Pioneers of the Old Southwest

第4章

ThewayhomebytheKentuckywasalongroadforwearyandwoundedmenwithhungergnawingundertheirbelts。Weknowwhoswungoutalongthetrailtoprovideforthatlittleband，"dressedindeerskinscoloredblack，andhishairplaitedandbobbedup。"ItwasDanielBoone——now，bypopulardemand，CaptainBoone——just"dischargedfromService，"sincethevalleyfortsneededhimnolonger。Oncemoreonlyahunter，hewenthiswayoverWaldenMountain——pasthisson’sgravemarkingtheplacewhereHEhadbeenturnedback——toservethemenwhohadopenedthegates。

ChapterVII。TheDarkAndBloodyGroundWiththecomingofspringDanielBoone’sdesire，solongcherishedanddeferred，tomakeawayforhisneighborsthroughthewildernesswastobefulfilledatlast。Buterehisaxcouldslashthethicketsfromthehomeseekers’path，morethantwohundredsettlershadenteredKentuckybythenorthernwaterways。

EightyormoreofthesesettledatHarrodsburg，whereHarrodwaslayingouthistownonagenerousplan，with"in-lots"ofhalfanacreand"out-lots"oflargersize。AmongthoseassociatedwithHarrodwasGeorgeRogersClark，whohadsurveyedclaimsforhimselfduringtheyearbeforethewar。

Whileovertwohundredcolonistswerepickingouthomesiteswherevertheirpleasureorprudencedictated，agiganticlandpromotionscheme——involvingtheverytractswheretheyweresowingtheirfirstcorn——wasbeingsetafootinNorthCarolinabyabodyofmenwhofigureintheearlyhistoryofKentuckyastheTransylvaniaCompany。TheleaderofthisorganizationwasJudgeRichardHenderson。*JudgeHendersondreamedabigdream。Hiscastleintheairhadimperialproportions。Heresolved，inshort，topurchasefromtheCherokeeIndiansthelargerpartofKentuckyandtoestablishthereacolonyafterthemannerandtheeconomicformoftheEnglishLordsProprietors，whosedayinAmericawassonearlydone。Thoughinthelightofhistorytheplanlosesnoneofitsdramaticfeatures，itshowsthepracticaldefectsthatmustsurelyhavepreventeditsrealization。LikemanyanotherCaesarhungeringforempireandstakingalltowinit，theprospectivelordofKentucky，asweshallsee，hadleftthehumanequationoutofhiscalculations。

*RichardHenderson（1734-1785）wasthesonoftheHighSheriffofGranvilleCounty。Atfirstanassistanttohisfather，hestudiedlawandsoonachievedareputationbythebrillianceofhismindandthemagnetismofhispersonality。AspresidingJudgeatHillsboroughhehadcomeintoconflictwiththeviolentelementamongtheRegulators，whohaddrivenhimfromthecourtandburnedhishouseandbarns。Forsometimepriortohiselevationtothebench，hehadbeenengagedinlandspeculations。

OneofBoone’sbiographerssuggeststhatBoonemayhavebeensecretlyactingasHenderson’sagentduringhisfirstlonelyexplorationsofKentucky。Howeverthismaybe，itdoesnotappearthatBooneandhisYadkinneighborswereactingwithHendersonwheninSeptember，1773，theymadetheirfirstattempttoenterKentuckyassettlers。

RichardHendersonhadknownDanielBooneontheYadkin；anditwasBoone’sdetailedreportsofthemarvelousrichnessandbeautyofKentuckywhichhadinspiredhimtoformulatehisgiganticschemeandhadenabledhimalsotowintohissupportseveralmenofprominenceintheBackCountry。TosoundtheCherokeesregardingthepurchaseandtoarrange，ifpossible，foraconference，HendersondispatchedBoonetotheIndiantownsintheearlydaysof1775。

