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the tenth day of April brought me towards Old Chelicothe； where we
arrived on the twenty…fifth day of the same month。 This was a long and
fatiguing march； through an exceeding fertile country； remarkable for fine
springs and streams of water。 At Chelicothe I spent my time as
comfortably as I could expect； was adopted； accordin to their custom； into
a family where I became a son； and had a great share in the affection of
my new parents； brothers； sisters； and friends。 I was exceedingly familiar
and friendly with them； always appearing as chearful and satisfied as
possible； and they put great confidence in me。 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 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
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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
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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
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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