long and painfully, to no +purpose. Discouraged, and perhaps exasperated in view of his careless +imprudence, they finally concluded he had chosen that method of +deserting them, and had set out on his return to North Carolina. Under +such impressions, they relinquished the search, and returned to camp. +They had reason afterwards to repent their harsh estimate of his +intentions. Fragments of his clothes, and traces of blood were found on +the opposite side of the swamp. A numerous pack of wolves had been heard +to howl in that direction the evening on which he had been lost. +Circumstances placed it beyond a doubt, that, while wandering about in +search of his companions, these terrible animals had come upon him and +torn him in pieces. He was never heard of afterwards. + +The brothers were thus left alone in this wide wilderness, the only +white men west of the mountains; as they concluded the remainder of the +original party had returned to North Carolina. But they were neither +desponding nor indolent. They held pleasant communion together--hunted +by day, cooked their game, sat by their bright fires, and sung the airs +of their country by night, as though in the midst of the gayest society. +They devoted, beside, much of their time and labor to preparing a +comfortable cabin to shelter them during the approaching winter. + +They were in want of many things. Clothing and moccasins they might +supply. With bread, sugar, and salt, though articles of the first +necessity, they could dispense. But ammunition, an article absolutely +indispensable, was failing them. They concluded, too, that horses would +be of essential service to them. They finally came to the resolution +that the elder Boone should return to North Carolina, and come out to +the new country with ammunition, horses, and supplies. + +The character of Daniel Boone, in consenting to be left alone in that +wilderness, surrounded by perils from the Indians and wild beasts, of +which he had so recently and terribly been made aware, appears in its +true light. We have heard of a Robinson Crusoe made so by the necessity +of shipwreck; but all history can scarcely parallel another such an +instance of a man voluntarily consenting to be left alone among savages +and wild beasts, seven hundred miles from the nearest white inhabitant. +The separation came. The elder brother disappeared in the forest, and +Daniel Boone was left in the cabin, so recently cheered by the presence +of his brother, entirely alone. Their only dog followed the departing +brother, and Boone had nothing but his unconquerable spirit to sustain +him during the long and lonely days and nights, visited by the +remembrance of his distant wife and children. + +To prevent the recurrence of dark and lonely thoughts, he set out, soon +after his brother left him, on a distant excursion to the north-west. +The country grew still more charming under his eye at every step of his +advance. He wandered through the delightful country of the Barrens, and +gained the heights of one of the ridges of Salt river, whence he could +look back on the Alleghany ridges, lifting their blue heads in the +direction of the country of his wife and children. Before him rolled the +majestic Ohio, down its dark forests, and seen by him for the first +time. It may be imagined what thoughts came over his mind, as the lonely +hunter stood on the shore of this mighty stream, straining his thoughts +towards its sources, and the unknown country where it discharged itself +into some other river, or the sea. During this journey he explored the +country on the south shore of the Ohio, between the Cumberland and the +present site of Louisville, experiencing in these lonely explorations a +strange pleasure, which, probably, none but those of his temperament can +adequately imagine. + +Returning to his cabin, as a kind of head quarters, he found it +undisturbed by the Indians. Caution suggested to him the expedient of +often changing his position, and not continuing permanently to sleep in +the cabin. Sometimes he slept in the cane-brake sometimes under the +covert of a limestone cliff, often made aware on his return to the cabin +that the Indians had discovered it, and visited it during his absence. +Surrounded with danger and death, though insensible to fear, he +neglected none of those prudent precautions of which men of his +temperament are much more able to avail themselves, than those always +forecasting the fashion of uncertain evils. He was, however, never for +an hour in want of the most ample supply of food. Herds of deer and +buffaloes were seldom out of his sight for a day together. His nights +were often disturbed by the howling of wolves, which abounded as much as +the other forest animals. His table thus abundantly spread in the +wilderness, and every excursion affording new views of the beautiful +solitudes, he used to affirm afterwards that this period was among the +happiest in his life; that during it, care and melancholy, and a painful +sense of loneliness, were alike unknown to him. + +We must not, however, suppose that the lonely hunter was capable only of +feeling the stern and sullen pleasures of the savage. On the contrary, +he was a man of the kindliest nature, and of the tenderest affections. +We have read of verses, in solid columns, said to have been made by him. +We would be sorry to believe him the author of these verses, for they +would redound little to his honor as a poet. But, though we believe he +did not attempt to make bad verses, the woodsman was essentially a +poet. He loved nature in all her aspects of beauty and grandeur with the +intensest admiration. He never wearied of admiring the charming natural +landscapes spread before him; and, to his latest days, his spirit in old +age seemed to revive in the season of spring, and when he visited the +fires of the sugar camps, blazing in the open maple groves. + +[Illustration] + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +Boone is pursued by the Indians, and eludes their pursuit--He encounters +and kills a bear--The return of his brother with ammunition--They +explore the country--Boone kills a panther on the back of a +buffalo--They return to North Carolina. + + +Boone's brother had departed on the first of May. During the period of +his absence, which lasted until the twenty-second of July, he considered +himself the only white person west of the mountains. It is true, some +time in this year, (1770,) probably in the latter part of it, an +exploring party led by General James Knox, crossed the Alleghany +mountains. But this exploring expedition confined its discoveries +principally to the country south and west of the river Kentucky. This +exploration was desultory, and without much result. Boone never met with +them, or knew that they were in the country. Consequently, in regard to +his own estimation, he was as completely alone in this unexplored world, +as though they had not been there. + +He never allowed himself to neglect his caution in respect to the +numerous savages spread over the country. He knew that he was exposed +every moment to the danger of falling into their hands. The fate of +Stewart had served as a warning to him. It is wonderful that he should +have been able to traverse such an extent of country as he did, and live +in it so many months, and yet evade them. It required no little +ingenuity and self-possession to take such measures as insured this good +fortune. + +About mid-day, near the close of the month of June, he paused in one of +his excursions for a short time under the shade of a tree. As he looked +cautiously around him, he perceived four Indians advancing openly +towards him, but at a considerable distance, and apparently without +having yet seen him. He did not delay to recommence his course through +the woods, hoping by short turns, and concealing himself among the +hills, to prevent an encounter with them, as the chance of four to one +was too great an odds against him. He advanced in this way one or two +miles; but as he cast a glance behind, he saw, with pain, that they +sedulously followed in his trail at nearly their first distance, showing +the same perseverance and sagacity of pursuit with which a hound follows +a deer. When he first perceived them, he was in such a position that he +could see them, and yet remain himself unseen. He was convinced that +they had not discovered his person, although so closely pursued by them. +But how to throw them off his trail, he was at a loss to conjecture. He +adopted a number of expedients in succession, but saw the Indians still +on the track behind. Suddenly a method occurred to his imagination, +which finally proved successful. Large grape vines swung from the trees +in all directions around him. + +Hastening onward at a more rapid pace, until he passed a hill that would +serve to conceal him for a few moments, he seized a vine sufficiently +strong to support his weight; and disengaging it from the roots, +climbed it a few feet, by bracing against the tree to which it was +attached. When he had attained the necessary height, he gave himself so +strong an impulse from the tree, that he reached the ground some yards +from the spot where he left it. By this expedient he broke his trail. + +Resuming his route in a course at right angles from that he had +previously followed, as fast as possible, he finally succeeded in +entirely distancing his pursuers, and leaving them at fault in pursuing +his trail. + +Boone soon after this met with a second adventure in which he actually +encountered a foe scarcely less formidable than the savage. Rendered +doubly watchful by his late escape, none of the forest sounds escaped +his notice. Hearing the approach of what he judged to be a large animal +by the noise of its movement through the cane, he held his rifle ready +for instant use, and drew from its sheath a long and sharp knife, which +he always wore in his belt. He determined to try the efficacy of his +rifle first. As the animal came in sight it proved to be a she bear. +They are exceedingly ferocious at all times, and their attack is +dangerous and often fatal; but particularly so, when they are surrounded +by their cubs, as was the case in this instance. + +As soon as the animal perceived him it gave indications of an intention +to make battle. Boone levelled his rifle, and remained quiet, until the +bear was sufficiently near to enable him to shoot with effect. In +general his aim was sure; but this time the ball not reach the point at +which he had aimed; and the wound it inflicted only served to render +the animal mad with rage and pain. It was impossible for him to reload +and discharge his gun a second time before it would reach him; and yet +he did not relish the idea of grappling with it in close fight. His +knife was the resource to which he instantly turned. He held it in his +right hand in such a position that the bear could not reach his person +without receiving its point. His rifle, held in his left hand, served as +a kind of shield. Thus prepared, he awaited the onset of the formidable +animal. When within a foot of him, it reared itself erect to grasp him +with its huge paws. In this position it pressed upon the knife until the +whole blade was buried in its body. Boone had pointed it directly to the +heart of the animal. It fell harmless to the ground. + +[Illustration] + +The time fixed for the return of his brother was drawing near. Extreme +solicitude respecting him now disturbed the hitherto even tenor of his +life. He remained most of his time in his cabin, hunting no more than +was necessary for subsistence, and then in the direction in which his +brother would be likely to approach. It was not doubt of his brother's +compliance with his promise of return, that disturbed the woodsman--such +a feeling never even entered his mind. He was confident he would prove +faithful to the trust reposed in him; but the difficulties and dangers +of the way were so great for a solitary individual upon the route before +him, that Boone feared he might fall a victim to them, notwithstanding +the utmost exertion of self-possession and fortitude. + +Day after day passed, after the extreme limit of the period fixed by the +elder Boone for his return, and still he came not. It may be imagined +that Boone had need of all the firmness and philosophy of character, +with which he was so largely endowed by nature, to sustain him under the +pressure of anxiety for the safety of his brother, and to hear through +him from his family. He suffered, too, from the conviction that he must +soon starve in the wilderness himself, as his ammunition was almost +gone. He could not hope to see his family again, unless his brother or +some other person furnished him the means of obtaining food on his way +to rejoin them. His rifle--his dependence for subsistence and +defence--would soon become entirely useless. What to others would have +been real dangers and trials--a solitary life in the wilderness, +exposure to the attacks of the savages and wild beasts--were regarded by +him as nothing; but here he saw himself driven to the last extremity, +and without resource. These meditations, although they made him +thoughtful, did not dispirit him. His spirit was unconquerable. He was +sitting one evening, near sunset, at the door of his cabin, indulging in +reflections naturally arising from his position. His attention was +withdrawn by a sound as of something approaching through the forest. +Looking up, he saw nothing, but he arose, and stood prepared for +defence. He could now distinguish the sound as of horses advancing +directly towards the cabin. A moment afterwards he saw, through the +trees, his brother mounted on one horse, and leading another heavily +laden. + +It would be useless to attempt to describe his sensations at this sight. +Every one will feel instantly, how it must have operated upon all the +sources of joy. More unmixed happiness is seldom enjoyed on the earth, +than that, in which the brothers spent this evening. His brother brought +him good news of the health and welfare of his family, and of the +affectionate remembrance in which he was held by them; and an abundant +supply of ammunition, beside many other articles, that in his situation, +might be deemed luxuries. The brothers talked over their supper, and +until late at night, for they had much to relate to each other, and both +had been debarred the pleasure of conversation so long that it now +seemed as though they could never weary of it. The sun was high when +they awoke the following morning. After breakfast, they held a +consultation with respect to what was next to be done. From observation, +Boone was satisfied that numbers of Indians, in small parties, were then +in the neighborhood. He knew it was idle to suppose that two men, +however brave and skilful in the use of their weapons, could survive +long in opposition to them. He felt the impolicy of wasting more time in +roaming over the country for the mere purpose of hunting. + +He proposed to his brother that they should immediately set themselves +seriously about selecting the most eligible spot on which permanently to +fix his family. This done, they would return together to North Carolina +to bring them out to the new country. He did not doubt, that he could +induce a sufficient number to accompany him, to render a residence in it +comparatively safe. That they might accomplish this purpose with as +little delay as possible, they proceeded the remainder of the day to +hunt, and prepare food sufficient for some time. The following day they +completed the necessary arrangement, and settled every thing for +departure on the next morning. + +They directed their course to Cumberland river. In common with all +explorers of unknown countries, they gave names to the streams which +they crossed. After reaching Cumberland river, they traversed the region +upon its banks in all directions for some days. Thence they took a more +northern route, which led them to Kentucky river. The country around the +latter river delighted them. Its soil and position were such as they +sought; and they determined, that here should be the location of the new +settlement. Having acquainted themselves, as far as they deemed +necessary, with the character of the region to be revisited, their +returning journey was recommenced. No incidents, but such as had marked +all the period of their journeyings in the wilderness, the occasional +encounter of Indians by day and the cries of wild beasts by night had +happened to them, during their last exploration. + +Upon the second day of their advance in the direction of their home, +they heard the approach of a drove of buffaloes. The brothers remarked, +that from the noise there must be an immense number, or some uncommon +confusion among them. As the buffaloes came in view, the woodsmen saw +the explanation of the unusual uproar in a moment. The herd were in a +perfect fury, stamping the ground and tearing it up, and rushing back +and forward upon one another in all directions. A panther had seated +himself upon the back of one of the largest buffaloes, and fastened his +claws and teeth into the flesh of the animal, wherever he could reach +it, until the blood ran down on all sides. The movements of a powerful +animal, under such suffering, may be imagined. But plunging, rearing, +and running were to no purpose. The panther retained its seat, and +continued its horrid work. The buffalo, in its agony, sought relief in +the midst of its companions, but instead of obtaining it, communicated +its fury to the drove. + +The travellers did not care to approach the buffaloes too closely; but +Boone, picking the flint of his rifle, and looking carefully at the +loading, took aim at the panther, determined to displace the monster +from its seat. It happened, that the buffalo continued a moment in a +position to allow the discharge to take effect. The panther released its +hold, and came to the ground. As generally happens in such cases, this +herd was followed by a band of wolves. They prowl around for the remains +usually found in the train of such numbers of animals. Another rifle was +discharged among them, for the sport of seeing them scatter through the +woods. + +[Illustration] + +The brothers left such traces--or blazes as they are technically +called--of their course, as they thought would enable them to find it +again, until they reached the foot of the mountains. They tried various +ascents, and finally discovered a route, which, with some labor might be +rendered tolerably easy. They proposed to cross the families here, and +blazed the path in a way that could not be mistaken. This important +point settled, they hastened to the settlement, which they reached +without accident. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +Boone starts with his family to Kentucky--Their return to Clinch +river--He conducts a party of surveyors to the Falls of Ohio--He helps +build Boonesborough, and removes his family to the fort--His daughter +and two of Col. Calloway's daughters taken prisoners by the +Indians--They pursue the Indians and rescue the captives. + + +The next step was to collect a sufficient number of emigrants who would +be willing to remove to the new country with the families of the Boones, +to give the settlements security and strength to resist the attacks of +the Indians. This was not an easy task. It may be readily imagined that +the Boones saw only the bright side of the contemplated expedition. They +painted the fertility and amenity of the flowering wilderness in the +most glowing colors. They described the cane-brakes, the clover and +grass, the transparent limestone springs and brooks, the open forests, +the sugar maple orchards, the buffaloes, deer, turkeys and wild fowls, +in all the fervid colors of their own imaginations. To them it was the +paradise of the first pair, whose inhabitants had only to put forth +their hands, and eat and enjoy. The depredations, captivities, and +scalpings, of the Indians; the howling of the wolves; the diseases, and +peculiar trials and difficulties of a new country, without houses, +mills, and the most indispensable necessaries of civilized life, were +all overlooked. But in such a case, in a compact settlement like that of +the Yadkin, there are never wanting gainsayers, opposers, gossips, who +envied the Boones. These caused those disposed to the enterprise to +hear the other part, and to contemplate the other side of the picture. +They put stories in circulation as eloquent as those of the Boones, +which told of all the scalpings, captivities, and murders of the +Indians, magnified in a tenfold proportion. With them, the savages were +like the ogres and bloody giants of nursery stories. They had pleasant +tales of horn-snakes, of such deadly malignity, that the thorn in their +tails, struck into the largest tree in full verdure, instantly blasted +it. They scented in the air of the country, deadly diseases, and to +them, Boone's paradise was a _Hinnom, the valley of the shadow of +death_. + +The minds of the half resolved, half doubting persons, that meditated +emigration, vibrated alternately backwards and forwards, inclined or +disinclined to it, according to the last view of the case presented to +them. But the natural love of adventure, curiosity, fondness for the +hunting life, dissatisfaction with the incessant labor necessary for +subsistence on their present comparatively sterile soil, joined to the +confident eloquence of the Boones, prevailed on four or five families to +join them in the expedition. + +All the necessary arrangements of preparing for this distant expedition, +of making sales and purchases, had occupied nearly two years. The +expedition commenced its march on the 26th of September, 1773. They all +set forth with confident spirits for the western wilderness, and were +joined by forty persons in Powell's Valley, a settlement in advance of +that on the Yadkin, towards the western country. The whole made a +cavalcade of nearly eighty persons. + +The three principal ranges of the Alleghany, over which they must pass, +were designated as Powell's, Walden's, and Cumberland. These mountains +forming the barrier between the old settlements and the new country, +stretch from the north-east to the south-west. They are of great length +and breadth, and not far distant from each other. There are +nature-formed passes over them, which render the ascent comparatively +easy. The aspect of these huge piles was so wild and rugged, as to make +it natural for those of the party who were unaccustomed to mountains, to +express fears of being able to reach the opposite side. The course +traced by the brothers on their return to Carolina, was found and +followed. The advantage of this forethought was strongly perceived by +all. Their progress was uninterrupted by any adverse circumstance, and +every one was in high spirits, until the west side of Walden's ridge, +the most elevated of the three, had been gained. They were now destined +to experience a most appalling reverse of fortune. + +On the tenth of October, as the party were advancing along a narrow +defile, unapprehensive of danger, they were suddenly terrified by +fearful yells. Instantly aware that Indians surrounded them, the men +sprang to the defence of the helpless women and children. But the attack +had been so sudden, and the Indians were so much superior in point of +numbers, that six men fell at the first onset of the savages. A seventh +was wounded, and the party would have been overpowered, but for a +general and effective discharge of the rifles of the remainder. The +Indians, terror-struck, took to flight, and disappeared. + +Had the numbers of the travellers allowed it, they felt no inclination +to pursue the retreating Indians. Their loss had been too serious to +permit the immediate gratification of revenge. The eldest son of Daniel +Boone was found among the slain. The domestic animals accompanying the +expedition were so scattered by the noise of the affray, that it was +impossible again to collect and recover them. The distress and +discouragement of the party were so great, as to produce an immediate +determination to drop the projected attempt of a settlement in Kentucky, +and return to Clinch river, which lay forty miles in their rear, where a +number of families had already fixed themselves. + +They then proceeded to perform the last melancholy duties to the bodies +of their unfortunate companions with all decent observances which +circumstances would allow. Their return was then commenced. Boone and +his brother, with some others, did not wish to forsake the undertaking +upon which they had set out; but the majority against them was so great, +and the feeling on the subject so strong, that they were compelled to +acquiesce. The party retraced, in deep sadness, the steps they had so +lately taken in cheerfulness, and even joy. + +Daniel Boone remained with his family on Clinch river, until June, 1774; +when he was requested by the governor of Virginia to go to the falls of +Ohio, to act as a guide to a party of surveyors. The manifestations of +hostility, on the part of the Indians, were such, that their longer stay +was deemed unsafe. Boone undertook to perform this service, and set out +upon this journey, with no other companion than a man by the name of +Stoner. They reached the point of destination, now Louisville, in a +surprisingly short period, without any accident. Under his guidance the +surveyors arrived at the settlements in safety. From the time that Boone +left his home, upon this enterprise, until he returned to it, was but +sixty-two days. During this period he travelled eight hundred miles on +foot, through a country entirely destitute of human habitations, save +the camps of the Indians. + +In the latter part of this year, the disturbances between the Indians +north-west of the Ohio, and the frontier settlers, grew to open +hostilities. Daniel Boone being in Virginia, the governor appointed him +to the command of three contiguous garrisons on the frontier, with the +commission of captain. The campaign of the year terminated in a battle, +after which the militia were disbanded. Boone was consequently relieved +from duty. + +Col. Henderson, of North Carolina, had been for some time engaged in +forming a company in that state, for the purpose of purchasing the lands +on the south side of the Kentucky, from the southern Indians. The plan +was now matured, and Boone was solicited by the company to attend the +treaty to be made between them and the Indians, at Wataga, in March, +1775, to settle the terms of the negociation. The requisite information, +in respect to the proposed purchase, was given him, and he acceded to +the request. At the appointed time, he attended and successfully +performed the service intrusted to him. Soon afterwards the same company +applied to him to lay out a road between the settlements on Holston +river and Kentucky river. No little knowledge of the country, and +judgment were requisite for the proper fulfilment of this service. A +great many different routes must be examined, before the most +practicable one could be fixed upon. The duty was, however, executed by +Boone, promptly and faithfully. The labor was great, owing to the rugged +and mountainous country, through which the route led. The laborers, too, +suffered from the repeated attacks of Indians. Four of them were killed, +and five wounded. The remainder completed this work, by reaching +Kentucky river, in April, of the same year. They immediately proceeded +to erect a fort near a salt spring, where Boonesborough now stands. The +party, enfeebled by its losses, did not complete the erection of the +fort until June. The Indians troubled them exceedingly, and killed one +man. The fort consisted of a block-house, and several cabins, surrounded +by palisades. + +The fort being finished, Boone returned to his family, and soon after +removed them to this first garrison of Kentucky. The purpose on which +his heart had so long been set, was now accomplished. His wife and +daughters were the first white women that ever stood on the banks of +Kentucky river. In our zeal to blazon our subject, it is not affirmed, +that Boone was absolutely the first discoverer and explorer of Kentucky, +for he was not. But the high meed of being the first actual settler and +cultivator of the soil, cannot be denied him. It was the pleasant season +of the close of summer and commencement of autumn, when the immigrants +would see their new residence in the best light. Many of its actual +inconveniences were withheld from observation, as the mildness of the +air precluded the necessity of tight dwellings. Arrangements were made +for cultivating a field in the coming spring. The Indians, although far +from friendly, did not attempt any immediate assault upon their new +neighbors, and the first events of the settlement were decidedly +fortunate. The game in the woods was an unfailing resource for food. The +supplies brought from their former homes by the immigrants were not yet +exhausted, and things went on in their usual train, with the added +advantage, that over all, in their new home, was spread the charm of +novelty. + +Winter came and passed with as little discomfort to the inmates of the +garrison as could be expected from the circumstances of their position. +The cabins were thoroughly daubed, and fuel was of course abundant. It +is true, those who felled the trees were compelled to be constantly on +their guard, lest a red man should take aim at them from the shelter of +some one of the forest hiding places. But they were fitted for this way +of getting along by their training, natures, and predilections. There +was no want of excitement during the day, or even night--nothing of the +wearying monotony to which a life of safe and regular occupation is +subject. Spring opened. The trees were girdled, and the brush cut down +and burned, preparatory to ploughing the field. A garden spot was marked +off, the virgin earth thrown up and softened, and then given in charge +to the wives and daughters of the establishment. They brought out their +stock of seeds, gathered in the old settlements, and every bright day +saw them engaged in the light and healthful occupation of planting them. +They were protected by the vicinity of their husbands and fathers, and +in turn cheered them in their severer labors. The Indians had forborne +any attacks upon the settlers so long, that, as is naturally the case, +they had ceased in a degree to dwell upon the danger always to be +apprehended from them. The men did not fail to take their rifles and +knives with them whenever they went abroad; but the women ventured +occasionally a short distance without the palisades during the day, +never, however, losing sight of the fort. This temerity was destined to +cost them dear. + +Colonel Calloway, the intimate friend of Boone, had joined him in the +course of the spring, at the fort, which had received, by the consent of +all, the name of Boonesborough. He had two daughters. Captain Boone had +a daughter also, and the three were companions; and, if we may take the +portraits of the rustic time, patterns of youthful bloom and loveliness. +It cannot be doubted that they were inexpressibly dear to their +parents. These girls, at the close of a beautiful summer day, the 14th +of July, were tempted imprudently to wander into the woods at no great +distance from their habitations, to gather flowers with which to adorn +their rustic fire-places. They were suddenly surrounded by half a dozen +Indians. Their shrieks and efforts to flee were alike unavailing. They +were dragged rapidly beyond the power of making themselves heard. As +soon as they were deemed to be beyond the danger of rescue, they were +treated with the utmost indulgence and decorum. + +This forbearance, of a race that we are accustomed to call savages, was +by no means accidental, or peculiar to this case. While in battle, they +are unsparing and unrelenting as tigers--while, after the fury of its +excitement is past, they will exult with frantic and demoniac joy in the +cries of their victims expiring at a slow fire--while they dash the +tomahawk with merciless indifference into the cloven skulls of mothers +and infants, they are universally seen to treat captive women with a +decorous forbearance. This strange trait, so little in keeping with +other parts of their character, has been attributed by some to their +want of the sensibilities and passions of our race. The true solution +is, the force of their habits. Honor, as they estimate it, is, with +them, the most sacred and inviolable of all laws. The decorum of +forbearance towards women in their power has been incorporated with +their code as the peculiar honor of a warrior. It is usually kept sacred +and inviolate. Instances are not wanting where they have shown +themselves the most ardent lovers of their captives, and, we may add, +most successful in gaining their voluntary affection in return. Enough +such examples are recorded, were other proofs wanting, to redeem their +forbearance from the negative character resulting from the want of +passions. + +The captors of these young ladies, having reached the main body of their +people, about a dozen in number, made all the provision in their power +for the comfort of their fair captives. They served them with their best +provisions, and by signs and looks that could not be mistaken, attempted +to soothe their agonies, and quiet their apprehensions and fears. The +parents at the garrison, having waited in vain for the return of their +gay and beloved daughters to prepare their supper, and in torments of +suspense that may easily be imagined, until the evening, became aware +that they were either lost or made captives. They sallied forth in +search of them, and scoured the woods in every direction, without +discovering a trace of them. They were then but too well convinced that +they had been taken by the Indians. Captain Boone and Colonel Calloway, +the agonizing parents of the lost ones, appealed to the company to +obtain volunteers to pursue the Indians, under an oath, if they found +the captors, either to retake their daughters, or die in the attempt. +The oath of Boone on this occasion is recorded: "By the Eternal Power +that made me a father, if my daughter lives, and is found, I will either +bring her back, or spill my life blood." The oath was no sooner uttered +than every individual of the males crowded round Boone to repeat it. But +he reminded them that a part of their number must remain to defend the +station. Seven select persons only were admitted to the oath, along with +the fathers of the captives. The only difficulty was in making the +selection. Supplying themselves with knapsacks, rifles, ammunition, and +provisions, the party set forth on the pursuit. + +Hitherto they had been unable to find the trail of the captors. Happily +they fell upon it by accident. But the Indians, according to their +custom, had taken so much precaution to hide their trail, that they +found themselves exceedingly perplexed to keep it, and they were obliged +to put forth all the acquirement and instinct of woodsmen not to find +themselves every moment at fault in regard to their course. The rear +Indians of the