CAPTAIN BENHAM WOUNDED.

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be attributed more to the nature of the battle-ground than to their numerical superiority. They lay encamped at the foot of the river hill, a few hundred yards from its bank, on which Rogers and his men stood anxiously watching the rafts and canoes mentioned above. In this situation the Indians had only to flank to the right and left from the base of the hill to the river-a maneuver which they always performed with skill and celerity-to secure their prey. Thus hemmed in, surrounded and surprised, it is only astonishing, considering the disparity of numbers, that they were not all massacred.1

Leonidas in the straits of Thermopyla had not to contend with more discouraging circumstances than the brave and unfortunate Rogers in this bloody horseshoe. The Indians took and plundered one of the boats, by which they got considerable booty, consisting of ready-made clothing and munitions of war, which Colonel Rogers had obtained from the Spaniards for the use of the forts on the frontier of Virginia.

It may be asked, what could have collected on the banks of the Ohio, at so early a period, four or five hundred Indian warriors armed and equipped for battle? They were for a predatory incursion against the white settlements in the interior of Kentucky-an expedition which they had undertaken in the vain expectation of extirpating the settlers. The chief of this daring band of marauders was a Canadian Frenchman of the half blood by the name of Byrd. Born and reared among savages, he was alike distinguished for cunning and ferocity-qualities which are supposed to be somewhat peculiar to this mongrel breed. Such, however, was the outline of his character as drawn by Colonel Campbell, whom he carried a prisoner to Detroit, and who was treated by him on the way in a most barbarous manner.

Captain Benham, shortly after breaking through the enemy's line, was dangerously wounded through the hips. Fortunately, a large tree had lately fallen near the spot where he lay, and with great pain he dragged himself into the top, and lay concealed among the branches. The Indians, eager in pursuit of the others, passed him without notice, and by midnight all was quiet. On the following day, the Indians returned to the battle-ground, in order to strip the dead and take care of the boats. Benham, although in danger of famishing, permitted them to pass without making known his condition, very correctly supposing that his crippled legs would only induce them to tomahawk him on the spot, in order to avoid the trouble of carrying him to their town. He lay close, therefore, until the evening of the second day, when, perceiving a raccoon descending a tree near him, he shot it, hoping to devise some means of reaching it, when he could kindle a fire and make a meal. Scarcely had his gun cracked, however, when he heard a human cry, apparently not more than fifty yards off. Supposing it to be an Indian, he hastily reloaded his gun and remained silent, expecting the approach of an enemy. Presently the same voice was heard again, but much nearer. Still Benham made no reply, but cocked his gun, and sat ready to 1 Butler, pp. 102-6; McClung's Sketches.

fire as soon as an object appeared. A third halloo was quickly heard, followed by an exclamation of impatience and distress, which convinced Benham that the unknown must be a Kentuckian. As soon, therefore, as he heard the expression, "Whoever you are, for God's sake, answer me!" he replied with readiness, and the parties were soon together. Benham, as we have already observed, was shot through both legs. The comrade, John Watson, who now appeared, had escaped from the same battle, with both arms broken! Thus, each was enabled to supply what the other wanted. Benham, having the perfect use of his arms, could load his gun and kill game with great readiness; while his friend, having the use of his legs, could kick the game to the spot where Benham sat, who was thus enabled to cook it. When no wood was near them, his companion would rake up brush with his feet, and gradually roll it within reach of Benham's hands, who constantly fed him and dressed his wounds, as well as his own, tearing up both of their shirts for that purpose. They found some difficulty in procuring water at first; but Benham, at length, took his own hat, and placing the rim between the teeth of his companion, directed him to wade into the Licking, up to his neck, and dip the hat into the water by sinking his head. Watson, who could walk, was thus enabled to bring water by means of his teeth, which Benham would afterward dispose of as was necessary.

In a few days they had killed all the squirrels and birds within reach, and Watson was sent out to drive game within gunshot of the spot to which Benham was confined. Fortunately, wild turkeys were abundant in these woods, and his companion would walk around and drive them toward Benham, who seldom failed to kill two or three of each flock. In this manner they supported themselves for several weeks, until their wounds had healed so as to enable them to travel. They then shifted their quarters, and put up a small shed at the mouth of the Licking, where they encamped until late in November, anxiously expecting the arrival of some boat, which should convey them to the Falls of Ohio.

