er to Cumberland river, reconnoitreing that part of the country, and giving names to the different rivers.

In March, 1771, I returned home to my family, being determined to bring them as soon as possible, at the risk of my life and fortune, to reside in Kentucky which I es teemed a second Paradise.

On my return I found my family in happy circumstances. I sold my farm on the Yadkin, and what goods we could not carry with us, and on the 25th September, 1773, we took leave of our friends and proceeded on our journey to Kentucky, in company with five more familes, and forty men that joined us in Powell's Valley, which is 150 miles from the new settled parts of Kentucky ;-but this promising beginning was soon overcast with a cloud of adversity.

On the 10th October the rear of our company was at tacked by a party of Indians; who killed six, and wounded one man. Of these my oldest son was one that fell in the action. Though we repulsed the enemy, yet this unhappy affair scattered our cattle and brought us into extreme difficulty-we returned forty miles to the set tlement on Clench river. We had passed over two mountains, Powel's and Walden's, and were approaching Cumberland mountain, when this adverse fortune overtook us. These mountains are in the wilderness, in passing from the old settlements in Virginia to Kentucky, are ranged in a southwest and northeast direction, are of great length and breadth, and not far distant from each other. Over them nature hath formed passes less diffi cult than might be expected from the view of such huge piles. The aspect of these cliffs are so wild and horrid, that it is impossible to behold them without horror.

Until the 6th June, 1774, I remained with my family on the Clinch, when I and another person were solicited by Governor DUNMORE, of Virginia, to conduct a num

ber of surveyors to the falls of Ohio.

of 800 miles, and took us sixty-two days.

This was a tour

On my return, Gov. DUNMORE gave me the command of three garrisons during the campaign against the Shawanese. In March, 1775, at the solicitation of a number of gentlemen of North Carolina, I attended their treaty at Wataga, with the Cherokee Indians, to purchase the lands on the south side of Kentucky river. After this I undertook to mark out a road in the best passage from the settlements through the wilderness to Kentucky.

Having collected a number of enterprising men well armed, I soon began this work—we proceeded until we came within fifteen miles of where Boonsborough now stands, where the Indians attacked us, and killed two and wounded two more of our party. This was on the 22d March, 1775-two days after we were again attacked by them, when we had two more killed and three wounded. After this we proceeded on to Kentucky river with out further opposition.

men.

On the 1st April we begun to erect the fort of Boons borough, at a salt lick, sixty yards from the river on the south side. On the 4th the Indians killed one of our On the 14th June, having compleated the fort, I returned to my family on the Clinch, and whom I scon after removed to the fort-my wife and daughter were supposed to be the first white women that ever stood upon the banks of Kentucky river.

On the 24th December the Indians killed one of our men and wounded another; and on the 15th July, 1776, they took my daughter prisoner-I immediately pursued them with eight men, and on the 16th overtook and engaged them, I killed two of them and recovered my daughter.

The Indians having divided themselves into several parties, attacked on one day all our infant settlements

and forts, doing a great deal of damage-the husbandmen were ambushed and unexpectedly attacked while toiling in the field. They continued this kind of war. fare until the 15th April 1777, when nearly 100 of them attacked the village of Boonsborough, and killed a number of its inhabitants. On the 19th Colonel LOGAN'S fort was attacked by 200 Indians-there were only 15 men in the fort, of whom the enemy killed two and wounded one.

On the 20th August, Col. BowMAN arrived with 100 men from Virginia, with which additional force we had almost daily skirmishes with the Indians, who began now to learn the superiority of the "long knife," as they termed the Virginians; being out-generaled in almost every action. Our affairs began now to wear a better aspect, the Indians no longer daring to face us in open field, but sought private opportunities to destroy us.

On the 7th February, 1778, while on a hunting excursion, alone, I met a party of 102 Indians, and 2 Frenchmen, marching to attack Boonsborough-they pursued and took me prisoner, and conveyed me to Old Chelico the, the principal Indian town on little Miami, where we arrived on the 18th February, after an uncomfortable journey. On the 10th March I was conducted to Detroit, and while there was treated with great humanity by Governor HAMILTON, the British commander at that port, and Intendant for Indian affairs.

The Indians had such an affection for me, that they refused 100%. sterling offered them by the Governor, if they would consent to leave me with him, that he might be enabled to liberate me on my parole. Several English gentlemen then at Detroit, sensible of my adverse fortune, and touched with sympathy, generously offered to supply my wants, which I declined with many thanks, adding

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that I never expected it would be in my power to recom pence such unmerited generosity.

On the 10th April the Indians returned with me to Old Chelicothe, where we arrived on the 25th.-This was a long and fatiguing march, although through an exceeding fertile country, remarkable for springs and streams of water. At Chelicothe I spent my time as comfortable as I could expect; was adopted, according to their custom, into a family, where I became a son, and had great share in the affection of my new parents, brothers, sisters, and friends. I was exceedingly familiar and friendly with them, always appearing as cheerful and contented as possible, and they put great confidence 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 ne cessity made every thing acceptable.

I now began to meditate an escape, and carefully avoided giving suspicion. I continued at Chelicothe until the first day of June, when I was taken to the salt springs on Sciotha, and there employed ten days in the manufacturing of salt. During this time I hunted with my indian masters, and found the land for a great extent about this river to exceed the soil of Kentucky.

On my return to Chelicothe, 150 of the choicest Indian warriors were ready to march against Boonsborough; they were painted and armed in a frightful manner. This alarmed me and I determined to escape.

On the 16th of June, before sunrise, I went off secretly, and reached Boonsborough on the 20th, a journey of 160 miles, during which I had only one meal. I found our fortress in a bad state, but we immediately repaired our flanks, gates, posterns, and formed double bastions, which we completed in ten days. One of my fellow prisoners escaped after me, brought advice that on account of my flight, the Indians had put off their expedition for 3 weeks.

About August 1st, I set out with 19 men to surprize Point Creek Town on Sciotha, within four miles of which we fell in with 40 Indians going against Boonsboroughwe attacked them and they soon gave way without any loss on our part-the enemy had one killed and two wounded-we took three horses and all their baggage.The Indians having evacuated their town, and gone altogether against Boonsborough, we returned, passed them on the 6th, and on the 7th arrived safe at Boonsborough.

On the 8th, the Indian army, consisting of 444 men, under the command of Capt. DUQUESNE, and eleven other Frenchmen and their own chiefs, arrived and summoned the fort to surrender. I requested two days consideration, which was granted. During this we brought in through the posterns all the horses and other cattle we could collect.

On the 9th, in the evening, I informed their commander, that we were determined to defend the fort, while a man was living. They then proposed a treaty, and said if we sent out nine men to conclude it, they would withdraw. The treaty was, held within sixty yards of the fort, as we suspected the savages. The articles were agreed to and signed; when the Indians told us it was