In the month of March following, the captain and ten of his men, were by forty Indians, conducted to Detroit, then a British garrison and the men presented to Governor Hamilton, the commandant; who treated them with humanity, and civility.

Boone, would also have been given up for a ransom, but the Indians in the mean time had conceived so great an affection and respect for him, that they utterly refused to leave him with the governor, who offered one hundred pounds for him, on purpose, as he said, to liberate him, on parole. It is more easy to concieve than express the vexation, and embarrassment, which these circumstances occasioned to Captain Boone; he was unable to extricate himself; and he dared not excite the jealousy, or suspicion, of the Indians. Several English gentlemen present, sensibly affected by his situation, generously of fered a supply to his want of necessaries, and conveniences; but which he, with thanks for their friendship, politely declined; adding, that it might never be in his power to requite such unmerited generosity.

Another event now approached, which put the sensibility of Boone, to a severe trial. He was told decisively by his inflexible masters, that he must prepare to accompany them back to Chillicothe, while his ten faithful comrades, were to be left prisoners at Detroit. This journey was soon afterwards undertaken, and performed in fifteen days. At Chillicothe, Captain Boone was adopted into one of the principal families, as a son; and judiciously accommodating himself to his situation, increased the confidence and affection of his new relatives, and old friends. They challenged him to the shooting match, in which he found it more difficult to avoid their jealousy, and to suppress their envy, than to beat them at an exercise, in which they had thought themselves invincible. They invited him to. accompany them on hunting parties, and frequently applauded his dexterity in finding, and killing, the wild game. The Shawanee king, took particular notice of him, and always treated him with respect. While Boone, on his part, took care to improve these favourable impressions, by frequently

bestowing on him the spoils of the hunt; and otherwise, expressing duty to him, as king--or head warrior.

If Captain Boone could have dispensed with the beneficial ideas of civilization, and eradicated from his heart the affections of an husband, and a father, his condition among these savages, would have been as contented to himself, as it was 'enviable to most of them. But he had a wife, and family; and he had a country, and companions of his former labours and perils; for whom he felt the utmost anxiety.

The indulgences which were now extended to him, fostered the idea of escape, which he continually meditated. And thus, was the honest simplicity of his nature, compelled to dissemble the main purpose of his heart, under the smiles and caresses, which he bestowed on, or received from, those, whom he meant to desert, on the first favourable occasion.

Early in June, a party of these Indians set out for the Scioto salt licks, and took Boone with them. Their ostensible business was to make salt, about which they kept him employed; and after effecting the object, they returned, without affording him an opportunity for escape. At Chillicothe, there were four hundred and fifty Indian warriors, armed, and painted in a most frightful manner; ready to march against Boonesborough. For once Captain Boone, derived pleasure from his captivity, as it was the means of his becoming possessed of information of great importance to his garrison; and which he determined, at all hazards, to convey to it, in order to save it from destruction.

It was on the sixteenth of the month, he rose at the usual time in the morning, and went out, apparently to hunt; but really for Boonesborough.

So great was his anxiety, that he stopped not to kill any thing to eat; but performed a journey of one hundred and sixty miles in less than five days, upon one meal of victuals, which he had concealed in his blanket. Arriving at Boonesborough on the twentieth, he found the fortress in a bad state of defence -but the intelligence which he brought, and the activity which he inspired, soon produced the necessary repairs. No sooner did the garrison feel itself secure, than it began to wait with impatience the reception of intelligence from the enemy.

After the lapse of a few days, one of the other prisoners, escaping from them, arrived with information "that the Indians had, on account of Boone's elopement, postponed their march for three weeks." In the mean time, however, it was disco-. vered, that they had their spies in the country, watching the movements of the different garrisons. And whatever might be their reports, it was consoling to reflect that the forts had been strengthened, and the garrisons increased in numbers, since the last attacks: while this was particularly the case at Boonesborough.