SincewehavejustlearnedthatDunmore’sWarcompelledtheShawanoesandtheiralliestorelinquishtheirrighttoKentucky，that，bothbeforeandafterthatevent，governmentsurveyorswereintheterritorysurveyingforthesoldiers’claims，andthatprivateindividualshadalreadylaidouttownsitesandstakedholdings，itmaybeaskedwhatrightofownershiptheCherokeespossessedinKentucky，thatHendersondesiredtopurchaseitofthem。TheIndiantitletoKentuckyseemstohavebeenhardlylessvaguetotheredmenthanitwastothewhites。Severalofthenationshadlaidclaimtotheterritory。Aslateas1753，itwillberemembered，theShawanoeshadoccupiedatownatBlueLicks，forJohnFindlayhadbeentakentherebysomeofthem。But，beforeFindlayguidedBoonethroughtheGapin1769，theShawanoeshadbeendrivenoutbytheIroquois，whoclaimedsuzeraintyoverthemaswellasovertheCherokees。In1768，theIroquoishadcededKentuckytotheBritishCrownbythetreatyofFortStanwix；whereupontheCherokeeshadprotestedsovociferouslythattheCrown’sIndianagent，toquietthem，hadsignedacollateralagreementwiththem。Thoughclaimedbymany，Kentuckywasbycommonconsentnotinhabitedbyanyofthetribes。ItwasthegreatMiddleGroundwheretheIndianshunted。

ItwastheWarriors’Pathoverwhichtheyrodefromnorthandsouthtoslaughterandwheremanyoftheirfiercestencounterstookplace。HowevershadowythetitlewhichHendersonpurposedtobuy，therewasoneall-sufficingreasonwhyhemustcometotermswiththeCherokees：theirnorthernmosttownsinTennesseelayonlyfiftyorsixtymilesbelowCumberlandGapandhencecommandedtherouteoverwhichhemustleadcolonistsintohisempirebeyondthehills。

TheconferencetookplaceearlyinMarch，1775，attheSycamoreShoalsoftheWataugaRiver。TwelvehundredIndians，ledbytheir"townchiefs"——amongwhomweretheoldwarriorandtheoldstatesmanoftheirnation，OconostotaandAttakullakulla——cametothetreatygroundsandwerereceivedbyHendersonandhisassociatesandseveralhundredwhitemenwhowereeagerforachancetosettleonnewlands。ThoughBoonewasnowonhiswayintoKentuckyfortheTransylvaniaCompany，otherborderleadersofrenownorwiththeirfamestilltowinwerepresent，andamongthemJamesRobertson，ofseriousmien，andthatblondgayknightinbuckskin，JohnSevier。

Itisadramaticpictureweevolveforourselvesfromthemeagernarrativesofthisevent——amassofpaintedIndiansmovingthroughthesycamoresbythebrightwater，tocomepresentlyintoatense，immobilesemicirclebeforethelargegroupofarmedfrontiersmenseatedorstandingaboutRichardHenderson，themanwiththeimperialdream，thereadyspeakerwhoseflashingeyesandglowingoratorywontheheartsofallwhocameundertheirsway。WhatthoughtheCherokeetitlebeaflimsyoneatbestandthepriceofferedforitabagatelle！ThespiritofForwardMarch！isthereinthatgreatcanvasframedbyforestandsky。

Thesombernotethattonesitslustrouscolor，asbyasweepofthebrush，isthefigureoftheChickamauganchief，DraggingCanoe，warriorandseerandhaterofwhitemen，whourgeshistribesmenagainstthesaleand，whentheywillnothearken，springsfromtheirmidstintotheclearspacebeforeHendersonandhisbandofpioneersand，pointingwithupliftedarm，warnsthemthatadarkcloudhangsoverthelandthewhitemancovetswhichtotheredmanhaslongbeenabloodyground。*

*ThisutteranceofDraggingCanoe’sisgenerallysupposedtobetheoriginofthedescriptivephraseappliedtoKentucky——"theDarkandBloodyGround。"SeeRoosevelt，"TheWinningoftheWest，"vol。I，p。229。

Thepurchase，finallyconsummated，includedthecountrylyingbetweentheKentuckyandCumberlandRiversalmostallthepresentStateofKentucky，withtheadjacentlandwateredbytheCumberlandRiveranditstributaries，exceptcertainlandspreviouslyleasedbytheIndianstotheWataugaColony。ThetractcomprisedabouttwentymillionacresandextendedintoTennessee。

DanielBoone’sworkwastocutoutaroadforthewagonsoftheTransylvaniaCompany’scoloniststopassover。ThiswastobedonebyslashingawaythebriersandunderbrushhedgingthenarrowWarriors’PaththatmadeadirectnorthwardlinefromCumberlandGaptotheOhiobank，oppositethemouthoftheSciotoRiver。JustpriortotheconferenceBooneand"thirtyguns"hadsetforthfromtheHolstontopreparetheroadandtobuildafortonwhateversiteheshouldselect。

