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During our travels, the Indians entertained me well; and their affection for
me was so great, that they utterly refused to leave me there with the others,
although the Governor offered them one hundred pounds Sterling for me, on
purpose to give me a parole to go home. Several English gentlemen there, being
sensible of my adverse fortune, and touched with human sympathy, generously
offered a friendly supply for my wants, which I refused, with many thanks for
their kindness; adding, that I never expected it would be in my power to
recompense such unmerited generosity.
The Indians left my men in captivity with the British at Detroit, and on the
tenth day of April brought me towards Old Chelicothe, where we arrived on the
twenty-fifth day of the same month. This was a long and fatiguing march, through
an exceeding fertile country, remarkable for fine springs and streams of water.
At Chelicothe I spent my time as comfortably as I could expect; was adopted,
accordin to their custom, into a family where I became a son, and had a great
share in the affection of my new parents, brothers, sisters, and friends. I was
exceedingly familiar and friendly with them, always appearing as chearful and
satisfied as possible, and they put great confidence in me. I often went a
hunting with them, and frequently gained their applause for my activity at our
shooting-matches. I was careful not to exceed many of them in shooting; for no
people are more envious than they in this sport. I could observe, in their
countenances and gestures, the greatest expressions of joy when they exceeded
me; and, when the reverse happened, of envy. The Shawanese king took great
notice of me, and treated me with profound respect, and entire friendship, often
entrusting me to hunt at my liberty. I frequently returned with the spoils of
the woods, and as often presented some of what I had taken to him, expressive of
duty to my sovereign. My food and lodging was, in common, with them, not so good
indeed as I could desire, but necessity made every thing acceptable.
I now began to meditate an escape, and carefully avoided their suspicions,
continuing with them at Old Chelicothe until the first day of June following,
and then was taken by them to the salt springs on Sciotha, and kept there,
making salt, ten days. During this time I hunted some for them, and found the
land, for a great extent about this river, to exceed the soil of Kentucke, if
possible, and remarkably well watered. When I returned to Chelicothe, alarmed to
see four hundred and fifty Indians, of their choicest warriors, painted and
armed in a fearful manner, ready to march against Boonsborough, I determined to
escape the first opportunity.
On the sixteenth, before sun-rise, I departed in the most secret manner, and
arrived at Boonsborough on the twentieth, after a journey of one hundred and
sixty miles; during which, I had but one meal.
Adventure 12
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