file had covered their foot prints with leaves. They +often turned off at right angles; and whenever they came to a branch, +walked in the water for some distance. At a place of this sort, the +pursuers were for some time wholly unable to find at what point the +Indians had left the branch, and began to despair of regaining their +trail. In this extreme perplexity, one of the company was attracted by +an indication of their course, which proved that the daughters shared +the sylvan sagacity of their parents. "God bless my dear child," +exclaimed Colonel Calloway; "she has proved that she had strength of +mind in her deplorable condition to retain self possession." At the same +instant he picked up a little piece of ribbon, which he instantly +recognized as his daughter's. She had evidently committed it unobserved +to the air, to indicate the course of her captors. The trail was soon +regained, and the company resumed their march with renewed alacrity. + +They were afterwards often at a loss to keep the trail, from the extreme +care of the Indians to cover and destroy it. But still, in their +perplexity, the sagacious expedient of the fair young captives put them +right. A shred of their handkerchief, or of some part of their dress, +which they had intrusted to the wind unobserved, indicated their course, +and that the captives were thus far not only alive, but that their +reasoning powers, unsubdued by fatigue, were active and buoyant. Next +day, in passing places covered with mud, deposited by the dry branches +on the way, the foot prints of the captives were distinctly traced, +until the pursuers had learned to discriminate not only the number, but +the peculiar form of each foot print. + +Late in the evening of the fifteenth day's pursuit, from a little +eminence, they discovered in the distance before them, through the +woods, a smoke and the light of a fire. The palpitation of their +parental hearts may be easily imagined. They could not doubt that it was +the camp of the captors of their children. The plan of recapture was +intrusted entirely to Boone. He led his company as near the enemy as he +deemed might be done with safety, and selecting a position under the +shelter of a hill, ordered them to halt, with a view to passing the +night in that place. They then silently took food as the agitation of +their minds would allow. All but Calloway, another selected person of +their number, and himself, were permitted to lie down, and get that +sleep of which they had been so long deprived. The three impatiently +waited for midnight, when the sleep of the Indians would be most likely +to be profound. They stationed the third person selected, on the top of +the eminence, behind which they were encamped, as a sentinel to await a +given signal from the fathers, which should be his indication to fly to +the camp and arouse the sleepers, and bring them to their aid. Then +falling prostrate, they crept cautiously, and as it were by inches, +towards the Indian camp. + +Having reached a covert of bushes, close by the Indian camp, and +examined as well as they could by the distant light of the camp-fires, +the order of their rifles, they began to push aside the bushes, and +survey the camp through the opening. Seventeen Indians were stretched, +apparently in sound sleep, on the ground. But they looked in vain among +them for the dear objects of their pursuit. They were not long in +discovering another camp a little remote from that of the Indians. They +crawled cautiously round to take a survey of it. Here, to their +inexpressible joy, were their daughters in each others arms. Directly in +front of their camp were two Indians, with their tomahawks and other +weapons within their grasp. The one appeared to be in a sound sleep, and +the other keeping the most circumspective vigils. + +The grand object now was to get possession of the prisoners without +arousing their captors, the consequence of which it was obvious, would +be the immediate destruction of the captives. Boone made a signal to +Calloway to take a sure aim at the sleeping Indian, so as to be able to +despatch him in a moment, if the emergency rendered that expedient +necessary. Boone, the while, crawled round, so as to reach the waking +Indian from behind; intending to spring upon him and strangle him, so as +to prevent his making a noise to awaken the sleeper. But, unfortunately, +this Indian instead of being asleep was wide awake, and on a careful +look out. The shadow of Boone coming on them from behind, aroused him. +He sprang erect, and uttered a yell that made the ancient woods ring, +leaving no doubt that the other camp would be instantly alarmed. The +captives, terrified by the war yell of their sentinels, added their +screams of apprehension, and every thing was in a moment in confusion. +The first movement of Boone was to fire. But the forbearance of +Calloway, and his own more prudent second thought, restrained him. It +was hard to forego such a chance for vengeance, but their own lives and +their children's would probably pay the forfeit, and they fired not. On +the contrary, they surrendered themselves to the Indians, who rushed +furiously in a mass around them. By significant gestures, and a few +Indian words, which they had learned, they implored the lives of their +captive children, and opportunity for a parley. Seeing them in their +power, and comprehending the language of defenceless suppliants, their +fury was at length with some difficulty restrained and appeased. They +seemed evidently under the influence of a feeling of compassion towards +the daughters, to which unquestionably the adventurous fathers were +indebted, that their lives were not instantly sacrificed. Binding them +firmly with cords, and surrounding them with sentinels, the Indians +retired to their camp, not to resume their sleep, but to hold a council +to settle the fate of their new prisoners. + +What were the thoughts of the captive children, or of the disinterested +and brave parents, as they found themselves bound, and once more in the +power of their enemies--what was the bitter disappointment of the one, +and the agonizing filial apprehension of the other--may be much more +readily imagined than described. But the light of the dawn enabled the +daughters to see, in the countenances of their fathers, as they lay +bound and surrounded by fierce savages, unextinguishable firmness, and +undaunted resolution, and a consciousness of noble motives; and they +imbibed from the view something of the magnanimity of their parents, and +assumed that demeanor of composure and resolute endurance which is +always the readiest expedient to gain all the respect and forbearance +that an Indian can grant. + +It would be difficult to fancy a state of more torturing suspense than +that endured by the companions of Boone and Calloway, who had been left +behind the hill. Though they had slept little since the commencement of +the expedition, and had been encouraged by the two fathers, their +leaders to sleep that night, the emergency was too exciting to admit of +sleep. + +Often, during the night, had they aroused themselves, in expectation of +the return of the fathers, or of a signal for action. But the night wore +away, and the morning dawned, without bringing either the one or the +other. But notwithstanding this distressing state of suspense, they had +a confidence too undoubting in the firmness and prudence of their +leader, to think of approaching the Indian camp until they should +receive the appointed signal. + +It would naturally be supposed that the deliberation of the Indian +council, which had been held to settle the fate of Boone and Calloway, +would end in sentencing them to run the gauntlet, and then amidst the +brutal laughter and derision of their captors, to be burnt to death at a +slow fire. Had the prisoners betrayed the least signs of fear, the least +indications of a subdued mind, such would in all probability have been +the issue of the Indian consultation. Such, however, was not the result +of the council. It was decreed that they should be killed with as little +noise as possible; their scalps taken as trophies, and that their +daughters should remain captives as before. The lenity of this sentence +may be traced to two causes. The daring hardihood, the fearless +intrepidity of the adventure, inspired them with unqualified admiration +for their captives. Innumerable instances have since been recorded, +where the most inveterate enemies have boldly ventured into the camp of +their enemy, have put themselves in their power, defied them to their +face and have created an admiration of their fearless daring, which has +caused that they have been spared and dismissed unmolested. This sort of +feeling had its influence on the present occasion in favor of the +prisoners. Another extenuating influence was, that hostilities between +the white and red men in the west had as yet been uncommon; and the +mutual fury had not been exasperated by murder and retaliation. + +As soon as it was clear morning light, the Indian camp was in motion. As +a business preliminary to their march, Boone and Calloway were led out +and bound to a tree, and the warriors were selected who were to despatch +them with their tomahawks. The place of their execution was selected at +such a distance from their camp, as that the daughters might not be able +to witness it. The two prisoners were already at the spot, awaiting the +fatal blow, when a discharge of rifles, cutting down two of the savages +at the first shot, arrested their proceedings. Another and another +discharge followed. The Indians were as yet partially supplied with fire +arms, and had not lost any of their original dread of the effects of +this artificial thunder, and the invisible death of the balls. They were +ignorant, moreover, of the number of their assailants, and naturally +apprehended it to be greater than it was. They raised a yell of +confusion, and dispersed in every direction, leaving their dead behind, +and the captives to their deliverers. The next moment the children were +in the arms of their parents; and the whole party, in the unutterable +joy of conquest and deliverance, were on their way homewards. + +[Illustration] + +It need hardly be added that the brave associates of the expedition who +had been left in camp, having waited the signal for the return of Boone +and Calloway, until their patience and forbearance was exhausted, aware +that something serious must have prevented their return, reconnoitered +the movement of the Indians as they moved from their camp to despatch +their two prisoners, and fired upon them at the moment they were about +to put their sentence into execution. + +About this time a new element began to exasperate and extend the ravages +of Indian warfare, along the whole line of the frontier settlements. The +war of Independence had already begun to rage. The influence and +resources of Great Britain extended along the immense chain of our +frontier, from the north-eastern part of Vermont and New York, all the +way to the Mississippi. Nor did this nation, to her everlasting infamy, +hesitate to engage these infuriate allies of the wilderness, whose known +rule of warfare was indiscriminate vengeance; without reference to the +age or sex of the foe, as auxiliaries in the war. + +As this biographical sketch of the life of Boone is inseparably +interwoven with this border scene of massacres, plunderings, burnings, +and captivities, which swept the incipient northern and western +settlements with desolation, it may not be amiss to take a brief +retrospect of the state of these settlements at this conjuncture in the +life of Boone. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +Settlement of Harrodsburgh--Indian mode of besieging and +warfare--Fortitude and privation of the Pioneers--The Indians attack +Harrodsburgh and Boonesborough--Description of a Station--Attack of +Bryant's Station. + + +A road sufficient for the passage of pack horses in single file, had +been opened from the settlements already commenced on Holston river to +Boonesborough in Kentucky. It was an avenue which soon brought other +adventurers, with their families to the settlement. On the northern +frontier of the country, the broad and unbroken bosom of the Ohio opened +an easy liquid highway of access to the country. The first spots +selected as landing places and points of ingress into the country, were +Limestone--now Maysville--at the mouth of Limestone creek, and Beargrass +creek, where Louisville now stands. Boonesborough and Harrodsburgh were +the only stations in Kentucky sufficiently strong to be safe from the +incursions of the Indians; and even these places afforded no security a +foot beyond the palisades. These two places were the central points +towards which emigrants directed their course from Limestone and +Louisville. The routes from these two places were often ambushed by the +Indians. But notwithstanding the danger of approach to the new country, +and the incessant exposure during the residence there, immigrants +continued to arrive at the stations. + +The first female white settlers of Harrodsburgh, were Mrs. Denton, +McGary, and Hogan, who came with their husbands and families. A number +of other families soon followed, among whom, in 1776, came Benjamin +Logan, with his wife and family. These were all families of +respectability and standing, and noted in the subsequent history of the +country. + +Hordes of savages were soon afterwards ascertained to have crossed the +Ohio, with the purpose to extirpate these germs of social establishments +in Kentucky. According to their usual mode of warfare, they separated +into numerous detachments, and dispersed in all directions through the +forests. This gave them the aspect of numbers and strength beyond +reality. It tended to increase the apprehensions of the recent +immigrants, inspiring the natural impressions, that the woods in all +directions were full of Indians. It enabled them to fight in detail,--to +assail different settlements at the same time, and to fill the whole +country with consternation. + +Their mode of besieging these places, though not at all conformable to +the notions of a siege derived from the tactics of a civilized people, +was dictated by the most profound practical observation, operating upon +existing circumstances. Without cannon or scaling ladders, their hope of +carrying a station, or fortified place, was founded upon starving the +inmates, cutting off their supplies of water, killing them, as they +exposed themselves, in detail, or getting possession of the station by +some of the arts of dissimulation. Caution in their tactics is still +more strongly inculcated than bravery. Their first object is to secure +themselves; their next, to kill their enemy. This is the universal +Indian maxim from Nova Zembla to Cape Horn. In besieging a place, they +are seldom seen in force upon any particular quarter. Acting in small +parties, they disperse themselves, and lie concealed among bushes or +weeds, behind trees or stumps. They ambush the paths to the barn, +spring, or field. They discharge their rifle or let fly their arrow, and +glide away without being seen, content that their revenge should issue +from an invisible source. They kill the cattle, watch the watering +places, and cut off all supplies. During the night, they creep, with the +inaudible and stealthy step dictated by the animal instinct, to a +concealed position near one of the gates, and patiently pass many +sleepless nights, so that they may finally cut off some ill-fated +person, who incautiously comes forth in the morning. During the day, if +there be near the station grass, weeds, bushes, or any distinct +elevation of the soil, however small, they crawl, as prone as reptiles, +to the place of concealment, and whoever exposes the smallest part of +his body through any part or chasm, receives their shot, behind the +smoke of which they instantly cower back to their retreat. When they +find their foe abroad, they boldly rush upon him, and make him prisoner, +or take his scalp. At times they approach the walls or palisades with +the most audacious daring, and attempt to fire them, or beat down the +gate. They practice, with the utmost adroitness, the stratagem of a +false alarm on one side when the real assault is intended for the other. +With untiring perseverance, when their stock of provisions is exhausted, +they set forth to hunt, as on common occasions, resuming their station +near the besieged place as soon as they are supplied. + +It must he confessed, that they had many motives to this persevering and +deadly hostility, apart from their natural propensity to war. They saw +this new and hated race of pale faces gradually getting possession of +their hunting grounds, and cutting down their forests. They reasoned +forcibly and justly, that the time, when to oppose these new intruders +with success, was to do it before they had become numerous and strong in +diffused population and resources. Had they possessed the skill of +corporate union, combining individual effort with a general concert of +attack, and directed their united force against each settlement in +succession, there is little doubt, that at this time they might have +extirpated the new inhabitants from Kentucky, and have restored it to +the empire of the wild beasts and the red men. But in the order of +events it was otherwise arranged. They massacred, they burnt, and +plundered, and destroyed. They killed cattle, and carried off the +horses;--inflicting terror, poverty, and every species of distress; but +were not able to make themselves absolute masters of a single station. + +It has been found by experiment, that the settlers in such predicaments +of danger and apprehension, act under a most spirit-stirring excitement, +which, notwithstanding its alarms, is not without its pleasures. They +acquired fortitude, dexterity, and that kind of courage which results +from becoming familiar with exposure. + +The settlements becoming extended, the Indians, in their turn, were +obliged to put themselves on the defensive. They cowered in the distant +woods for concealment, or resorted to them for hunting. In these +intervals, the settlers, who had acquired a kind of instinctive +intuition to know when their foe was near them, or had retired to +remoter forests, went forth to plough their corn, gather in their +harvests, collect their cattle, and pursue their agricultural +operations. These were their holyday seasons for hunting, during which +they often exchanged shots with their foe. The night, as being most +secure from Indian attack, was the common season selected for journeying +from garrison to garrison. + +We, who live in the midst of scenes of abundance and tranquillity can +hardly imagine how a country could fill with inhabitants, under so many +circumstances of terror, in addition to all the hardships incident to +the commencement of new establishments in the wilderness; such as want +of society, want of all the regular modes of supply, in regard to the +articles most indispensable in every stage of the civilized condition. +There were no mills, no stores, no regular supplies of clothing, salt, +sugar, and the luxuries of tea and coffee. But all these dangers and +difficulties notwithstanding, under the influence of an inexplicable +propensity, families in the old settlements used to comfort and +abundance, were constantly arriving to encounter all these dangers and +privations. They began to spread over the extensive and fertile country +in every direction--presenting such numerous and dispersed marks to +Indian hostility, red men became perplexed, amidst so many conflicting +temptations to vengeance, which to select. + +The year 1776 was memorable in the annals of Kentucky, as that in which +General George Rogers Clark first visited it, unconscious, it may be, of +the imperishable honors which the western country would one day reserve +for him. This same year Captain Wagin arrived in the country, and +_fixed_ in a solitary cabin on Hinkston's Fork of the Licking. + +In the autumn of this year, most of the recent immigrants to Kentucky +returned to the old settlements, principally in Virginia. They carried +with them strong representations, touching the fertility and advantages +of their new residence; and communicated the impulse of their hopes and +fears extensively among their fellow-citizens by sympathy. + +The importance of the new settlement was already deemed to be such, that +on the meeting of the legislature of Virginia, the governor recommended +that the south-western part of the county of Fincastle--so this vast +tract of country west of the Alleghanies had hitherto been +considered--should be erected into a separate county by the name of +Kentucky. + +This must be considered an important era in the history of the country. +The new county became entitled to two representatives in the legislature +of Virginia, to a court and judge; in a word, to all the customary +civil, military, and judicial officers of a new county. In the year +1777, the county was duly organized, according to the act of the +Virginia legislature. Among the names of the first officers in the new +county, we recognize those of Floyd, Bowman, Logan, and Todd. + +Harrodsburgh, the strongest and most populous station in the country, +had not hitherto been assailed by the Indians. Early in the spring of +1777, they attacked a small body of improvers marching to Harrodsburgh, +about four miles from that place. Mr. Kay, afterwards General Kay, and +his brother were of the party. The latter was killed, and another man +made prisoner. The fortunate escape of James Kay, then fifteen years +old, was the probable cause of the saving of Harrodsburgh from +destruction. Flying from the scene of attack and the death of his +brother, he reached the station and gave the inhabitants information, +that a large body of Indians was marching to attack the place. The +Indians themselves, aware that the inhabitants had been premonished of +their approach, seem to have been disheartened; for they did not reach +the station till the next day. Of course, it had been put in the best +possible state of defence, and prepared for their reception. + +The town was now invested by the savage force, and something like a +regular siege commenced. A brisk firing ensued. In the course of the day +the Indians left one of their dead to fall into the hands of the +besieged--a rare occurrence, as it is one of their most invariable +customs to remove their wounded and dead from the possession of the +enemy. The besieged had four men wounded and one of them mortally. The +Indians, unacquainted with the mode of conducting a siege, and little +accustomed to open and fair fight, and dispirited by the vigorous +reception given them by the station, soon decamped, and dispersed in the +forests to supply themselves with provisions by hunting. + +On the 15th of April, 1777, a body of one hundred savages invested +Boonesborough, the residence of Daniel Boone. The greater number of the +Indians had fire arms, though some of them were still armed with bows +and arrows. This station, having its defence conducted by such a gallant +leader, gave them such a warm reception that they were glad to draw off; +though not till they had killed one and wounded four of the inhabitants. +Their loss could not be ascertained, as they carefully removed their +dead and wounded. + +In July following, the residence of Boone was again besieged by a body +of Indians, whose number was increased to two hundred. With their +numbers, their hardihood and audacity were increased in proportion. To +prevent the neighboring stations from sending assistance, detachments +from their body assailed most of the adjacent settlements at the same +time. The gallant inmates of the station made them repent their +temerity, though, as formerly, with some loss; one of their number +having been killed and two wounded. Seven of the Indians were distinctly +counted from the fort among the slain; though, according to custom, the +bodies were removed. After a close siege, and almost constant firing +during two days, the Indians raised a yell of disappointment, and +disappeared in the forests. + +In order to present distinct views of the sort of enemy, with whom Boone +had to do, and to present pictures of the aspect of Indian warfare in +those times, we might give sketches of the repeated sieges of +Harrodsburgh and Boonesborough, against which--as deemed the strong +holds of the _Long-knife,_ as they called the Americans--their most +formidable and repeated efforts were directed. There is such a sad and +dreary uniformity in these narratives, that the history of one may +almost stand for that of all. They always present more or less killed +and wounded on the part of the stations, and a still greater number on +that of the Indians. Their attacks of stations having been uniformly +unsuccessful, they returned to their original modes of warfare, +dispersing themselves in small bodies over all the country, and +attacking individual settlers in insulated cabins, and destroying women +and children. But as most of these annals belong to the general history +of Kentucky, and do not particularly tend to develop the character of +the subject of this biography, we shall pretermit them, with a single +exception. At the expense of an anachronism, and as a fair sample of the +rest, we shall present that, as one of the most prominent Indian sieges +recorded in these early annals. It will not be considered an episode, if +it tend to convey distinct ideas of the structure and form of a +_station_, and the modes of attack and defence in those times. It was in +such scenes that the fearless daring, united with the cool, prudent, and +yet efficient counsels of Daniel Boone, were peculiarly conspicuous. +With this view we offer a somewhat detailed account of the attack of +Bryant's station. + +As we know of no place, nearer than the sources of the Mississippi, or +the Rocky Mountains, where the refuge of a _station_ is now requisite +for security from the Indians; as the remains of those that were +formerly built are fast mouldering to decay; and as in a few years +history will be the only depository of what the term _station_ imports, +we deem it right, in this place, to present as graphic a view as we may, +of a station, as we have seen them in their ruins in various points of +the west. + +The first immigrants to Tennessee and Kentucky, as we have seen, came in +pairs and small bodies. These pioneers on their return to the old +settlements, brought back companies and societies.--Friends and +connections, old and young, mothers and daughters, flocks, herds, +domestic animals, and the family dogs, all set forth on the patriarchal +emigration for the land of promise together. No disruption of the tender +natal and moral ties; no annihilation of the reciprocity of domestic +kindness, friendship, and love, took place. The cement and panoply +of affection, and good will bound them together at once in the social +tie, and the union for defence. Like the gregarious tenants of the air +in their annual migrations, they brought their true home, that is to say +their charities with them. In their state of extreme isolation from the +world they had left, the kindly social propensities were found to grow +more strong in the wilderness. The current of human affections in fact +naturally flows in a deeper and more vigorous tide, in proportion as it +is diverted into fewer channels. + +These immigrants to the Bloody Ground, coming to survey new aspects of +nature, new forests and climates, and to encounter new privations, +difficulties and dangers, were bound together by a new sacrament of +friendship, new and unsworn oaths, to stand by each other for life and +for death. How often have we heard the remains of this primitive race of +Kentucky deplore the measured distance and jealousy, the heathen rivalry +and selfishness of the present generation, in comparison with the unity +of heart, dangers and fortunes of these primeval times--reminding one of +the simple kindness, the community of property, and the union of heart +among the first Christians! + +Another circumstance of this picture ought to be redeemed from oblivion. +We suspect that the general impressions of the readers of this day is, +that the first hunters and settlers of Kentucky and Tennessee were a +sort of demi-savages. Imagination depicts them with long beard, and a +costume of skins, rude, fierce, and repulsive. Nothing can be wider from +the fact. These progenitors of the west were generally men of noble, +square, erect forms, broad chests, clear, bright, truth-telling eyes, +and of vigorous intellects. + +All this is not only matter of historical record, but in the natural +order of things. The first settlers of America were originally a noble +stock. These, their descendants, had been reared under circumstances +every way calculated to give them manly beauty and noble forms. They had +breathed a free and a salubrious air. The field and forest exercise +yielded them salutary viands, and appetite and digestion corresponding. +Life brought them the sensations of high health, herculean vigor, and +redundant joy. + +When a social band of this description had planted their feet on the +virgin soil, the first object was to fix on a spot, central to the most +fertile tract of land that could be found, combining the advantages +usually sought by the first settlers. Among these was, that the station +should be on the summit of a gentle swell, where pawpaw, cane, and wild +clover, marked exuberant fertility; and where the trees were so sparse, +and the soil beneath them so free from underbrush, that the hunter could +ride at half speed. The virgin soil, as yet friable, untrodden, and not +cursed with the blight of politics, party, and feud, yielded, with +little other cultivation than planting, from eighty to a hundred bushels +of maize to the acre, and all other edibles suited to the soil and +climate, in proportion. + +The next thing, after finding this central nucleus of a settlement, was +to convert it into a _station_, an erection which now remains to be +described. It was a desirable requisite, that a station should in close +or command a flush limestone spring, for water for the settlement. The +contiguity of a salt lick and a sugar orchard, though not indispensable, +was a very desirable circumstance. The next preliminary step was to +clear a considerable area, so as to leave nothing within a considerable +distance of the station that could shelter an enemy from observation and +a shot. If a spring were not inclosed, or a well dug within, as an +Indian siege seldom lasted beyond a few days, it was customary, in +periods of alarm to have a reservoir of some sort within the station, +that should be filled with water enough to supply the garrison, during +the probable continuance of a siege. It was deemed a most important +consideration, that the station should overlook and command as much of +the surrounding country as possible. + +The form was a perfect parallelogram, including from a half to a whole +acre. A trench was then dug four or five feet deep, and large and +contiguous pickets planted in this trench, so as to form a compact wall +from ten to twelve feet high above the soil. The pickets were of hard +and durable timber, about a foot in diameter. The soil about them was +rammed hard. They formed a rampart beyond the power of man to leap, +climb, or by unaided physical strength to overthrow. At the angles were +small projecting squares, of still stronger material and planting, +technically called _flankers_, with oblique port-holes, so as that the +sentinel within could rake the external front of the station, without +being exposed to shot from without. Two folding gates in the front and +rear, swinging on prodigious wooden hinges, gave egress and ingress to +men and teams in times of security. + +In periods of alarm a trusty sentinel on the roof of the building was so +stationed, as to be able to descry every suspicious object while yet in +the distance. The gates were always firmly barred by night; and +sentinels took their alternate watch, and relieved each other until +morning. Nothing in the line of fortification can be imagined more easy +of construction, or a more effectual protection against a savage enemy, +than this simple erection. Though the balls of the smallest dimensions +of cannon would have swept them away with ease, they were proof against +the Indian rifle, patience, and skill. The only expedient of the red men +was to dig under them and undermine them, or destroy them by fire; and +even this could not be done without exposing them to the rifles of the +flankers. Of course, there are few recorded instances of their having +been taken, when defended by a garrison, guided by such men as Daniel +Boone. + +Their regular form, and their show of security, rendered these walled +cities in the central wilderness delightful spectacles in the eye of +immigrants who had come two hundred leagues without seeing a human +habitation. Around the interior of these walls the habitations of the +immigrants arose, and the remainder of the surface was a clean-turfed +area for wrestling and dancing, and the vigorous and athletic amusements +of the olden time. It is questionable if heartier dinners and profounder +sleep and more exhilarating balls and parties fall to the lot of their +descendants, who ride in coaches and dwell in mansions. Venison and wild +turkeys, sweet potatoes and pies, smoked on their table; and persimmon +and maple beer, stood them well instead of the poisonous whisky of their +children. + +The community, of course, passed their social evenings together; and +while the fire blazed bright within the secure square, the far howl of +wolves, or even the distant war-whoop of the savages, sounded in the ear +of the tranquil in-dwellers like the driving storm pouring on the +sheltering roof above the head of the traveller safely reposing in his +bed; that is, brought the contrast of comfort and security with more +home-felt influence to their bosom. + +Such a station was Bryant's, no longer ago than 1782. It was the nucleus +of the settlements of that rich and delightful country, of which at +present Lexington is the centre. There were but two others of any +importance, at this time north of Kentucky river. It was more open to +attack than any other in the country. The Miami on the north, and the +Licking on the south of the Ohio, were long canals, which floated the +Indian canoes from the northern hive of the savages, between the lakes +and the Ohio, directly to its vicinity. + +In the summer of this year a grand Indian assemblage took place at +Chillicothe, a famous central Indian town on the Little Miami. The +Cherokees, Wyandots, Tawas, Pottawattomies, and most of the tribes +bordering on the lakes, were represented in it. Besides their chiefs and +some Canadians, they were aided by the counsels of the two Girtys, and +McKee, renegado whites. We have made diligent enquiry touching the +biography of these men, particularly Simon Girty, a wretch of most +infamous notoriety in those times, as a more successful instigator of +Indian assault and massacre, than any name on record. Scarcely a +tortured captive escaped from the northern Indians, who could not tell +the share which this villain had in his sufferings--no burning or murder +of prisoners, at which he had not assisted by his presence or his +counsels. These refugees from our white settlements, added the +calculation and power of combining of the whites to the instinctive +cunning and ferocity of the savages. They possessed their thirst for +blood without their active or passive courage--blending the bad points +of character in the whites and Indians, without the good of either. The +cruelty of the Indians had some show of palliating circumstances, in the +steady encroachments of the whites upon them. Theirs was gratuitous, +coldblooded, and without visible motive, except that they appeared to +hate the race more inveterately for having fled from it. Yet Simon +Girty, like the Indians among whom he lived, sometimes took the freak of +kindness, nobody could divine why, and he once or twice saved an unhappy +captive from being roasted alive. + +This vile renegado, consulted by the Indians as an oracle, lived in +plenty, smoked his pipe, and drank off his whisky in his log palace. He +was seen abroad clad in a ruffled shirt, a red and blue uniform, with +pantaloons and gaiters to match. He was belted with dirks and pistols, +and wore a watch with enormous length of chain, and most glaring +ornaments, all probably the spoils of murder. So habited, he strutted, +in the enormity of his cruelty in view of the ill-fated captives of the +Indians, like the peacock spreading his morning plumage. There is little +doubt that his capricious acts of saving the few that were spared +through his intercession, were modified results of vanity; and that they +were spared to make a display of his power, and the extent of his +influence among the Indians. + +The assemblage of Indians bound to the assault of Bryant's station, +gathered round the shrine of Simon Girty, to hear the response of this +oracle touching the intended expedition. He is said to have painted to +them, in a set speech, the abundance and delight of the fair valleys of +Kan-tuck-ee, for which so much blood of red men had been shed--the land +of clover, deer, and buffaloes. He described the gradual encroachment of +the whites, and the certainty that they would soon occupy the whole +land. He proved the necessity of a vigorous, united, and persevering +effort against them, now while they were feeble, and had scarcely gained +foot-hold on the soil, if they ever intended to regain possession of +their ancient, rich, and rightful domain; assuring them, that as things +now went on, they would soon have no hunting grounds worth retaining, no +blankets with which to clothe their naked backs, or whisky to warm and +cheer their desolate hearts. They were advised to descend the Miami, +cross the Ohio, ascend the Licking, paddling their canoes to the +immediate vicinity of Bryant's station, which he counselled them to +attack. + +Forthwith, the mass of biped wolves raised their murderous yell, as they +started for their canoes on the Miami. Girty, in his ruffled shirt and +soldier coat, stalked at their head, silently feeding upon his prowess +and grandeur. + +The station against which they were destined, inclosed forty cabins. +They arrived before it on the fifteenth of August, in the night. The +inhabitants were advertised of their arrival in the morning, by being +fired upon as they opened the gates. The time of their arrival was +apparently providential. In two hours most of the efficient male inmates +of the station were to have marched to the aid of two other stations, +which were reported to have been attacked. This place would thus have +been left completely defenceless. As soon as the garrison saw themselves +besieged, they found means to despatch one of their number to Lexington, +to announce the assault and crave aid. Sixteen mounted men, and +thirty-one on foot, were immediately despatched to their assistance. + +The number of the assailants amounted to at least six hundred. In +conformity with the common modes of their warfare, they attempted to +gain the place by stratagem. The great body concealed themselves among +high weeds, on the opposite side of the station, within pistol shot of +the spring which supplied it with water. A detachment of a hundred +commenced a false attack on the south-east angle, with a view to draw +the whole attention of the garrison to that point. They hoped that while +the chief force of the station crowded there, the opposite point would +be left defenceless. In this instance they reckoned without their host. +The people penetrated their deception, and instead of returning their +fire, commenced what had been imprudently neglected, the repairing their +palisades, and putting the station in a better condition of defence. The +tall and luxuriant strammony weeds instructed these wary backwoodsmen to +suspect that a host of their tawny foe lay hid beneath their sheltering +foliage, lurking for a chance to fire upon them, as they should come +forth for water. + +Let modern wives, who refuse to follow their husbands abroad, alleging +the danger of the voyage or journey, or the unhealthiness of the +proposed residence, or because the removal will separate them from the +pleasures of fashion and society, contemplate the example of the wives +of the defenders of this station. These noble mothers, wives, and +daughters, assuring the men that there was no probability that the +Indians would fire upon them, offered to go out and draw water for the +supply of the garrison, and that even if they did shoot down a few of +them, it would not reduce the resources of the garrison as would the +killing of the men. The illustrious heroines took up their buckets, and +marched out to the spring, espying here and there a painted face, or an +Indian body crouched under the covert of the weeds. Whether their +courage or their beauty fascinated the Indians to suspend their fire, +does not appear. But it was so, that these generous women came and went +until the reservoir was amply supplied with crater. Who will doubt that +the husbands of such wives must have been alike gallant and +affectionate. + +After this example, it was not difficult to procure some young +volunteers to tempt the Indians in the same way. As was expected, they +had scarcely advanced beyond their station, before a hundred Indians +fired a shower of balls upon them, happily too remote to do more than +inflict slight wounds with spent balls. They retreated within the +palisades, and the whole Indian force, seeing no results from stratagem, +rose from their covert and rushed towards the palisade. The exasperation +of their rage may be imagined, when they found every thing prepared for +their reception. A well aimed fire drove them to a more cautious +distance. Some of the more audacious of their number, however, ventured +so near a less exposed point, as to be able to discharge burning arrows +upon the roofs of the houses. Some of them were fired and burnt. But an +easterly wind providentially arose at the moment, and secured the mass +of the habitations from the further spread of the flames. These they +could no longer reach with their burning arrows. + +The enemy cowered back, and crouched to their covert in the weeds; +where, panther-like, they waited for less dangerous game. They had +divided, on being informed, that aid was expected from Lexington; and +they arranged an ambuscade to intercept it, on its approach to the +garrison. When the reinforcement, consisting of forty-six persons, came +in sight, the firing had wholly ceased, and the invisible enemy were +profoundly still. The auxiliaries hurried on in reckless confidence, +under the impression that they had come on a false alarm. A lane opened +an avenue to the station, through a thick cornfield. This lane was +way-laid on either side, by Indians, for six hundred yards. Fortunately, +it was mid-summer, and dry; and the horsemen raised so thick a cloud of +dust, that the Indians could fire only at random amidst the palpable +cloud, and happily killed not a single man. The footmen were less +fortunate. Being behind the horse, as soon as they heard the firing, +they dispersed into the thick corn, in hopes to reach the garrison +unobserved. They were intercepted by masses of the savages, who threw +themselves between them and the station. Hard fighting ensued, in which +two of the footmen were killed and four wounded. Soon after the +detachment had joined their friends, and the Indians were again +crouching close in their covert, the numerous flocks and herds of the +station came in from the woods as usual, quietly ruminating, as they +made their way towards their night-pens. Upon these harmless animals the +Indians wreaked unmolested revenge, and completely destroyed them. + +A little after sunset the famous Simon, in all his official splendor, +covertly approached the garrison, mounted a stump, whence he could be +heard by the people of the station, and holding a flag of truce, +demanded a parley and the surrender of the place. He managed his +proposals with no small degree of art, assigning, in imitation of the +commanders of what are called civilized armies, that his proposals were +dictated by humanity and a wish to spare the effusion of blood. He +affirmed, that in case of a prompt surrender, he could answer for the +safety of the prisoners; but that in the event of taking the garrison by +storm, he could not; that cannon and a reinforcement were approaching, +in which case they must be aware that their palisades could no longer +interpose any resistance to their attack, or secure them from the +vengeance of an exasperated foe. He calculated that his imposing +language would have the more effect in producing belief and +consternation, inasmuch as the garrison must know, that the same foe had +used cannon in the attack of Ruddle's and Martin's stations. Two of +their number had been already slain, and there were four wounded in the +garrison; and some faces were seen to blanch as Girty continued his +harangue of menace, and insidious play upon their fears. Some of the +more considerate of the garrison, apprised by the result, of the folly +of allowing such a negotiation to intimidate the garrison in that way, +called out to shoot the rascal, adding the customary Kentucky epithet. +Girty insisted upon the universal protection every where accorded to a +flag of truce, while this parley lasted; and demanded with great assumed +dignity, if they did not know who it was that thus addressed them? + +A spirited young man, named Reynolds, of whom the most honorable mention +is made in the subsequent annals of the contests with the Indians, was +selected by the garrison to reply to the renegado Indian negotiator. His +object seems to have been to remove the depression occasioned by Girty's +speech, by treating it with derision; and perhaps to establish a +reputation for successful waggery, as he had already for hard fighting. + +"You ask," answered he, "if we do not know you? Know you! Yes. We know +you too well. Know Simon Girty! Yes. He is the renegado, cowardly +villain, who loves to murder women and children, especially those of his +own people. Know Simon Girty! Yes. His father was a panther and his dam +a wolf. I have a worthless dog, that kills lambs. Instead of shooting +him, I have named him Simon Girty. You expect reinforcements and cannon, +do you? Cowardly wretches, like you, that make war upon women and +children, would not dare to touch them off, if you had them. We expect +reinforcements, too, and in numbers to give a short account of the +murdering cowards that follow you. Even if you could batter down our +pickets, I, for one, hold your people in too much contempt to discharge +rifles at them. Should you see cause to enter our fort, I have been +roasting a great number of hickory switches, with which we mean to whip +your naked cut-throats out of the country." + +Simon, apparently little edified or flattered by this speech, wished him +some of his hardest curses; and affecting to deplore the obstinacy and +infatuation of the garrison, the ambassador of ruffled shirt and soldier +coat withdrew. The besieged gave a good account of every one, who came +near enough to take a fair shot. But before morning they decamped, +marching direct to the Blue Licks, where they obtained very different +success, and a most signal and bloody triumph. We shall there again meet +Daniel Boone, in his accustomed traits of heroism and magnanimity. + +[Illustration] + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +Boone being attacked by two Indians near the Blue Licks, kills them +both--Is afterwards taken prisoner and marched to Old Chillicothe--Is +adopted by the Indians--Indian ceremonies. + + +We return to the subject of our memoir, from which the reader may +imagine we have wandered too long. He had already conducted the defence +of Boonesborough, during two Indian sieges. The general estimate of his +activity, vigilance, courage, and enterprise, was constantly rising. By +the Indians he was regarded as the most formidable and intelligent +captain of the Long-knife; and by the settlers and immigrants as a +disinterested and heroic patriarch of the infant settlements. He often +supplied destitute families gratuitously with game. He performed the +duties of surveyor and spy, generally as a volunteer, and without +compensation. When immigrant families were approaching the country, he +often went out to meet them and conduct them to the settlements. Such, +in general, were the paternal feelings of the pioneers of this young +colony. + +The country was easily and amply supplied with meat from the chase, and +with vegetables from the fertility of the soil. The hardy settlers could +train themselves without difficulty to dispense with many things which +habit and long use in the old settlements had led them to consider as +necessaries. But to every form of civilized communities salt is an +indispensable article. The settlement of Boonesborough had been fixed +near a lick, with a view to the supply of that article. But the amount +was found to be very inadequate to the growing demand. The settlement +deemed it necessary to send out a company to select a place where the +whole country could be supplied with that article at a reasonable rate. + +Captain Boone was deputed by the settlers to this service. He selected +thirty associates, and set out on the first of January, 1779, for the +Blue Licks, on Licking river, a well known stream emptying into the +Ohio, opposite where Cincinnati now stands. They arrived at the place, +and successfully commenced their operations. Boone, instead of taking a +part in the diurnal and uninterrupted labor, of evaporating the water, +performed the more congenial duty of hunting to keep the company in +provisions, while they labored. In this pursuit he had one day wandered +some distance from the bank of the river. Two Indians, armed with +muskets,--for they had now generally added these efficient weapons to +their tomahawks--came upon him. His first thought was to retreat. But he +discovered from their nimbleness, that this was impossible. His second +thought was resistance, and he slipped behind a tree to await their +coming within rifle shot. He then exposed himself so as to attract their +aim. The foremost levelled his musket. Boone, who could dodge the flash, +at the pulling of the trigger, dropped behind his tree unhurt. His next +object W&B to cause the fire of the Second musket to be thrown away in +the same manner. He again exposed a part of his person. The eager Indian +instantly fired, and Boone evaded the shot as before. Both the Indians, +having thrown away their fire, were eagerly striving, but with trembling +hands, to reload. Trepidation and too much haste retarded their object. +Boone drew his rifle and one of them fell dead. The two antagonists, now +on equal grounds, the one unsheathing his knife, and the other poising +his tomahawk, rushed toward the dead body of the fallen Indian. Boone, +placing his foot on the dead body, dexterously received the well aimed +tomahawk of his powerful enemy on the barrel of his rifle, thus +preventing his skull from being cloven by it. In the very attitude of +firing the Indian had exposed his body to the knife of Boone, who +plunged it in his body to the hilt. This is the achievement commemorated +in sculpture over the southern door of the Rotunda in the Capitol at +Washington. + +This adventure did not deter him from exposing himself in a similar way +again. He was once more hunting for the salt makers, when, on the +seventh day of February following, he came in view of a body of one +hundred and two Indians, evidently on their march to the assault of +Boonesborough--that being a particular mark for Indian revenge. They +were in want of a prisoner, from whom to obtain intelligence, and Boone +was the person of all others whom they desired. He fled; but among so +many warriors, it proved, that some were swifter of foot than himself, +and these overtook him and made him prisoner. + +By a tedious and circuitous march they brought him back to the Blue +Licks, and took their measures with so much caution, as to make +twenty-seven of the thirty salt makers prisoners. Boone obtained for +them a capitulation, which stipulated, that their lives should be +spared, and that they should be kindly treated. The fortunate three, +that escaped, had just been sent home with the salt that had been made +during their ill-fated expedition. + +The Indians were faithful to the stipulations of the capitulation; and +treated their prisoners with as much kindness both on their way, and +after their arrival at Chillicothe, as their habits and means would +admit. The march was rapid and fatiguing, occupying three days of +weather unusually cold and inclement. + +The captivity of twenty-eight of the select and bravest of the Kentucky +settlers, without the hope of liberation or exchange, was a severe blow +to the infant settlement. Had the Indians, after this achievement, +immediately marched against Boonesborough, so materially diminished in +its means of defence, they might either have taken the place by +surprise, or, availing themselves of the influence which the possession +of these prisoners gave them over the fears and affections of the +inmates, might have procured a capitulation of the fort. Following up +this plan in progression, the weaker station would have followed the +example of Boonesborough; since it is hardly supposable, that the +united influence of fear, example, and the menace of the massacre of so +many prisoners would not have procured the surrender of all the rest. +But, though on various occasions they manifested the keenest +observation, and the acutest quickness of instinctive cunning--though +their plans were generally predicated on the soundest reason, they +showed in this, and in all cases, a want of the combination of thought, +and the abstract and extended views of the whites on such occasions. For +a single effort, nothing could be imagined wiser than their views. For a +combination made up of a number of elements of calculation, they had no +reasoning powers at all. + +Owing to this want of capacity for combined operations of thought, and +their, habitual intoxication of excitement, on the issue of carrying +some important enterprise without loss, they hurried home with their +prisoners, leaving the voice of lamentation and the sentiment of extreme +dejection among the bereaved inmates of Boonesborough. + +Throwing all the recorded incidents and circumstances of the life of +Boone, during his captivity among them, together, we shall reserve them +for another place, and proceed here to record what befell him among the +whites. + +He resided as a captive among the Indians until the following March. At +that time, he, and ten of the persons who were taken with him at the +Blue Licks, were conducted by forty Indians to Detroit, where the party +arrived on the thirteenth of the month. The ten men were put into the +hands of Governor Hamilton, who, to his infinite credit, treated them +with kindness. For each of these they received a moderate ransom. Such +was their respect, and even affection for the hunter of Kentucky, and +such, perhaps, their estimate of his capability of annoying them, that +although Governor Hamilton offered them the large sum of a hundred +pounds sterling for his ransom, they utterly refused to part with him. +It may easily be imagined, in what a vexatious predicament this +circumstance placed him; a circumstance so much the more embarrassing, +as he could not express his solicitude for deliverance, without alarming +the jealousy and ill feeling of the Indians. Struck with his appearance +and development of character, several English gentlemen, generously +impressed with a sense of his painful position, offered him a sum of +money adequate to the supply of his necessities. Unwilling to accept +such favors from the enemies of his country, he refused their kindness, +alleging a motive at once conciliating and magnanimous, that it would +probably never be in his power to repay them. It will be necessary to +contemplate his desolate and forlorn condition, haggard, and without any +adequate clothing in that inclement climate, destitute of money or +means, and at the same time to realize that these men, who so generously +offered him money, were in league with those that were waging war +against the United States, fully to appreciate the patriotism and +magnanimity of this refusal. It is very probable, too, that these men +acted from the interested motive of wishing to bind the hands of this +stern border warrior from any further annoyance to them and their red +allies, by motives of gratitude and a sense of obligation. + +It must have been mortifying to his spirit to leave his captive +associates in comfortable habitations and among a civilized people at +Detroit, while he, the single white man of the company, was obliged to +accompany his red masters through the forest in a long and painful +journey of fifteen days, at the close of which he found himself again at +Old Chillicothe, as the town was called. + +This town was inhabited by the Shawnese, and Boone was placed in a most +severe school, in which to learn Indian modes and ceremonies, by being +himself the subject of them. On the return of the party that led him to +their home, he learned that some superstitious scruple induced them to +halt at mid-day when near their village, in order to solemnize their +return by entering their town in the evening. A runner was despatched +from their halting place to instruct the chief and the village touching +the material incidents of their expedition. + +Before the expedition made the triumphal entry into their village, they +clad their white prisoner in a new dress, of material and fashion like +theirs. They proceeded to shave his head and skewer his hair after their +own fashion, and then rouged him with a plentiful smearing of vermilion +and put into his hand a white staff, gorgeously tasselated with the +tails of deer. The war-captain or leader of the expedition gave as many +yells as they had taken prisoners and scalps. This operated as +effectually as ringing a tocsin, to assemble the whole village round +the camp. As soon as the warriors from the village appeared, four young +warriors from the camp, the two first carrying each a calumet, +approached the prisoner, chanting a song as they went, and taking him by +the arm, led him in triumph to the cabin, where he was to remain until +the announcement of his doom. The resident in this cabin, by their +immemorial usage, had the power of determining his fate, whether to be +tortured and burnt at the stake, or adopted into the tribe. + +The present occupant of the cabin happened to be a woman, who had lost a +son during the war. It is very probable that she was favorably impressed +towards him by noting his fine person, and his firm and cheerful +visage--circumstances which impress the women of the red people still +more strongly than the men. She contemplated him stedfastly for some +time, and sympathy and humanity triumphed, and she declared that she +adopted him in place of the son she had lost. The two young men, who +bore the calumet, instantly unpinioned his hands, treating him with +kindness and respect. Food was brought him, and he was informed that he +was considered as a son, and she, who had adopted him, as his mother. He +was soon made aware, by demonstrations that could not be dissembled or +mistaken, that he was actually loved, and trusted, as if he really were, +what his adoption purported to make him. In a few days he suffered no +other penalty of captivity than inability to return to his family. He +was sufficiently instructed in Indian customs to know well, that any +discovered purpose or attempt to escape would be punished with instant +death. + +Strange caprice of inscrutable instincts and results of habit! A +circumstance, apparently fortuitous and accidental, placed him in the +midst of an Indian family, the female owner of which loved him with the +most disinterested tenderness, and lavished upon him all the +affectionate sentiments of a mother towards a son. Had the die of his +lot been cast otherwise, all the inhabitants of the village would have +raised the death song, and each individual would have been as fiercely +unfeeling to torment him, as they were now covetous to show him +kindness. It is astonishing to see, in their habits of this sort, no +interval between friendship and kindness, and the most ingenious and +unrelenting barbarity. Placed between two posts, and his arms and feet +extended between them, nearly in the form of a person suffering +crucifixion, he would have been burnt to death at a slow fire, while +men, women, and children would have danced about him, occasionally +applying torches and burning splinters to die most exquisitely sensible +parts of the frame, prolonging his torture, and exulting in it with the +demoniac exhilaration of gratified revenge. + +This was the most common fate of prisoners of war at that time. +Sometimes they fastened the victim to a single stake, built a fire of +green wood about him, and then raising their yell of exultation, marched +off into the desert, leaving him to expire unheeded and alone. At other +times they killed their prisoners by amputating their limbs joint by +joint. Others they destroyed by pouring on them, from time to time, +streams of scalding water. At other times they have been seen to hang +their victim to a sapling tree by the hands, bending it down until the +wretched sufferer has seen himself swinging up and down at the play of +the breeze, his feet often, within a foot of the ground. In a word, they +seem to have exhausted the invention and ingenuity of all time and all +countries in the horrid art of inflicting torture. + +The mention of a circumstance equally extraordinary in the Indian +character, may be recorded here. If the sufferer in these afflictions be +an Indian, during the whole of his agony a strange rivalry passes +between them which shall outdo each other, they inflicting, and he in +enduring these tortures. Not a groan, not a sigh, not a distortion of +countenance is allowed to escape him. He smokes, and looks even +cheerful. He occasionally chants a strain of his war song. He vaunts his +exploits performed in afflicting death and desolation in their villages. +He enumerates the names of their relatives and friends that he has +slain. He menaces them with the terrible revenge that his friends will +inflict by way of retaliation. He even derides their ignorance in the +art of tormenting; assures them that he had afflicted much more +ingenious torture upon their people; and indicates more excruciating +modes of inflicting pain, and more sensitive parts of the frame to which +to apply them. + +They are exceedingly dexterous in the horrid surgical operation of +taking off the scalp--that is, a considerable surface of the hairy +integument of the crown of the cranium. Terrible as the operation is, +there are not wanting great numbers of cases of persons who have +survived, and recovered from it. The scalps of enemies thus taken, even +when not paid for, as has been too often the infamous custom of their +white auxiliaries, claiming to be civilized, are valued as badges of +family honor, and trophies of the bravery of the warrior. On certain +days and occasions, young warriors take a new name, constituting a new +claim to honor, according to the number of scalps they have taken, or +the bravery and exploits of those from whom they were taken. This name +they deem a sufficient compensation for every fatigue and danger. +Another ludicrous superstition tends to inspire them with the most +heroic sentiments. They believe that all the fame, intelligence, and +bravery that appertained to the enemy they have slain is transferred to +them, and thenceforward becomes their intellectual property. Hence, they +are excited with the most earnest appetite to kill warriors of +distinguished fame. This article of Indian faith affords an apt +illustration of the ordinary influence of envy, which seems to inspire +the person whom it torments with the persuasion, that all the merit it +can contract from the envied becomes its own, and that the laurels shorn +from another's brow will sprout on its own. + +He witnessed also their modes of hardening their children to that +prodigious power of unshrinking endurance, of which such astonishing +effects have just been recorded. This may be fitly termed the Indian +system of gymnastics. The bodies of the children of both sexes are +inured to hardships by compelling them to endure prolonged fastings, and +to bathe in the coldest water. A child of eight years, fasts half a day; +and one of twelve, a whole day without food or drink. The face is +blacked during the fast, and is washed immediately before eating. The +male face is entirely blacked; that of the female only on the cheeks. +The course is discontinued in the case of the male at eighteen, and of +the female at fourteen. At eighteen, the boy is instructed by his +parents that his education is completed, and that he is old enough to be +a man. His face is then blacked for the last time, and he is removed at +the distance of some miles from the village, and placed in a temporary +cabin. He is there addressed by his parent or guardian to this purport: +"My son, it has pleased the Great Spirit that you should live to see +this day. We all have noted your conduct since I first blacked your +face. They well understand whether you have strictly followed the advice +I have given you, and they will conduct themselves towards you according +to their knowledge. You must remain here until I, or some of your +friends, come for you." + +The party then returns, resumes his gun, and seeming to forget the +sufferer, goes to his hunting as usual, and the son or ward is left to +endure hunger as long as it can be endured, and the party survive. The +hunter, meanwhile, has procured the materials for a feast, of which the +friends are invited to partake They accompany the father or guardian to +the unfortunate starving subject. He then accompanies them home, and is +bathed in cold water, and his head shaved after the Indian fashion--all +but a small space on the centre of the crown. He is then allowed to take +food, which, however, as a consecrated thing, is presented him in a +vessel distinct from that used by the rest. After he has eaten, he is +presented with a looking-glass, and a bag of vermilion. He is then +complimented for the firmness with which he has sustained his fasting, +and is told that he is henceforward a man, and to be considered as such. +The instance is not known of a boy eating or drinking while under this +interdict of the blacked face. They are deterred, not only by the strong +sentiments of Indian honor, but by a persuasion that the _Great Spirit_ +would severely punish such disobedience of parental authority. + +The most honorable mode of marriage, and that generally pursued by the +more distinguished warriors, is to assemble the friends and relatives, +and consult with them in regard to the person whom it is expedient to +marry. The choice being made, the relations of the young man collect +such presents as they deem proper for the occasion, go to the parents of +the woman selected, make known the wishes of their friend, deposit their +presents, and return without waiting for an answer. The relations of the +girl assemble and consult on the subject. If they confirm the choice, +they also collect presents, dress her in her best clothes, and take her +to the friends of the bridegroom who made the application for the match, +when it is understood that the marriage is completed. She herself has +still a negative; and if she disapprove the match, the presents from the +friends of the young man are returned, and this is considered as a +refusal. Many of the more northern nations, as the Dacotas, for example, +have a custom, that, when the husband deceases, his widow immediately +manifests the deepest mourning, by putting off all her finery, and +dresses herself in the coarsest Indian attire, the sackcloth of Indian +lamentation. Meanwhile she makes up a respectable sized bundle of her +clothes into the form of a kind of doll-man, which represents her +husband. With this she sleeps. To this she converses and relates the +sorrows of her desolate heart. It would be indecorous for any warrior, +while she is in this predicament, to show her any attentions of +gallantry. She never puts on any habiliments but those of sadness and +disfigurement. The only comfort she is permitted in this desolate state +is, that her budgetted husband is permitted, when drams are passing, to +be considered as a living one, and she is allowed to cheer her depressed +spirits with a double dram, that of her budget-husband and her own. +After a full year of this penance with the budget-husband, she is +allowed to exchange it for a living one, if she can find him. + +When an Indian party forms for private revenge the object is +accomplished in the following manner. The Indian who seeks revenge, +proposes his project to obtain it to some of his more intimate +associates, and requests them to accompany him. When the requisite +number is obtained, and the plan arranged it is kept a profound secret +from all others, and the proposer of the plan is considered the leader. +The party leaves the village secretly, and in the night. When they halt +for the night, the eldest encamp in front, and the younger in the rear. +The foremen hunt for the party, and perform the duty of spies. The +latter cook, make the fires, mend the moccasins, and perform the other +drudgery of the expedition. + +Every war party has a small budget, called the _war budget_, which +contains something belonging to each one of the party, generally +representing some animal; for example, the skin of a snake, the tail of +a buffalo, the skin of a martin, or the feathers of some extraordinary +bird. This budget is considered a sacred deposit, and is carried by some +person selected for the purpose, who marches in front, and leads the +party against the enemy. When the party halts, the budget is deposited +in front, and no person passes it without authority. No one, while such +an exhibition is pending, is allowed to lay his pack on a log, converse +about women or his home. When they encamp, the heart of whatever beast +they have killed on the preceding day is cut into small pieces and +burnt. No person is allowed, while it is burning, to step across the +fire, but must go round it, and always in the direction of the sun. + +When an attack is to be made, the war budget is opened, and each man +takes out his budget, or _totem_, and attaches it to that part of his +body which has been indicated by tradition from his ancestors. When the +attack is commenced, the body of the fighter is painted, generally +black, and is almost naked. After the action, each party returns his +_totem_ to the commander of the party, who carefully wraps them all up, +and delivers them to the man who has taken the first prisoner or scalp; +and he is entitled to the honor of leading the party home in triumph. +The war budget is then hung in front of the door of the person who +carried it on the march against the enemy, where it remains suspended +thirty or forty days, and some one of the party often sings and dances +round it. + +One mode of Indian burial seems to have prevailed, not only among the +Indians of the lakes and of the Ohio valley, but over all the western +country. Some lay the dead body on the surface of the ground, make a +crib or pen over it, and cover it with bark. Others lay the body in a +grave, covering it first with bark, and then with earth. Others make a +coffin out of the cloven section of trees, in the form of plank, and +suspend it from the top of a tree. Nothing can be more affecting than to +see a young mother hanging the coffin that contains the remains of her +beloved child to the pendent branches of the flowering maple, and +singing her lament over her love and hope, as it waves in the breeze. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +Boone becomes a favorite among the Indians--Anecdotes relating to his +captivity--Their mode of tormenting and burning prisoners--Their +fortitude under the infliction of torture--Concerted attack on +Boonesborough--Boone escapes. + + +Boone, being now a son in a principal Shawnee family, presents himself +in a new light to our observation. We would be glad to be able give a +diurnal record of his modes of deportment, and getting along. Unhappily, +the records are few and meagre. It will be obvious, that the necessity +for a more profound dissimulation of contentment, cheerfulness, and a +feeling of loving his home, was stronger than ever. It was a semblance +that must be daily and hourly sustained. He would never have acquitted +himself successfully, but for a wonderful versatility, which enabled him +to enter into the spirit of whatever parts he was called upon to +sustain; and a real love for the hunting and pursuits of the Indians, +which rendered what was at first assumed, with a little practice, and +the influence of habit, easy and natural. He soon became in semblance so +thoroughly one of them, and was able in all those points of practice +which give them reputation, to conduct himself with so much skill and +adroitness, that he gained the entire confidence of the family into +which he was adopted, and become as dear to his mother of adoption as +her own son. + +Trials of Indian strength and skill are among their most common +amusements. Boone was soon challenged to competition in these trials. In +these rencounters of loud laughter and boisterous merriment, where all +that was done seemed to pass into oblivion as fast as it transpired, +Boone had too much tact and keen observation not to perceive that +jealousy, envy, and the origin of hatred often lay hid under the +apparent recklessness of indifference. He was not sorry that some of the +Indians could really beat him in the race, though extremely light of +foot; and that in the game of ball, at which they had been practised all +their lives, he was decidedly inferior. But there was another +sport--that of shooting at a mark--a new custom to the Indians but +recently habituated to the use of fire arms; a practice which they had +learned from the whites, and they were excessively jealous of reputation +of great skill in this exercise, so important in hunting and war. Boone +was challenged to shoot with them at a mark. It placed him in a most +perplexing dilemma. If he shot his best, he could easily and far excel +their most practised marksmen. But he was aware, that to display his +superiority would never be forgiven him. On the other hand, to fall far +short of them in an exercise which had been hitherto peculiar to the +whites, would forfeit their respect. In this predicament, he judiciously +allowed himself sometimes to be beaten; and when it became prudent to +put forth all his skill, a well dissembled humility and carelessness +subdued the mortification and envy of the defeated competitor. + +He was often permitted to accompany them in their hunting parties; and +here their habits and his circumstances alike invoked him to do his +best. They applauded his skill and success as a hunter, with no mixture +of envy or ill will. He was particularly fortunate in conciliating the +good will of the Shawnee chief. To attain this result, Boone not only +often presented him with a share of his game, but adopted the more +winning deportment of always affecting to treat his opinions and +counsels with deference. The chief, on his part, often took occasion to +speak of Boone as a most consummate proficient in hunting, and a warrior +of great bravery. Not long after his residence among them, he had +occasion to witness their manner of celebrating their victories, by +being an eye witness to one which commemorated the successful return of +a war party with some scalps. + +Within a day's march of the village, the party dispatched a runner with +the joyful intelligence of their success, achieved without loss. Every +cabin in the village was immediately ordered to be swept perfectly +clean, with the religious intention to banish every source of pollution +that might mar the ceremony. The women, exceedingly fearful of +contributing in any way to this pollution, commenced an inveterate +sweeping, gathering up the collected dirt, and carefully placing it in a +heap behind the door. There it remained until the medicine man, or +priest, who presides over the powow, ordered them to remove it, and at +the same time every savage implement and utensil upon which the women +had laid their hands during the absence of the expedition. + +Next day the party came in sight of the village, painted in alternate +compartments of red and black, their heads enveloped in swan's down, and +the centre of their crown, surmounted with long white feathers. They +advanced, singing their war song, and bearing the scalps on a verdant +branch of evergreen. + +Arrived at the village, the chief who had led the party advanced before +his warriors to his winter cabin, encircling it in an order of march +contrary to the course of the sun, singing the war song after a +particular mode, sometimes on the ten or and sometimes on the bass key, +sometimes in high and shrill, and sometimes in deep and guttural notes. +The _waiter_, or servant of the leader, called _Etissu_, placed a couple +of blocks of wood near the war-pole, opposite the door of a circular +cabin, called the _hot-house_, in the centre of which was the council +fire. On these blocks he rested a kind of ark, deemed among their most +sacred things. While this was transacting the party were profoundly +silent. The chief bade all set down, and then inquired whether his cabin +was prepared and every thing unpolluted, according to the custom of +their fathers? After the answer, they rose up in concert and began the +war-whoop, walking slowly round the war-pole as they sung. All the +consecrated things were then carried, with no small show of solemnity, +into the hot-house. Here they remained three whole days and nights, in +separation from the rest of the people, applying warm ablutions to +their bodies, and sprinkling themselves with a decoction of snake root. +During a part of the time, the female relations of each of the +consecrated company, after having bathed, anointed, and drest themselves +in their finest apparel, stood, in two lines opposite the door, and +facing each other. This observance they kept up through the night, +uttering a peculiar, monotonous song, in a shrill voice for a minute; +then intermitting it about ten minutes, and resuming it again. When not +singing their silence was profound. + +The chief, meanwhile, at intervals of about three hours, came out at the +head of his company, raised the war-whoop, and marched round the red +war-pole, holding in his right hand the pine or cedar boughs, on which +the scalps were attached, waving them backward and forward, and then +returned again. To these ceremonies they conformed without the slightest +interruption, during the whole three days' purification. To proceed with +the whole details of the ceremony to its close, would be tedious. We +close it, only adding, that a small twig of the evergreen was fixed upon +the roof of each one of their cabins, with a fragment of the scalps +attached to it, and this, as it appeared, to appease the ghosts of their +dead. When Boone asked them the meaning of all these long and tedious +ceremonies, they answered him by a word which literally imports "holy." +The leader and his waiter kept apart and continued the purification +three days longer, and the ceremony closed. + +He observed, that when their war-parties returned from an expedition, +and had arrived near their village, they followed their file leader, in +what is called _Indian file_, one by one, each a few yards behind the +other, to give the procession an appearance of greater length and +dignity. If the expedition had been unsuccessful, and they had lost any +of their warriors, they returned without ceremony and in noiseless +sadness. But if they had been successful, they fired their guns in +platoons, yelling, whooping, and insulting their prisoners, if they had +made any. Near their town was a large square area, with a war-pole in +the centre, expressly prepared for such purposes. To this they fasten +their prisoners. They then advance to the house of their leader, +remaining without, and standing round his red war-pole, until they +determine concerning the fate of their prisoner. If any prisoner should +be fortunate enough to break from his pinions, and escape into the house +of the chief medicine man, or conductor of the powow, it is an +inviolable asylum, and by immemorial usage, the refugee is saved from +the fire. + +Captives far advanced in life, or such as had been known to have shed +the blood of their tribe, were sure to atone for their decrepitude, or +past activity in shedding blood, by being burnt to death. They readily +know those Indians who have killed many, by the blue marks on their +breasts and arms, which indicate the number they have slain. These +hieroglyphics are to them as significant as our alphabetical characters. +The ink with which these characters are impressed, is a sort of +lampblack, prepared from the soot of burning pine, which they catch by +causing it to pass through a sort of greased funnel. Having prepared +this lampblack, they tattoo it into the skin, by punctures made with +thorns or the teeth of fish. The young prisoners, if they seem capable +of activity and service, and if they preserve an intrepid and unmoved +countenance, are generally spared, unless condemned to death by the +party, while undergoing the purification specified above. As soon as +their case is so decided, they are tied to the stake, one at a time. A +pair of bear-skin moccasins, with the hair outwards, are put on their +feet. They are stripped naked to the loins, and are pinioned firmly to +the stake. + +Their subsequent punishment, in addition to the suffering of slow fire, +is left to the women. Such are the influences of their training, that +although the female nature, in all races of men, is generally found to +be more susceptible of pity than the male, in this case they appear to +surpass the men in the fury of their merciless rage, and the industrious +ingenuity of their torments. Each is prepared with a bundle of long, +dry, reed cane, or other poles, to which are attached splinters of +burning pine. As the victim is led to the stake, the women and children +begin their sufferings by beating them with switches and clubs; and as +they reel and recoil from the blows, these fiendish imps show their +gratification by unremitting peals of laughter; too happy, if their +tortures ended here, or if the merciful tomahawk brought them to an +immediate close. + +The signal for a more terrible infliction being given--the arms of the +victim are pinioned, and he is disengaged from the pole, and a grapevine +passed round his neck, allowing him a circle of about fifteen yards in +circumference, in which he can he made to march round his pole. They +knead tough clay on his head to secure the cranium from the effects of +the blaze, that it may not inflict immediate death. Under the excitement +of ineffable and horrid joy, they whip him round the circle, that he may +expose each part of his body to the flame, while the other part is +fanned by the cool air, that he may thus undergo the literal operation +of slow roasting. During this abhorrent process, the children fill the +circle in convulsions of laughter; and the women begin to thrust their +burning torches into his body, lacerating the quick of the flesh, that +the flame may inflict more exquisite anguish. The warrior, in these +cases; goaded to fury, sweeps round the extent of his circle, kicking, +biting, and stamping with inconceivable fury. The throng of women and +children laugh, and fly from the circle, and fresh tormentors fill it +again. At other times the humor takes him to show them, that he can bear +all this, without a grimace, a spasm, or indication of suffering. In +this case, as we have seen, he smokes, derides, menaces, sings, and +shows his contempt, by calling them by the most reproachful of all +epithets--_old women_. When he falls insensible, they scalp and +dismember him, and the remainder of his body is consumed. + +We have omitted many of these revolting details, many of the atrocious +features of this spectacle, as witnessed by Boone. While we read with +indignation and horror, let us not forget that savages have not alone +inflicted these detestable cruelties. Let us not forget that the +professed followers of Jesus Christ have given examples of a barbarity +equally unrelenting and horrible, in the form of religious persecution, +and avowedly to glorify God. + +During Boone's captivity among the Shawnese, they took prisoner a noted +warrior of a western tribe, with which they were then at war. He was +condemned to the stake with the usual solemnities. Having endured the +preliminary tortures with the most fearless unconcern, he told them, +when preparing to commence a new series, with a countenance of scorn, he +could teach them how to make an enemy eat fire to some purpose; and +begged that they would give him an opportunity, together with a pipe and +tobacco. In respectful astonishment, at an unwonted demonstration of +invincible endurance, they granted his request. He lighted his pipe, +began to smoke, and sat down, all naked as he was, upon the burning +torches, which were blazing within his circle. Every muscle of his +countenance retained its composure. On viewing this, a noted warrior +sprang up, exclaiming, that this was a true warrior; that though his +nation was treacherous, and he had caused them many deaths, yet such was +their respect for true courage, that if the fire had not already spoiled +him, he should be spared. That being now impossible, he promised him the +merciful release of the tomahawk. He then held the terrible instrument +suspended some moments over his head, during all which time he was +seen neither to change his posture, move a muscle, or his countenance to +blench. The tomahawk fell, and the impassable warrior ceased to suffer. + +[Illustration] + +We shall close these details of the Shawnese customs, at the time when +Boone was prisoner among them, by giving his account of their ceremonies +at making peace. The chief warriors, who arrange the conditions of the +peace and subsequent friendship, first mutually eat and smoke together. +They then pledge each other in the sacred drink called _Cussena_. The +Shawnese then wave large fans of eagles' tails, and conclude with a +dance. The stranger warriors, who have come to receive the peace, select +half a dozen of their most active young men, surmounting their crowns +with swan's feathers, and painting their bodies with white clay. They +then place their file leader on the consecrated seat of what imports in +their language, the "beloved cabin." Afterwards they commence singing +the peace song, with an air of great solemnity. They begin to dance, +first in a prone or bowing posture. They then raise themselves erect, +look upwards, and wave their eagles' tails towards the sky, first with a +slow, and then with a quick and jerky motion. At the same time, they +strike their breast with a calabash fastened to a stick about a foot in +length, which they hold in their left hand, while they wave the eagles' +feathers with the right, and keep time by rattling pebbles in a gourd. +These ceremonies of peace-making they consider among their most solemn +duties; and to be perfectly accomplished in all the notes and gestures +is an indispensable acquirement to a thorough trained warrior. + +Boone has related, at different times, many oral details of his private +and domestic life, and his modes of getting along in the family, of +which he was considered a member. He was perfectly trained to their +ways, could prepare their food, and perform any of their common domestic +operations with the best of them. He often accompanied them in their +hunting excursions, wandering with them over the extent of forest +between Chillicothe and lake Erie. These conversations presented curious +and most vivid pictures of their interior modes; their tasks of diurnal +labor and supply; their long and severe fasts; their gluttonous +indulgence, when they had food; and their reckless generosity and +hospitality, when they had any thing to bestow to travelling visitants. + +To become, during this tedious captivity, perfectly acquainted with +their most interior domestic and diurnal manners, was not without +interest for a mind constituted like his. To make himself master of +their language, and to become familiarly acquainted with their customs, +he considered acquisitions of the highest utility in the future +operations, in which, notwithstanding his present duress, he hoped yet +to be beneficial to his beloved settlement of Kentucky. + +Although the indulgence with which he was treated in the family, in +which he was adopted, and these acquisitions, uniting interest with +utility, tended to beguile the time of his captivity, it cannot be +doubted, that his sleeping and waking thoughts were incessantly occupied +with the chances of making his escape. An expedition was in +contemplation, by the tribe, to the salt licks on the Scioto, to make +salt. Boone dissembled indifference whether they took him with them, or +left him behind, with so much success, that, to his extreme joy, they +determined that he should accompany them. The expedition started on the +first day of June, 1778, and was occupied ten days in making salt. + +During this expedition, he was frequently sent out to hunt, to furnish +provisions for the party; but always under such circumstances, that, +much as he had hoped to escape on this expedition, no opportunity +occurred, which he thought it prudent to embrace. He returned with the +party to Chillicothe, having derived only one advantage from the +journey, that of furnishing, by his making no attempt to escape, and by +his apparently cheerful return, new motives to convince the Indians, +that he was thoroughly domesticated among them, and had voluntarily +renounced his own race; a persuasion, which, by taking as much apparent +interest as any of them, in all their diurnal movements and plans, he +constantly labored to establish. + +Soon after his return he attended a warrior-council, at which, in virtue +of being a member of one of the principal families, he had a right of +usage and prescription, to be present. It was composed of a hundred and +fifty of their bravest men, all painted and armed for an expedition, +which he found was intended against Boonesborough. It instantly +occurred to him, as a most fortunate circumstance, that he had not +escaped on the expedition to Scioto. Higher and more imperious motives, +than merely personal considerations, now determined him at every risk to +make the effort to escape, and prepare, if he might reach it, the +station for a vigorous defence, by forewarning it of what was in +preparation among the Indians. + +The religious ceremonies of the council and preparation for the +expedition were as follow. One of the principal war chiefs announced the +intention of a party to commence an expedition against Boonesborough. +This he did by beating their drum, and marching with their war standard +three times round the council-house. On this the council dissolved, and +a sufficient number of warriors supplied themselves with arms, and a +quantity of parched corn flour, as a supply of food for the expedition. +All who had volunteered to join in it, then adjourned to their "winter +house," and drank the war-drink, a decoction of bitter herbs and roots, +for three days--preserving in other respects an almost unbroken fast. +This is considered to be an act tending to propitiate the Great Spirit +to prosper their expedition. During this period of purifying themselves, +they were not allowed to sit down, or even lean upon a tree, however +fatigued, until after sun-set. If a bear or deer even passed in sight, +custom forbade them from killing it for refreshment. The more rigidly +punctual they are in the observance of these rights, the more +confidently they expect success. + +While the young warriors were under this probation, the aged ones, +experienced in the usages of their ancestors, watched them most narrowly +to see that, from irreligion, or hunger, or recklessness, they did not +violate any of the transmitted religious rites, and thus bring the wrath +of the Great Spirit upon the expedition. Boone himself, as a person +naturally under suspicion of having a swerving of inclination towards +the station to be assailed, was obliged to observe the fast with the +most rigorous exactness. During the three days' process of purification, +he was not once allowed to go out of the medicine or sanctified ground, +without a trusty guard, lest hunger or indifference to their laws should +tempt him to violate them. + +When the fast and purification was complete, they were compelled to set +forth, prepared or unprepared, be the weather fair or foul. Accordingly, +when the time arrived, they fired their guns, whooped, and danced, and +sung--and continued firing their guns before them on the commencement of +their route. The leading war-chief marched first, carrying their +medicine bag, or budget of holy things. The rest followed in Indian +file, at intervals of three or four paces behind each other, now and +then chiming the war-whoop in concert. + +They advanced in this order until they were out of sight and hearing of +the village. As soon as they reached the deep woods, all became as +silent as death. This silence they inculcate, that their ears may be +quick to catch the least portent of danger. + +Every one acquainted with the race, has remarked their intense keenness +of vision. Their eyes, for acuteness, and capability of discerning +distant objects, resemble those of the eagle or the lynx; and their +cat-like tread among the grass and leaves, seems so light as scarcely to +shake off the dew drops. Thus they advance on their expedition rapidly +and in profound silence, unless some one of the party should relate that +he has had an unpropitious dream When this happens, an immediate arrest +is put upon the expedition, and the whole party face about, and return +without any sense of shame or mortification. A whole party is thus often +arrested by a single person; and their return is applauded by the tribe, +as a respectful docility to the divine impulse, as they deem it, from +the Great Spirit. These dreams are universally reverenced, as the +warnings of the guardian spirits of the tribe. There is in that country +a sparrow, of an uncommon species, and not often seen. This bird is +called in the Shawnese dialect by a name importing "kind messenger," +which they deem always a true omen, whenever it appears, of bad news. +They are exceedingly intimidated whenever this bird sings near them; and +were it to perch and sing over their war-camp, the whole party would +instantly disperse in consternation and dismay. + +Every chief has his warrior, Etissu, or waiter, to attend on him and his +party. This confidential personage has charge of every thing that is +eaten or drank during the expedition. He parcels it out by rules of +rigid abstemiousness. Though each warrior carries on his back all his +travelling conveniences, and his food among the rest, yet, however keen +the appetite sharpened by hunger, however burning the thirst, no one +dares relieve his hunger or thirst, until his rations are dispensed to +him by the Etissu. + +Boone had occasion to have all these rites most painfully impressed on +his memory; for he was obliged to conform to them with the rest. One +single thought occupied his mind--to seize the right occasion to escape. + +It was sometime before it offered. At length a deer came in sight. He +had a portion of his unfinished breakfast in his hand. He expressed a +desire to pursue the deer. The party consented. As soon as he was out of +sight, he instantly turned his course towards Boonesborough. Aware that +he should be pursued by enemies as keen on the scent as bloodhounds, he +put forth his whole amount of backwoods skill, in doubling in his track, +walking in the water, and availing himself of every imaginable expedient +to throw them off his trail. His unfinished fragment of his breakfast +was his only food, except roots and berries, during this escape for his +life, through unknown forests and pathless swamps, and across numerous +rivers, spreading in an extent of more than two hundred miles. Every +forest sound must have struck his ear, as a harbinger of the approaching +Indians. + +No spirit but such an one as his, could have sustained the apprehension +and fatigue. No mind but one guided by the intuition of instinctive +sagacity, could have so enabled him to conceal his trail, and find his +way. But he evaded their pursuit. He discovered his way. He found in +roots, in barks, and berries, together with what a single shot of his +rifle afforded, wherewith to sustain the cravings of nature. Travelling +night and day, in an incredible short space of time he was in the arms +of his friends at Boonesborough, experiencing a reception, after such a +long and hopeless absence, as words would in vain attempt to portray. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +Six hundred Indians attack Boonesborough--Boone and Captain Smith go out +to treat with the enemy under a flag of truce, and are extricated from a +treacherous attempt to detain them as prisoners--Defence of the +fort--The Indians defeated--Boone goes to North Carolina to bring bark +his family. + + +It will naturally be supposed that foes less wary and intelligent, than +those from whom Boone had escaped, after they had abandoned the hope of +recapturing him, would calculate to find Boonesborough in readiness for +their reception. + +Boonesborough, though the most populous and important station in +Kentucky, had been left by the abstraction of so many of the select +inhabitants in the captivity of the Blue Licks, by the absence of +Colonel Clarke in Illinois, and by the actual decay of the pickets, +almost defenceless. Not long before the return of Boone, this important +post had been put under the care of Major Smith, an active and +intelligent officer. He repaired thither, and put the station, with +great labor and fatigue, in a competent state of defence. Learning from +the return of some of the prisoners, captured at the Blue Licks, the +great blow which the Shawnese meditated against this station, he deemed +it advisable to anticipate their movements, and to fit out an expedition +to meet them on their own ground.--Leaving twenty young men to defend +the place, he marched with thirty chosen men towards the Shawnese +towns. + +At the Blue Licks, a place of evil omen to Kentucky, eleven of the men, +anxious for the safety of the families they had left behind and deeming +their force too small for the object contemplated, abandoned the +enterprise and retreated to the fort. The remaining nineteen, not +discouraged by the desertion of their companions, heroically persevered. +They crossed the Ohio to the present site of Cincinnati, on rafts. They +then painted their faces, and in other respects assumed the guise and +garb of savages, and marched upon the Indian towns. + +When arrived within twenty miles of these towns they met the force with +which Boone had set out. Discouraged by his escape, the original party +had returned, had been rejoined by a considerable reinforcement, the +whole amounting to two hundred and fifty men on horse-back, and were +again on their march against Boonesborough. Fortunately, Major Smith and +his small party discovered this formidable body before they were +themselves observed. But instead of endeavoring to make good their +retreat from an enemy so superior in numbers, and mounted upon horses, +they fired upon them and killed two of their number. An assault so +unexpected alarmed the Indians; and without any effort to ascertain the +number of their assailants, they commenced a precipitate retreat. If +these rash adventurers had stopped here, they might have escaped +unmolested. But, flushed with this partial success, they rushed upon the +retreating foe, and repeated their fire. The savages, restored to +self-possession, halted in their turn, deliberated a moment, and turned +upon the assailants. Major Smith, perceiving the imprudence of having +thus put the enemy at bay, and the certainty of the destruction of his +little force, if the Indians should perceive its weakness, ordered a +retreat in time; and being considerably in advance of the foe, succeeded +in effecting it without loss. By a rapid march during the night, in the +course of the next morning they reached Boonesborough in safety. + +Scarcely an hour after the last of their number had entered the fort, a +body of six hundred Indians, in three divisions of two hundred each, +appeared with standards and much show of warlike array, and took their +station opposite the fort. The whole was commanded by a Frenchman named +Duquesne. They immediately sent a flag requesting the surrender of the +place, in the name of the king of Great Britain. A council was held, and +contrary to the opinion of Major Smith, it was decided to pay no +attention to the proposal. They repeated their flag of truce, stating +that they had letters from the commander at Detroit to Colonel Boone. On +this, it was resolved that Colonel Boone and Major Smith should venture +out, and hear what they had to propose. + +Fifty yards from the fort three chiefs met them with great parade, and +conducted them to the spot designated for their reception, and spread a +panther's skin for their seat, while two other Indians held branches +over their heads to protect them from the fervor of the sun. The chiefs +then commenced an address five minutes in length, abounding in friendly +assurances, and the avowal of kind sentiments. A part of the advanced +warriors grounded their arms, and came forward to shake hands with them. + +The letter from Governor Hamilton of Detroit was then produced, and +read. It proposed the most favorable terms of surrender, provided the +garrison would repair to Detroit. Major Smith assured them that the +proposition seemed a kind one; but that it was impossible, in their +circumstances, to remove their women and children to Detroit. The reply +was that this difficulty should be removed, for that they had brought +forty horses with them, expressly prepared for such a contingency. + +In a long and apparently amicable interview, during which the Indians +smoked with them, and vaunted their abstinence in not having killed the +swine and cattle of the settlement, Boone and Smith arose to return to +the fort, and make known these proposals, and to deliberate upon their +decision. Twenty Indians accompanied their return as far as the limits +stipulated between the parties allowed. The negotiators having returned, +and satisfied the garrison that the Indians had no cannon, advised to +listen to no terms, but to defend the fort to the last extremity. The +inmates of the station resolved to follow this counsel. + +In a short time the Indians sent in another flag, with a view, as they +stated, to ascertain the result of the deliberations of the fort. Word +was sent them, that if they wished to settle a treaty, a place of +conference must be assigned intermediate between their camp and the +fort. The Indians consented to this stipulation, and deputed thirty +chiefs to arrange the articles, though such appeared to be their +distrust, that they could not be induced to come nearer than eighty +yards from the fort. Smith and Boone with four others were deputed to +confer with them. After a close conference of two days, an arrangement +was agreed upon, which contained a stipulation, that neither party +should cross the Ohio, until after the terms had been decided upon by +the respective authorities on either side. The wary heads of this +negotiation considered these terms of the Indians as mere lures to +beguile confidence. + +When the treaty was at last ready for signature, an aged chief, who had +seemed to regulate all the proceedings, remarked that he must first go +to his people, and that he would immediately return, and sign the +instrument. He was observed to step aside in conference with some young +warriors. On his return the negotiators from the garrison asked the +chief why he had brought young men in place of those who had just been +assisting at the council? His answer was prompt and ingenious. It was, +that he wished to gratify his young warriors, who desired to become +acquainted with the ways of the whites. It was then proposed, according +to the custom of both races, that the parties should shake hands. As the +two chief negotiators, Smith and Boone, arose to depart, they were both +seized from behind. + +Suspicious of treachery, they had posted twenty-five men in a bastion, +with orders to fire upon the council, as soon as they should see any +marks of treachery or violence. The instant the negotiators were seized, +the whole besieging force fired upon them, and the fire was as promptly +returned by the men in the bastion. The powerful savages who had grasped +Boone and