, and was discharged from the
service with a fair and honorable character, therefore,

"Resolved, that the Treasurer of this Commonwealth be, and he
hereby is, directed to issue his note to the said Deborah for the
sum of thirty-four pounds, bearing interest from October 23, 1783."

There is not lacking evidence that Negroes distinguished themselves in
the struggles of the pioneer settlers against the Indians. This was
particularly true of the early history of Kentucky. The following
incidents are recorded in Thompson's "Young People's History of
Kentucky:"

"Ben Stockton was a slave in the family of Major George Stockton of
Fleming county. He was a regular Negro, and though a slave, was
devoted to his master. He hated an Indian and loved to moralize
over a dead one; getting into a towering rage and swearing
magnificently when a horse was stolen; handled his rifle well,
though somewhat foppishly, and hopped, danced and showed his teeth
when a prospect offered to chase 'the yaller varmints'. His master
had confidence in his resolution and prudence, while he was a great
favorite with all the hunters, and added much to their fun on dull
expeditions. On one occasion, when a party of white men in pursuit
of Indians who had stolen their horses called at Stockton's station
for reinforcements, Ben, among others, volunteered. They overtook
the savages at Kirk's Springs in Lewis county, and dismounted to
fight; but as they advanced, they could see only eight or ten, who
disappeared over the mountain. Pressing on, they discovered on
descending the mountain such indications as convinced them that the
few they had seen were but decoys to lead them into an ambuscade at
the base, and a retreat was ordered. Ben was told of it by a man
near him; but he was so intent on getting a shot that he did not
hear, and the order was repeated in a louder tone, whereupon he
turned upon his monitor a reproving look, grimaced and gesticulated
ludicrously, and motioned to the man to be silent. He then set off
rapidly down the mountain. His white comrade, unwilling to leave
him, ran after him, and reached his side just as he leveled his gun
at a big Indian standing tiptoe on a log and peering into the thick
woods. At the crack of Ben's rifle the savage bounded into the air
and fell. The others set