On the 27th of November, they observed a flatboat moving leisurely down the river. Benham instantly hoisted his hat upon a stick, and hallooed loudly for help. The crew, however, supposing them to be Indians, with intention to decoy them ashore, paid no attention to their signals of distress, but instantly put over to the opposite side of the river, and manning every oar, endeavored to pass them as rapidly as possible. Benham beheld them pass him with a sensation bordering on anguish, for the place was much frequented by Indians, and the approach of winter threatened them with despair, unless speedily relieved. At length, after the boat had passed him nearly half a mile, he saw a canoe put off from its stern, and cautiously approach the Kentucky shore, evidently reconnoitering them, with great suspicion. He called loudly upon them for assistance, mentioned his name, and made known his condition. After a long parley, and many evidences of reluctance on the part of the crew, the canoe at length touched the shore, and Benham and

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his friend were taken on board. Their appearance excited much suspicion. They were almost entirely naked, and their faces were garnished with six weeks' growth of beard. Benham was barely able to hobble upon crutches, and Watson could manage to feed himself with one of his hands. They were instantly taken to Louisville, where their clothes, which had been carried off in the boat which deserted them, were restored to them, and after a few weeks' confinement, both were perfectly restored.

In this age, and at this distant interval of time, it is difficult for us to realize that there were sufficient inducements to attract immigrants to a country so beset with dangers, and where life and property seem daily to have been at the hazard of savage assault. Yet, we find to-day that the restless spirit of adventure, and the ever insatiate curiosity in man, are alone sufficient to incite him to deeds of daring and danger as great as those which beset the early Kentuckians. Though disaster and failure follow upon each vain attempt to reach the North Pole, yet others are ever ready to put their lives in jeopardy again, and hazard their all, when another Arctic expedition is announced. Thus, the restless goings of men explore and reveal to us the mysteries of interior Africa, the antiquated wonders of Corea and China, and the isolated resources and treasures of Mexico and Central America. Besides this mere spirit of unrest and desire for change, there were the prospective homes and fortunes, the peace and plenty, and the security and independence that must come at last to the Kentucky pioneer, if not for himself to enjoy, at least for his children.

CHAPTER XV.

(1780.)

The enemies to the colonization and settlement of Kentucky, which assumed such a tidal growth, found a new ally in the unprecedented severity

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of the winter that ushered in the year 1780.1 The increase of population the preceding autumn had consumed the limited supply of the products of the field and garden by the closing of December. It was expected to replenish by transportation, as needed, but the solid ice, the deep snow, and the extreme rigors of the weather, made this impossible. The privations and sufferings consequent were sufficient to make the season ever after remembered as the "hard winter." For months, the creeks or smaller streams were frozen solid. Many families, moving in by river and land, were compelled to encamp and abide the inhospitable elements, and to endure the pains of hunger and cold in the midst of the solitudes of the wilderness. The desolate camp-fires were lit along the banks of the navigable rivers wherever the enfolding ice may have arrested the floating boat; or in the forests, where the swelling snowdrifts forbade further progress of the wearied pack-horse. The diminishing stores of food were doled out with miserly hands, and saved for the ominous future by substituting for the time the spoils of the hunter from the adjacent woods. Some, more destitute, were compelled to depend on the generous sacrifice of neighboring camps to share with them the meager supplies.

In the meantime, both the domestic cattle and the wild animals became so impoverished that many of both kinds died for the want of nourishment where there happened to be no cane, the common winter herbage for the buffalo and deer, as well as for cattle. Such was the extremity to which some emigrants were reduced, that they were forced to eat of the flesh of these dead animals, or accept the alternative of themselves perishing of hunger. The supply of breadstuffs was generally exhausted, and the majority of the people for months lived on meat alone. With rich and poor, master and servant, delicate and robust, one common fate and one common fare were shared together.

The advance of the vernal season afforded some relief. The springing cow, feasting on the foliage of leaves and grasses, divided her secretive treasury with the friendly family, but too eager to add the items of milk and butter to the short bill of fare so long endured. The indigenous salads and early berries came next, and finally the feast of garden vegetables and the unctuous roasting-ears of corn gave relish to the appetizing hunger of long fasting. Bounteous Providence restored again, and there was plenty in the land; but not yet its adjunct, peace. The sunshine that melted the snows and ice, and which brought to the people these blessings, brought also their old and familiar acquaintances, the Indians.

In the meantime, and despite all discouragements, the inflow of immigration continued, new arrivals were frequent, and new settlements multiplied, until the inchoate Commonwealth began to assume the proportions of an interior colony.2

The Falls of Ohio seemed to attract the especial attention of emigrants, land agents, and adventurers, as well as increase in importance as the center 1 Marshall, Vol. I., pp. 102-3.

2 Marshall, Vol. I., p. 103.