Smith, attempted to drag them off as prisoners. The one who +held Smith was compelled to release his grasp by being shot dead. +Colonel Boone was slightly wounded. A second tomahawk, by which his +skull would have been cleft asunder, he evaded, and it partially fell on +Major Smith; but being in a measure spent, it did not inflict a +dangerous wound. The negotiators escaped to the fort without receiving +any other injury. The almost providential escape of Boone and Smith can +only be accounted for by the confusion into which the Indians were +thrown, as soon as these men were seized, and by the prompt fire of the +men concealed in the bastion. Added to this, the two Indians who seized +them were both shot dead, by marksmen who knew how to kill the Indians, +and at the same time spare the whites, in whose grasp they were held. + +The firing on both sides now commenced in earnest, and was kept up +without intermission from morning dawn until dark. The garrison, at once +exasperated and cheered by the meditated treachery of the negotiation +and its result, derided the furious Indians, and thanked them for the +stratagem of the negotiation, which had given them time to prepare the +fort for their reception. Goaded to desperation by these taunts, and by +Duquesne, who harangued them to the onset, they often rushed up to the +fort, as if they purposed to storm it. Dropping dead under the cool and +deliberate aim of the besieged, the remainder of the forlorn hope, +raising a yell of fury and despair, fell back. Other infuriated bands +took their place; and these scenes were often repeated, invariably with +the same success, until both parties were incapable of taking aim on +account of the darkness. + +They then procured a quantity of combustible matter, set fire to it, and +approached under covert of the darkness, so near the palisades as to +throw the burning materials into the fort. But the inmates had availed +themselves of the two days' consultation, granted them by the +treacherous foe, to procure an ample supply of water; and they had the +means of extinguishing the burning faggots as they fell. + +Finding their efforts to fire the fort ineffectual, they returned again +to their arms, and continued to fire upon the station for some days. +Taught a lesson of prudence, however, by what had already befallen them, +they kept at such a cautious distance, as that their fire took little +effect. A project to gain the place, more wisely conceived, and +promising better success, was happily discovered by Colonel Boone. The +walls of the fort were distant sixty yards from the Kentucky river. The +bosom of the current was easily discernible by the people within. Boone +discovered in the morning that the stream near the shore was extremely +turbid. He immediately divined the cause. + +The Indians had commenced a trench at the water level of the river +bank, mining upwards towards the station, and intending to reach the +interior by a passage under the wall. He took measures to render their +project ineffectual, by ordering a trench to be cut inside the fort, +across the line of their subterraneous passage. They were probably +apprised of the countermine that was digging within, by the quantity of +earth thrown over the wall. But, stimulated by the encouragement of +their French engineer, they continued to advance their mine towards the +wall, until, from the friability of the soil through which it passed, it +fell in, and all their labor was lost. With a perseverance that in a +good cause would have done them honor, in no wise discouraged by this +failure to intermit their exertions, they returned again to their fire +arms, and kept up a furious and incessant firing for some days, but +producing no more impression upon the station than before. + +During the siege, which lasted eight days, they proposed frequent +parleys, requesting the surrender of the place, and professing to treat +the garrison with the utmost kindness. They were answered, that they +must deem the garrison to be still more brutally fools than themselves, +to expect that they would place any confidence in the proposals of +wretches who had already manifested such base and stupid treachery. They +were bidden to fire on, for that their waste of powder and lead gave the +garrison little uneasiness, and were assured that they could not hope +the surrender of the place, while there was a man left within it. On the +morning of the ninth day from the commencement of the siege, after +having, as usual, wreaked their disappointed fury upon the cattle and +swine, they decamped, and commenced a retreat. + +No Indian expedition against the whites had been known to have had such +a disastrous issue for them. During the siege, their loss was estimated +by the garrison at two hundred killed, beside a great number wounded. +The garrison, on the contrary, protected by the palisades, behind which +they could fire in safety, and deliberately prostrate every foe that +exposed himself near enough to become a mark, lost but two killed, and +had six wounded. + +After the siege, the people of the fort, to whom lead was a great +object, began to collect the balls that the Indians had fired upon them. +They gathered in the logs of the fort, beside those that had fallen to +the ground, a hundred and twenty-five pounds. The failure of this +desperate attempt, with such a powerful force, seems to have discouraged +the Indians and their Canadian allies from making any further effort +against Boonesborough. In the autumn of this season, Colonel Boone +returned to North Carolina to visit his wife and family. + +When he was taken at the Blue Licks, with his associates, who had +returned, while he was left behind in a long captivity, during which no +more news of him transpired than as if he were actually among the dead, +the people of the garrison naturally concluded that he had been killed. +His wife and family numbered him as among the dead; and often had they +shuddered on the bare recurrence of some one to the probability of the +tortures he had undergone. Deeply attached to him, and inconsolable, +they could no longer endure a residence which so painfully reminded them +of their loss. As soon as they had settled their minds to the conviction +that their head would return to them no more, they resolved to leave +these forests that had been so fatal to them, and return to the banks of +the Yadkin, where were all their surviving connections. A family so +respectable and dear to the settlement would not be likely to leave +without having to overcome many tender and pressing solicitations to +remain, and many promises that if they would, their temporal wants +should be provided for. + +To all this Mrs. Boone could only object, that Kentucky had indeed been +to her, as its name imported, a dark and _Bloody Ground_. She had lost +her eldest son by the savage fire before they had reached the country. +Her daughter had been made a captive, and had experienced a forbearance +from the Indians to her inexplicable. She would have been carried away +to the savage towns, and there would have been forcibly married to some +warrior, but for the perilous attempt, and improbable success of her +father in recapturing her. Now the father himself, her affectionate +husband, and the heroic defender of the family, had fallen a sacrifice, +probably in the endurance of tortures on which the imagination dared not +to dwell. Under the influence of griefs like these, next to the +unfailing resource of religion, the heart naturally turns to the +sympathy and society of those bound to it by the ties of nature and +affinity. They returned to their friends in North Carolina. + +It was nearly five years since this now desolate family had started in +company with the first emigrating party of families, in high hopes and +spirits, for Kentucky. We have narrated their disastrous rencounter with +the Indians in Powell's valley, and their desponding return to Clinch +river. We have seen their subsequent return to Boonesborough, on +Kentucky river. Tidings of the party thus far had reached the relatives +of Mrs. Boone's family in North Carolina; but no news from the country +west of the Alleghanies had subsequently reached them. All was uncertain +conjecture, whether they still lived, or had perished by famine, wild +beasts, or the Indians. + +At the close of the summer of 1778, the settlement on the Yadkin saw a +company on pack horses approaching in the direction from the western +wilderness. They had often seen parties of emigrants departing in that +direction, but it was a novel spectacle to see one return from that +quarter. At the head of that company was a blooming youth, scarcely yet +arrived at the age of manhood. It was the eldest surviving son of Daniel +Boone. Next behind him was a matronly woman, in weeds, and with a +countenance of deep dejection. It was Mrs. Boone. Still behind was the +daughter who had been a captive with the Indians. The remaining children +were too young to feel deeply. The whole group was respectable in +appearance, though clad in skins, and the primitive habiliments of the +wilderness. It might almost have been mistaken for a funeral +procession. It stopped at the house of Mr. Bryan, the father of Mrs. +Boone. + +The people of the settlement were not long in collecting to hear news +from the west, and learn the fate of their former favorite, Boone, and +his family. As Mrs. Boone, in simple and backwood's phrase, related the +thrilling story of their adventures, which needed no trick of venal +eloquence to convey it to the heart, an abundant tribute of tears from +the hearers convinced the bereaved narrator that true sympathy is +natural to the human heart. As they shuddered at the dark character of +many of the incidents related, it was an hour of triumph, +notwithstanding their pity, for those wiser ones, who took care, in an +under tone, to whisper that it might be remembered that they had +predicted all that had happened. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +A sketch of the character and adventures of several other +pioneers--Harrod, Kenton, Logan, Ray, McAffee, and others. + + +Colonel Boone having seen the formidable invasion of Boonesborough +successfully repelled, and with such a loss as would not be likely to +tempt the Indians to repeat such assaults--and having thus disengaged +his mind from public duties, resigned it to the influence of domestic +sympathies. The affectionate husband and father, concealing the +tenderest heart under a sun-burnt and care-worn visage, was soon seen +crossing the Alleghanies in pursuit of his wife and children. The bright +star of his morning promise had been long under eclipse; for this +journey was one of continued difficulties, vexations, and dangers--so +like many of his sufferings already recounted, that we pass them by, +fearing the effect of incidents of so much monotony upon the reader's +patience. The frame and spirit of the western adventurer were of iron. +He surmounted all, and was once more in the bosom of his family on the +Yadkin, who, in the language of the Bible, hailed him as one _who had +been dead and was alive again; who had been lost and was found_. + +Many incidents of moment and interest in the early annals of Kentucky +occurred during this reunion of Boone with his family. As his name is +forever identified with these annals, we hope it will not be deemed +altogether an episode if we introduce here a brief chronicle of those +incidents--though not directly associated with the subject of our +memoir. In presenting those incidents, we shall be naturally led to +speak of some of the other patriarchs of Kentucky--all Boones in their +way--all strangely endowed with that peculiar character which fitted +them for the time, place, and achievements. We thus discover the +foresight of Providence in the arrangement of means to ends. This is no +where seen more conspicuously than in the characters of the founders of +states and institutions. + +During the absence of Colonel Boone, there was a general disposition in +Kentucky to retaliate upon the Shawnese some of the injuries and losses +which they had so often inflicted upon the infant settlement. Colonel +Bowman, with a force of a hundred and sixty men, was selected to command +the expedition; and it was destined against Old Chillicothe--the den +where the red northern savages had so long concentrated their +expeditions against the settlements south of the Ohio. + +The force marched in the month of July, 1779, and reached its +destination undiscovered by the Indians. A contest commenced with the +Indians at early dawn, which lasted until ten in the morning. But, +although Colonel Bowman's force sustained itself with great gallantry, +the numbers and concealment of the enemy precluded the chance of a +victory. He retreated, with an inconsiderable loss, a distance of thirty +miles. The Indians, collecting all their forces, pursued and overtook +him. Another engagement of two hours ensued, more to the disadvantage +of the Kentuckians than the former. Colonel Harrod proposed to mount a +number of horse, and make a charge upon the Indians, who continued the +fight with great fury. This apparently desperate measure was followed by +the happiest results. The Indian front was broken, and their force +thrown into irreparable confusion. Colonel Bowman, having sustained a +loss of nine killed and one wounded, afterwards continued an unmolested +retreat. + +In June of the next year, 1780, six hundred Indians and Canadians, +commanded by Colonel Bird, a British officer, attacked Riddle's and +Martin's stations, at the forks of the Licking, with six pieces of +cannon. They conducted this expedition with so much secrecy, that the +first intimation of it which the unsuspecting inhabitants had, was being +fired upon. Unprepared to resist so formidable a force, provided +moreover with cannon, against which their palisade walls would not +stand, they were obliged to surrender at discretion. The savages +immediately prostrated one man and two women with the tomahawk. All the +other prisoners, many of whom were sick, were loaded with baggage and +forced to accompany their return march to the Indian towns. Whoever, +whether male or female, infant or aged, became unable, from sickness or +exhaustion, to proceed, was immediately dispatched with the tomahawk. + +The inhabitants, exasperated by the recital of cruelties to the children +and women, too horrible to be named, put themselves under the standard +of the intrepid and successful General Clarke, who commanded a regiment +of United States' troops at the falls of Ohio. He was joined by a number +of volunteers from the country, and they marched against Pickaway, one +of the principal towns of the Shawnese, on the Great Miami. He conducted +this expedition with his accustomed good fortune. He burnt their town to +ashes. Beside the dead, which, according to their custom, the Indians +carried off, seventeen bodies were left behind. The loss of General +Clarke was seventeen killed. + +We here present brief outlines of some of the other more prominent +western pioneers, the kindred spirits, the Boones of Kentucky. High +spirited intelligent, intrepid as they were, they can never supplant the +reckless hero of Kentucky and Missouri in our thoughts. It is true, +these men deserve to have their memories perpetuated in monumental +brass, and the more enduring page of history. But there is a sad +interest attached to the memory of Daniel Boone, which can never belong, +in an equal degree, to theirs. They foresaw what this beautiful country +would become in the hands of its new possessors. Extending their +thoughts beyond the ken of a hunter's calculations, they anticipated the +consequences of buts and bounds, officers of registry and record, and +courts of justice. In due time, they secured a fair and adequate +reversion in the soil which they had planted and so nobly defended. +Hence, their posterity, with the inheritance of their name and renown, +enter into the heritage of their possessions, and find an honorable and +an abundant residence in the country which their fathers settled. +Boone, on the contrary, was too simple-minded, too little given to +prospective calculations, and his heart in too much what was passing +under his eye, to make this thrifty forecast. In age, in penury, +landless, and without a home, he is seen leaving Kentucky, then an +opulent and flourishing country, for a new wilderness and new scenes of +adventure. + +Among the names of the conspicuous backwoodsmen who settled the west, we +cannot fail to recognize that of James Harrod. He was from the banks of +the Monongahela, and among the earliest immigrants to the "Bloody +Ground." He descended the Great Kenhawa, and returned to Pennsylvania in +1774. He made himself conspicuous with a party of his friends at the +famous contest with the Indians at the "Point," Next year he returned to +Kentucky with a party of immigrants, fixing himself at one of the +earliest settlements in the country, which, in honor of him, was called +Harrodsburgh. + +Nature had moulded him of a form and temperament to look the formidable +red man in the face. He was six feet, muscular, broad chested, of a firm +and animated countenance, keen and piercing eyes, and sparing of speech. +He gained himself an imperishable name in the annals of Kentucky, under +the extreme disadvantage of not knowing how to read or write! Obliging +and benevolent to his neighbors, he was brave and active in their +defence. A successful, because a persevering and intelligent hunter, he +was liberal to profuseness in the distribution of the spoils. Vigilant +and unerring with his rifle, it was at one time directed against the +abundant game for the sake of his friends rather than himself; and at +others, against the enemies of his country. Guided by the inexplicable +instinct of forest skill, he could conduct the wanderer in the woods +from point to point through the wilderness, as the needle guides the +mariner upon the ocean. So endowed, others equally illiterate, and less +gifted, naturally, and from instinct, arranged themselves under his +banner, and fearlessly followed such a leader. + +If it was reported, that a family, recently arrived in the country, and +not yet acquainted with the backwood's modes of supply, was in want of +food, Harrod was seen at the cabin door, offering the body of a deer or +buffalo, which he had just killed. The commencing farmer, who had lost +his oxen, or plough horse, in the range, and unused to the vocation of +hunting them, or fearful of the Indian rifle, felt no hesitancy, from +his known character, in applying to Harrod. He would disappear in the +woods, and in the exercise of his own wonderful tact, the lost beast was +soon seen driving to the door. + +But the precincts of a station, or the field of a farm, were too +uncongenial a range for such a spirit as his. To breathe the fresh +forest air--to range deserts where man was not to be seen--to pursue the +wild deer and buffalo--to trap the bear and the wolf, or beside the +still pond, or the unexplored stream, to catch otters and beavers--to +bring down the wild turkey from the summit of the highest trees; such +were the congenial pursuits in which he delighted. + +But, in a higher sphere, and in the service of his country, he united +the instinctive tact and dexterity of a huntsman with the bravery of a +soldier. No labor was too severe for his hardihood; no enterprise too +daring and forlorn for his adventure; no course too intricate and +complicated for his judgment, so far as native talent could guide it. As +a Colonel of the militia, he conducted expeditions against the Indians +with uncommon success. After the country had become populous, and he a +husband and a father, in the midst of an affectionate family, possessed +of every comfort--such was the effect of temperament, operating upon +habit, that he became often silent and thoughtful in the midst of the +social circle, and was seen in that frame to wander away into remote +forests, and to bury himself amidst the unpeopled knobs, where, in a few +weeks, he would reacquire his cheerfulness. In one of these excursions +he disappeared, and was seen no more, leaving no trace to determine +whether he died a natural death, was slain by wild beasts, or the +tomahawk of the savage. + +Among the names of many of the first settlers of Harrodsburgh, are those +that are found most prominent in the early annals of Kentucky. In the +first list of these we find the names of McGary, Harland, McBride, and +Chaplain. Among the young settlers, none were more conspicuous for +active, daring, and meritorious service, than James Ray. Prompt at his +post at the first moment of alarm, brave in the field, fearless and +persevering in the pursuit of the enemy, scarcely a battle, skirmish, or +expedition took place in which he had not a distinguished part. Equally +expert as a woodsman, and skilful and successful as a hunter, he was +often employed as a spy. It is recorded of him that he left his +garrison, when short of provisions, by night marched to a forest at the +distance of six miles, killed a buffalo, and, loaded with the choice +parts of the flesh, returned to regale the hungry inhabitants in the +morning. He achieved this enterprise, too, when it was well known that +the vicinity was thronged with Indians, lurking for an opportunity to +kill. These are the positions which try the daring and skill, the +usefulness and value of men, furnishing a criterion which cannot be +counterfeited between reality and resemblance. + +We may perhaps in this place most properly introduce another of the +famous partisans in savage warfare, Simon Kenton, alias Butler, who, +from humble beginnings, made himself conspicuous by distinguished +services and achievements in the first settlements of this country, and +ought to be recorded as one of the patriarchs of Kentucky. He was born +in Virginia, in 1753. He grew to maturity without being able to read or +write; but from his early exploits he seems to have been endowed with +feelings which the educated and those born in the upper walks of life, +appear to suppose a monopoly reserved for themselves. It is recorded of +him, that at the age of nineteen, he had a violent contest with another +competitor for the favor of the lady of his love. She refused to make an +election between them, and the subject of this notice indignantly exiled +himself from his native place. After various peregrinations on the long +rivers of the west, he fixed himself in Kentucky, and soon became a +distinguished partisan against the savages. In 1774, he joined himself +to Lord Dunmore, and was appointed one of his spies. He made various +excursions, and performed important services in this employ. He finally +selected a place for improvement on the site where Washington now is. +Returning one day from hunting, he found one of his companions slain by +the Indians, and his body thrown into the fire. He left Washington in +consequence, and joined himself to Colonel Clarke in his fortunate and +gallant expedition against Vincennes and Kaskaskia. He was sent by that +commander with despatches for Kentucky. He passed through the streets of +Vincennes, then in possession of the British and Indians, without +discovery. Arriving at White river, he and his party made a raft on +which to cross with their guns and baggage, driving their horses into +the river and compelling them to swim it. A party of Indians was +concealed on the opposite bank, who took possession of the horses as +they mounted the bank from crossing the river. Butler and his party +seeing this, continued to float down the river on their raft without +coming to land. They concealed themselves in the bushes until night, +when they crossed the river, pursued their journey, and delivered their +despatches. + +After this, Butler made a journey of discovery to the northern regions +of the Ohio country, and was made prisoner by the Indians. They painted +him black, as is their custom when a victim is destined for their +torture, and informed him that he was to be burned at Chillicothe. +Meanwhile, for their own amusement, and as a prelude of his torture, +they manacled him hand and foot, and placed him on an unbridled and +unbroken horse, and turned the animal loose, driving it off at its +utmost speed, with shouts, delighted at witnessing its mode of managing +with its living burden. The horse unable to shake off this new and +strange encumbrance, made for the thickest covert of the woods and +brambles, with the speed of the winds. It is easy to conjecture the +position and suffering of the victim. The terrified animal exhausted +itself in fruitless efforts to shake off its burden, and worn down and +subdued, brought Butler back amidst the yells of the exulting savages to +the camp. + +Arrived within a mile of Chillicothe, they halted, took Butler from his +horse and tied him to a stake, where he remained twenty-four hours in +one position. He was taken from the stake to "run the gauntlet." The +Indian mode of managing this kind of torture was as follows: The +inhabitants of the tribe, old and young, were placed in parallel lines, +armed with clubs and switches. The victim was to make his way to the +council house through these files, every member of which struggled to +beat him as he passed as severely as possible. If he reached the council +house alive, he was to be spared. In the lines were nearly six hundred +Indians, and Butler had to make his way almost a mile in the endurance +of this infernal sport. He was started by a blow; but soon broke through +the files, and had almost reached the council house, when a stout +warrior knocked him down with a club. He was severely beaten in this +position, and taken back again into custody. + +It seems incredible that they sometimes adopted their prisoners, and +treated them with the utmost lenity and even kindness. At other times, +ingenuity was exhausted to invent tortures, and every renewed endurance +of the victim seemed to stimulate their vengeance to new discoveries of +cruelty. Butler was one of these ill-fated subjects. No way satisfied +with what they had done, they marched him from village to village to +give all a spectacle of his sufferings. He run the gauntlet thirteen +times. He made various attempts to escape; and in one instance would +have effected it, had he not been arrested by some savages who were +accidentally returning to the village from which he was escaping. It was +finally determined to burn him at the Lower Sandusky, but an apparent +accident changed his destiny. + +In passing to the stake, the procession went by the cabin of Girty, of +whom we have already spoken. This renegado white man lived among these +Indians, and had just returned from an unsuccessful expedition against +the whites on the frontiers of Pennsylvania. The wretch burned with +disappointment and revenge, and hearing that there was a white man going +to the torture, determined to wreak his vengeance on him. He found the +unfortunate Butler, threw him to the ground, and began to beat him. +Butler, who instantly recognized in Girty the quondam companion and +playmate of youth, at once made himself known to him. This sacramental +tie of friendship, on recognition, caused the savage heart of Girty to +relent. He raised him up, and promised to save him. He procured the +assemblage of a council, and persuaded the savages to relinquish Butler +to him. He took the unfortunate man home, fed, and clothed him, and +Butler began to recruit from his wounds and torture. But the relenting +of the savages was only transient and momentary. After five days they +repented of their relaxation in his favor, reclaimed him, and marched +him to Lower Sandusky to be burned there, according to their original +purpose. By a fortunate coincidence, he there met the Indian agent from +Detroit, who, from motives of humanity, exerted his influence with the +savages for his release, and took him with him to Detroit. Here he was +paroled by the Governor. He escaped; and being endowed, like Daniel +Boone, to be at home in the woods, by a march of thirty days through the +wilderness, he reached Kentucky. + +In 1784, Simon Kenton reoccupied the settlement, near Washington, which +he had commenced in 1775. Associated with a number of people, he erected +a block-house, and made a station here. This became an important point +of covering and defence for the interior country. Immigrants felt more +confidence in landing at Limestone. To render this confidence more +complete, Kenton and his associates built a block-house at Limestone. +Two men, of the name of Tanner, had made a small settlement the year +preceding at Blue Lick, and were now making salt there. The route from +Limestone to Lexington became one of the most general travel for +immigrants, and many stations sprang up upon it. Travellers to the +country had hitherto been compelled to sleep under the open canopy, +exposed to the rains and dews of the night. But cabins were now so +common, that they might generally repose under a roof that sheltered +them from the weather, and find a bright fire, plenty of wood, and with +the rustic fare, a most cheerful and cordial welcome. The people of +these new regions were hospitable from native inclination. They were +hospitable from circumstances. None but those who dwell in a wilderness, +where the savages roam and the wolves howl, can understand all the +pleasant associations connected with the sight of a stranger of the same +race. The entertainer felt himself stronger from the presence of his +guest. His offered food and fare were the spoils of the chase. He heard +news from the old settlements and the great World; and he saw in the +accession of every stranger a new guaranty of the security, wealth, and +improvement of the infant country where he had chosen his resting place. + +Among other worthy associates of Boone, we may mention the family of +McAffee. Two brothers, James and Robert, emigrated from the county of +Botetourt, Virginia, and settled on Salt river, six miles from +Harrodsburgh. Having revisited their parent country, on their return +they brought with them William and George McAffee. In 1777, the Indians +destroyed the whole of their valuable stock of cattle, while they were +absent from Kentucky. In 1779 they returned, and settled McAffee's +station, which was subsequently compelled to take its full share in the +sufferings and dangers of Indian hostilities. + +Benjamin Logan immigrated to the country in 1775, as a private citizen. +But he was a man of too much character to remain unnoted. As his +character developed, he was successively appointed a magistrate, elected +a member of the legislature and rose, as a military character, to the +rank of general. His parents were natives of Ireland, who emigrated, +while young, to Pennsylvania, where they married, and soon afterwards +removed to Augusta county, Virginia. + +Benjamin, their oldest son, was born there; and at the age of fourteen, +lost his father. Charged, at this early age, with the care of a widowed +mother, and children still younger than himself, neither the +circumstances of his family, of the country, or his peculiar condition, +allowed him the chances of education. Almost as unlettered as James +Harrod, he was a memorable example of a self-formed man. Great natural +acuteness, and strong intellectual powers, were, however, adorned by a +disposition of uncommon benevolence. Under the eye of an excellent +father, he commenced with the rudiments of common instruction, the +soundest lessons of Christian piety and morality, which were continued +by the guidance and example of an admirable mother, with whom he resided +until he was turned of twenty-one. + +His father had deceased intestate, and, in virtue of the laws then in +force, the whole extensive inheritance of his father's lands descended +to him, to the exclusion of his brothers and sisters. His example ought +to be recorded for the benefit of those grasping children in these days, +who, dead to all natural affection, and every sentiment but avarice, +seize all that the law will grant, whether equity will sanction it or +not. Disregarding this claim of primogeniture, he insisted that the +whole inheritance should be parceled into equal shares, of which he +accepted only his own. But the generous impulses of his noble nature, +were not limited to the domestic circle. His heart was warm with the +more enlarged sentiments of patriotism. At the age of twenty-one, he +accompanied Colonel Beauquette, as a serjeant, in a hostile expedition +against the Indians of the north. Having provided for the comfortable +settlement of his mother and family on James River, Virginia, he moved +to the Holston, where he settled and married. + +Having been in the expedition of Lord Dunmore against the Indians, and +having thus acquired a taste for forest marches and incident, he +determined, in 1775, to try his fortunes in Kentucky, which country had +then just become a theme of discussion. He set forth from his mother's +family with three slaves, leaving the rest to her. In Powell's valley he +met with Boone, Henderson, and other kindred spirits, and pursued his +journey towards Kentucky in company with them. He parted from them, +before they reached Boonesborough, and selected a spot for himself, +afterwards called Logan's fort, or station. + +In the winter of 1776, he removed his family from Holston, and in March, +arrived with it in Kentucky. It was the same year in which the daughter +of Col. Boone, and those of Col. Calloway were made captives. The +whole-country being in a state of alarm, he endeavored to assemble some +of the settlers that were dispersed in the country called the Crab +Orchard, to join him at his cabins, and there form a station of +sufficient strength to defend itself against Indian assault. But finding +them timid and unresolved, he was himself obliged to desert his +incipient settlement, and move for safety to Harrodsburgh. Yet, such was +his determination not to abandon his selected spot, that he raised a +crop of corn there, defenceless and surrounded on all sides by Indian +incursion. + +In the winter of 1777, and previous to the attack of Harrodsburgh, he +found six families ready to share with him the dangers of the selected +spot; and he removed his family with them to his cabins, where the +settlement immediately united in the important duty of palisading a +station. + +Before these arrangements were fully completed as the females of the +establishment, on the twentieth of May, were milking their cows, +sustained by a guard of their husbands and fathers, the whole party was +suddenly assailed by a large body of Indians, concealed in a cane-brake. +One man was killed, and two wounded, one mortally, the other severely. +The remainder reached the interior of the palisades in safety. The +number in all was thirty, half of whom were women and children. A +circumstance was now discovered, exceedingly trying to such a benevolent +spirit as that of Logan. While the Indians were still firing, and the +inmates part exulting in their safety, and the others mourning over +their dead and wounded, it was perceived, that one of the wounded, by +the name of Harrison, was still alive, and exposed every moment to be +scalped by