AN ATTACK
Several weeks elapsed before the schoolmaster recovered sufficiently
from his wounds to enable him to resume his task.
It was now March, 1775, and Daniel Boone had returned to the settlement
on the Clinch. The task which Governor Dunmore had assigned him had been
accomplished. He found Peleg and the members of his family engaged in
their preparations for the spring work.
At the close of the first day after his homecoming, the great scout once
more had an interview with Peleg. "I have just come from Watage," he
explained when no one was near, "where there has been an assembly of the
Cherokees. I went at the request of a gentleman named Henderson, who is
acting for several other men as well as for himself. He desired me to
represent him in the purchase of land south of the river of Kantuckee. I
did as he requested, and arrangements for the purchase of all the land
as far as the Tennessee River were completed."
"Why did Mr. Henderson----"
"Colonel Henderson," broke in the scout; "Colonel Richard Henderson."
"Why did Colonel Richard Henderson," repeated Peleg, "and the other
gentlemen wish to purchase so much land?"
"Because they had learned of the fertility of the soil through the
reports which my brother and I had given them. In a way I am to be their
agent."
"Did the Cherokees sell to him?"
"They did. I fancy they were glad to part with an empty title for a
solid though moderate recompense. Trouble arose, though, when Colonel
Henderson and his friends prepared to take possession, relying upon the
validity of the deed which the Indians had given them. Unfortunately,
the land lies within the limits of Virginia, according to the old
charter which King James gave, and I understand that the Virginians are
claiming for themselves the privilege of purchasing the title to all
land which the Indians held within the limits of their state. Already
the treaty of Colonel Henderson has been pronounced null and void as far
as he is concerned, but the Virginians declare that the title given by
the Cherokees is valid, and that they will assume the rights. That is a
very peculiar method of dealing, according to my light. But 'tis not
concerning that, lad, that I would speak to you to-day."
The scout was silent a moment, and Peleg, interested far more than his
quiet manner betrayed, looked eagerly into the face of his friend,
waiting for him to explain.
"I agreed," resumed Boone, "to take a band of men with me and mark out
or clear a road to this region in Kantuckee."
"A road?" asked Peleg in surprise.
"Yes, a road over which packhorses and wagons can be driven. It will
require patience and much labour, but the reward will be great. Whenever
I think of that marvellous country and of the possibilities contained in
it for families like my own, I am eager to open the way to it. I am
authorized by Colonel Henderson to say that he will pay thirty-three
cents per day to every man whom I may select to be of our company."
"When do we go?" inquired Peleg eagerly.
"On the day after to-morrow. How is Singing Susan?" inquired Boone with
a smile.
"She is doing famously. I have gained a reputation in the settlement for
being a better shot than I would be warranted in claiming to be, unless
I had the song of Susan to help me."
"That is good," said Boone cordially. "Now if you can secure an axe that
will render you as efficient service in its way as Singing Susan does
in hers, you will be well equipped for our expedition. It is important
that we make haste, if the way is to be opened in time for settlers to
sow any crops this spring."
Hard as it was for Daniel Boone to leave his family again in charge of
Israel and Samuel, nevertheless his strong feeling that he was simply an
instrument being used to further the advance of the rapidly growing
nation in the American colonies was sufficient to induce him to accept
this task. In addition, his wife shared the same conviction. She, too,
was eager for him to continue his labours, and in spite of the anxiety
she would suffer during his absence, she urged him to accept the offer
which Colonel Henderson had made.
At the appointed time a band of twenty-five men, every one fully armed
and all equipped with axes, departed from the settlement on the Clinch.
Confidence in their leader and the hope that not only would they be able
to open a way into the marvellous land, but that their own families also
might share in the reward, made all the men eager to go. It was not
believed that the task would require many weeks, but the necessity of
preparing the soil and planting some crops before the summer came was an
inducement for haste.
There were places where trees had to be felled, and the ringing of the
axes was heard all the day long. In other regions, however, very little
labour was required, because the road, as it was selected, led in its
winding course around many open ledges and through sparsely wooded
passes of the hills and mountains.
Nearly three weeks passed and the hardy band of hunters and woodsmen was
drawing near the region which they were seeking. They had not been
molested by the Indians, and were beginning to congratulate themselves
that they were to escape the perils which every day threatened them.
Without warning, one day, however, above the ringing of the axes were
heard the wild cries of the red men. Darting from the woods, shouting
and brandishing their guns and hatchets, the Indians suddenly appeared.
Dodging from tree to tree and firing upon the startled white men, they
seemed to be on all sides at once.
Instantly the coolness and courage of Daniel Boone became invaluable.
Though many of his comrades had been surprised and terrified by the
sudden onslaught, the great scout had held himself prepared for the
present emergency.
"Run for the trees!" shouted Boone. "Run! Hold your fire until you gain
cover and then give the rascals your best!" As Boone looked out from his
own shelter after his rifle had been discharged, he saw several of his
companions lying dead or wounded upon the ground.
Calmly yet swiftly Boone darted from the protection of the forest, and
lifting one of the men in his arms bore him back within shelter.