ByApril，Hendersonandhisfirstgroupoftenantswereonthetrail。InPowell’sValleytheycameupwithapartyofVirginiansKentuckybound，ledbyBenjaminLogan；andthetwobandsjoinedtogetherforthemarch。Theyhadnotgonefarwhentheyhearddisquietingnews。AfterleavingMartin’sStation，atthegatesofhisnewdomain，HendersonreceivedaletterfromBoonetellingofanattackbyIndians，inwhichtwoofhismenhadbeenkilled，but"westoodonthegroundandguardedourbaggagetillthedayandlostnothing。"*Thesetidings，indicatingthatdespitetreatiesandsales，thesavageswereagainonthewarpath，mightwellalarmHenderson’scolonists。Whiletheyhalted，someindecisive，othersfranklyforretreat，thereappearedacompanyofmenmakingallhasteoutofKentuckybecauseofIndianunrest。

SixoftheseHendersonpersuadedtoturnagainandgoinwithhim；butthisadditionhardlyoffsetthelossofthosemembersofhispartywhothoughtittooperiloustoproceed。Henderson’sowncouragedidnotfalter。Hehadstakedhisallonthisstupendousventureandforhimitwasforwardtowealthandgloryorretreatintopovertyandeclipse。Boone，intheheartofthedanger，wasmakingthesamestand。"Ifwegivewaytothem[theIndians]

now，"hewrote，"itwilleverbethecase。"

*Bogart，"DanielBooneandtheHuntersofKentucky。"p。121。

SignsofdiscordotherthanIndianoppositionmetHendersonasheresolutelypushedon。HisconversationswithsomeofthefugitivesfromKentuckydisclosedthefirstindicationsofthestormthatwastoblowawaytheempirehewasgoingintofound。

HetoldthemthattheclaimstheyhadstakedinKentuckywouldnotholdgoodwiththeTransylvaniaCompany。WhereuponJamesMcAfee，whowasleadingagroupofreturningmen，statedhisopinionthattheTransylvaniaCompany’sclaimwouldnotholdgoodwithVirginia。Aftertheparley，threeofMcAfee’sbrothersturnedbackandwentwithHenderson’sparty，butwhetherwithintenttojoinhiscolonyortomakegoodtheirownclaimsisnotapparent。BenjaminLogancontinuedamicablywithHendersononthemarchbutdidnotrecognizehimasLordProprietorofKentucky。

HelefttheTransylvaniacaravanshortlyafterenteringtheterritory，branchedoffinthedirectionofHarrodsburg，andfoundedSt。Asaph’sStation，inthepresentLincolnCounty，independentlyofHendersonthoughthesitelaywithinHenderson’spurchase。

Notwithstandingdelaysandapprehensions，HendersonandhiscolonistsfinallyreachedBoone’sFort，whichDanielandhis"thirtyguns"——lackingtwosincetheIndianencounter——haderectedatthemouthofOtterCreek。

AnattractivebuoyancyoftemperamentisrevealedinHenderson’sdescriptioninhisjournalofagiantelmwithtallstraighttrunkandevenfoliagethatshadedaspaceofonehundredfeet。

Instantlyhechosethis"divineelm"asthecouncilchamberofTransylvania。Underitsleafagehereadtheconstitutionofthenewcolony。Itwouldbetoogreatastretchoffancytocallitademocraticdocument，foritwasnotthat，exceptindeftphrases。

Powerwascertainlydeclaredtobevestedinthepeople；butthesubstanceofpowerremainedinthehandsoftheProprietors。

Termsforlandgrantsweregenerousenoughinthebeginning，althoughHendersonmadethefatalmistakeofdemandingquitrents——oneofthecausesofdissatisfactionwhichhadledtotheRegulators’risinginNorthCarolina。InSeptemberheaugmentedthiserrorbymorethandoublingthepriceofland，addingafeeofeightshillingsforsurveying，andreservingtotheProprietorsone-halfofallgold，silver，lead，andsulphurfoundontheland。Nolandnearsulphurspringsorshowingevidencesofmetalswastobegrantedtosettlers。Moreover，attheCompany’sstorethepriceschargedforleadweresaidtobetoohigh——leadbeingnecessaryforhunting，andhuntingbeingtheonlymeansofprocuringfood——whilethewagesoflabor，asfixedbytheCompany，weretoolow。Thesetermsboretooheavilyonpoormenwhowereriskingtheirlivesinthecolony。

