USA > Massachusetts > Our western border : its life, combats, adventures, forays, massacres, captivities, scouts, red chiefs, pioneer women, one hundred years ago, containing the cream of all the rare old border chronicles > Part 42
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McConnel determined to effect his escape that night, if possible, as on the following night they would cross the river, which would render it much more difficult. He, therefore, lay quietly until near midnight, anxiously ruminating upon the best means of effecting his object. Ac- cidentally casting his eyes in the direction of his feet, they fell upon the ‘ glittering blade of a knife, which had escaped its sheath, and was now
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OUR WESTERN BORDER.
lying near the feet of one of the Indians. To reach it with his hands without disturbing the two Indians to whom he was fastened, was im- possible, and it was very hazardous to attempt to draw it up with his feet. This, however, he attempted. With much difficulty he grasped the blade between his toes, and, after repeated and long-continued efforts, succeeded at length in bringing it within reach of his hands.
To cut his cords was then but the work of a moment, and gradually and silently extricating his person from the arms of the Indians, he walked to the fire and sat down. He saw that his work was but half done ; that if he should attempt to return home, without destroying his enemies, he would assuredly be pursued and probably overtaken, when his fate would be certain. On the other hand, it seemed almost impos- sible for a single man to succeed in a conflict with five Indians, even although unarmed and asleep. He could not hope to deal a blow with his knife so silently and fatally, as to destroy each one of his enemies in turn, without awakening the rest. Their slumbers were proverbially light and restless ; and if he failed with a single one, he must instantly be overpowered by the survivors. The knife, therefore, was out of the - question.
After anxious reflection for a few minutes, he formed his plan. The guns of the Indians were stacked near the fire; their knives and toma- hawks were in sheaths by their sides. The latter he dared not touch for fear of awakening their owners ; but the former he carefully removed, with the exception of two, and hid them in the woods, where he knew the Indians would not readily find them. He then returned to the spot where the Indians were still sleeping, perfectly ignorant of the fate pre- paring for them, and taking a gun in each hand, he rested the muzzles upon a log within six feet of his victims, and having taken deliberate aim at the head of one and the heart of another, he pulled both triggers at the same moment.
Both shots were fatal. At the report of their guns the others sprang to their feet, and stared wildly around them. McConnel, who had run instantly to the spot where the other rifles were hid, hastily seized one of them and fired at two of his enemies, who happened to stand in a line with each other. The nearest fell dead, being shot through the centre of the body; the second fell also, bellowing loudly, but quickly recovering, limped off into the woods as fast as possible. The fifth, and only one who remained unhurt, darted off like a deer, with a yell which announced equal terror and astonishment. McConnel, not wishing to fight any more such battles, selected his own rifle from the stack, and made the best of his way to Lexington, where he arrived safely within two days.
379
AN ADVENTURE OF THE THREE BROTHERS MCAFEE.
Shortly afterward, Mrs. Dunlap, of Fayette, who had been several months a prisoner amongst the Indians on Mad river, made her escape, and returned to Lexington. She reported that the survivor returned to his tribe with a lamentable tale. He related that they had taken a fine young hunter near Lexington, and had brought him safely as far as the Ohio; that while encamped upon the bank of the river, a large party of white men had fallen upon them in the night, and killed all his com- panions, together with the poor, defenceless prisoner, who lay bound hand and foot, unable either to escape or resist !
AN ADVENTURE OF THE THREE BROTHERS MCAFEE.
Early in May, 1781, McAfee's station, in the neighborhood of Har- rodsburg, was alarmed. On the morning of the 9th, Samuel McAfee, accompanied by another man, left the fort in order to visit a small plantation in the neighborhood, and at the distance of three hun- dred yards from the gate, they were fired upon by a party of Indians in ambush. The man who accompanied him instantly fell, and McAfee attempted to regain the fort. While running rapidly for that purpose, he found himself suddenly intercepted by an Indian, who, springing out of the canebrake, planted himself directly in his path. There was no time for compliments. Each glared upon the other for an instant in silence, and both raising their guns at the same moment, pulled the triggers together. The Indian's rifle snapped, while McAfee's ball passed directly through his brain. Having no time to reload his gun, he sprang over the body of his antagonist, and continued his flight to the fort.
