cest warriors, painted and armed in a fearful
manner, ready to march against Boonsborough, I determined to escape the
first opportunity.

On the sixteenth, before sun-rise, I departed in the most secret manner,
and arrived at Boonsborough on the twentieth, after a journey of one
hundred and sixty miles; during which, I had but one meal.

I found our fortress in a bad state of defence, but we proceeded
immediately to repair our flanks, strengthen our gates and posterns, and
form double bastions, which we compleated in ten days. In this time we
daily expected the arrival of the Indian army; and at length, one of
my fellow prisoners, escaping from them, arrived, informing us that the
enemy had an account of my departure, and postponed their expedition
three weeks.--The Indians had spies out viewing our movements, and were
greatly alarmed with our increase in number and fortifications. The
Grand Councils of the nations were held frequently, and with more
deliberation than usual. They evidently saw the approaching hour when
the Long Knife would disposess them of their desirable habitations; and
anxiously concerned for futurity, determined utterly to extirpate the
whites out of Kentucke. We were not intimidated by their movements, but
frequently gave them proofs of our courage.

About the first of August, I made an incursion into the Indian country,
with a party of nineteen men, in order to surprise a small town up
Sciotha, called Paint-Creek-Town. We advanced within four miles
thereof, where we met a party of thirty Indians, on their march against
Boonsborough, intending to join the others from Chelicothe. A smart
fight ensued betwixt us for some time: At length the savages gave way,
and fled. We had no loss on our side: The enemy had one killed, and
two wounded. We took from them three horses, and all their baggage; and
being informed, by two of our number that went to their town, that the
Indians had entirely evacuated it, we proceeded no further, and returned
with all possible expedition to assist our garrison against the other
party. We passed by them on the sixth day, and on the seventh, we
arrived safe at Boonsborough.

On the eighth, the Indian army arrived, being four hundred and
forty-four in number, commanded by Capt. Duquesne, eleven other
Frenchmen, and some of their own chiefs, and marched up within view
of our fort, with British and French colours flying; and having sent a
summons to me, in his Britannick M