ount of the murdering cowards that follow you. Even if you could
batter down our pickets, I, for one, hold your people in too much
contempt to shoot rifles at them. I would not waste powder and ball upon
you. Should you even enter our fort, I am ready for you; I have roasted a
number of hickory switches, with which we mean to whip you and your naked
cut-throats out of the country!"

Simon was now furious; cursing and swearing, he went back to his friends,
amid the loud laughs and jeers of the whites. In a little time, the
firing was renewed; it was all to no purpose: no white man suffered, and
every Indian who came within gun-shot of the fort was sure to fall. In
the course of the night the whole party sneaked off, and their tracks
indicated that they had started for the Blue Licks. They left behind them
thirty of their number slain.

CHAPTER VII.

Colonel Todd, of Lexington, instantly despatched news of this attack on
Bryant's station, to Colonel Boone, at Boonesborough, and Colonel Trigg,
near Harrodsburgh. In a little time, one hundred and seventy-six men were
collected under these three officers, to march in pursuit. Majors M'Gary
and Harland now joined them, determined that they would have a part in
the punishment of the savages. It was known, too, that Colonel Logan was
collecting a force, and a council of officers was at once held, to
determine whether they should march on, or wait for him. They were all so
eager to be off, that it was thought best to march immediately. The march
was therefore commenced forthwith.

Following on in the trail of the Indians, they had not gone far, when
Boone saw enough to convince him that the Indians would not only be
willing, but glad to meet them. No effort had been made to conceal their
trail; the trees were even marked on their pathway, that the whites
might follow on; and they had tried to conceal their numbers, by
treading in each other's footsteps. He called the attention of his
companions to this, but still they proceeded onward.

They saw no Indians until they came to the Licking river, not far from
the Blue Licks. A party was now seen on the other side of the stream,
leisurely crossing a hill. A council was at once held, and the officers
all turned to Boone for advice. His advice was given frankly: he was for
waiting till Logan should arrive with his men. The Indian party, he felt
assured, was at the least from four to five hundred strong, and the
unconcerne