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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 that went to their town； that the Indians had entirely
evacuated it； we proceeded no further； and returned with all
possible expedition to assist our garrison against the other party。
We passed by them on the sixth day； and on the seventh； we arrived
safe at Boonsborough。
On the eighth； the Indian army arrived； being four hundred and
forty…four in number； commanded by Capt。 Duquesne； eleven other
Frenchmen； and some of their own chiefs； and marched up within view
of our fort； with British and French colours flying； and having
sent a summons to me； in his Britannick Majesty's name； to
surrender the fort； I requested two days consideration； which was
granted。
It was now a critical period with us。We were a small number in
the garrison。A powerful army before our walls； whose appearance
proclaimed inevitable death； fearfully painted； and marking their
footsteps with desolation。 Death was preferable to captivity； and
if taken by storm； we must inevitably be devoted to destruction。 In
this situation we concluded to maintain our garrison； if possible。
We immediately proceeded to collect what we could of our horses；
and other cattle； and bring them through the posterns into the
fort： And in the evening of the ninth； I returned answer； that we
were determined to defend our fort while a man was livingNow；
said I to their commander； who stood attentively hearing my
sentiments； We laugh at all your formidable preparations： But thank
you for giving us notice and time to provide for our defence。 Your
efforts will not prevail； for our gates shall for ever deny you
admittance。Whether this answer affected their courage； or not； I
cannot tell； but； contrary to our expectations； they formed a
scheme to deceive us； declaring it was their orders； from Governor
Hamilton； to take us captives； and not to destroy us； but if nine
of us would come out； and treat with them； they would immediatly
withdraw their forces from our walls； and return home peaceably。
This sounded grateful in our ears； and we agreed to the proposal。
We held the treaty within sixty yards of the garrison； on purpose
to divert them from a breach of honour； as we could not avoid
suspicions of the savages。 In this situation the articles were
formally agreed to； and signed； and the Indians told us it was
customary with them； on such occasions； for two Indians to shake
hands with every white…man in the treaty； as an evidence of entire
friendship。 We agreed to this also； but were soon convinced their
policy was to take us prisoners。They immediately grappled us；
but； although surrounded by hundreds of savages； we extricated
ourselves from them； and escaped all safe into the garrison； except
one that was wounded； through a heavy fire from their army。 They
immediately attacked us on every side； and a constant heavy fire
ensued between us day and night for the space of nine days。
In this time the enemy began to undermine our fort； which was
situated sixty yards from Kentucke river。 They began at the water…
mark and proceeded in the bank some distance； which we understood
by their making the water muddy with the clay； and we immediately
proceeded to disappoint their design； by cutting a trench across
their subterranean passage。 The enemy discovering our counter…mine；
by the clay we threw out of the fort； desisted from that stratagem：
And experience now fully convincing them that neither their power
nor policy could effect their purpose； on the twentieth day of
August they raised the siege； and departed。
During this dreadful siege； which threatened death in every form；
we had two men killed； and four wounded； besides a number of
cattle。 We killed of the enemy thirty…seven； and wounded a great
number。 After they were gone； we picked up one hundred and twenty…
five pounds weight of bullets； besides what stuck in the logs of
our fort； which certainly is a great proof of their industry。 Soon
afte