The joy
of the savages at this capture may be imagined, for they had in their
hands their most intrepid foe. After being exhibited to the British at
Detroit, he was brought back to the Indian settlements north of the
Ohio, and formally adopted into an Indian family, for the savages
desired, if possible, to make this mighty hunter and warrior one of
themselves. And Boone might have really adopted Indian life, which
appealed to him in many ways, but one day he found that preparations
were on foot for another great expedition against Boonesborough.
Watching his opportunity, he managed to escape, and reached the fort in
time to warn it of the impending attack. He covered the distance, 160
miles, in four days, eating but a single meal upon the road--a turkey
which he managed to shoot.
He came to Boonesborough like one risen from the dead. The fort was at
once put into a state of defense, and endured the most savage assault
ever directed against it, the Indians numbering nearly five hundred,
while the garrison mustered but sixty-five. The siege lasted for nine
days, when the Indians, despairing of overcoming a resistance so
desperate, retired.
The succeeding years were full of adventure and hair-breadth escapes,
which cannot even be mentioned here. On one occasion, Boone and his
brother, Squire, were surprised by Indians; the latter was killed and
scalped and Boone escaped with the greatest difficulty.
Pages:
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229