Adventures of a Sixpence in Guernsey by A Native | Page 7

it was impossible for
them to escape, capitulated with the enemy, and, at a distance in their
view, gave notice to my men of their situation, with orders not to resist,
but surrender themselves captives.
The generous usage the Indians had promised before in my capitulation,

was afterwards fully complied with, and we proceeded with them as
prisoners to old Chelicothe, the principal Indian town, on Little Miami,
where we arrived, after an uncomfortable journey, in very severe
weather, on the eighteenth day of February, and received as good
treatment as prisoners could expect from savages.--On the tenth day of
March following, I, and ten of my men, were conducted by forty
Indians to Detroit, where we arrived the thirtieth day, and were treated
by Governor Hamilton, the British commander at that post, with great
humanity.
During our travels, the Indians entertained me well; and their affection
for me was so great, that they utterly refused to leave me there with the
others, although the Governor offered them one hundred pounds
Sterling for me, on purpose to give me a parole to go home. Several
English gentlemen there, being sensible of my adverse fortune, and
touched with human sympathy, generously offered a friendly supply for
my wants, which I refused, with many thanks for their kindness; adding,
that I never expected it would be in my power to recompense such
unmerited generosity.
The Indians left my men in captivity with the British at Detroit, and on
the tenth day of April brought me towards Old Chelicothe, where we
arrived on the twenty-fifth day of the same month. This was a long and
fatiguing march, through an exceeding fertile country, remarkable for
fine springs and streams of water. At Chelicothe I spent my time as
comfortably as I could expect; was adopted, accordin to their custom,
into a family where I became a son, and had a great share in the
affection of my new parents, brothers, sisters, and friends. I was
exceedingly familiar and friendly with them, always appearing as
chearful and satisfied as possible, and they put great confidence in me.
I often went a hunting with them, and frequently gained their applause
for my activity at our shooting-matches. I was careful not to exceed
many of them in shooting; for no people are more envious than they in
this sport. I could observe, in their countenances and gestures, the
greatest expressions of joy when they exceeded me; and, when the
reverse happened, of envy. The Shawanese king took great notice of me,
and treated me with profound respect, and entire friendship, often
entrusting me to hunt at my liberty. I frequently returned with the spoils
of the woods, and as often presented some of what I had taken to him,

expressive of duty to my sovereign. My food and lodging was, in
common, with them, not so good indeed as I could desire, but necessity
made every thing acceptable.
I now began to meditate an escape, and carefully avoided their
suspicions, continuing with them at Old Chelicothe until the first day of
June following, and then was taken by them to the salt springs on
Sciotha, and kept there, making salt, ten days. During this time I hunted
some for them, and found the land, for a great extent about this river, to
exceed the soil of Kentucke, if possible, and remarkably well watered.
When I returned to Chelicothe, alarmed to see four hundred and fifty
Indians, of their choicest 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