|
| |
Thus, through an uninterrupted scene of sylvan pleasures, I spent the time
until the 27th day of July following, when my brother, to my great felicity, met
me, according to appointment, at our old camp. Shortly after, we left this
place, not thinking it safe to stay there longer, and proceeded to Cumberland
river, reconnoitring that part of the country until March, 1771, and giving
names to the different waters.
Soon after, I returned home to my family with a determination to bring them as
soon as possible to live in Kentucke, which I esteemed a second paradise, at the
risk of my life and fortune.
I returned safe to my old habitation, and found my family in happy
circumstances. I sold my farm on the Yadkin, and what goods we could not carry
with us; and on the twenty-fifth day of September, 1773, bade a farewel to our
friends, and proceeded on our journey to Kentucke, in company with five families
more, and forty men that joined us in Powel's Valley, which is one hundred and
fifty miles from the now settled parts of Kentucke. This promising beginning was
soon overcast with a cloud of adversity; for upon the tenth day of October, the
rear of our company was attacked by a number of Indians, who killed six, and
wounded one man. Of these my eldest son was one that fell in the action. Though
we defended ourselves, and repulsed the enemy, yet this unhappy affair scattered
our cattle, brought us into extreme difficulty, and so discouraged the whole
company, that we retreated forty miles, to the settlement on Clench river. We
had passed over two mountains, viz. Powel's and Walden's, and were approaching
Cumberland mountain when this adverse fortune overtook us. These mountains are
in the wilderness, as we pass from the old settlements in Virginia to Kentucke,
are ranged in a S. west and N. east direction, are of a great length and
breadth, and not far distant from each other. Over these, nature hath formed
passes, that are less difficult than might be expected from a view of such huge
piles. The aspect of these cliffs is so wild and horrid, that it is impossible
to behold them without terror. The spectator is apt to imagine that nature had
formerly suffered some violent convulsion; and that these are the dismembered
remains of the dreadful shock; the ruins, not of Persepolis or Palmyra, but of
the world!
Adventure 7
| |
|
