the adventures-第3章
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On the fourth day of July following; a party of about two hundred
Indians attacked Boonsborough; killed one man; and wounded two。
They besieged us forty…eight hours; during which time seven of them
were killed; and at last; finding themselves not likely to prevail;
they raised the siege; and departed。
The Indians had disposed their warriors in different parties at
this time; and attacked the different garrisons to prevent their
assisting each other; and did much injury to the distressed
inhabitants。
On the nineteenth day of this month; Col。 Logan's fort was
besieged by a party of about two hundred Indians。 During this
dreadful siege they did a great deal of mischief; distressed the
garrison; in which were only fifteen men; killed two; and wounded
one。 The enemies loss was uncertain; from the common practice which
the Indians have of carrying off their dead in time of battle。 Col。
Harrod's fort was then defended by only sixty…five men; and
Boonsborough by twenty…two; there being no more forts or white men
in the country; except at the Falls; a considerable distance from
these; and all taken collectively; were but a handful to the
numerous warriors that were every where dispersed through the
country; intent upon doing all the mischief that savage barbarity
could invent。 Thus we passed through a scene of sufferings that
exceeds description。
On the twenty…fifth of this month a reinforcement of forty…five
men arrived from North…Carolina; and about the twentieth of August
following; Col。 Bowman arrived with one hundred men from Virginia。
Now we began to strengthen; and from hence; for the space of six
weeks; we had skirmishes with Indians; in one quarter or other;
almost every day。
The savages now learned the superiority of the Long Knife; as
they call the Virginians; by experience; being out…generalled in
almost every battle。 Our affairs began to wear a new aspect; and
the enemy; not daring to venture on open war; practised secret
mischief at times。
On the first day of January; 1778; I went with a party of thirty
men to the Blue Licks; on Licking River; to make salt for the
different garrisons in the country。
On the seventh day of February; as I was hunting; to procure meat
for the company; I met with a party of one hundred and two Indians;
and two Frenchmen; on their march against Boonsborough; that place
being particularly the object of the enemy。
They pursued; and took me; and brought me on the eighth day to
the Licks; where twenty…seven of my party were; three of them
having previously returned home with the salt。 I knowing it was
impossible for them to escape; capitulated with the enemy; and; at
a distance in their view; gave notice to my men of their situation;
with orders not to resist; but surrender themselves captives。
The generous usage the Indians had promised before in my
capitulation; was afterwards fully complied with; and we proceeded
with them as prisoners to old Chelicothe; the principal Indian
town; on Little Miami; where we arrived; after an uncomfortable
journey; in very severe weather; on the eighteenth day of February;
and received as good treatment as prisoners could expect from
savages。On the tenth day of March following; I; and ten of my
men; were conducted by forty Indians to Detroit; where we arrived
the thirtieth day; and were treated by Governor Hamilton; the
British commander at that post; with great humanity。
During our travels; the Indians entertained me well; and their
affection for me was so great; that they utterly refused to leave
me there with the others; although the Governor offered them one
hundred pounds Sterling for me; on purpose to give me a parole to
go home。 Several English gentlemen there; being sensible of my
adverse fortune; and touched with human sympathy; generously
offered a friendly supply for my wants; which I refused; with many
thanks for their kindness; adding; that I never expected it would
be in my power to recompense such unmerited generosity。
The Indians left my men in captivity with the British
at Detroit; and on the tenth day of April brought me towards
Old Chelicothe; where we arrived on the twenty…fifth day of the
same month。 This was a long and fatiguing march; through
an exceeding fertile country; remarkable for fine springs and
streams of water。 At Chelicothe I spent my time as comfortably as
I could expect; was adopted; accordin to their custom; into a
family where I became a son; and had a great share in the affection
of my new parents; brothers; sisters; and friends。 I was
exceedingly familiar and friendly with them; always appearing as
chearful and satisfied as possible; and they put great confidence
in me。 I often went a hunting with them; and frequently gained
their applause for my activity at our shooting…matches。 I was
careful not to exceed many of them in shooting; for no people are
more envious than they in this sport。 I could observe; in their
countenances and gestures; the greatest expressions of joy when
they exceeded me; and; when the reverse happened; of envy。 The
Shawanese king took great notice of me; and treated me with
profound respect; and entire friendship; often entrusting me to
hunt at my liberty。 I frequently returned with the spoils of the
woods; and as often presented some of what I had taken to him;
expressive of duty to my sovereign。 My food and lodging was; in
common; with them; not so good indeed as I could desire; but
necessity made every thing acceptable。
I now began to meditate an escape; and carefully avoided their
suspicions; continuing with them at Old Chelicothe until the first
day of June following; and then was taken by them to the salt
springs on Sciotha; and kept there; making salt; ten days。 During
this time I hunted some for them; and found the land; for a great
extent about this river; to exceed the soil of Kentucke; if
possible; and remarkably well watered。
When I returned to Chelicothe; alarmed to see four hundred and
fifty Indians; of their choicest warriors; painted and armed in a
fearful manner; ready to march against Boonsborough; I determined
to escape the first opportunity。
On the sixteenth; before sun…rise; I departed in the most secret
manner; and arrived at Boonsborough on the twentieth; after a
journey of one hundred and sixty miles; during which; I had but one
meal。
I found our fortress in a bad state of defence; but we proceeded
immediately to repair our flanks; strengthen our gates and
posterns; and form double bastions; which we compleated in ten
days。 In this time we daily expected the arrival of the Indian
army; and at length; one of my fellow prisoners; escaping from
them; arrived; informing us that the enemy had an account of my
departure; and postponed their expedition three weeks。The Indians
had spies out viewing our movements; and were greatly alarmed with
our increase in number and fortifications。 The Grand Councils of
the nations were held frequently; and with more deliberation than
usual。 They evidently saw the approaching hour when the Long Knife
would disposess them of their desirable habitations; and anxiously
concerned for futurity; determined utterly to extirpate the whites
out of Kentucke。 We were not intimidated by their movements; but
frequently gave them proofs of our courage。
About the first of August; I made an incursion into the Indian
country; with a party of nineteen men; in order to surprise a small
town up Sciotha; called Paint…Creek…Town。 We advanced within four
miles thereof; where we met a party of thirty Indians; on their
march against Boonsborough; intending to join the others
from Chelicothe。 A smart fight ensued betwixt us for some time: At
length the savages gave way; and fled。 We had no loss on our side:
The enemy had one killed; and two wounded。 We took from them three
horses; and all their baggage; and being informed; by two of our
number t