lived, was the first white that effected a Settlement in Kentucky. In the year 1769, this daring hunter, accompanied by five companions, determined to pass the Alleghanies, that great chain of mountains, which has not improperly been termed the back-bone of the United States.

He accordingly ascended that part of the ridge that lies at the back of North Carolina, and, on arriving at the summit, was delighted at beholding the level and rich country stretched out beneath him. On descending into it, he was still more rejoiced at seeing the enormous size of the timber, and the great quantity of that noble vegetable the Cane, which proved the soil to be more fertile than that of North Carolina, his native State. He also observed a most astonishing number of buffaloes, elk, deer, bears, turkeys, and all kinds of game.

After a time he returned, bringing his wife and children with him; and the favourable accounts given of the country, soon induced many other persons to cross over into it, with a determination of settling there,

Now Kentucky, from the abundance of game which was found in it, had been reserved by the Indians as a hunting ground; and, though many different tribes had the right of hunting there, they all agreed in hindering any tribe from making it a fixed abode. This regulation was the cause of many disputes and wars among themselves, and the country was in consequence called "Kentucky,"

a name signifying in the Indian language," the Bloody Ground."

It may therefore easily be supposed how much they were irritated, when they saw their old enemies, the "Long Knives," (for so they call the Virginians and the whites in general), not only coming down to hunt in their favourite district, but without ceremony, and even without asking permission, settling, as if they had a right to the soil, building cabins, cutting down the trees, driving off the game, and in fact appropriating the country to themselves.

The Indians therefore immediately opposed the intruders with their utmost force; and had they then been as well armed as they are at present, it is doubtful whether Kentucky would yet have been settled. Even as it was, they were two or three times very nearly driving their enemies back again over the mountains. Nothing but the most astonishing fortitude, courage, and perseverance, enabled the whites to make a stand.

Now every one knows, that the wars carried on by the North American Indians are always wars of extermination; for it very rarely happens that the victorious party gives quarter, either to man, woman, or child.

The settlers therefore, in order to protect themselves, erected forts of logs, which they called "Stations," occupying themselves during the day in cultivating the ground immediately in the

neighbourhood, and at night retiring within the walls. But even during the day time, some of the settlers, armed with rifles, were posted in different places, to guard against surprise, while others were employed in the labours of agriculture.

In spite of every precaution, the Indians constantly surprised them, destroyed the crops of corn, burnt the stations, and cut off whole families at a time, killing and scalping every one who fell into their hands. But by degrees the Settlers became more expert at the Indian mode of warfare, and from being much better armed than their savage foe, gradually obtained the superiority. They then began to act on the offensive, forming parties, and pursuing the Indians, whom they killed and scalped in retaliation, till they had at last obtained entire possession of all the country on the left bank of the Ohio.

I will here quote an example of their constant state of danger and warfare, which though it contributed to raise a hardy and daring population, gave their manners a strong tint of ferocity.

"LETTER TO A GENTLEMAN OF PHILA

"DEAR SIR,

DELPHIA.*

"Westmoreland, April 26, 1779.

"I wrote you a note a few days ago, in which I promised you the particulars of an affair between Vide Indian Wars in the West," page 82, published at Lexington, Kentucky.

a white man of this county, and two Indians; I now mean to relate the whole story; and it is as follows:

"The white man is upwards of sixty years of age; his name is David Morgan, a kinsman to Colonel Morgan of the rifle battalion. This man had, through fear of the Indians, fled to a fort about twenty miles above the province line, and near the east side of the Monongahela River. From thence he sent some of his younger children to his plantation, which was about a mile distant, there to do some business in the field. He afterwards thought fit to follow, and see how they fared. Getting to his field, and seating himself upon the fence, within view of his children, he espied two Indians making towards them; on which he called to his children to make their escape. The Indians immediately bent their course towards him. He made the best haste to escape away, that his age, and consequent infirmity, would permit; but soon found he would be overtaken, which made him think of defence. Being armed with a good rifle, he faced about, and found himself under the necessity of running four or five perches towards the Indians, in order to obtain shelter behind a tree of sufficient size.

This unexpected manœuvre obliged the Indians, who were close by, to stop where they had but small timber to shelter behind, which gave Mr. Morgan an opportunity of shooting one of them

dead upon the spot. The other, taking advantage of Morgan's empty gun, advanced upon him, and put him to flight a second time, and being lighter of foot than the old man, soon came up within a few paces, when he fired at him, but fortunately missed him. On this Mr. Morgan faced about again to try his fortune, and clubbed his firelock, The Indian by this time, had got his tomahawk in order for a throw, at which they are very dexterous. Morgan made the blow and the Indian the throw, almost at the same instant, by which the little finger was cut off Morgan's left-hand, and the one next to it almost off, and his gun broke off by the lock. Now they came to close grips. Morgan put the Indian down; but soon found himself overturned, and the Indian upon him, feeling for his knife, and yelling most hideously, as their manner is when they look upon victory to be certain. However, a woman's apron, which the Indian had plundered out of a house in the neighbourhood, and tied on above his knife, was now in his way; and so hindered him from getting at it quickly, that Morgan got one of his fingers fast in his mouth, and deprived him of the use of that hand by holding it, and disconcerted him considerably by chewing it, all the while observing how he would come on with his knife. At length the Indian had got hold of his knife, but so far towards the blade, that Morgan got a small hold of the hinder end; and as the Indian pulled it out