the Indians. All this his wife and family could discern from +within. It is not difficult to imagine their agonizing condition, and +piercing lamentations for the fate of one so dear to them. Logan +discovered, on this occasion, the same keen sensibility to tenderness, +and insensibility to danger, that characterized his friend Boone in +similar predicaments. He endeavored to rally a few of the small number +of the male inmates of the place to join him, and rush out, and assist +in attempting to bring the wounded man within the palisades. But so +obvious was the danger, so forlorn appeared the enterprise, that no one +could be found disposed to volunteer his aid, except a single individual +by the name of John Martin. When they had reached the gate, the wounded +man raised himself partly erect, and made a movement, as if disposed to +try to reach the fort himself. On this, Martin desisted from the +enterprise, and left Logan to attempt it alone. He rushed forward to the +wounded man. He made some efforts to crawl onwards by the aid of Logan; +but weakened by the loss of blood, and the agony of his wounds, he +fainted, and Logan taking him up in his arms, bore him towards the +fort. A shower of bullets was discharged upon them, many of which struck +the palisades close to his head, as he brought the wounded man safe +within the gate, and deposited him in the care of his family. + +The station, at this juncture, was destitute of both powder and ball; +and there was no chance of supply nearer than Holston. All intercourse +between station and station was cut off. Without ammunition the station +could not be defended against the Indians. The question was, how to +obviate this pressing emergency, and obtain a supply? Captain Logan +selected two trusty companions, left the fort by night, evaded the +besieging Indians, reached the woods, and with his companions made his +way in safety to Holston, procured the necessary supply of ammunition, +packed it under their care on horseback, giving them directions how to +proceed. He then left them, and traversing the forests by a shorter +route on foot, he reached the fort in safety, in ten days from his +departure. The Indians still kept up the siege with unabated +perseverance. The hopes of the diminished garrison had given way to +despair. The return of Logan inspired them with renewed confidence. + +Uniting the best attributes of a woodsman and a soldier to uncommon +local acquaintance with the country, his instinctive sagacity prescribed +to him, on this journey, the necessity of deserting the beaten path, +where, he was aware, he should be intercepted by the savages. Avoiding, +from the same calculation, the passage of the Cumberland Gap, he +explored a track in which man, or at least the white man, had never +trodden before. We may add, it has never been trodden since. Through +cane-brakes and tangled thickets, over cliffs and precipices, and +pathless mountains, he made his solitary way. Following his directions +implicitly, his companions, who carried the ammunition, also reached the +fort, and it was saved. + +His rencounters with the Indians, and his hairbreadth escapes make no +inconsiderable figure in the subsequent annals of Kentucky. The year +after the siege of his fort, on a hunting excursion, he discovered an +Indian camp, at Big Flat Spring, two miles from his station. Returning +immediately he raised a party, with which he attacked the camp, from +which the Indians fled with precipitation, without much loss on their +part, and none on his. A short time after he was attacked at the same +place, by another party of Indians. His arm was broken by their fire, +and he was otherwise slightly wounded in the breast. They even seized +the mane of his horse, and he escaped them from their extreme eagerness +to take him alive. + +No sooner were his wounds healed, than we find him in the fore front of +the expedition against the Indians. In 1779, he served as a captain in +Bowman's campaign. He signalized his bravery in the unfortunate battle +that ensued, and was with difficulty compelled to retire, when retreat +became necessary. The next year a party travelling from Harrodsburgh +towards Logan's fort, were fired upon by the Indians, and two of them +mortally wounded One, however, survived to reach the fort, and give an +account of the fate of his wounded companion. Logan immediately raised a +small party of young men, and repaired to the aid of the wounded man, +who had crawled out of sight of the Indians behind a clump of bushes. He +was still alive. Logan took him on his shoulders, occasionally relieved +in sustaining the burden by his younger associates, and in this way +conveyed him to the fort. On their return from Harrodsburgh, Logan's +party were fired upon, and one of the party wounded. The assailants were +repelled with loss; and it was Logan's fortune again to be the bearer of +the wounded man upon his shoulders for a long distance, exposed, the +while, to the fire of the Indians. + +His reputation for bravery and hospitality, and the influence of a long +train of connections, caused him to be the instrument of bringing out +many immigrants to Kentucky. They were of a character to prove an +acquisition to the country. Like his friends, Daniel Boone, and James +Harrod, his house was open to all the recent immigrants. In the early +stages of the settlement of the country, his station, like Boone's and +Harrod's, was one of the main pillars of the colony. Feeling the +importance of this station, as a point of support to the infant +settlements, he took effectual measures to keep up an intercourse with +the other stations, particularly those of Boone and Harrod. Dangerous as +this intercourse was, Logan generally travelled alone, often by night, +and universally with such swiftness of foot, that few could be found +able to keep speed with him. + +In the year 1780, he received his commission as Colonel, and was soon +after a member of the Virginia legislature at Richmond. In the year +1781, the Indians attacked Montgomery's station, consisting of six +families, connected by blood with Colonel Logan. The father and brother +of Mrs. Logan were killed, and her sister-in-law, with four children, +taken prisoners. This disaster occurred about ten miles from Logan's +fort. His first object was to rescue the prisoners, and his next to +chastise the barbarity of the Indians. He immediately collected a party +of his friends, and repaired to the scene of action. He was here joined +by the bereaved relatives of Montgomery's family. He commanded a rapid +pursuit of the enemy, who were soon overtaken, and briskly attacked. +They faced upon their assailants, but were beaten after a severe +conflict. William Montgomery killed three Indians, and wounded a fourth. +Two women and three children were rescued. The savages murdered the +other child to prevent its being re-taken. The other prisoners would +have experienced the same fate, had they not fled for their lives into +the thickets. + +It would be very easy to extend this brief sketch of some of the more +conspicuous pioneers of Kentucky. Their heroic and disinterested +services, their lavish prodigality of their blood and property, gave +them that popularity which is universally felt to be a high and +priceless acquisition. Loved, and trusted, and honored as fathers of +their country; while they lived, they had the persuasion of such +generous minds as theirs, that their names would descend with blessings +to their grateful posterity. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +Boone's brother killed, and Boone himself narrowly escapes from the +Indians--Assault upon Ashton's station--and upon the station near +Shelbyville--Attack upon McAffee's station. + + +We have already spoken of the elder brother of Col. Boone and his second +return to the Yadkin. A fondness for the western valleys seems to have +been as deeply engraven in his affections, as in the heart of his +brother. He subsequently returned once more with his family to Kentucky. +In 1780 we find a younger brother of Daniel Boone resident with him. The +two brothers set out on the sixth of October of that year, to revisit +the blue Licks. It may well strike us as a singular fact, that Colonel +Boone should have felt any disposition to revisit a place that was +connected with so many former disasters. But, as a place convenient for +the manufacture of salt, it was a point of importance to the rapidly +growing settlement. They had manufactured as much salt as they could +pack, and were returning to Boonesborough, when they were overtaken by a +party of Indians. By the first fire Colonel Boone's brother fell dead by +his side. Daniel Boone faced the enemy, and aimed at the foremost +Indian, who appeared to have been the slayer of his brother. That Indian +fell. By this time he discovered a host advancing upon him. Taking the +still loaded rifle of his fallen brother, he prostrated another foe, and +while flying from his enemy found time to reload his rifle. The bullets +of a dozen muskets whistled about his head; but the distance of the foe +rendered them harmless. No scalp would have been of so much value to his +pursuers as that of the well known Daniel Boone; and they pursued him +with the utmost eagerness. His object was so far to outstrip them, as to +be able to conceal his trail, and put them to fault in regard to his +course. He made for a little hill, behind which was a stream of water. +He sprang into the water and waded up its current for some distance, and +then emerged and struck off at right angles to his former course. +Darting onward at the height of his speed, he hoped that he had +distanced them, and thrown them off his trail. To his infinite +mortification, he discovered that his foe, either accidentally, or from +their natural sagacity, had rendered all his caution fruitless, and were +fiercely pursuing him still. His next expedient was that of a swing by +the aid of a grape-vine, which had so well served him on a like occasion +before. He soon found one convenient for the experiment, and availed +himself of it, as before. This hope was also disappointed. His foe still +hung with staunch perseverance on his trail. He now perceived by their +movements, that they were conducted by a dog, that easily ran in zig-zag +directions, when at fault, until it had re-scented his course. The +expedient of Boone was the only one that seemed adequate to save him. +His gun was reloaded. The dog was in advance of the Indians, still +scenting his track. A rifle shot delivered him from his officious +pursuer. He soon reached a point convenient for concealing his trail, +and while the Indians were hunting for it, gained so much upon them as +to be enabled to reach Boonesborough in safety. + +At the close of the autumn of 1780, Kentucky, from being one county, was +divided into three, named Jefferson, Fayette, and Lincoln. William Pope, +Daniel Boone, and Benjamin Logan, were appointed to the important +offices of commanding the militia of their respective counties. + +During this year Col. Clarke descended the Ohio, with a part of his +Virginia regiment, and after entering the Mississippi, at the first +bluff on the eastern bank, he landed and built Fort Jefferson. The +occupation of this fort, for the time, added the Chickasaws to the +number of hostile Indians that the western people had to encounter. It +was soon discovered, that it would be advisable to evacuate it, as a +mean of restoring peace. It was on their acknowleged territory. It had +been erected without their consent. They boasted it, as a proof of their +friendship, that they had never invaded Kentucky; and they indignantly +resented this violation of their territory. The evacuation of the fort +was the terms of a peace which the Chickasaws faithfully observed. + +The winter of 1781, was one of unusual length and distress for the young +settlement of Kentucky. Many of the immigrants arrived after the close +of the hunting season; and beside, were unskilful in the difficult +pursuit of supplying themselves with game. The Indians had destroyed +most of the corn of the preceding summer, and the number of persons to +be supplied had rapidly increased. These circumstances created a +temporary famine, which, added to the severity of the season, inflicted +much severe suffering upon the settlement. Boone and Harrod were abroad, +breasting the keen forest air, and seeking the retreat of the deer and +buffalo, now becoming scarce, as the inhabitants multiplied. These +indefatigable and intrepid men supplied the hungry immigrants with the +flesh of buffaloes and deers; and the hardy settlers, accustomed to +privations, and not to over delicacy in their food, contented themselves +to live entirely on meat, until, in the ensuing autumn, they once more +derived abundance from the fresh and fertile soil. + +In May, 1782, a body of savages assaulted Ashton's station, killed one +man, and took another prisoner. Captain Ashton, with twenty-five men, +pursued and overtook them. An engagement, which lasted two hours, +ensued. But the great superiority of the Indians in number, obliged +Captain Ashton to retreat. The loss of this intrepid party was severe. +Eight were killed, and four mortally wounded--their brave commander +being among the number of the slain. Four children were taken captive +from Major Hoy's station, in August following. Unwarned by the fate of +Captain Ashton's party. Captain Holden, with the inadequate force of +seventeen men, pursued the captors, came up with them, and were defeated +with the loss of four men killed, and one wounded. + +This was one of the most disastrous periods since the settlement of the +country. A number of the more recent and feeble stations, were so +annoyed by savage hostility as to be broken up. The horses were carried +off, and the cattle killed in every direction. Near Lexington, a man at +work in his field, was shot dead by a single Indian, who ran upon his +foe to scalp him, and was himself shot dead from the fort, and fell on +the body of his foe. + +During the severity of winter, the fury of Indian incursion was awhile +suspended, and the stern and scarred hunters had a respite of a few +weeks about their cabin fires. But in March, the hostilities were +renewed, and several marauding parties of Indians entered the country +from north of the Ohio. Col. William Lyn, and Captains Tipton and +Chapman, were killed by small detachments that waylaid them upon the +Beargrass. In pursuit of one of these parties, Captain Aquila White, +with seventeen men trailed the Indians to the Falls of the Ohio. +Supposing that they had crossed, he embarked his men in canoes to follow +them on the other shore. They had just committed themselves to the +stream, when they were fired upon from the shore they had left. Nine of +the party were killed or wounded. Yet, enfeebled as the remainder were, +they relanded, faced the foe, and compelled them to retreat. + +In April following, a station settled by Boone's elder brother, near the +present site where Shelbyville now stands, became alarmed by the +appearance of parties of Indians in its vicinity. The people, in +consternation, unadvisedly resolved to remove to Beargrass. The men +accordingly set out encumbered with women, children, and baggage. In +this defenceless predicament, they were attacked by the Indians near +Long Run. They experienced some loss, and a general dispersion from each +other in the woods. Colonel Floyd, in great haste, raised twenty-five +men, and repaired to the scene of action, intent alike upon +administering relief to the sufferers, and chastisement to the enemy. He +divided his party, and advanced upon them with caution. But their +superior knowledge of the country, enabled the Indians to ambuscade both +divisions, and to defeat them with the loss of half his men; a loss +poorly compensated by the circumstance, that a still greater number of +the savages fell in the engagement. The number of the latter were +supposed to be three times that of Colonel Floyd's party. The Colonel +narrowly escaped with his life, by the aid of Captain Samuel Wells, who, +seeing him on foot, pursued by the enemy, dismounted and gave him his +own horse, and as he fled, ran by his side to support him on the saddle, +from which he might have fallen through weakness from his wounds.--This +act of Captain Wells was the more magnanimous, as Floyd and himself were +not friends at the time. Such noble generosity was not thrown away upon +Floyd. It produced its natural effect, and these two persons lived and +died friends. It is pleasant to record such a mode of quelling +animosity. + +Early in May, two men, one of whom was Samuel McAffee, left James +McAffee's station, to go to a clearing at a short distance. They had +advanced about a fourth of a mile, when they were fired upon. The +companion of McAffee fell. The latter turned and fled towards the +station. He had not gained more than fifteen steps when he met an +Indian. Both paused a moment to raise their guns, in order to discharge +them. The muzzles almost touched. Both fired at the same moment. The +Indian's gun flashed in the pan, and he fell. McAffee continued his +retreat; but before he reached the station, its inmates had heard the +report of the guns; and James and Robert, brothers of McAffee, had come +out to the aid of those attacked. The three brothers met, Robert, +notwithstanding the caution he received from his brother, ran along the +path to see the dead Indian. The party of Indians to which he had +belonged, were upon the watch among the trees, and several of them +placed themselves between Robert and the station, to intercept his +return. Soon made aware of the danger to which his thoughtlessness had +exposed him, he found all his dexterity and knowledge of Indian warfare +requisite to ensure his safety. He sprang from behind one tree to +another, in the direction of the station, pursued by an Indian until he +reached a fence within a hundred yards of it, which he cleared by a +leap. The Indian had posted himself behind a tree to take safe +aim.--McAffee was now prepared for him. As the Indian put his head out +from the cover of his tree, to look for his object, he caught McAffee's +ball in his mouth, and fell. McAffee reached the station in safety. + +James, though he did not expose himself as his brother had done, was +fired upon by five Indians who lay in ambush. He fled to a tree for +protection. Immediately after he had gained one, three or four aimed at +him from the other side. The balls scattered earth upon him, as they +struck around his feet, but he remained unharmed. He had no sooner +entered the inclosure of the station in safety, than Indians were seen +approaching in all directions. Their accustomed horrid yells preceded a +general attack upon the station. Their fire was returned with spirit, +the women running balls as fast as they were required. The attack +continued two hours, when the Indians withdrew. + +The firing had aroused the neighborhood; and soon after the retreat of +the Indians, Major McGary appeared with forty men. It was determined to +pursue the Indians, as they could not have advanced far. This purpose +was immediately carried into execution. The Indians were overtaken and +completely routed. The station suffered inconvenience from the loss of +their domestic animals, which were all killed by the Indians, previous +to their retreat. One white man was killed and another died of his +wounds in a few days. This was the last attack upon this station by the +Indians, although it remained for some years a frontier post. + +We might easily swell these annals to volumes, by entering into details +of the attack of Kincheloe's station, and its defence by Colonel Floyd; +the exploits of Thomas Randolph; the captivity of Mrs. Bland and Peake; +and the long catalogue of recorded narratives of murders, burnings, +assaults, heroic defences, escapes, and the various incidents of Indian +warfare upon the incipient settlements. While their barbarity and horror +chill the blood, they show us what sort of men the first settlers of +the country were, and what scenes they had to witness, and what events +to meet, before they prepared for us our present peace and abundance. +The danger and apprehension of their condition must have been such, that +we cannot well imagine how they could proceed to the operations of +building and fencing, with sufficient composure and quietness of spirit, +to complete the slow and laborious preliminaries of founding such +establishments, as they have transmitted to their children. Men they +must have been, who could go firmly and cheerfully to the common +occupations of agriculture, with their lives in their hands, and under +the constant expectation of being greeted from the thickets and +cane-brakes with the rifle bullet and the Indian yell. Even the women +were heroes, and their are instances in abundance on record, where, in +defence of their children and cabins, they conducted with an undaunted +energy of attack or defence, which would throw into shade the vaunted +bravery in the bulletins of regular battles. + +These magnanimous pioneers seem to have had a presentiment that they had +a great work to accomplish--laying the foundations of a state in the +wilderness--a work from which they were to be deterred, neither by +hunger, nor toil, nor danger, nor death. For tenderness and affection, +they had hearts of flesh. For the difficulties and dangers of their +positions, their bosoms were of iron. THEY FEARED GOD, AND HAD NO OTHER +FEAR. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +Disastrous battle near the Blue Licks--General Clarke's expedition +against the Miami towns--Massacre of McClure's family--The horrors of +Indian assaults throughout the settlements--General Harmar's +expedition--Defeat of General St. Clair--Gen. Wayne's victory, and a +final peace with the Indians. + + +Here, in the order of the annals of the country, would be the place to +present the famous attack of Bryant's station, which we have anticipated +by an anachronism, and given already, in order to present the reader +with a clear view of a _station_, and the peculiar mode of _attack and +defence_ in these border wars. The attack upon Bryant's station was made +by the largest body of Indians that had been seen in Kentucky, the whole +force amounting at least to six hundred men. We have seen that they did +not decamp until they had suffered a severe loss of their warriors. They +departed with so much precipitation as to have left their tents +standing, their fires burning, and their meat roasting. They took the +road to the lower Blue Licks. + +Colonel Todd, of Lexington, despatched immediate intelligence of this +attack to Colonel Trigg, near Harrodsburgh, and Colonel Boone, who had +now returned with his family from North Carolina to Boonesborough. These +men were prompt in collecting volunteers in their vicinity. Scarcely had +the Indians disappeared from Bryant's station, before a hundred and +sixty-six men were assembled to march in pursuit of nearly triple their +number of Indians. Besides Colonels Trigg, Todd, and Boone, Majors +McGary and Harland, from the vicinity of Harrodsburgh, had a part in +this command: A council was held, in which, after considering the +disparity of numbers, it was still determined to pursue the Indians. +Such was their impetuosity, that they could not be persuaded to wait for +the arrival of Colonel Logan, who was known to be collecting a strong +party to join them. + +The march was immediately commenced upon their trail. They had not +proceeded far before Colonel Boone, experienced in the habits of Indians +and the indications of their purposes, announced that he discovered +marks that their foe was making demonstrations of willingness to meet +them. He observed that they took no pains to conceal their route, but +carefully took measures to mislead their pursuers in regard to their +number. Their first purpose was indicated by cutting trees on their +path--the most palpable of all directions as to their course. The other +was equally concealed by a cautious concentration of their camp, and by +the files taking particular care to step in the foot prints of their +file leaders, so that twenty warriors might be numbered from the +foot-marks only as one. + +Still no Indians were actually seen, until the party arrived on the +southern bank of the Licking, at the point of the Blue Licks. A body of +Indians was here discovered, mounting the summit of an opposite hill, +moving leisurely, and apparently without hurry or alarm--retiring +slowly from sight, as on a common march. + +The party halted. The officers assembled, and a general consultation +took place, respecting what was to be done. The alternatives were, +whether it was best to cross the Licking at the hazard of an engagement +with the Indians; or to wait where they were, reconnoiter the country, +act on the defensive, and abide the coming up of Colonel Logan with his +force. + +Colonels Todd and Trigg, little acquainted with the Indians, were +desirous to be guided by the judgment of Colonel Boone. His opinion +being called for, he gave it with his usual clearness and +circumspection. As regarded the number of the enemy, his judgment was, +that it should be counted from three to five hundred. From the careless +and leisurely manner of the march of the body, they had seen, he was +aware, that the main body was near, and that the show of this small +party was probably, with a view to draw on the attack, founded upon an +entire ignorance of their numbers. With the localities of the country +about the Licks, from his former residence there, he was perfectly +acquainted. The river forms, by its curves, an irregular ellipsis, +embracing the great ridge and buffalo road leading from the Licks. Its +longest line of bisection leads towards Limestone, and is terminated by +two ravines heading together in a point, and diverging thence in +opposite directions to the river. In his view, it was probable that the +Indians had formed an ambuscade behind these ravines, in a position as +advantageous for them as it would be dangerous to the party, if they +continued their march. He advised that the party should divide; the one +half march up the Licking on the opposite side, and crossing at the +mouth of a small branch, called Elk creek, fall over upon the eastern +curve of the ravine; while the other half should take a position +favorable for yielding them prompt co-operation in case of an attack. He +demonstrated, that in this way the advantage of position might be taken +from the enemy, and turned in their favor. He was decided and pressing, +that if it was determined to attack a force superior, before the arrival +of Colonel Logan, they ought at least to send out spies and explore the +country before they marched the main body over the river. + +This wise counsel of Colonel Boone was perfectly accordant with the +views of Colonels Todd and Trigg, and of most of the persons consulted +on the occasion. But while they were deliberating, Major McGary, +patriotic, no doubt, in his intentions, but ardent, rash, hot-headed, +and indocile to military rule, guided his horse into the edge of the +river, raised the war-whoop in Kentucky style, and exclaimed, in a voice +of gay confidence, "All those that are not cowards will follow me; I +will show them where the Indians are!" Saying this, he spurred his horse +into the water. One and another, under the impulse of such an appeal to +their courage, dashed in after him. The council was thus broken up by +force. A part caught the rash spirit by sympathy. The rest, who were +disposed to listen to better counsels, were borne along, and their +suggestions drowned in the general clamor. All counsel and command were +at an end. And it is thus that many of the most important events of +history have been determined. + +The whole party crossed the river, keeping straight forward in the +beaten buffalo road. Advanced a little, parties flanked out from the +main body, as the irregularity and unevenness of the ground would allow. +The whole body moved on in reckless precipitation and disorder, over a +surface covered with rocks, laid bare by the trampling of buffaloes, and +the washing of the rain of ages. Their course led them in front of the +high ridge which extends for some distance to the left of the road. They +were decoyed on in the direction of one of the ravines of which we have +spoken, by the reappearance of the party of Indians they had first seen. + +The termination of this ridge sloped off in a declivity covered with a +thick forest of oaks. The ravines were thick set on their banks with +small timber, or encumbered with burnt wood, and the whole area before +them had been stripped bare of all herbage by the buffaloes that had +resorted to the Licks. Clumps of soil here and there on the bare rock +supported a few trees, which gave the whole of this spot of evil omen a +most singular appearance. The advance of the party was headed by McGary, +Harland, and McBride. A party of Indians, as Boone had predicted, that +had been ambushed in the woods here met them. A warm and bloody action +immediately commenced, and the rifles on either side did fatal +execution. It was discovered in a moment that the whole line of the +ravine concealed Indians, who, to the number of thrice that of their +foes, rushed upon them. Colonels Todd and Trigg, whose position had been +on the right, by the movement in crossing, were thrown in the rear. They +fell in their places, and the rear was turned. Between twenty and thirty +of these brave men had already paid the forfeit of their rashness, when +a retreat commenced under the edge of the tomahawk, and the whizzing of +Indian bullets. When the party first crossed the river all were mounted. +Many had dismounted at the commencement of the action. Others engaged on +horseback. On the retreat, some were fortunate enough to recover their +horses, and fled on horseback. Others retreated on foot. From the point +where the engagement commenced to the Licking river was about a mile's +distance. A high and rugged cliff environed either shore of the river, +which sloped off to a plain near the Licks. The ford was narrow, and the +water above and below it deep. Some were overtaken on the way, and fell +under the tomahawk. But the greatest slaughter was at the river. Some +were slain in crossing, and some on either shore. + +A singular spectacle was here presented in the case of a man by the name +of Netherland, who had been derided for his timidity. He was mounted on +a fleet and powerful horse, the back of which he had never left for a +moment. He was one of the first to recross the Licking. Finding himself +safe upon the opposite shore, a sentiment of sympathy came upon him as +he looked back and took a survey of the scene of murder going on in the +river and on its shore. Many had reached the river in a state of +faintness and exhaustion, and the Indians were still cutting them down. +Inspired with the feeling of a commander, he cried out in a loud and +authoritative voice, "Halt! Fire on the Indians. Protect the men in the +river." The call was obeyed. Ten or twelve men instantly turned, fired +on the enemy, and checked their pursuit for a moment, thus enabling some +of the exhausted and wounded fugitives to evade the tomahawk, already +uplifted to destroy them. The brave and benevolent Reynolds, whose reply +to Girty has been reported, relinquished his own horse to Colonel Robert +Patterson, who was infirm from former wounds, and was retreating on +foot. He thus enabled that veteran to escape. While thus signalizing his +disinterested intrepidity, he fell himself into the hands of the +Indians. The party that took him consisted of three. Two whites passed +him on their retreat. Two of the Indians pursued, leaving him under the +guard of the third. His captor stooped to tie his moccasin, and he +sprang away from him and escaped. It is supposed that one-fourth of the +men engaged in this action were commissioned officers. The whole number +engaged was one hundred and seventy-six. Of these, sixty were slain, and +eight made prisoners. Among the most distinguished names of those who +fell, were those of Colonels Todd and Trigg, Majors Harland and Bulger, +Captains Gordon and McBride, and a son of Colonel Boone. The loss of the +savages has never been ascertained. It could not have equalled that of +the assailants, though some supposed it greater. This sanguinary affair +took place August 19, 1782. + +Colonel Logan, on arriving at Bryant's station, with a force of three +hundred men, found the troops had already marched. He made a rapid +advance in hopes to join them before they should have met with the +Indians. He came up with the survivors, on their retreat from their +ill-fated contest, not far from Bryant's station. He determined to +pursue his march to the battle ground to bury the dead, if he could not +avenge their fall. He was joined by many friends of the killed and +missing, from Lexington and Bryant's station. They reached the battle +ground on the 25th. It presented a heartrending spectacle. Where so +lately had arisen the shouts of the robust and intrepid woodsmen, and +the sharp yell of the savages, as they closed in the murderous contest, +the silence of the wide forest was now unbroken, except by birds of +prey, as they screamed and sailed over the carnage. The heat was so +excessive, and the bodies were so changed by it and the hideous gashes +and mangling of the Indian tomahawk and knife, that friends could no +longer recognize their dearest relatives. They performed the sad rights +of sepulture as they might, upon the rocky ground. + +The Indian forces that had fought at the Blue Licks, in the exultation +of victory and revenge, returned homeward with their scalps. Those from +the north--and they constituted the greater numbers--returned quietly. +The western bands took their route through Jefferson county, in hopes to +add more scalps to the number of their trophies. Colonel Floyd led out a +force to protect the country. They marched through the region on Salt +river, and saw no traces of Indians. They dispersed on their return. The +greater number of them reached their station, and laid down, fatigued +and exhausted, without any precaution against a foe. The Indians came +upon them in this predicament in the night, and killed several women and +children. A few escaped under the cover of the darkness. A woman, taken +prisoner that night, escaped from her savage captors by throwing herself +into the bushes, while they passed on. She wandered about the woods +eighteen days, subsisting only on wild fruits, and was then found and +carried to Lynn's station. She survived the extreme state of exhaustion +in which she was discovered. Another woman, taken with four children, at +the same time, was carried to Detroit. + +The terrible blow which the savages had struck at the Blue Licks, +excited a general and immediate purpose of retaliation through Kentucky. +General Clarke was appointed commander-in-chief, and Colonel Logan next +under him in command of the expedition, to be raised for that purpose. +The forces were to rendezvous at Licking. The last of September, 1782, +General Clarke, with one thousand men, marched from