The enemy still delaying their meditated attack on this place--Captain Boone, with a company of nineteen men, left the fort on the first of August, with a view to surprise Paintcreek town, on Scioto. Advanced within four miles of which, he met a party of thirty Indians on its march to join the grand army from Chillicothe, then on its march towards Boonesborough. An action immediately ensued between these detachments, which terminated in the flight of the Indians; who had one man killed, and two wounded; without any loss on the side of Boone; who took three horses, and all the Indian plunder. The captain then despatched two spies, for intelligence, who, returning from the town, reported that it was evacuated. -Upon the receipt of this information, Boone marched for Boonesborough with all practicable despatch; in order that he might gain the van of the enemy's army--place his party in a state of security-give timely warning to the garrison—and prepare for the approaching storm. On the sixth day he passed the Indian main force; and on the seventh, arrived in safety at. Boonesborough. The eighth, the Indians, commanded by Captain Duquesne, eleven other Canadian Frenchmen, and some of their own chiefs, invested the place; with British colours flying, at their head quarters.

This was the most formidable force ever arrayed against Boonesborough; and such as, upon comparison, was calculated to fill the garrison with alarm. But the equanimity of Boone's temper, was little affected by it, when he received a summons in the name of his Brittanic Majesty, to "surrender the fort."

Two days' consideration was requested, and granted. This was an awful moment. The little garrison was summoned to council. Not fifty men appeared. To those who were assembled, the case was briefly stated. On the one side-a manly defence, with the chance of success-or if vanquished, of being devoted to destruction, with savage barbarity: on the other side a surrender upon articles was offered, of becoming prisoners, and stripped of their effects. The deliberation was. short--the answer prompt, and unanimous: "We are determined to defend our fort as long as a man of us lives." It was also resolved for the time, to keep the result secret. The meeting then dispersed--and each man went to collect his cattle, and horses, as he could, that they might be secured within the walls. Being prepared for the conflict as well as they expected, and the two days having expired-Captain Boone, from one of the bastions of the fort, announced to the listening commander of the adverse host, the determination of the garrison: to which he subjoined his own personal thanks, for the notice of their intended attack and the time allowed him for preparing his defence.

Evident disappointment, was seen depicted on the counte nance of Duquesne. He did not however, immediately abandon the idea of capitulation; but determined to play it off as a decoy for Boone. Accordingly, he declared that it was his order from Governor Hamilton, to take the garrison captives, to treat them as prisoners of war; and not to rob, much, less destroy, them. That if nine of the principal persons in. the garrison, would come out and treat with him, he would do no violence, but return home with the prisoners-or liberate them if they would swear allegiance to, and accept the protec tion of, his Brittanic Majesty.

This, said Boone, sounded grateful in our ears, at least as a further respite--and we agreed to treat. Yet, as it will soon appear, with very different intentions; and not without cause to suspect Indian honour. The commandants with opposite views, communicate them to their respective followers: the one fair, the other fraudulent. The parties, now prepared

for treaty, the conferences were opened within sixty yards of the fort gate. The articles being few, were soon digested, and signed, in the presence of many Indians; who, although they said nothing, stood, or stalked about, with an appearance of solicitude. And this was the moment for crowning the stratagem with success. Boone, and his companions, were told, by the leaders of the adverse side, that among Indians, it was customary, on such occasions, to evince the sincerity of their intentions, by two Indians, shaking each white man, by the hand. This was also assented to, and immediately, two Indians approached each of the nine white men, and taking his hand, instantly grappled him; with intent to drag him off, a prisoner. On this occasion the defensive instinct, required not the aid of deliberation-but each man, by an instantaneous effort, extricated himself, and sought his safety in the fort. The Indians, recovering from the surprise, consequent on their disappointment, discharged a heavy fire on the fugitives, who all escaped unhurt; except one, that was wounded.

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Having failed in this stratagem, the enemy commenced the premeditated attack on the fort, which they kept up with little intermission for nine days: and which was briskly returned by the garrison, directed by Boone. In the mean time, the besiegers began to undermine the fort, standing on the bank, about sixty yards from the margin of the river. This new mode of attack in Indian warfare, may without ascribed to the Frenchmen, who were with them. The mine alluded to, was began in the bank of the river, above the water; and came to be discovered by the appearance of the stream below, and not above, the fort, indicating the solution of new earth. The fact once ascertained, the object could not be mistaken. And to counteract it, a deep trench was ordered to be opened inside of the fort; and as the earth was taken up, it was thrown over the fort wall. By these means the enemy were apprised, that their design was detected, and would be defeated: whence they desisted, from their mining project. Being now convinced that they could not conquer the place by either force, or fraud; and their stock of provisions being