When within one hundred yards of the gate he was met by his two brothers, Robert and James, who, at the report of the guns, had hur- ried out to the assistance of their brothef. Samuel hastily informed them of their danger, and exhorted them instantly to return. James readily complied, but Robert, deaf to all remonstrances, declared that he must have a view of the dead Indian. He ran on for that purpose, and having regaled himself with that spectacle, was hastily returning by the same path, when he saw five or six Indians between him and the fort, evidently bent upon taking him alive. All his activity and pres- ence of mind were now put in requisition. He ran rapidly from tree to tree, endeavoring to turn their flank and reach one of the gates, and
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after a variety of turns and doublings in the thick wood, he found him- self pressed by only one Indian. McAfee, hastily throwing himself be- hind a fence, turned upon his pursuer, and compelled him to take shelter behind a tree.
Both stood still for a moment, McAfee having his gun cocked, and the sight fixed upon the tree, at the spot where he supposed the Indian would thrust out his head in order to have a view of his antagonist. After waiting a few seconds he was gratified. The Indian slowly and cautiously exposed a part of his head, and began to elevate his rifle. As soon as a sufficient mark presented itself McAfee fired, and the In- dian fell. While turning, in order to continue his flight, he was fired on by a party of six, which compelled him again to tree. But scarcely had he done so, when, from the opposite quarter, he received the fire of three more enemies, which made the bark fly around him and knocked up the dust about his feet. Thinking his post rather too hot for safety, he neglected all shelter and ran directly for the fort, which, in defiance of all opposition, he reached in safety, to the inexpressible joy of his brothers, who had despaired of his return.
The Indians now opened a heavy fire upon the fort, in their usual manner ; but finding every effort useless, they hastily decamped, with- out any loss beyond the two who had fallen by the hands of the brothers, and without having inflicted any upon the garrison. Within half an hour, Major McGary brought up a party from. Harrodsburg at full gallop, and, uniting with the garrison, pursued the enemy with all possible activity. They soon overtook them, and a sharp action en- sued. The Indians were routed in a few minutes, with the loss of six warriors left dead upon the ground, and many others wounded, who, as usual, were borne off. The pursuit was continued for several miles, but from the thickness of the woods and the extreme activity and ad- dress of the enemy, was not very effectual. McGary lost one man dead upon the spot and another mortally wounded.
381
BRYANT'S AND HOGAN'S PARTIES ATTACKED BY SAVAGES.
BRYANT'S AND HOGAN'S PARTIES ATTACKED BY SAVAGES.
About the same time Bryant's station was much harassed by small parties of the enemy. This, as we have already remarked, was a fron- tier post, and generally received the brunt of Indian hostility. It had been settled in 1779 by four brothers from North Carolina, one of whom, William, had married a sister of Colonel Daniel Boone. The Indians were constantly lurking in the neighborhood, waylaying the paths, stealing their horses and butchering their cattle. It at length became necessary to hunt in parties of twenty or thirty men, so as to be able to meet and repel those attacks, which were every day becom- ing more bold and frequent.
One afternoon, about the 20th of May, William Bryant, accompanied ` by twenty men, left the fort on a hunting expedition down the Elkhorn Creek. They moved with caution, until they had passed all the points where ambuscades had generally been formed, when, seeing no enemy, they became more bold, and determined, in order to sweep a large ex- tent of country, to divide their company into two parties. One of them, conducted by Bryant in person, was to descend the Elkhorn on its southern bank, flanking out largely, and occupying as much ground as possible. The other, under the orders of James Hogan, a young farmer in good circumstances, was to move down in a parallel line upon the north bank. The two parties were to meet at night, and encamp to- gether at the mouth of Cane Run.
Each punctually performed the first part of their plans. Hogan, however, had traveled but a few hundred yards, when he heard a loud voice behind him exclaim, in very good English, "Stop, boys !" Hastily looking back, they saw several Indians, on foot, pursuing them as rapidly as possible. Without halting to count numbers, the party put spurs to their horses and dashed through the woods at full speed, the Indians keeping close behind them, and at times gaining upon them. There was a led horse in company, which had been brought with them for the purpose of packing game. This was instantly abandoned, and fell into the hands of the Indians. Several of them lost their hats in the eagerness of flight ; but quickly getting into the open woods, they left their pursuers so far behind that they had leisure to breathe and in- quire of each other whether it was worth while to kill their horses be- fore they had ascertained the number of the enemy.
