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and high resolve, within. The younger Cook, mortally wounded, immediately the door was barred, sank on the floor and breathed his last; and the two widows were left the sole defenders of the cabin with the three children.

There was a rifle in the house, but no balls could be found. In this extremity, one of the women got hold of a musket-ball, and placing it between her teeth, succeeded in biting it into two pieces. With one she instantly loaded the rifle. The Indians, failing in their attempt to cut down the door, had retired a few paces in front, doubtless to consult upon their future operations. One seated himself upon a log, apparently apprehending no danger from within. Observing him, Mrs. Cook took aim from a narrow aperture and fired, when the Indian gave a loud yell, bounded high in the air, and fell dead.

This unexpected event infuriated the savages, who, being able to speak imperfect English, threatened to burn the house with all its inmates. Several speedily climbed to the top of the cabin, and kindled a fire on the boards of the roof. The devouring element soon began to take effect, and with less determination on the part of those within, would soon have enveloped the whole of them in destruction. One of the women instantly ascended to the loft, while the other handed her water with which she extinguished the fire. Again and again the roof was fired, and as often

extinguished. The water failing, the undaunted women procured some eggs, which were broken, and their contents thrown upon the fire. Their next resource was the bloody waistcoat of their husband and brother-in-law; the blood with which this was profusely saturated checked the further progress of the flames, which, with a few subsequent efforts, were at length fully subdued. The savage foe yielded, and the fruitful expedients of female courage triumphed. One Indian, in bitter disappointment, fired at his unseen enemy through the boards, but did not injure her. They now descended from the roof.

About the time the attack commenced, a young man named McAndre escaped on horseback in view of the Indians. Supposing he would give the alarm to the older settlements; as soon as the savages descended from the roof, a few of them climbed some trees in the vicinity and instituted a sharp look-out. While in the trees, one of them fired a second ball into the loft of the cabin, which cut to pieces a ball of yarn hanging near the head of Mrs. Cook, but without doing further injury. Soon after, they threw the body of the dead Indian into the adjacent creek, and fled precipitately.

A few moments after the Cooks were attacked, Martin, in conversation with McAndre near his cabin, was fired upon and wounded in the knee, but not so badly as to disable him. He com

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menced a retreat into his house, when he received a second shot which killed him. McAndre escaped on horseback, and carried with him to the settlement one of Martin's small children.

Dunn, and two of his sons, one aged sixteen, and the other nine years, not having been observed by the Indians when the attack commenced, escaped to the woods and separated. The old man made his way safely to the older settlement, but the boys were afterward discovered by the Indians, and both murdered.

One of the negroes at Innis's quarter, being sick, was killed, and the two others taken captive. Of the latter, one died among the Indians, and the other returned to his master. The survivors of this infant colony were taken to the older settlements, where they experienced all the kindness and hospitality so characteristic of pioneer life.

The alarm quickly spread, and before nightfall a body of from seventy-five to one hundred men were in hot pursuit of the retreating foe. The main body of the Indians, however, reached the Ohio, and crossed it safely in advance of the Kentuckians. A small party, who had lingered behind and stolen some negroes and horses from another settlement, were overtaken by a party of the whites, a short distance from the river. One of the Indians was shot, but, in falling, levelled his rifle and killed one of the horsemen, who had advanced too rashly toward him.

CHAPTER XII.

St. Clair superseded-Wayne appointed his successor-Colonel Hardin-Sent as a messenger to the Indians-Is murdered -Biographical notice-Hardin serves under DunmoreVolunteers with Captain Morgan-Is wounded in the thigh -Rejoins Dunmore in an expedition against the Indian towns-Contemplates moving to Kentucky-War between England and the colonies-Hardin enlists men for the defence of his country-Is appointed a lieutenant-Offered a majority, but declines - Moves to Kentucky Appointed colonel of the county militia-His services-Grave charge against Wilkinson-Tecumseh - Kenton's skirmish with him-His stratagem and escape-The last Indian inroadKenton forms an ambuscade on the Ohio-Kills four Indians and two white men-Escape of the others.

DEPREDATIONS still continued, and General Washington, to the great distress of Kentucky, persevered in the employment of a regular force, instead of mounted militia. St. Clair was superseded, and General Wayne appointed his successor. A regular force was to be organized, and a final effort made to crush the hostile tribes.

The death of Colonel John Hardin, which occurred in May of this year, but which was not confirmed until some time in December, created great sorrow among the people of Kentucky, by whom he was much beloved.

Colonel Hardin had been solicited by General Wilkinson, commanding at Fort Washington, to

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become the bearer of a flag to the hostile tribes northwest of the Ohio, with a view of negotiating terms of peace. The service was known to be dangerous, and many of those who were best acquainted with the Indian character believed it would be fatal to the undertaker. Notwithstanding these ominous misgivings, the chivalrous nature of Colonel Hardin would not permit him to decline a commission because of the peril attendant upon its performance. He accordingly set out in May, attended by an interpreter.

While on his way to the Miami villages, he arrived at an Indian camp, about a day's journey from where Fort Defiance was subsequently built by General Wayne, and nearly the same distance from a town inhabited by the Shawnese and Delawares.

He was well received by the Indians in camp, but had not been long there before five Delawares came in, with whom Hardin proposed to proceed to the town that evening. They, however, declined returning until the next day; and as they appeared peaceably disposed, Hardin concluded to camp with the Indians during the night, which he did without molestation.

In the morning, he was murdered by some of the savages; but whether his death was accompanied by any circumstances of barbarity, has never been ascertained. They seized his horse, gun, and saddle-bags, expecting doubtless