THE STRUGGLE IN THE RAVINE
Before any conference of the defenders could be held, one of the younger
men leaped to the wall to reply to Girty's plea.
"You know who I am, don't you?" called Girty.
"Indeed I do know!" shouted young Reynolds: "Everybody south of the
Falls of Ohio knows that you are Simon Girty. I have a good-for-nothing
cur dog which I have named Simon Girty, or Simon Dirty, he looks so much
like you. If you have any reinforcements or artillery, bring them up!
But let me warn you that if you or any of those naked rascals with you
ever get into this fort we shall not use our guns upon them. We have no
powder to waste on such wretches. We have cut some big bunches of birch
switches and have scattered them all through the fort; and that is just
what we cut them for--to thrash you and your rascally comrades. And let
me tell you," he continued, "that you are not the only ones who are
expecting reinforcements! We have received word that the whole country
is aroused and marching to help us, Simon Girty!" he shouted. "If you
and your gang of murderers stay twenty-four hours longer before the fort
you will never be able to leave. Your scalps will be drying in the sun
on the roofs of our cabins."
A loud laugh from his friends greeted the words of the young backwoods
orator, and it was plain that the spirit which young Reynolds had
displayed had aroused the drooping courage of his companions. Many of
the men were aware that on more than one occasion the Indians had indeed
brought cannon with them, and by their aid had succeeded in destroying
two of the stations.
All became silent when Simon Girty once more stood up to reply. "It is
too bad," began the renegade, "it's a pity that such people should be
tomahawked and scalped! I can protect you now, if you will surrender,
but I give you fair warning if you do not I shall not be able to hold
back my warriors."
A derisive shout greeted this declaration, and in apparent sorrow Simon
Girty at once withdrew.
It was not known within the fort that he instantly ordered preparations
to be made for raising the siege. Throughout the night not a sound was
heard, and when daylight came the Indian camp was deserted!
When Peleg and Israel sought the place where the warriors had encamped
they found the fires still burning brightly and even pieces of meat
left on the roasting-sticks.
"You see!" said Israel gleefully. "They left just a little while before
daylight."
"Yes," said Peleg, "that is when they usually roast their meat. I wonder
if they are all really gone?"
The rejoicing at Bryant's Station was great when it was known that the
Indians had departed. Before noon the fighting force of white men was
increased to one hundred and sixty-seven. Among those who entered came
Daniel Boone, or Colonel Boone as some now called him, since he had
received his commission from Colonel Clark.
"What does this mean?" demanded Israel when he saw his younger brother
Daniel among the men in the assembly, "What are you doing here?"
"I think I have as good a right to come as you," retorted Boone's
younger son. "I am almost seventeen."
"And old enough to know better," laughed Peleg, who was fond of the boy
and many a time had taken him with him on his expeditions into the
forest.
The officers, who had hastened to the place as soon as reports of its
peril had been brought, now assembled, and at once called the men of
Bryant's Station to a conference.
"It is known," explained Colonel Todd, "that Colonel Logan has
collected a strong force in Lincoln and that it will be here within
twenty-four hours. If we wait for his coming we shall be that much
stronger when we start in pursuit of Girty and his savages. What do you
think?" he asked, addressing Boone, who stood leaning upon his rifle in
the rear of the assembly.
"It will be wise to wait," replied Boone quietly. "I have never found it
to be a mistake to get ready before you attempt to do anything. Girty,
according to his story, has treble our numbers. The trail which the
Shawnees have left behind is so plain and so broad that I am suspicious
that they have made signs which they hope will lead us to pursue them.
My advice is to wait until Colonel Logan shall come with his men."
The younger members of the force, however, were unwilling to delay. To
them appearances were convincing that the Indians had fled because they
were alarmed. Now was the time, they declared, when the savages ought to
be chased and taught a lesson! If there should be a delay even of a day
in following them, the Indians would gain such an advance that they
could not be overtaken and punished for their evil deeds.
The fiery zeal of the young men was not to be denied. Against the
counsel of Boone and others of the older scouts, who had long
experience in dealing with their Indian enemies, a swift pursuit
instantly was begun. Many of the men were mounted on horses, but the
entire mass, horse and foot, kept well together.
The eager party had not gone far from Bryant's Station before a halt was
called, when it was discovered that the retiring Indians had turned into
the buffalo road and, almost as if they were attempting to make their
trail still more evident, it was noticed that they had chopped many of
the trees, on either side with their hatchets.
Boone shook his head when he discovered these indications of apparent
carelessness in the band they were following.
"My opinion is," he said soberly to Colonel Todd, "that Girty is trying
to lead us on. Just as our men ran into their trap on the way to
Bryant's Station, I am afraid now that they will be led into another."
"But it is too late to go back," said Colonel Todd.
"Yes, I am afraid our men will not go back now. My only word of advice
to you is to go ahead cautiously."
"Will you be one of the advance guard?"
"If you so desire."
"At least you are not afraid, and you will not see what is not there."
"I shall do my best," said Boone quietly.