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They quickly determined to cross the creek, and await the approach of the Indians. If they found them superior to their own and Bryant's party united, they would immediately return to the fort ; as, by con- tinuing their march to the mouth of Cane Run, they would bring a superior enemy upon their friends, and endanger the lives of the whole party. They accordingly crossed the creek, dismounted and awaited the approach of the enemy. By this time it had become dark. The Indians were distinctly heard approaching the creek upon the opposite side, and, after a short halt, a solitary warrior descended the bank, and began to wade through the stream.
Hogan waited until he had emerged from the gloom of the trees which grew upon the bank, and as soon as he had reached the middle of the stream, where the light was more distinct, he took deliberate aim and fired. A great splashing in the water was heard, but presently all be- came quiet. The pursuit was discontinued, and the party, remounting their horses, returned home. Anxious, however, to apprise Bryant's party of their danger, they left the fort before daylight on the ensuing morning, and rode rapidly down the creek, in the direction of the mouth of Cane. When within a few hundred yards of the spot where they supposed the encampment to be, they heard the report of many guns in quck succession. Supposing that Bryant had fallen in with a herd of buffalo, they quickened their march, in order to take part in the sport.
The morning was foggy, and the smoke of the guns lay so heavily upon the ground that they could see nothing until they had approached within twenty yards of the creek, when they suddenly found themselves within pistol shot of a party of Indians, very composedly seated upon their packs and preparing their pipes. Both parties were much startled, but quickly recovering, they sheltered themselves, as usual, and the action opened with great vivacity. The Indians maintained their ground for half an hour with some firmness, but being hard pressed in front and turned in flank, they at length gave way, and, being closely pursued, were ultimately routed with considerable loss, which, how- ever, could not be distinctly ascertained. Of Hogan's party, one man was killed on the spot, and three others wounded, none mortally.
It happened that Bryant's company had encamped at the mouth of Cane, as had been agreed upon, and were unable to account for Hogan's absence. About daylight they had heard a bell at a distance, which they immediately recognized as the one belonging to the led horse which had accompanied Hogan's party, and which, as we have seen, had been abandoned to the enemy the evening before. Supposing their friends to be bewildered in the fog and unable to find their camp,
383
A SCHOOLMASTER ATTACKED BY A WILD CAT.
Bryant, accompanied by Grant, one of his men, mounted a horse and rode to the spot where the bell was still ringing. They quickly fell into an ambuscade, and were fired upon. Bryant was mortally, and Grant severely, wounded, the first being shot through the hip and both knees, the latter through the back.
Being both able to keep the saddle, however, they set spurs to their horses, and arrived at the station shortly after breakfast. The Indians, in the meantime, had fallen upon the encampment and instantly dis- persed it; and, while preparing to regale themselves after their victory, were suddenly attacked, as we have seen, by Hogan. The timidity of Hogan's party, at the first appearance of the Indians, was the cause of the death of Bryant. The same men who fled so hastily in the evening were able the next morning, by a little firmness, to vanquish the same party of Indians. Had they stood at first, an equal success would probably have attended them, and the life of their leader would have been preserved.
A SCHOOLMASTER ATTACKED BY A WILD CAT.
We have now to notice an adventure of a different kind, and which, from its singularity, is entitled to a place in our pages. In 1783 Lex- ir gton was only a cluster of cabins, one of which was used as a school house. One morning in May, McKinney, the teacher, was sitting alone at his desk, busily engaged in writing, when, hearing a slight noise at the door, he turned his head and beheld-what do you suppose, reader? A tall Indian in his war paint, brandishing his tomahawk or handling his knife? No! an enormous cat, with her forefeet upon the step of the door, her tail curled over her back, her bristles erect, and her eyes glancing rapidly through the room as if in search of game.
McKinney's position at first completely concealed him, but a slight and involuntary motion of his chair, at sight of this shaggy inhabitant of the forest, attracted puss's attention, and their eyes met. Mckinney, having heard much of the power of "the human face divine" in quell- ing the audacity of wild animals, attempted to disconcert the intruder by a frown. But puss was not to be bullied. Her eyes flashed fire, her tail waved angrily, and she began to gnash her teeth, evidently bent upon serious hostility. Seeing his danger, Mckinney hastily arose and attempted to snatch a cylindrical rule from a table which stood within reach, but the cat was too quick for him.