the present site of +Cincinnati, for the Indian towns on the Miami. They fell in on their +route with the camp of Simon Girty, who would have been completely +surprised with his Indians, had not a straggling savage espied the +advance, and reported it to them just in season to enable them to +scatter in every direction. They soon spread the intelligence that an +army from Kentucky was marching upon their towns. + +As the army approached the towns on their route, they found that the +inhabitants had evacuated them, and fled into the woods. All the cabins +at Chillicothe, Piqua, and Willis were burned. Some skirmishing took +place, however, in which five Indians were killed, and seven made +prisoners, without any loss to the Kentuckians, save the wounding of one +man, which afterwards proved mortal. One distinguished Indian +surrendered himself, and was afterwards inhumanly murdered by one of the +troops, to the deep regret and mortification of General Clarke. + +In October, 1785, Mr. McClure and family, in company with a number of +other families, were assailed on Skegg's creek. Six of the family were +killed, and Mrs. McClure, a child, and a number of other persons made +prisoners. The attack took place in the night. The circumstances of the +capture of Mrs. McClure, furnish an affecting incident illustrating the +invincible force of natural tenderness. She had concealed herself, with +her four children, in the brush of a thicket, which, together with the +darkness, screened her from observation. Had she chosen to have left her +infant behind, she might have escaped. But she grasped it, and held it +to her bosom, although aware that its shrieks would betray their covert. +The Indians, guided to the spot by its cries, killed the three larger +children, and took her and her infant captives. The unfortunate and +bereaved mother was obliged to accompany their march on an untamed and +unbroken horse. + +Intelligence of these massacres and cruelties circulated rapidly. +Captain Whitley immediately collected twenty-one men from the adjoining +stations, overtook, and killed two of these savages, retook the desolate +mother, her babe, and a negro servant, and the scalps of the six persons +whom they had killed. Ten days afterwards, another party of immigrants, +led by Mr. Moore, were attacked, and nine of their number killed. +Captain Whitley pursued the perpetrators of this bloody act, with thirty +men. On the sixth day of pursuit through the wilderness, he came up with +twenty Indians, clad in the dresses of those whom they had slain. They +dismounted and dispersed in the woods though not until three of them +were killed. The pursuers recovered eight scalps, and all the plunder +which the Indians had collected at the late massacre. + +An expedition of General Clarke, with a thousand men, against the Wabash +Indians, failed in consequence of the impatience and discouragement of +his men from want of provisions. Colonel Logan was more successful in an +expedition against the Shawnese Indians on the Scioto. He surprised one +of the towns, and killed a number of the warriors, and took some +prisoners. + +In October, 1785, the General Government convoked a meeting of all the +Lake and Ohio tribes to meet at the mouth of the Great Miami. The +Indians met the summons with a moody indifference and neglect, alleging +the continued aggressions of the Kentuckians as a reason for refusing to +comply with the summons. + +The horrors of Indian assault were occasionally felt in every +settlement. We select one narrative in detail, to convey an idea of +Indian hostility on the one hand, and the manner in which it was met on +the other. A family lived on Coope's run, in Bourbon county, consisting +of a mother, two sons of a mature age, a widowed daughter, with an +infant in her arms, two grown daughters, and a daughter of ten years. +The house was a double cabin. The two grown daughters and the smaller +girl were in one division, and the remainder of the family in the other. +At evening twilight, a knocking was heard at the door of the latter +division, asking in good English, and the customary western phrase, "Who +keeps house?" As the sons went to open the door, the mother forbade +them, affirming that the persons claiming admittance were Indians. The +young men sprang to their guns. The Indians, finding themselves refused +admittance at that door, made an effort at the opposite one. That door +they soon beat open with a rail, and endeavored to take the three girls +prisoners. The little girl sprang away, and might have escaped from them +in the darkness and the woods. But the forlorn child, under the natural +impulse of instinct, ran for the other door and cried for help. The +brothers within, it may be supposed, would wish to go forth and protect +the feeble and terrified wailer. The mother, taking a broader view of +expedience and duty, forbade them. They soon hushed the cries of the +distracted child by the merciless tomahawk. While a part of the Indians +were engaged in murdering this child, and another in confining one of +the grown girls that they had made captive, the third heroically +defended herself with a knife, which she was using at a loom at the +moment of attack. The intrepidity she put forth was unavailing. She +killed one Indian, and was herself killed by another. The Indians, +meanwhile, having obtained possession of one half the house, fired it. +The persons shut up in the other half had now no other alternative than +to be consumed in the flames rapidly spreading towards them, or to go +forth and expose themselves to the murderous tomahawks, that had already +laid three of the family in their blood. The Indians stationed +themselves in the dark angles of the fence, where, by the bright glare +of the flames, they could see every thing, and yet remain themselves +unseen. Here they could make a sure mark of all that should escape from +within. One of the sons took charge of his aged and infirm mother, and +the other of his widowed sister and her infant. The brothers emerged +from the burning ruins, separated, and endeavored to spring over the +fence. The mother was shot dead as her son was piously aiding her over +the fence. The other brother was killed as he was gallantly defending +his sister. The widowed sister, her infant, and one of the brothers +escaped the massacre, and alarmed the settlement. Thirty men, commanded +by Colonel Edwards, arrived next day to witness the appalling spectacle +presented around the smoking ruins of this cabin. Considerable snow had +fallen, and the Indians were obliged to leave a trail, which easily +indicated their path. In the evening of that day, they came upon the +expiring body of the young woman, apparently murdered but a few moments +before their arrival. The Indians had been premonished of their pursuit +by the barking of a dog that followed them. They overtook and killed two +of the Indians that had staid behind, apparently as voluntary victims to +secure the retreat of the rest. + +To prevent immigrants from reaching the country, the Indians infested +the Ohio river, and concealed themselves in small parties at different +points from Pittsburgh to Louisville, where they laid in ambush and +fired upon the boats as they passed. They frequently attempted by false +signals to decoy the boats ashore, and in several instances succeeded by +these artifices in capturing and murdering whole families, and +plundering them of their effects. They even armed and manned some of the +boats and scows they had taken, and used them as a kind of floating +battery, by means of which they killed and captured many persons +approaching the settlements. + +The last boat which brought immigrants to the country down the Ohio, +that was known to have been attacked by the Indians, was assaulted in +the spring of 1791. This circumstance gives it a claim to be mentioned +in this place. It was commanded by Captain Hubbel, and brought +immigrants from Vermont. The whole number of men, women, and children +amounted to twenty persons. These persons had been forewarned by various +circumstances that they noted, that hostile Indians were along the shore +waiting to attack them. They came up with other boats descending the +river, and bound in the same direction with themselves. They endeavored +ineffectually to persuade the passengers to join them, that they might +descend in the strength of numbers and union. They continued to move +down the river alone. The first attempt upon them was a customary Indian +stratagem. A person, affecting to be a white man, hailed them, and +requested them to lie by, that he might come on board. Finding that the +boat's crew were not to be allured to the shore by this artifice, the +Indians put off from the shore in three canoes, and attacked the boat. +Never was a contest of this sort maintained with more desperate bravery. +The Indians attempted to board the boat, and the inmates made use of all +arms of annoyance and defence. Captain Hubbel, although he had been +severely wounded in two places, and had the cock of his gun shot off by +an Indian fire, still continued to discharge his mutilated gun by a +fire-brand. After a long and desperate conflict, in which all the +passengers capable of defence but four, had been wounded, the Indians +paddled off their canoes to attack the boats left behind. They were +successful against the first boat they assailed. The boat yielded to +them without opposition. They killed the Captain and a boy, and took the +women on board prisoners. Making a screen of these unfortunate women, by +exposing them to the fire of Captain Hubbel's boat, they returned to the +assault. It imposed upon him the painful alternative, either to yield to +the Indians, or to fire into their canoes at the hazard of killing the +women of their own people. But the intrepid Captain remarked, that if +these women escaped their fire, it would probably be to suffer a more +terrible death from the savages. He determined to keep up his fire, even +on these hard conditions; and the savages were beaten off a second time. +In the course of the engagement, the boat, left to itself, had floated +with the current near the north shore, where four or five hundred +Indians were collected, who poured a shower of balls upon the boat. All +the inmates could do, was to avoid exposure as much as possible, and +exercise their patience until the boat should float past the Indian +fire. One of the inmates of the boat, seeing, as it slowly drifted on, a +fine chance for a shot at an Indian, although warned against it, could +not resist the temptation of taking his chance. He raised his head to +take aim, and was instantly shot dead. When the boat had drifted beyond +the reach of the Indian fire, but two of the nine fighting men on board +were found unhurt. Two were killed, and two mortally wounded. The noble +courage of a boy on board deserves to be recorded. When the boat was now +in a place of safety, he requested his friends to extract a ball that +had lodged in the skin of his forehead. When this ball had been +extracted, he requested them to take out a piece of bone that had been +fractured in his elbow by another shot. When asked by his mother why he +had not complained or made known his suffering during the engagement, he +coolly replied, intimating that there was noise enough without his, that +the Captain had ordered the people to make no noise. + +All attempts of the General Government to pacify the Indians, having +proved ineffectual, an expedition was planned against the hostile tribes +north-west of the Ohio. The object was to bring the Indians to a general +engagement; or, if that might not be, to destroy their establishments on +the waters of the Scioto and the Wabash. General Harmar was appointed to +the command of this expedition. Major Hamtranck, with a detachment, was +to make a diversion in his favor up the Wabash. + +On the 13th of September, 1791, General Harmar marched from Fort +Washington, the present site of Cincinnati, with three hundred and +twenty regulars, and effected a junction with the militia of +Pennsylvania and Kentucky, which had advanced twenty-five miles in +front. The whole force amounted to one thousand four hundred and +fifty-three men. Col. Hardin, who commanded the Kentucky militia, was +detached with six hundred men, chiefly militia, to reconnoiter. On his +approach to the Indian settlements, the Indians set fire to their +villages and fled. In order, if possible, to overtake them, he was +detached with a smaller force, that could be moved more rapidly. It +consisted of two hundred and ten men. A small party of Indians met and +attacked them; and the greater part of the militia behaved +badly,--leaving a few brave men, who would not fly, to their fate. +Twenty-three of the party fell, and seven only made their escape and +rejoined the army. Notwithstanding this check, the army succeeded so far +as to reduce the remaining towns to ashes, and destroy their provisions. + +On their return to Fort Washington, Gen. Harmar was desirous of wiping +off, in another action, the disgrace which public opinion had impressed +upon his arms. He halted eight miles from Chillicothe, and late at night +detached Col. Hardin, with orders to find the enemy, and bring them to +an engagement. Early in the morning this detachment reached the enemy, +and a severe engagement ensued. The savages fought with desperation. +Some of the American troops shrunk; but the officers conducted with +great gallantry. Most of them fell, bravely discharging their duty. More +than fifty regulars and one hundred militia, including the brave +officers, Fontaine, Willys, and Frothingham, were slain. + +Harmar, in his official account of this affair, claimed the victory, +although the Americans seem clearly to have had the worst of it. At his +request, he was tried by a court martial, and honorably acquitted. The +enemy had suffered so severely, that they allowed him to return +unmolested to Fort Washington. + +The terrors and the annoyance of Indian hostilities still hung over the +western settlements. The call was loud and general from the frontiers, +for ample and efficient protection. Congress placed the means in the +hands of the executive. Major General Arthur St. Clair was appointed +commander-in-chief of the forces to be employed in the meditated +expedition. The objects of it were, to destroy the Indian settlements +between the Miamies; to expel them from the country; and establish a +chain of posts which should prevent their return during the war. This +army was late in assembling in the vicinity of Fort Washington. They +marched directly towards the chief establishments of the enemy, building +and garrisoning in their way the two intermediate forts, Hamilton and +Jefferson. After the detachments had been made for these garrisons, the +effective force that remained amounted to something less than two +thousand men. To open a road for their march, was a slow and tedious +business. Small parties of Indians were often seen hovering about their +march; and some unimportant skirmishes took place. As the army +approached the enemy's country, sixty of the militia deserted in a body. +To prevent the influence of such an example, Major Hamtranck was +detached with a regiment in pursuit of the deserters. The army now +consisting of one thousand four hundred men continued its march. On the +third of November 1792, it encamped fifteen miles south of the Miami +villages. Having been rejoined by Major Hamtranck, General St. Clair +proposed to march immediately against them. + +Half an hour before sunrise, the militia was attacked by the savages, +and fled in the utmost confusion. They burst through the formed line of +the regulars into the camp. Great efforts were made by the officers to +restore order; but not with the desired success. The Indians pressed +upon the heels of the flying militia, and engaged General Butler with +great intrepidity. The action became warm and general; and the fire of +the assailants passing round both flanks of the first line, in a few +minutes was poured with equal fury upon the rear. The artillerists in +the centre were mowed down, and the fire was the more galling, as it was +directed by an invisible enemy, crouching on the ground, or concealed +behind trees. In this manner they advanced towards the very mouths of +the cannon; and fought with the infuriated fierceness with which success +always animates savages. Some of the soldiers exhibited military +fearlessness, and fought with great bravery. Others were timid and +disposed to fly. With a self-devotion which the occasion required, the +officers generally exposed themselves to the hottest of the contest, and +fell in great numbers, in desperate efforts to restore the battle. + +The commanding general, though he had been for some time enfeebled with +severe disease, acted with personal bravery, and delivered his orders +with judgment and self-possession. A charge was made upon the savages +with the bayonet: and they were driven from their covert with some loss, +a distance of four hundred yards. But as soon as the charge was +suspended, they returned to the attack. General Butler was mortally +wounded; the left of the right wing broken, and the artillerists killed +almost to a man. The guns were seized and the camp penetrated by the +enemy. A desperate charge was headed by Colonel Butler, although he was +severely wounded, and the Indians were again driven from the camp, and +the artillery recovered. Several charges were repeated with partial +success. The enemy only retreated, to return to the charge, flashed with +new ardor. The ranks of the troops were broken, and the men pressed +together in crowds, and were shot down without resistance. A retreat was +all that remained, to save the remnant of the army. Colonel Darke was +ordered to charge a body of savages that intercepted their retreat. +Major Clark, with his battalion, was directed to cover the rear. These +orders were carried into effect, and a most disorderly retreat +commenced. A pursuit was kept up four miles, when, fortunately for the +surviving Americans, the natural greediness of the savage appetite for +plunder, called back the victorious Indians to the camp, to divide the +spoils. The routed troops continued their flight to fort Jefferson, +throwing away their arms on the road. The wounded were left here, and +the army retired upon fort Washington. + +In this fatal battle, fell thirty-eight commissioned officers, and five +hundred and ninety-three non-commissioned officers and privates. +Twenty-one commissioned officers, many of whom afterwards died of their +wounds, and two hundred and forty-two non-commissioned officers and +privates were wounded. + +The savage force, in this fatal engagement, was led by a Mississago +chief, who had been trained to war under the British, during the +revolution. So superior was his knowledge of tactics, that the Indian +chiefs, though extremely jealous of him, yielded the entire command to +him; and he arranged and fought the battle with great combination of +military skill. Their force amounted to four thousand; and they stated +the Americans killed, at six hundred and twenty, and their own at +sixty-five; but it was undoubtedly much greater. They took seven pieces +of cannon and two hundred oxen, and many horses. The chief, at the close +of the battle, bade the Indians forbear the pursuit of the Americans, as +he said they had killed enough. + +General Scott, with one thousand mounted volunteers from Kentucky, soon +after marched against a party of the victors, at St. Clair's fatal +field. He found the Indians rioting in their plunder, riding the oxen in +the glee of triumph, and acting as if the whole body was intoxicated. +General Scott immediately attacked them. The contest was short but +decisive. The Indians had two hundred killed on the spot. The cannon and +military stores remaining, were retaken, and the savages completely +routed. The loss of the Kentuckians was inconsiderable. + +The reputation of the government was now committed in the fortunes of +the war. Three additional regiments were directed to be raised. On the +motion in congress for raising these regiments, there was an animated, +and even a bitter debate. It was urged on one hand, that the expense of +such a force would involve the necessity of severe taxation; that too +much power was thrown into the hands of the president; that the war had +been badly managed, and ought to have been entrusted to the militia of +the west, under their own officers; and with more force they urged that +no success could be of any avail, so long as the British held those +posts within our acknowledged limits, from which the savages were +supplied with protection, shelter, arms, advice, and instigation to the +war. + +On the other hand, the justice of the cause, as a war of defence, and +not of conquest, was unquestionable. It was proved, that between 1783 +and 1790, no less than one thousand five hundred people of Kentucky had +been massacred by the savages, or dragged into a horrid captivity; and +that the frontiers of Pennsylvania and Virginia had suffered a loss not +much less. It was proved that every effort had been made to pacify the +savages without effect. They showed that in 1790, when a treaty was +proposed to the savages at the Miami, they first refused to treat, and +then asked thirty days for deliberation. It was granted. In the interim, +they stated that not less than one hundred and twenty persons had been +killed and captured, and several prisoners roasted alive; at the term of +which horrors, they refused any answer at all to the proposition to +treat. Various other remarks were made in defence of the bill. It tried +the strength of parties in congress, and was finally carried. + +General St. Clair resigned, and Major General Anthony Wayne was +appointed to succeed him. This officer commanded the confidence of the +western people, who confided in that reckless bravery, which had long +before procured him the appellation of "Mad Anthony." There was a +powerful party who still affected to consider this war unnecessary, and +every impediment was placed in the way of its success, which that party +could devise. To prove to them that the government was still disposed to +peace, two excellent officers and valuable men, Col. Hardin, and Major +Truman, were severally despatched with propositions of peace. They were +both murdered by the savages. These unsuccessful attempts at +negotiation, and the difficulties and delays naturally incident to the +preparation of such a force, together with the attempts that had been +made in congress, to render the war unpopular, had worn away so much +time that the season for operations for the year had almost elapsed. But +as soon as the negotiations had wholly failed, the campaign was opened +with as much vigor as the nature of the case would admit. The general +was able, however, to do no more this autumn, than to advance into the +forest towards the country of the savages, six miles in advance of fort +Jefferson. He took possession of the ground on which the fatal defeat of +St. Clair had taken place, in 1792. He here erected a fortification, +with the appropriate name of Fort Recovery. His principal camp was +called Greenville. + +In Kentucky, meanwhile, many of the people clamored against these +measures, and loudly insisted that the war ought to be carried on by +militia, to be commanded by an officer taken from their state. It was +believed, too, by the executive, that the British government, by +retaining their posts within our limits, and by various other measures, +at least countenanced the Indians in their hostilities. That government +took a more decisive measure early in the spring. A British detachment +from Detroit, advanced near fifty miles south of that place, and +fortified themselves on the Miami of the lakes. In one of the numerous +skirmishes which took place between the savages and the advance of +General Wayne, it was affirmed, that the British were mingled with the +Indians. + +On the 8th of August, 1794, General Wayne reached the confluence of the +Au Glaize, and the Miami of the lakes. The richest and most extensive +settlements of the western Indians were at this place. It was distant +only about thirty miles from the post on the Miami, which the British; +had recently occupied. The whole strength of the enemy, amounting to +nearly two thousand warriors, was collected in the vicinity of that +post. The regulars of General Wayne were not much inferior in numbers. A +reinforcement of one thousand one hundred mounted Kentucky militia, +commanded by General Scott, gave a decided superiority to the American +force. The general was well aware that the enemy were ready to give him +battle, and he ardently desired it. But in pursuance of the settled +policy of the United States, another effort was made for the attainment +of peace, without the shedding of blood. The savages were exhorted by +those who were sent to them, no longer to follow the counsels of the bad +men at the foot of the Rapids, who urged them on to the war, but had +neither the power nor the inclination to protect them; that to listen to +the propositions of the government of the United States, would restore +them to their homes, and rescue them from famine. To these propositions +they returned only an evasive answer. + +On the 20th of August, the army of General Wayne marched in columns. A +select battalion, under Major Price, moved as a reconnoitering force in +front. After marching five miles, he received so heavy a fire from the +savages, concealed as usual, that he was compelled to retreat. The +savages had chosen their ground with great judgment. They had moved into +a thick wood, in advance of the British works, and had taken a position +behind fallen timber, prostrated by a tornado. This rendered their +position almost inaccessible to horse. They were formed in three regular +lines, according to Indian custom, very much extended in front. Their +first effort was to turn the left flank of the American army. + +The American legion was ordered to advance with trailed arms, and rouse +the enemy from his covert at the point of the bayonet, and then deliver +its fire. The cavalry, led by Captain Campbell, was ordered to advance +between the Indians and the river, where the wood permitted them to +penetrate, and charge their left flank. General Scott, at the head of +the mounted volunteers, was commanded to make a considerable circuit +and turn their right. These, and all the complicated orders of General +Wayne, were promptly executed. But such was the impetuosity of the +charge made by the first line of infantry, so entirely was the enemy +broken by it, and so rapid was the pursuit, that only a small part of +the second line, and of the mounted volunteers could take any part in +the action. In the course of an hour, the savages were driven more than +two miles, and within gun-shot of the British fort. + +General Wayne remained three days on the field of battle, reducing the +houses and corn-fields, above and below the fort, and some of them +within pistol shot of it, to ashes. The houses and stores of Col. M'Kee, +an English trader, whose great influence among the savages had been +uniformly exerted for the continuance of the war, was burned among the +rest. Correspondence upon these points took place between General Wayne +and Major Campbell, who commanded the British fort. That of General +Wayne was sufficiently firm; and it manifested that the latter only +avoided hostilities with him, by acquiescing in the destruction of +British property within the range of his guns. + +On the 28th the army returned to Au Glaize, destroying all the villages +and corn within fifty miles of the river. In this decisive battle, the +American loss, in killed and wounded, amounted to one hundred and seven, +including officers. Among those that fell, were Captain Campbell and +Lieutenant Towles. The general bestowed great and merited praise, for +their bravery and promptitude in this affair, to all his troops. + +The hostility of the Indians still continuing, the whole country was +laid waste: and forts were erected in the heart of their settlements, to +prevent their return. This seasonable victory, and this determined +conduct on the part of the United States, rescued them from a general +war with all the nations north-west of the Ohio. The Six Nations had +manifested resentments, which were only appeased for the moment, by the +suspension of a settlement, which Pennsylvania was making at Presqu' +Isle, within their alleged limits. The issue of this battle dissipated +the clouds at once which had been thickening in that quarter. Its +influence was undoubtedly felt far to the south. The Indian inhabitants +of Georgia, and still farther to the south had been apparently on the +verge of a war, and had been hardly restrained from hostility by the +feeble authority of that state. + +No incidents of great importance occurred in this quarter, until August +3d, of the next year when a definitive treaty was concluded by General +Wayne, with the hostile Indians north-west of the Ohio. By this treaty, +the destructive war which had so long desolated that frontier, was ended +in a manner acceptable to the United States. An accommodation was also +brought about with the southern Indians, notwithstanding the intrigues +of their Spanish neighbors. The regions of the Mississippi valley were +opened on all sides to immigration, and rescued from the dread of Indian +hostilities. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +Rejoicings on account of the peace--Boone indulges his propensity for +hunting--Kentucky increases in population--Some account of their +conflicting land titles--Progress of civil improvement destroying the +range of the hunter--Litigation of land titles--Boone loses his +lands--Removes from Kentucky to the Kanawha--Leaves the Kanawha and goes +to Missouri, where he is appointed Commandant. + + +The peace which followed the defeat of the northern tribes of Indians by +General Wayne, was most grateful to the harassed settlers of the west. +The news of it was received every where with the most lively joy. Every +one had cause of gratulation. The hardy warriors, whose exploits we have +recounted, felt that they were relieved from the immense +responsibilities which rested upon them as the guardians and protectors +of the infant settlements. The new settlers could now clear their wild +lands, and cultivate their rich fields in peace--without fearing the +ambush and the rifles of a secret foe; and the tenants of the scattered +cabins could now sleep in safety, and without the dread of being wakened +by the midnight war-whoop of the savage. Those who had been pent up in +forts and stations joyfully sallied forth, and settled wherever the soil +and local advantages appeared the most inviting. + +Colonel Boone, in particular, felt that a firm and resolute perseverance +had finally triumphed over every obstacle. That the rich and boundless +valleys of the great west--the garden of the earth--and the paradise +of hunters, had been won from the dominion of the savage tribes, and +opened as an asylum for the oppressed, the enterprising, and the free of +every land. He had travelled in every direction through this great +valley. He had descended from the Alleghanies into the fertile regions +of Tennessee, and traced the courses of the Cumberland and Tennessee +rivers. He had wandered with delight through the blooming forests of +Kentucky. He had been carried prisoner by the Indians through the +wilderness which is now the state of Ohio to the great lakes of the +north; he had traced the head waters of the Kentucky, the Wabash, the +Miamies, the Scioto, and other great rivers of the west, and had +followed their meanderings to their entrance into the Ohio; he had stood +upon the shores of this beautiful river, and gazed with admiration, as +he pursued its winding and placid course through endless forests to +mingle with the Mississippi; he had caught some glimmerings of the +future, and saw with the prophetic eye of a patriot, that this great +valley must soon become the abode of millions of freemen; and his heart +swelled with joy, and warmed with a transport which was natural to a +mind so unsophisticated and disinterested as his. + +Boone rejoiced in a peace which put an end to his perils and anxieties, +and which now gave him full leisure and scope to follow his darling +pursuit of hunting. He had first been led to the country by that spirit +of the hunter, which in him amounted almost to a passion. This +propensity may be said to be natural to man. Even in cities and populous +places we find men so fond of this pastime that they ransack the +cultivated fields and enclosures of the farmer, for the purpose of +killing the little birds and squirrels, which, from their +insignificance, have ventured to take up their abode with civilized man. +What, then, must have been the feelings of Boone, to find himself in the +grand theatre of the hunter--filled with buffaloes, deer, bears, wild +turkeys, and other noble game? + +The free exercise of this darling passion had been checked and +restrained, ever since the first settlement of the country, by the +continued wars and hostile incursions of the Indians. The path of the +hunter had been ambushed by the wily savage, and he seldom ventured +beyond the purlieus of his cabin, or the station where he resided. He +was now free to roam in safety through the pathless wilderness--to camp +out in security whenever he was overtaken by night; and to pursue the +game wherever it was to be found in the greatest abundance. + +Civilization had not yet driven the primitive tenants of the forest from +their favorite retreats. Most of the country was still in a state of +nature--unsettled and unappropriated. Few fences or inclosures impeded +the free range of the hunter, and very few buts and bounds warned him of +his being about to trespass upon the private property of some neighbor. +Herds of buffaloes and deer still fed upon the rich cane-brake and rank +vegetation of the boundless woods, and resorted to the numerous Licks +for salt and drink. + +Boone now improved this golden opportunity of indulging in his favorite +pursuit. He loved to wander alone, with his unerring rifle upon his +shoulder, through the labyrinths of the tangled forests, and to rouse +the wild beast from his secret lair. There was to him a charm in these +primeval solitudes which suited his peculiar temperament, and he +frequently absented himself on these lonely expeditions for days +together. He never was known to return without being loaded with the +spoils of the chase. The choicest viands and titbits of all the +forest-fed animals were constantly to be found upon his table. Not that +Boone was an epicure; far from it. He would have been satisfied with a +soldier's fare. In common with other pioneers of his time, he knew what +it was to live upon roots and herbs for days together. He had suffered +hunger and want in all its forms without a murmur or complaint. But when +peace allowed him to follow his profession of a hunter, and to exercise +that tact and superiority which so much distinguished him, he selected +from the abundance and profusion of the game which