As Peleg, who was standing nearby and had heard the conversation, looked
into the face of his friend he became aware that the years of anxiety
had left their mark upon his rugged countenance. There was, however, a
deeper expression of gentleness on the face of the great scout which in
no way detracted from the impression of strength which his entire body
still produced.
Orders were soon given to camp for the night in the forest, and on the
following day the little army arrived at the Lower Blue Licks. Just as
the force, proceeding without any form of order, arrived at the southern
bank of the Licking, some of the men saw several Indians climbing the
rocky ridge on the opposite side. The red men halted when the
Kentuckians appeared, looked at them intently a few minutes in silence,
and then, as calmly and leisurely as if no enemies were near,
disappeared over the top of the hill.
A halt of the white men was made at once, and several of the officers
held a consultation.
Apparently there were differences of opinion among the leaders, for
after a few minutes had elapsed Colonel Todd summoned Daniel Boone and
inquired his opinion as to what had best be done. All the officers were
now very serious.
The great scout, leaning upon his rifle, spoke in the deep, quiet tones
he usually used: "My opinion is that our situation is critical and
difficult. The force before us without question is ready for battle and
outnumbers us largely."
"Why do you think that?" inquired Colonel Todd.
"Because of the easy and slow retreat of the Indians who just went over
the crest of yonder hill. I am familiar with all this region and I am
fearful they are trying to draw us on. About a mile ahead of us there
are two ravines, one on either side of the ridge. There the Indians can
hide and attack us at the same time, both in front and on our flanks,
almost before we could know they were there."
"What do you think is the best thing to do, then?" inquired Colonel Todd
seriously.
"My advice," said Boone, "is to do one of two things: Either wait for
the coming of Colonel Logan, who without doubt is on his way to join us;
or, if it is decided to attack the Indians without waiting for him to
come up, then my advice is that half our force ought to go up the river,
cross the rapids, and fall upon the Indians from that side at the same
time the others attack them from the front."
"I am afraid that cannot be done," said Colonel Todd, shaking his head.
"Whatever is done," said Boone quietly, "my advice to you is to go over
the ground carefully before the men cross the river here. Send some
scouts ahead. I have never found, Colonel Todd, that any man lost by
being prepared for what might befall him."
Every man in the little assembly was listening with deep attention to
the great scout who was a man of silence unless his advice was sought.
When he ceased some urged the adoption of his recommendation to wait for
the coming of Colonel Logan and his men. There were others, however, who
were strongly in favour of advancing at once.
In the midst of the warm discussion Major McGary, one of the young
officers who was unable to endure the thought of being near an enemy and
not fighting, let out a wild whoop. At the same moment he waved his hand
over his head, spurred his horse into the river and then shouted in his
loudest tone, "Let all who are not cowards follow me!"
Instantly the mounted men dashed into the river, every one apparently
striving to be the first to gain the opposite shore. The men on foot
also rushed into the stream, which for a time seemed to be a rolling
mass of men and water. No order had been given and no order now was
desired. Through the deep river horses and men staggered forward, with
McGary still leading the way.
They gained the opposite shore where the unprotected nature of the
ground seemed to forbid their advance. Trampled by the buffalo, every
bush and low tree had been stripped bare. Multitudes of rocks blackened
by the sunlight were to be seen on every side. No scouts were sent in
advance and none acted on the flanks. The contagious example of Major
McGary acted like magic, and men and horses went forward as if every one
was doing his utmost to outstrip his neighbour.
Along with the others went Daniel Boone, his two boys, and Peleg. The
expression of Boone's face had not changed since his sober advice had
been disregarded by his impulsive comrades. But he was not one to draw
back when his friends were rushing into action.
Suddenly the men in front halted. They had arrived at the place
mentioned by the scout, where the two ravines met. A small body of
Indians appeared for a moment and fired at the approaching settlers.
Instantly McGary and the men with him returned the fire, although they
were at a great disadvantage because they were standing upon a bare and
open ridge, while their enemies were in a ravine in which the bushes
partly concealed the warriors.
As the reports of the guns were heard, the men in the rear rushed
forward to assist their friends. But before they were able to gain the
ridge they were stopped by a terrible fire from the ravine which was on
their flank. They halted, and it was almost as if they had been shut in
by the jaws of some enormous beast. There was no cover, and a terrible
fire was being poured into them from front and side, while their enemies
still were hidden from sight.
Gradually, however, the Indians pushed out from the ravine as the fire
became fiercer. Indeed they were striving to extend their lines and turn
the right of the Kentuckians so that their retreat would be cut off.
As soon as this was made clear by the increase of the firing from that
quarter, the men in the rear attempted to fall back, and then by
breaking through the attacking party, gain their only way of escape--to
the river.
Their actions, in part misunderstood by their companions, created what
was almost a panic. From the ravine to the river the sight was
indescribable. Above the reports of the guns rose the shrieks and cries
of the wounded and the wild and merciless whoops of the Indians.
Many of the mounted men escaped, but those who were fighting on foot
were in deadly peril. Daniel Boone, in the thick of the fight, saw his
boy, Israel, fall lifeless before the guns of the Indians. Even the
death of his son, however, did not prevent the great scout from becoming
aware that he himself was almost entirely surrounded by the frantic,
howling, whooping mob of warriors.