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under greater necessity of exercising philosophy and fortitude。 A
few days I passed uncomfortably。 The idea of a beloved wife and
family； and their anxiety upon the account of my absence and
exposed situation； made sensible impressions on my heart。 A
thousand dreadful apprehensions presented themselves to my view；
and had undoubtedly disposed me to melancholy； if further indulged。
One day I undertook a tour through the country； and the diversity
and beauties of nature I met with in this charming season； expelled
every gloomy and vexatious thought。 Just at the close of day the
gentle gales retired； and left the place to the disposal of a
profound calm。 Not a breeze shook the most tremulous leaf。 I had
gained the summit of a commanding ridge； and； looking round with
astonishing delight； beheld the ample plains； the beauteous tracts
below。 On the other hand； I surveyed the famous river Ohio that
rolled in silent dignity； marking the western boundary of Kentucke
with inconceivable grandeur。 At a vast distance I beheld the
mountains lift their venerable brows； and penetrate the clouds。 All
things were still。 I kindled a fire near a fountain of sweet water；
and feasted on the loin of a buck； which a few hours before I had
killed。 The sullen shades of night soon overspread the whole
hemisphere； and the earth seemed to gasp after the hovering
moisture。 My roving excursion this day had fatigued my body； and
diverted my imagination。 I laid me down to sleep； and I awoke not
until the sun had chased away the night。 I continued this tour； and
in a few days explored a considerable part of the country； each day
equally pleased as the first。 I returned again to my old camp；
which was not disturbed in my absence。 I did not confine my lodging
to it； but often reposed in thick cane…brakes； to avoid the
savages； who； I believe； often visited my camp； but fortunately for
me； in my absence。 In this situation I was constantly exposed to
danger； and death。 How unhappy such a situation for a man tormented
with fear； which is vain if no danger comes； and if it does； only
augments the pain。 It was my happiness to be destitute of this
afflicting passion； with which I had the greatest reason to be
affected。 The prowling wolves diverted my nocturnal hours with
perpetual howlings； and the various species of animals in this vast
forest； in the daytime； were continually in my view。
Thus I was surrounded with plenty in the midst of want。 I was
happy in the midst of dangers and inconveniences。 In such a
diversity it was impossible I should be disposed to melancholy。 No
populous city； with all the varieties of commerce and stately
structures； could afford so much pleasure to my mind； as the
beauties of nature I found here。
Thus； through an uninterrupted scene of sylvan pleasures； I spent
the time until the 27th day of July following； when my brother； to
my great felicity； met me； according to appointment； at our old
camp。 Shortly after； we left this place； not thinking it safe to
stay there longer； and proceeded to Cumberland river； reconnoitring
that part of the country until March； 1771； and giving names to the
different waters。
Soon after； I returned home to my family with a determination to
bring them as soon as possible to live in Kentucke； which I
esteemed a second paradise； at the risk of my life and fortune。
I returned safe to my old habitation； and 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 twenty…fifth day of
September； 1773； bade a farewel to our friends； and proceeded on
our journey to Kentucke； in company with five families more； and
forty men that joined us in Powel's Valley； which is one hundred
and fifty miles from the now settled parts of Kentucke。 This
promising beginning was soon overcast with a cloud of adversity；
for upon the tenth day of October； the rear of our company was
attacked by a number of Indians； who killed six； and wounded one
man。 Of these my eldest son was one that fell in the action。 Though
we defended ourselves； and repulsed the enemy； yet this unhappy
affair scattered our cattle； brought us into extreme difficulty；
and so discouraged the whole company； that we retreated forty
miles； to the settlement on Clench river。 We had passed over two
mountains； viz。 Powel's and Walden's； and were approaching
Cumberland mountain when this adverse fortune overtook us。 These
mountains are in the wilderness； as we pass from the old
settlements in Virginia to Kentucke； are ranged in a S。 west and N。
east direction； are of a great length and breadth； and not far
distant from each other。 Over these； nature hath formed passes；
that are less difficult than might be expected from a view of such
huge piles。 The aspect of these cliffs is so wild and horrid； that
it is impossible to behold them without terror。 The spectator is
apt to imagine that nature had formerly suffered some violent
convulsion； and that these are the dismembered remains of the
dreadful shock； the ruins； not of Persepolis or Palmyra； but of the
world！
I remained with my family on Clench until the sixth of June；
1774； when I and one Michael Stoner were solicited by Governor
Dunmore； of Virginia； to go to the Falls of the Ohio； to conduct
into the settlement a number of surveyors that had been sent
thither by him some months before； this country having about this
time drawn the attention of many adventurers。 We immediately
complied with the Governor's request； and conducted in the
surveyors； compleating a tour of eight hundred miles； through many
difficulties； in sixty…two days。
Soon after I returned home； I was ordered to take the command of
three garrisons during the campaign； which Governor Dunmore carried
on against the Shawanese Indians： After the conclusion of which；
the Militia was discharged from each garrrison； and I being
relieved from my post； was solicited by a number of North…Carolina
gentlemen； that were about purchasing the lands lying on the S。
side of Kentucke River； from the Cherokee Indians； to attend their
treaty at Wataga； in March； 1775； to negotiate with them； and；
mention the boundaries of the purchase。 This I accepted； and at the
request of the same gentlemen； undertook to mark out a road in the
best passage from the settlement through the wilderness to
Kentucke； with such assistance as I thought necessary to employ for
such an important undertaking。
I soon began this work； having collected a number of enterprising
men； well armed。 We proceeded with all possible expedition until we
came within fifteen miles of where Boonsborough now stands； and
where we were fired upon by a party of Indians that killed two； and
wounded two of our number； yet； although surprised and taken at a
disadvantage； we stood our ground。 This was on the twentieth of
March； 1775。 Three days after； we were fired upon again； and had two
men killed； and thre