fell victims to his +skill, such parts as were most esteemed. His friends and neighbors were +also, at all times, made welcome to a share of whatever he killed. And +he continued to live in this primitive simplicity--enjoying the luxury +of hunting, and of roving in the woods, and indulging his generous and +disinterested disposition towards his neighbors, for several years after +the peace. + +In the meantime, while Boone had been thus courting solitude, and +absorbed by the engrossing excitement of hunting, the restless spirit of +immigration, and of civil and physical improvement, had not been idle. +After the peace the tide of population poured into the country in a +continual stream and the busy spirit of civilization was every where +making inroads into the ancient forests, and encroaching upon the +dominions of the hunter. + +In order, however, that the reader may more readily comprehend the +causes which operated as grievances to Boone, and finally led him to +abandon Kentucky, and seek a home in regions more congenial, it will be +necessary to allude to the progress made in population, and the civil +polity, and incidents attending the settlement of the country. + +The state of Kentucky was not surveyed by the government and laid off +into sections and townships as has been the case with all the lands +north of the Ohio. But the government of Virginia had issued land +warrants, or certificates entitling the holder to locate wherever he +might choose, the number of acres named in the warrant. They also grave +to actual settlers certain pre-emption rights to such lands as they +might occupy and improve by building a cabin, raising a crop, &c. The +holders of these warrants, after selecting the land which they intended +to cover, with their titles, were required to enter a survey and +description of the tracts selected, in the Land office, which had been +opened for the purpose, to be recorded there, for the information of +others, and to prevent subsequent holders of warrants from locating the +same lands. Yet notwithstanding these precautions, such was the careless +manner in which these surveys were made, that many illiterate persons, +ignorant of the forms of law, and the necessity of precision in the +specification and descriptions of the tracts on which they had laid +their warrants, made such loose and vague entries in the land office, as +to afford no accurate information to subsequent locators, who frequently +laid their warrants on the same tracts. It thus happened that the whole +or a part of almost every tract was covered with different and +conflicting titles--forming what have been aptly called 'shingle +titles'--overlaying and lapping upon each other, as shingles do upon the +roof of a building. In this way twice the existing acres of land were +sold and the door opened for endless controversy about boundaries and +titles. The following copy of an entry may serve as a specimen of the +vagueness of the lines, buts, and bounds of their claims, and as +accounting for the flood of litigation that ensued. + +"George Smith enters nine hundred acres of land on a treasury warrant, +lying on the north side of Kentucky river, a mile below a creek; +beginning about twenty poles below a lick; and running down the river +westwardly, and northwestwardly for quantity." + +It will easily be seen that a description, so general and indefinite in +its terms, could serve as no guide to others who might wish to avoid +entering the same lands. This defect in providing for the certainty and +safety of land titles, proved a sore evil to the state of Kentucky. As +these lands increased in value and importance, controversies arose as to +the ownership of almost every tract: and innumerable suits, great +strife and excitement, prevailed in every neighborhood, and continued +until within a late period, to agitate the whole body of society. The +legislature of the state, by acts of limitation and judicious +legislation upon the subject, have finally quieted the titles of the +actual occupants. + +Among others who made these loose and unfortunate entries, was Daniel +Boone. Unaccustomed to the forms of law and technical precision, he was +guided by his own views of what was proper and requisite, and made such +brief and general entries, as were afterwards held not sufficient to +identify the land. He had discovered and explored the country when it +was all one vast wilderness--unoccupied, and unclaimed. He and a few +other hardy pioneers, by almost incredible hardships, dangers, and +sacrifices, had won it from the savage foe; and judging from his own +single and generous mind, he did not suppose that question would ever be +made of his right to occupy such favorite portions as he might select +and pay for. He did not think it possible that any one, knowing these +circumstances, could be found so greedy or so heartless, as to grudge +him the quiet and unmolested enjoyment of what he had so dearly earned. +But in this he was sadly mistaken. A set of speculators and interlopers, +who, following in the train of civilization and wealth, came to enrich +themselves by monopolizing the rich lands which had thus been won for +them, and by the aid of legal advisers, following all the nice +requisitions of the law, pounced, among others, upon the lands of our +old pioneer. He was not at first disturbed by these speculating +harpies; and game being plenty, he gave himself little uneasiness about +the claims and titles to particular spots, so long as he had such vast +hunting grounds to roam in--which, however, he had the sorrow to see +daily encroached upon by the new settlements of the immigrants. + +But the inroads made by the frequent settlements in his accustomed +hunting range, were not the only annoyances which disturbed the simple +habits and patriarchal views of Boone. Civilization brought along with +it all the forms of law, and the complicated organization of society and +civil government, the progress of which had kept pace with the +increasing population. + +As early as 1783, the territory of Kentucky had been laid off into three +counties, and was that year, by law, formed into one District, +denominated the District of Kentucky. Regular courts of justice were +organized--log court-houses and log jails were erected--judges, lawyers, +sheriffs, and juries were engaged in the administration of +justice--money began to circulate--cattle and flocks multiplied--reading +and writing schools were commenced--more wealthy immigrants began to +flock to the country, bringing with them cabinet furniture, and many of +the luxuries of more civilized life--and merchandize began to be wagoned +from Philadelphia across the mountains to fort Pitt, now Pittsburgh, +from whence it was conveyed in flat boats to Maysville and Louisville. + +In 1785 a convention was convoked at Danville, who adopted a memorial, +addressed to the Legislature of Virginia, and another to the people of +Kentucky--suggesting the propriety, and reasons for erecting the new +country into an independent state. In the discussion of this question +parties arose, and that warmth and excitement were elicited, which are +inseparable from the free and unrestrained discussion of public +measures. + +In 1786 the legislature of Virginia enacted the preliminary provisions +for the separation of Kentucky, as an independent state, provided that +Congress should admit it into the Union. About this time another source +of party discord was opened in agitating debates touching the claims of +Kentucky and the West to the navigation of the Mississippi. The +inhabitants were informed by malcontents in Western Pennsylvania, that +the American Secretary of State was making propositions to the Spanish +minister, to cede to Spain the exclusive right of navigation of the +Mississippi for twenty-five years. This information as might be +supposed, created a great sensation. It had been felt from the beginning +of the western settlements, that the right to the free navigation of the +Mississippi was of vital importance to the whole western country, and +the least relinquishment of this right--even for the smallest space of +time, would be of dangerous precedent and tendency. Circulars were +addressed by the principal settlers to men of influence in the nation. +But before any decisive measures could be taken, Virginia interfered, by +instructing her representatives in Congress to make strong +representations against the ruinous policy of the measure. + +In 1787 commenced the first operations of that mighty engine, the +press, in the western country. Nothing could have been wider from the +anticipations, perhaps from the wishes of Boone, than this progress of +things. But in the order of events, the transition of unlettered +backwoods emigrants to a people with a police, and all the engines of +civilization was uncommonly rapid. There was no other paper within five +hundred miles of the one now established by Mr. Bradford, at Lexington. +The political heart-burnings and slander that had hitherto been +transmitted through oral channels, were now concentrated for circulation +in this gazette. + +In April, 1792, Kentucky was admitted into the Union as an independent +state; improvements were steadily and rapidly progressing, and +notwithstanding the hostility of the Indians, the population of the +state was regularly increasing until the peace which followed the +victory of Gen. Wayne. After which, as has been observed, the tide of +emigration poured into the country with unexampled rapidity. + +Litigation in regard to land titles now began to increase, and continued +until it was carried to a distressing height. Col. Boone had begun to +turn his attention to the cultivation of the choice tracts he had +entered; and he looked forward with the consoling thought that he had +enough to provide for a large and rising family, by securing to each of +his children, as they became of age, a fine plantation. But in the +vortex of litigation which ensued, he was not permitted to escape. The +speculators who had spread their greedy claims over the lands which had +been previously located and paid for by Boone, relying upon his +imperfect entries, and some legal flaws in his titles, brought their +ejectments against him, and dragged him into a court of law. He employed +counsel, and from term to term, was compelled to dance attendance at +court. Here the old hunter listened to the quibbles--the subtleties, and +to him, inexplicable jargon of the lawyers. His suits were finally +decided against him, and he was cast out of the possession of all, or +nearly all the lands which he had looked upon as being indubitably his +own. The indignation of the old pioneer can well be imagined, as he saw +himself thus stript, by the quibbles and intricacies of the law, of all +the rewards of his exposures, labors, sufferings, and dangers in the +first settlement of Kentucky. He became more than ever disgusted with +the grasping and avaricious spirit--the heartless intercourse and +technical forms of what is called civilized society. + +But having expended his indignation in a transient paroxysm, he soon +settled back to his customary mental complacency and self-possession; +and as he had no longer any pledge of consequence remaining to him in +the soil of Kentucky--and as it was, moreover, becoming on all sides +subject to the empire of the cultivator's axe and plough, he resolved to +leave the country. He had witnessed with regret the dispersion of the +band of pioneers, with whom he had hunted and fought, side by side, and +like a band of brothers, shared every hardship and every danger; and he +sighed for new fields of adventure, and the excitement of a hunter's +life. + +Influenced by these feelings, he removed from Kentucky to the great +Kanawha; where he settled near Point Pleasant. He had been informed that +buffaloes and deer were still to be found in abundance on the unsettled +bottoms of this river, and that it was a fine country for trapping. Here +he continued to reside several years. But he was disappointed in his +expectations of finding game. The vicinity of the settlements above and +below this unsettled region, had driven the buffaloes from the country; +and though there were plenty of deer, yet he derived but little success +from his trapping. He finally commenced raising stock, and began to turn +his attention to agriculture. + +While thus engaged, he met with some persons who had returned from a +tour up the Missouri, who described to him the fine country bordering +upon that river. The vast prairies--the herds of buffaloes--the grizzly +bears--the beavers and otters; and above all, the ancient and unexplored +forests of that unknown region, fired his imagination, and produced at +once a resolve to remove there. + +Accordingly, gathering up such useful articles of baggage as were of +light carriage, among which his trusty rifle was not forgotten, he +started with his family, driving his whole stock of cattle along with +him, on a pilgrimage to this new land of promise. He passed through +Cincinnati on his way thither in 1798. Being enquired of as to what had +induced him to leave all the comforts of home, and so rich and +flourishing a country as his dear Kentucky, which he had discovered, and +might almost call his own, for the wilds of Missouri? "Too much +crowded," replied he--"too crowded--I want more elbow room." He +proceeded about forty-five miles above St. Louis, and settled in what is +now St. Charles county. This country being still in the possession of +the French and Spanish, the ancient laws by which these territories were +governed were still in force there. Nothing could be more simple than +their whole system of administration. They had no constitution, no king, +no legislative assemblies, no judges, juries, lawyers, or sheriffs. An +officer, called the Commandant, and the priests, exercised all the +functions of civil magistrates, and decided the few controversies which +arose among these primitive in habitants, who held and occupied many +things in common. They suffered their ponies, their cattle, their swine, +and their flocks, to ramble and graze on the same common prairies and +pastures--having but few fences or inclosures, and possessing but little +of that spirit of speculation, enterprise, and money-making, which has +always characterized the Americans. + +These simple laws and neighborly customs suited the peculiar habits and +temper of Boone. And as his character for honesty, courage, and fidelity +followed him there, he was appointed Commandant for the district of St. +Charles by the Spanish Commandant. He retained this command, and +continued to exercise the duties of his office with credit to himself, +and to the satisfaction of all concerned, until the government of the +United States went into effect. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +Anecdotes of Colonel Boone, related by Mr. Audubon--A remarkable +instance of memory. + + +As an evidence of the development of backwoods skill, and a vivid +picture of Daniel Boone, we give the following from Mr. Audubon: + +"Daniel Boone, or as he was usually called in the Western country, +Colonel Boone, happened to spend a night under the same roof with me, +more than twenty years ago. We had returned from a shooting excursion, +in the course of which his extraordinary skill in the management of a +rifle had been fully displayed. On retiring to the room appropriated to +that remarkable individual and myself for the night, I felt anxious to +know more of his exploits and adventures than I did, and accordingly +took the liberty of proposing numerous questions to him. The stature and +general appearance of this wanderer of the western forests, approached +the gigantic. His chest was broad and prominent; his muscular powers +displayed themselves in every limb; his countenance gave indication of +his great courage, enterprise, and perseverance; and when he spoke, the +very motion of his lips brought the impression, that whatever he uttered +could not be otherwise than strictly true. I undressed, whilst he merely +took off his hunting shirt, and arranged a few folds of blankets on the +floor; choosing rather to lie there, as he observed, than on the softest +bed. When we had both disposed of ourselves, each after his own +fashion, he related to me the following account of his powers of memory, +which I lay before you, kind reader, in his own words, hoping that the +simplicity of his style may prove interesting to you. + +"I was once," said he, "on a hunting expedition on the banks of the +Green river, when the lower parts of this (Kentucky,) were still in the +hands of nature, and none but the sons of the soil were looked upon as +its lawful proprietors. We Virginians had for some time been waging a +war of intrusion upon them, and I, amongst the rest, rambled through the +woods, in pursuit of their race, as I now would follow the tracks of any +ravenous animal. The Indians outwitted me one dark night, and I was as +unexpectedly as suddenly made a prisoner by them. The trick had been +managed with great skill; for no sooner had I extinguished the fire of +my camp, and laid me down to rest, in full security, as I thought, than +I felt myself seized by an indistinguishable number of hands, and was +immediately pinioned, as if about to be led to the scaffold for +execution. To have attempted to be refractory, would have proved useless +and dangerous to my life; and I suffered myself to be removed from my +camp to theirs, a few miles distant, without uttering even a word of +complaint. You are aware, I dare say, that to act in this manner, was +the best policy, as you understand that by so doing, I proved to the +Indians at once, that I was born and bred as fearless of death as any of +themselves. + +"When we reached the camp, great rejoicings were exhibited. Two squaws, +and a few papooses, appeared particularly delighted at the sight of me, +and I was assured, by very unequivocal gestures and words, that, on the +morrow, the mortal enemy of the Red-skins would cease to live. I never +opened my lips, but was busy contriving some scheme which might enable +me to give the rascals the slip before dawn. The women immediately fell +a searching about my hunting shirt for whatever they might think +valuable, and fortunately for me, soon found my flask, filled with +_Monongahela_, (that is, reader, strong whisky.) A terrific grin was +exhibited on their murderous countenances, while my heart throbbed with +joy at the anticipation of their intoxication. The crew immediately +began to beat their bellies and sing, as they passed the bottle from +mouth to mouth. How often did I wish the flask ten times its size, and +filled with aquafortis! I observed that the squaws drank more freely +than the warriors, and again my spirits were about to be depressed, when +the report of a gun was heard at a distance. The Indians all jumped on +their feet. The singing and drinking were both brought to a stand; and I +saw with inexpressible joy, the men walk off to some distance, and talk +to the squaws. I knew that they were consulting about me, and I foresaw, +that in a few moments the warriors would go to discover the cause of the +gun having been fired so near their camp. I expected the squaws would be +left to guard me. Well, sir, it was just so. They returned; the men took +up their guns and walked away. The squaws sat down again, and in less +than five minutes they had my bottle up to their dirty mouths, gurgling +down their throats the remains of the whisky. + +"With what pleasure did I see them becoming more and more drunk, until +the liquor took such hold of them that it was quite impossible for these +women to be of any service. They tumbled down, rolled about, and began +to snore; when I, having no other chance of freeing myself from the +cords that fastened me, rolled over and over towards the fire, and after +a short time burned them asunder. I rose on my feet; stretched my +stiffened sinews; snatched up my rifle, and, for once in my life, spared +that of Indians. I now recollect how desirous I once or twice felt to +lay open the skulls of the wretches with my tomahawk; but when I again +thought upon killing beings unprepared and unable to defend themselves, +it looked like murder without need, and I gave up the idea. + +"But, sir, I felt determined to mark the spot, and walking to a thrifty +ash sapling, I cut out of it three large chips, and ran off. I soon +reached the river; soon crossed it, and threw myself deep into the +cane-brakes, imitating the tracks of an Indian with my feet, so that no +chance might be left for those from whom I had escaped to overtake me. + +"It is now nearly twenty years since this happened, and more than five +since I left the whites' settlements, which I might probably never have +visited again, had I not been called on as a witness in a law-suit that +was pending in Kentucky, and which, I really believe, would never have +been settled, had I not come forward, and established the beginning of +a certain boundary line. This is the story, sir. + +"Mr. ---- moved from old Virginia into Kentucky, and having a large tract +granted to him in the new state, laid claim to a certain parcel of land +adjoining Green river, and as chance would have it, he took for one of +his corners the very ash tree on which I had made my mark, and finished +his survey of some thousands of acres, beginning, as it is expressed in +the deed, "at an ash marked by three distinct notches of the tomahawk of +a white man." + +"The tree had grown much, and the bark had covered the marks; but, some +how or other, Mr. ---- heard from some one all that I have already said +to you, and thinking that I might remember the spot alluded to in the +deed, but which was no longer discoverable, wrote for me to come and try +at least to find the place on the tree. His letter mentioned, that all +my expenses should be paid; and not caring much about once more going +back to Kentucky, I started and met Mr.----. After some conversation, +the affair with the Indians came to my recollection. I considered for a +while, and began to think that after all, I could find the very spot, as +well as the tree, if it was yet standing. + +"Mr. ---- and I mounted our horses, and off we went to the Green river +bottoms. After some difficulties, for you must be aware, sir, that great +changes had taken place in these woods, I found at last the spot where I +had crossed the river, and waiting for the moon to rise, made for the +course in which I thought the ash tree grew. On approaching the place, +I felt as if the Indians were there still, and as if I was still a +prisoner among them, Mr. ---- and I camped near what I conceived the +spot, and waited till the, return of day. + +"At the rising of the sun I was on foot, and after a good deal of +musing, thought that an ash tree then in sight must be the very one on +which I had made my mark. I felt as if there could be no doubt of it, +and mentioned my thought to Mr. ----. "Well, Colonel Boone," said he, "if +you think so, I hope it may prove true, but we must have some witnesses; +do you stay hereabout, and I will go and bring some of the settlers whom +I know." I agreed. Mr. ---- trotted off, and I, to pass the time, rambled +about to see if a deer was still living in the land. But ah! sir, what a +wonderful difference thirty years makes in the country! Why, at the time +when I was caught by the Indians, you would not have walked out in any +direction for more than a mile without shooting a buck or a bear. There +were then thousands of buffaloes on the hills in Kentucky; the land +looked as if it would never become poor; and to hunt in those days was a +pleasure indeed. But when I was left to myself on the banks of Green +river, I dare say for the last time in my life, a few _signs_ only of +deer were to be seen, and as to a deer itself, I saw none. + +"Mr. ---- returned, accompanied by three gentlemen. They looked upon me +as if I had been Washington himself, and walked to the ash tree which I +now called my own, as if in quest of a long lost treasure. I took an axe +from one of them and cut a few chips off the bark. Still no signs were +to be seen. So I cut again, until I thought it time to be cautious, and +I scraped and worked away with my butcher knife, until I _did_ come to +where my tomahawk had left an impression in the wood. We now went +regularly to work, and scraped at the tree with care, until three hacks, +as plain as any three notches ever were, could be seen. Mr. ---- and the +other gentlemen were astonished, and, I must allow, I was as much +surprised as pleased, myself. I made affidavit of this remarkable +occurrence in the presence of these gentlemen. Mr. ---- gained his cause. +I left Green river, forever, and came to where we now are; and, sir, I +wish you a good night." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +Progress of improvement in Missouri--Old age of Boone--Death of his +wife--He goes to reside with his son--His death--His personal appearance +and character. + + +Soon after the purchase of Missouri from the French by our government, +the American system of government began to be introduced there. American +laws, American courts, and the whole American system of politics and +jurisprudence spread over the country, changing, by degrees, the +features of civil society; infusing life and vigor into the body +politic, and introducing that restless spirit of speculation and +improvement which characterise the people of the United States. The tide +of emigration once more swept by the dwelling of Daniel Boone, driving +off the game and monopolizing the rich hunting grounds. His office of +commandant was merged and lost in the new order of things. He saw that +it was in vain to contend with fate; that go where he would, American +enterprize seemed doomed to follow him, and to thwart all his schemes of +backwoods retirement. He found himself once more surrounded by the rapid +march of improvement, and he accommodated himself, as well as he might, +to a state of things which he could not prevent. He had the satisfaction +of seeing his children well settled around him, and he spent his time in +hunting and exploring the new country. + +Meantime, old age began to creep upon him by degrees, and he had the +mortification to find himself surpassed in his own favorite pursuit. The +_sharp shooters_, and younger hunters could scour the forests with +fleeter pace, and bring down the bears and buffaloes with surer aim, +than his time-worn frame, and impaired vision would allow. Even the +French, with their fleets of periogues, ascended the Missouri to points +where his stiffened sinews did not permit him to follow. These volatile +and babbling hunters, with their little, and to him despicable shot +guns, could bring down a turkey, where the rifle bullet, now directed by +his dimmed eye, could not reach. It was in vain that the sights were +made more conspicuous by shreds of white paper. No vigor of will can +repair the irresistible influence of age. And however the heart and +juvenile remembrances of Boone might follow these brisk and talkative +hunters to the Rocky mountains and the Western sea, the sad +consciousness that years were stronger than the subduer of bears and +Indians, came over his mind like a cloud. + +Other sorrows came also with age. In March, 1813, he had the misfortune +to lose his wife. She had been to him a faithful companion--participating +the same heroic and generous nature with himself. She had followed him +from North Carolina into the far wilderness, without a road or even a +trace to guide their way--surrounded at every step by wild beasts and +savages, and was one of the first white women in the state of Kentucky. +She had united her fate to his, and in all his hardships, perils, and +trials, had stood by him, a meek, yet courageous and affectionate +friend. She was now taken from him in his old age, and he felt for a +time, that he was alone in the world, and that the principal tie to his +own existence was sundered. + +About this time, too, the British war with its influence upon the savage +auxiliaries of Britain, extended even to the remote forests of Missouri, +which rendered the wandering life of a hunter extremely dangerous. He +was no longer able to make one of the rangers who pursued the Indians. +But he sent numerous substitutes in his children and neighbors. + +After the death of his wife, he went to reside with his son Major Nathan +Boone, and continued to make his home there until his death. After the +peace he occupied himself in hunting, trapping, and exploring the +country--being absent sometimes two or three months at a time--solacing +his aged ear with the music of his young days--the howl of the nocturnal +wolf--and the war song of the prowling savages, heard far away from the +companionship of man. + +When the writer lived in St. Charles, in 1816, Colonel Boone, with the +return of peace, had resumed his Kentucky habits. He resided, as has +been observed, with his son on the Missouri--surrounded by the +plantations of his children and connections--occasionally farming, and +still felling the trees for his winter fire into his door yard; and +every autumn, retiring to the remote and moon-illumined cities of the +beavers, for the trapping of which, age had taken away none of his +capabilities. He could still, by the aid of paper on his rifle sights, +bring down an occasional turkey; at the salt licks, he still waylaid the +deer; and he found and cut down bee-trees as readily as in his morning +days. Never was old age more green, or gray hairs more graceful. His +high, calm, bold forehead seemed converted by years, into iron. Decay +came to him without infirmity, palsy, or pain--and surrounded and +cherished by kind friends, he died as he had lived, composed and +tranquil. This event took place in the year 1818, and in the +eighty-fourth year of his age. + +Frequent enquiries, and opposite statements have been made, in regard to +the religious tenets of the Kentucky hunter. It is due to truth to +state, that Boone, little addicted to books, knew but little of the +bible, the best of all. He worshipped, as he often said, the Great +Spirit--for the woods were his books and his temple; and the creed of +the red men naturally became his. But such were the truth, simplicity, +and kindness of his character, there can be but little doubt, had the +gospel of the Son of God been proposed to him, in its sublime truth and +reasonableness, that he would have added to all his other virtues, the +higher name of Christian. + +He was five feet ten inches in height, of a very erect, clean limbed, +and athletic form--admirably fitted in structure, muscle, temperament, +and habit, for the endurance of the labors, changes, and sufferings he +underwent. He had what phrenologists would have considered a model +head--with a forehead peculiarly high, noble, and bold--thin and +compressed lips--a mild, clear, blue eye--a large and prominent chin, +and a general expression of countenance in which fearlessness and +courage sat enthroned, and which told the beholder at a glance, what he +had been, and was formed to be. + +We have only to add, that the bust of Boone, in Washington, the painting +of him ordered by the General Assembly of Missouri, and the engravings +of him in general, have--his family being judges--very little +resemblance. They want the high port and noble daring of his +countenance. + +Though ungratefully requited by his country, he has left a name +identified with the history of Kentucky, and with the founders and +benefactors of our great republic. In all future time, and in every +portion of the globe; in history, in sculpture, in song, in +eloquence--the name of Daniel Boone will be recorded as the patriarch of +Backwoods Pioneers. + +His name has already been celebrated by more than one poet. He is the +hero of a poem called the "MOUNTAIN MUSE," by our amiable countryman, +Bryan. He is supposed to be the original from which the inimitable +characters of LEATHER STOCKING, HAWKEYE, and the TRAPPER of the +PRAIRIES, in Cooper's novels, were drawn; and we will close these +memoirs, with the splendid tribute to the patriarch of backwoodsmen, by +the prince of modern poets, Lord Byron. + + Of all men, saving Sylla, the man-slayer, + Who passes for in life and death most lucky, + Of the great names which in our faces stare, + The General Boone, backwoodsman of Kentucky, + Was happiest among mortals any where, + For killing nothing, but a bear or buck; he + Enjoy'd the lonely, vigorous, harmless days + Of his old age, in wilds of deepest maze. + + Crime came not near him; she is not the child + Of solitude; health shrank not from him, for + Her home is in the rarely trodden wild, + Which, if men seek her not, and death be more + Their choice than life, forgive them, as beguil'd + By habit to what their own hearts abhor-- + In cities cag'd. The present case in point I + Cite is, Boone liv'd hunting up to ninety: + + And what is stranger, left behind a name, + For which men vainly decimate the throng; + Not only famous, but of that good fame, + Without which glory's but a tavern song; + Simple, serene, the antipodes of shame, + Which hate or envy e'er could tinge with wrong; + An active hermit; even in age the child + Of nature, or the Man of Ross run wild. + + 'Tis true, he shrank from men even of his nation, + When they built up unto his darling trees; + He mov'd some hundred miles off, for a station, + Where there were fewer houses and more ease. + The inconvenience of civilization + Is, that you neither can be pleased, nor please. + But where he met the individual man, + He showed himself as kind as mortal can. + + He was not all alone; around him grew + A sylvan tribe of children of the chase, + Whose young unwaken'd world was always new; + Nor sword, nor sorrow, yet had left a trace + On her unwrinkled brow, nor could you + A frown on nature's, or on human face. + The free-born forest found, and kept them free, + And fresh as is a torrent or a tree. + + And tall, and strong, and swift of foot were they, + Beyond the dwarfing city's pale abortions; + Because their thoughts had never been the prey + Of care or gain; the green woods were their portions + No sinking spirits told them they grew gray, + No fashion made them apes of her distortions. + Simple they were; not savage; and their rifles, + Though very true, were not yet used for trifles. + + Motion was in their days; rest in their slumbers; + And cheerfulness, the handmaid of their toil; + Nor yet too many, nor too few their numbers; + Corruption could not make their hearts her soil + The lust, which stings; the splendor which encumbers, + With the free foresters divide no spoil. + Serene, not sullen, were the solitudes + Of this unsighing people of the woods + + +THE END. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The First White Man of the West, by Timothy Flint + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE FIRST WHITE MAN OF THE WEST *** + +***** This file should be named 12846.txt or 12846.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/2/8/4/12846/ + +Produced by Curtis Weyant, Stephanie and +the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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