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OUR WESTERN BORDEK.
Darting upon him with the proverbial activity of her tribe, she fast- ened upon his side with her teeth, and began to rend and tear with her claws like a fury. Mckinney's clothes were, in an instant, torn from. his side and his flesh dreadfully mangled by the enraged animal, whose strength and ferocity filled him with astonishment. He in vain attempted to disengage her from his side. Her long, sharp teeth were fastened between his ribs, and his efforts served but to enrage her the more. Seeing his blood flow very copiously from the numerous wounds in his side, he became seriously alarmed, and not knowing what else to do, he threw himself upon the edge of the table, and pressed her against the sharp corner with the whole weight of his body.
The cat now began to utter the most wild and discordant cries, and Mckinney at the same time lifting up his voice in concert, the two together sent forth notes so doleful as to alarm the whole town. Wo- men, who are always the first in hearing or spreading news, were now the first to come to Mckinney's assistance. But so strange and un- earthly was the harmony within the school house, that they hesitated long before they ventured to enter. At length the boldest of them rushed in, and seeing Mckinney bending over the corner of the table, and writhing his body as if in great pain, she at first supposed that he was laboring under a severe fit of the colic; but quickly perceiving the cat, which was now in the agonies of death, she screamed out, "Why, good heaven! Mr. Mckinney, what is the matter?"
" I have caught a cat, madam !" replied he, gravely turning around, while the sweat streamed from his face, under the mingled operation of fright and fatigue, and agony. Most of the neighbors had now arrived, and attempted to disengage the dead cat from her antagonist ; but so firmly were her tusks locked between his ribs, that this was a work of no small difficulty. Scarcely had it been effected, when Mckinney became very sick, and was compelled to go to bed. In a few days, however, he had totally recovered, and so late as 1820 was alive, and a resident of Bourbon county, Ky., where he was often heard to affirm, that he, at any time, had rather fight two Indians than one wild cat.
DAVID MORGAN'S DESPERATE COMBAT WITH TWO SAVAGES. 385
DAVID MORGAN'S DESPERATE COMBAT WITH TWO SAVAGES.
About the same time a conflict more unequal, and equally remark- able, took place in another part of the country. David Morgan, a relation of the celebrated General Daniel Morgan, had settled upon the Monongahela during the earlier period of the Revolutionary war, and at this time had ventured to occupy a cabin at the distance of several miles from any settlement. One morning, having sent his younger children out to a field at a considerable distance from the house, he became uneasy about them, and repaired to the spot where they were working, armed, as usual, with a good rifle. While sitting upon the fence, and giving some directions as to their work, he observed two Indians upon the other side of the field, gazing earnestly upon the party. He instantly called to the children to make their escape, while he should attempt to cover their retreat.
The odds were greatly against him, as, in addition to other circum- stances, he was nearly seventy years of age, and, of course, unable to contend with his enemies in running. The house was more than a mile distant, but the children, having two hundred yards the start, and being effectually covered by their father, were soon so far in front that the Indians turned their attention entirely to the old man. He ran, for several hundred yards, with an activity which astonished himself, but perceiving that he would be overtaken long before he could reach his home, he fairly turned at bay, and prepared for a strenucus resistance. The woods through which they were running were very thin, and consisted almost entirely of small trees, behind which it was difficult to obtain proper shelter.
When Morgan adopted the above-mentioned resolution, he had just passed a large walnut, which stood like a patriarch among the saplings which surrounded it, and it became necessary to run back about ten steps in order to regain it. The Indians became startled at the sudden advance of the fugitive, and were compelled to halt among a cluster of saplings, where they anxiously strove to shelter themselves. This, how- ever, was impossible ; and Morgan, who was an excellent marksman, saw enough of the person of one of them to justify him in risking a shot. His enemy instantly fell, mortally wounded. The other Indian, taking advantage of Morgan's empty gun, sprang from his shelter and 25
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OUR WESTERN BORDER.
advanced rapidly upon him. The old man, having no time to reload his gun, was compelled to fly a second time. The Indian gained rapidly upon him, and, when within twenty steps, fired, but with so unsteady an aim that Morgan was totally unhurt, the ball having passed over his shoulder.
