mpanied, did we not perceive it to be the first of a series
of similar artifices, designed to draw on their enemies to their own
destruction. There was nothing in the circumstances to excite great
apprehensions. To be sure, they had been repulsed in their attempt on
the fort with some loss, yet this loss (thirty men) would by no means
have deterred a European force of similar numbers from prosecuting the
enterprise.

Girty and his great Indian army retired toward Ruddle's and Martin's
Stations, on a circuitous route, toward Lower Blue Licks. They expected,
however, to be pursued, and evidently desired it, as they left a broad
trail behind them, and marked the trees which stood on their route with
their tomahawks.[42]

[Footnote 40: McClung.]

[Footnote 41: McClung.]

[Footnote 42: Frost: "Border Wars of the West." Peck: "Life of Boone."
McClung: "Western Adventure."]

CHAPTER XVI.

Arrival of reinforcements at Bryant's Station--Colonel
Daniel Boone, his son and brother among them--Colonels
Trigg, Todd, and others--Great number of commissioned
officers--Consultation--Pursuit commenced without waiting for
Colonel Logan's reinforcement--Indian trail--Apprehensions
of Boone and others--Arrival at the Blue Licks--Indians
seen--Consultation--Colonel Boone's opinion--Rash conduct of Major
McGary--Battle of Blue Licks commenced--Fierce encounter with the
Indians--Israel Boone, Colonels Todd and Trigg, and Majors Harland
and McBride killed--Attempt of the Indians to outflank the
whites--Retreat of the whites--Colonel Boone nearly surrounded
by Indians--Cuts his way through them, and returns to Bryant's
Station--Great slaughter--Bravery of Netherland--Noble conduct of
Reynolds in saving Captain Patterson--Loss of the whites--Colonel
Boone's statement--Remarks on McGary's conduct--The fugitives meet
Colonel Logan with his party--Return to the field of battle--Logan
returns to Bryant's Station.

The intelligence of the siege of Bryant's Station had spread far and
wide, and the whole region round was in a state of intense excitement.
The next morning after the enemy's retreat, reinforcements began to
arrive, and in the course of the day successive bodies of militia
presented themselves, to the number of one hundred and eighty men.

Among this number was Colonel Daniel Boone, his son Israel, and his
brother Samuel, with a strong pa