The ADVENTURES of Col. DANIEL BOON;
Page: 10

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