The example of the leader, mindful of the needs of others in the hour of
his own peril, inspired his companions to similar action, and, in the
midst of all the turmoil and danger, the other wounded men were rescued.
It soon was discovered, however, that three of the fallen men were
already dead.
The temporary withdrawal of the warriors to the forest left the field
free once more, and Boone turned to his companions and said, "Come with
me, every one!"
Instantly his followers responded, and, dashing to the place where their
companions had fallen, they bore the bodies back to a place of safety,
thankful to find that they had not yet been mutilated.
There was no time for ceremony or for lamentations, and the three who
had fallen to rise no more were hastily buried in one grave by their
comrades.
The unexpected attack, following as it had the long days of quiet, was
seriously disturbing to the roadmakers. That evening there were no
camp-fires, and guards were established to watch through the night.
When morning came the alarm had not been repeated, and many were
persuaded that the assault of the previous day was merely the act of a
desperate band which had attacked the settlers without any preconceived
plan. Nevertheless Daniel Boone declared that it was necessary to
maintain a guard throughout the day.
The labour was entered into with zeal, and though a renewal of the
attack was not made, thoughts of the new peril were in the minds of
every man, and made all serious. At the request of his followers Boone
devoted most of his time to scouting in the nearby region, a duty which
he insisted upon sharing with his younger companion, Peleg.
The sun had dropped below the borders of the forest, and the men were
congratulating themselves that the day had passed without a renewal of
hostilities, when suddenly both scouts were seen running swiftly toward
the place where the men had encamped for the night.
This startling sight was sufficient to arouse every member of the party.
Every man seized his gun and ran for the shelter of some huge tree.
[Illustration: "Boone quickly rallied his startled followers, and when
the red men returned the hardy settlers were ready and awaiting their
coming"]
Boone was wildly gesticulating as he drew near, but his gestures were
misunderstood by his friends. Before either scout was able to regain the
place where the pioneers were hiding, there was another wild whoop and
a band of Indians larger than that which had been seen the previous day
darted from the woods in the rear of the settlers. Before they were able
to return the unlooked-for fire, two of their number fell dead from the
bullets of their enemies, while three more were wounded.
Like a flash the Indians were gone again. But Boone quickly rallied his
startled followers and when the red men returned, as they did within a
few minutes, appearing from another section of the forest, the hardy
settlers were ready and awaiting their coming.
Once more had the careful preparation of Boone for what he thought was
likely to occur saved his followers and himself from peril.
Several of the Indians fell under the deadly fire of the white men, and
with loud cries and lamentations the warriors dragged their fallen
comrades into the forest and once more disappeared.
"Never have I seen the Indians so savage as in these two attacks," said
Boone soberly to Peleg, after guards had been established for the night
and the men had stretched themselves on their blankets to obtain such
sleep as was possible in the midst of the threatening dangers. "They
seem almost beside themselves with rage."
"Do you still plan to go on?"
"I shall go on," said Boone simply. "The way must be opened for our
people to gain some of the advantages of this wonderful region toward
which we are moving. The tribes hereabout are a strange people. I have
never known Indians more hospitable than are the Cherokees and Shawnees.
If one brave enters the wigwam of another, even if it be that of a
stranger, he is deeply offended if he is not given an invitation to eat,
though he may just have had a meal at his own wigwam. Nor is it
sufficient on these occasions that the ordinary food be offered him. You
know the Indians live mostly on venison and hominy, but when a visitor
comes, sugar, bear's oil, honey, and rum, if they have it, are to be set
before him."
"Suppose they do not have anything in the house to eat?"
"Then the fact is stated quietly. It is at once accepted as sufficient.
I was in a wigwam not long ago where the visitor thought the host was
not as hospitable as he ought to be and he took him severely to task. He
said: 'You have behaved just like a Dutchman. I shall excuse you this
time, for you are young, and have been brought up close to the white
people, but you must remember to behave like a warrior and never be
caught in such _little_ actions. Great actions alone can ever make a
great man.' They are a strange people," added Boone thoughtfully. "I saw
a white man some time ago trying to help in carrying some game which
the warriors had shot. I shall never forget how the Indians laughed
when, after the squaws and the boys had started to bring back the meat,
this white man took a large piece of buffalo meat on his own back. After
he had gone two or three miles he found it was becoming too heavy for
him and he threw it down. Then I saw one of the squaws, laughing as if
it was a huge joke, take the meat which the white man had dropped and
put it on her own pack, which already was as large as that of the man,
and carry the double burden back to camp."
"They are not as swift as our men, though," suggested Peleg.
"Not for a short distance," assented Boone, "but they can keep up a pace
for an almost incredible length of time. I have known Indians who could
run twelve or fourteen hours without a morsel of food, and then, after a
light meal and a short rest, start again and go as far as they had
before they stopped."
"They never do that in fighting, though."
"No, they may keep up a warfare for many years, but they never make a
prolonged attack. They like a sudden dash such as they made upon us and
in which those poor fellows were killed. Peleg, I fear the morrow. The
Shawnees that are watching us see our axes, and they are sure now that
we are trying to enter their hunting grounds and take away their lands.
We shall have serious trouble, I fear."
And the following day Boone's fears were confirmed.