with my tomahawk; but when I again thought
upon killing beings unprepared and unable to defend themselves, it looked
like murder without need, and I gave up the idea.

"But, sir, I felt determined to mark the spot, and walking to a thrifty
ash sapling, I cut out of it three large chips, and ran off. I soon
reached the river; soon crossed it, and threw myself deep into the
canebrakes, imitating the tracks of an Indian with my feet, so that no
chance might be left for those from whom I had escaped to overtake me.

"It is now nearly twenty years since this happened, and more than five
since I left the whites' settlements, which I might probably never have
visited again, had I not been called on as a witness in a lawsuit that
was pending in Kentucky and which, I really believe, would never have
been settled, had I not come forward, and established the beginning of a
certain boundary line. This is the story, sir.

"Mr. ---- moved from old Virginia into Kentucky, and having a large tract
granted to him in the new state, laid claim to a certain parcel of land
adjoining Green river, and as chance would have it, he took for one of
his corners the very ash tree on which I had made my mark, and finished
his survey of some thousands of acres, beginning, as it is expressed in
the deed, 'at an ash marked by three distinct notches of the tomahawk of
a white man.'

"The tree had grown much, and the bark had covered the marks; but, some
how or other, Mr. ---- heard from some one all that I have already said to
you, and thinking that I might remember the spot alluded to in the deed,
but which was no longer discoverable, wrote for me to come and try at
least to find the place on the tree. His letter mentioned, that all my
expenses should be paid; and not caring much about once more going back
to Kentucky, I started and met Mr. ----. After some conversation, the
affair with the Indians came to my recollection. I considered for a
while, and began to think that after all, I could find the very spot, as
well as the tree, if it was yet standing.

"Mr. ---- and I mounted our horses, and off we went to the Green river
bottoms. After some difficulties, for you must be aware, sir, that great
changes had taken place in these woods, I found at last the spot where I
had crossed the river, and waiting for the moon to rise, made for the
course in which I thought the ash tree grew. On approaching the place, I
felt as if the Indians were there still,