He now again stood at bay, clubbing his rifle for a blow; while the Indian, dropping his empty gun, brandished his tomahawk and prepared to throw it at his enemy. Morgan struck with the butt of his gun and the Indian whirled his tomahawk at one and the same moment. Both blows took effect, and both were at once wounded and disarmed. The breech of the rifle was broken against the Indian's skull, and the edge of the tomahawk was shattered against the barrel of the rifle, having first cut off two of the fingers of Morgan's left hand. The Indian then attempting to draw his knife, Morgan'grappled him and bore him to the ground. A furious struggle ensued, in which the old man's strength failed, and the Indian succeeded in turning him.
Planting his knee on the breast of his enemy, and yelling loudly, as is usual with them upon any turn of fortune, he again felt for his knife, in order to terminate the struggle at once ; but having lately stolen a wo- man's apron and tied it around his waist, his knife was so much con- fined that he had great difficulty in finding the handle. Morgan, ir. the meantime, being a regular pugilist, according to the custom of Virginia, and perfectly at home in a ground struggle, took advantage of the awkwardness of the Indian, and got one of the fingers of his right hand between his teeth. The Indian tugged and roared in vain, struggling to extricate it. Morgan held him fast, and began to assist him in hunt- ing for the knife. Each seized it at the same moment, the Indian by the blade and Morgan by the handle, but with a very slight hold.
The Indian, having the firmest hold, began to draw the knife further out of its sheath, when Morgan, suddenly giving his finger a furious bite, twitched the knife dexterously through his hand, cutting it severely. Both now sprang to their feet, Morgan brandishing his ad- versary's knife, and still holding his finger between his teeth. In vain the poor Indian struggled to get away, rearing, plunging and bolting, like an unbroken colt. The teeth of the white man were like a vise, and he at length succeeded in giving him a stab in the side. The In- dian received it without falling, the knife having struck his ribs ; but a second blow, aimed at the stomach, proved more effectual, and the savage fell. Morgan thrust the knife, handle and all, into the cavity of the body, directed it upward, and starting to his feet, made the best of his way home.
The neighborhood was quickly alarmed; and, hurrying to the spot
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EVENTS FROM DUNMORE'S WAR TO MORAVIAN MASSACRE.
where the struggle had taken place, they found the first Indian lying where he had fallen, but the second had disappeared. A broad trail of blood, however, conducted to a fallen tree-top, within one hundred yards of the spot, into which the poor fellow had dragged himself, and where he now lay, bleeding but still alive. He had plucked the knife from his wound, and was endeavoring to dress it with the stolen apron -which had cost him his life-when his enemies approached. The love of life was still strong within him, however. He greeted them with what was intended for an insinuating smile, held out his hand and ex- claimed, in broken English, " How de do, broder ? how de do? Glad to see you !" But, poor fellow ! the love was all on his side. Their brotherhood extended only to tomahawking, scalping and skinning him, all of which operations were performed within a few minutes after the meeting. To such an extent had mutual injury inflamed both parties.
EVENTS FROM DUNMORE'S WAR TO MORAVIAN MASSACRE.
In presenting biographical sketches of the leading early pioneers or the West, we were obliged to depart somewhat from the chronological sequence of events. We had proceeded as far as the treaty made by Lord Dunmore with the Ohio Indians in 1774. On April 19th of the next year (1775) was fought the opening battle of the American Revo- lution. This august event created a mighty change everywhere. Dur- ing most of the year, however, there was peace on the western border, save occasional acts of hostility on the part of the Shawnees and other hostile tribes, instigated no doubt by British agents. The frontiers were in a great state of anxiety and apprehension regarding a close alliance between England and the confederated western tribes.
Sir William Johnson, the British Superintendent of Indian Affairs, had, as we have shown, a most potent influence among the redmen of the whole country. He, more than any other, could hold them in check or incite them to an open rupture. To cope with these tribes alone would be comparatively an easy matter, but to deal with them when constantly goaded on and assisted by British wealth and power, and more especially when the whole fighting strength of the country was drawn eastward to contend with the large and well-drilled armies of Britain, was quite a different matter.
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