1782)

HOW A GIRL SAVED THE DAY

When the column of Indians and British Rangers under Captain Caldwell
marched for Bryant's Station, of Kentucky, the other column, planned to
invade North-Western Virginia (West Virginia), stayed behind in camp,
for a while. They were uncertain just what place to attack first, and
finally had almost decided not to attack any place.

But runners came to them, with the news that after the withdrawal from
Bryant's the Kentucky column had ambushed a Long Knife army including
Daniel Boone men, at the lucky Blue Licks, and defeated it badly. This
was true indeed. The victors were homeward bound laden with scalps and
booty. There was much excitement.

A vote of the chiefs determined that the march should be continued, for
Wheeling. Simon Girty and several others joined. The column numbered
three hundred Indians, and fifty "Queen's Rangers" sent by the British
father from Detroit. All were under Captain Pratt, of the Rangers, but
Simon Girty was head chief. They set onward, through the forest, to
the Ohio River.

This was the first week in September, 1782. Scout John Lynn, who was
watching the trails in the Indian country northwest of the Ohio, saw
them. They seemed in a hurry. At full speed he made for Wheeling, to
give the alarm. He swam the river, and arrived with the word just in
time. The settlers, excepting those of the Ebenezer Zane cabin,
flocked into Fort Henry. While they were still very busy, getting
ready, in daylight of September 11, the enemy appeared, strong in
savage array and flying their flag.

It was not quite a surprise, although nearly so. The fort contained
about twenty men and boys who could handle a rifle, and the same number
of women and girls and little children. Before dawn Captain Boggs, the
fort commander, had dashed away, to get aid. They hoped that he had
escaped. Colonel Silas Zane had been elected in his place. Captain
John Sullivan, in a dug-out boat from Fort Pitt, above, loaded with
cannon-balls for Louisville, below, had scarcely landed, on a
stop-over, and barely made into the fort, wounded. The small garrison
were glad to have him. He was an experienced Indian-fighter.

Colonel Ebenezer Zane had grown tired of seeing his house burned. He
had declared that never again would he abandon it and take to the fort.
It had been rebuilt, on its same site only forty yards north of the
fort wall; had been made "Indian proof," and was well