adventures of col[1]. daniel boone(丹尼尔·布思遇险)-第6节
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a putrified condition； that no one could be distinguished from another。
As soon as General Clark； then at the Falls of the Ohio； who was ever
our ready friend； and merits the love and gratitude of all his country…men；
understood the circumstances of this unfortunate action； he ordered an
expedition； with all possible haste； to pursue the savages； which was so
expeditiously effected； that we overtook them within two miles of their
towns； and probably might have obtained a great victory； had not two of
their number met us about two hundred poles before we come up。 These
returned quick as lightening to their camp with the alarming news of a
mighty army in view。 The savages fled in the utmost disorder； evacuated
their towns； and reluctantly left their territory to our mercy。 We
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immediately took possession of Old Chelicothe without opposition； being
deserted by its inhabitants。 We continued our pursuit through five towns
on the Miami rivers； Old Chelicothe； Pecaway； New Chelicothe； Will's
Towns； and Chelicothe； burnt them all to ashes； entirely destroyed their
corn； and other fruits； and every where spread a scene of desolation in the
country。 In this expedition we took seven prisoners and five scalps； with
the loss of only four men； two of whom were accidentally killed by our
own army。
This campaign in some measure damped the spirits of the Indians； and
made them sensible of our superiority。 Their connections were dissolved；
their armies scattered； and a future invasion put entirely out of their power；
yet they continued to practise mischief secretly upon the inhabitants； in the
exposed parts of the country。
In October following； a party made an excursion into that district
called the Crab Orchard； and one of them； being advanced some distance
before the others； boldly entered the house of a poor defenceless family； in
which was only a Negro man； a woman and her children； terrified with the
apprehensions of immediate death。 The savage； perceiving their
defenceless situation； without offering violence to the family attempted to
captivate the Negro； who； happily proved an over…match for him； threw
him on the ground； and； in the struggle； the mother of the children drew an
ax from a corner of the cottage； and cut his head off； while her little
daughter shut the door。 The savages instantly appeared； and applied their
tomahawks to the door。 An old rusty gun…barrel； without a lock； lay in a
corner； which the mother put through a small crevice； and the savages；
perceiving it； fled。 In the mean time； the alarm spread through the
neighbourhood； the armed men collected immediately； and pursued the
ravagers into the wilderness。 Thus Providence； by the means of this Negro；
saved the whole of the poor family from destruction。 From that time； until
the happy return of peace between the United States and Great…Britain； the
Indians did us no mischief。 Finding the great king beyond the water
disappointed in his expectations； and conscious of the importance of the
Long Knife； and their own wretchedness； some of the nations immediately
desired peace； to which； at present； they seem universally disposed； and
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are sending ambassadors to General Clark； at the Falls of the Ohio； with
the minutes of their Councils； a specimen of which； in the minutes of the
Piankashaw Council； is subjoined。
To conclude； I can now say that I have verified the saying of an old
Indian who signed Col。 Henderson's deed。 Taking me by the hand； at the
delivery thereof； Brother； says he； we have given you a fine land； but I
believe you will have much trouble in settling it。My footsteps have often
been marked with blood； and therefore I can truly subscribe to its original
name。 Two darling sons； and a brother； have I lost by savage hands； which
have also taken from me forty valuable horses； and abundance of cattle。
Many dark and sleepless nights have I been a companion for owls；
separated from the chearful society of men； scorched by the Summer's sun；
and pinched by the Winter's cold； an instrument ordained to settle the
wilderness。 But now the scene is changed： Peace crowns the sylvan shade。
What thanks； what ardent and ceaseless thanks are due to that all…
superintending Providence which has turned a cruel war into peace；
brought order out of confusion； made the fierce savages placid； and turned
away their hostile weapons from our country！ May the same Almighty
Goodness banish the accursed monster； war； from all lands； with her hated
associates； rapine and insatiable ambition。 Let peace； descending from her
native heaven； bid her olives spring amidst the joyful nations； and plenty；
in league with commerce； scatter blessings from her copious hand。
This account of my adventures will inform the reader of the most
remarkable events of this country。I now live in peace and safety；
enjoying the sweets of liberty； and the bounties of Providence； with my
once fellow…sufferers； in this delightful country； which I have seen
purchased with a vast expence of blood and treasure； delighting in the
prospect of its being； in a short time； one of the most opulent and powerful
states on the continent of North… America； which； with the love and
gratitude of my country…men； I esteem a sufficient reward for all my toil
and dangers。
Fayette county； Kentucke。
DANIEL BOON
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