HencenewcomerspassedbyBoonesborough，astheTransylvaniasettlementwaspresentlycalled，andwentelsewhere。TheysettledonHenderson’slandbutrefusedhisterms。TheyjoinedintheirsympathieswithJamesHarrod，who，havingestablishedHarrodsburginthepreviousyearattheinvitationofVirginia，wasnotinthehumortoacknowledgeHenderson’sclaimortopayhimtribute。

AllwerewillingtocombinewiththeTransylvaniaCompanyfordefense，andtoenforcelawtheywoulduniteinbondsofbrotherhoodinKentucky，evenastheyhadbeenonewitheachotherontheearlierfrontiernowleftbehindthem。Buttheywouldcallnomanmaster；theyhaddonewithfeudalism。ThatHendersonshouldnothaveforeseenthis，especiallyaftertheupheavalinNorthCarolina，proveshim，inspiteofallhisbrilliantgifts，tohavebeenamanoutoftouchwiththespiritofthetime。

ThewaroftheRevolutionbrokeforthandtheIndiansdescendedupontheKentuckystations。Defensewastheoneprobleminallminds，anddefenserequiredpowderandleadinplenty。TheTransylvaniaCompanywasnotabletoprovidethemeansofdefenseagainstthehordesofsavageswhomHenryHamilton，theBritishGovernoratDetroit，wassendingtomakewaronthefrontiers。

PracticalmenlikeHarrodandGeorgeRogersClark——who，ifnotapracticalmaninhisowninterests，wasamostpracticalsoldier——sawthatunificationofinterestswithintheterritorywiththebackingofeitherVirginiaorCongresswasnecessary。

Clarkpersonallywouldhavepreferredtoseethesettlerscombineasafreemen’sstate。ItwasplainthattheywouldnotcombineandstaketheirlivesasaunittoholdKentuckyforthebenefitoftheTransylvaniaCompany，whoseauthoritysomeofthemostprominentmenintheterritoryhadrefusedtorecognize。TheProprietaryofTransylvaniacouldcontinuetoexistonlytothedangerofeverylifeinKentucky。

WhiletheProprietorssentadelegatetotheContinentalCongresstowinofficialrecognitionforTransylvania，eighty-fourmenatHarrodsburgdrewupapetitionaddressedtoVirginiastatingtheirdoubtsofthelegalityofHenderson’stitleandrequestingVirginiatoassertherauthorityaccordingtothestipulationsofhercharter。ThatdefensewastheprimaryandessentialmotiveoftheHarrodsburgRemonstranceseemsplain，forwhenGeorgeRogersClarksetoffonfootwithonecompaniontolaythedocumentbeforetheVirginianauthorities，healsowenttopleadforaloadofpowder。Inhisaccountofthathazardousjourney，asamatteroffact，hemakesscantreferencetoTransylvania，excepttosaythatthegreedoftheProprietorswouldsoonbringthecolonytoitsend，butshowsthathismindwasseldomoffthepowder。ItisadetailofhistorythattheContinentalCongressrefusedtoseatthedelegatefromTransylvania。HendersonhimselfwenttoVirginiatomakethefightforhislandbeforetheAssembly。*

*In1778VirginiadisallowedHenderson’stitlebutgrantedhimtwohundredthousandacresbetweentheGreenandKentuckyriversforhistroubleandexpenseinopeningupthecountry。

ThemagneticcenterofBoonesborough’slifewasthelovableandunassumingDanielBoone。SoonafterthebuildingofthefortDanielhadbroughtinhiswifeandfamily。HeusedoftentostatewithamildpridethathiswifeanddaughterswerethefirstwhitewomentostandonthebanksoftheKentuckyRiver。Thatpridehadnotbeenunmixedwithanxiety；hisdaughterJemimaandtwodaughtersofhisfriend，RichardGalloway，whileboatingontheriverhadbeencapturedbyShawanoesandcarriedoff。Boone，accompaniedbythegirls’loversandbyJohnFloyd（eagertorepayhisdebtoflife-savingtoBoone）hadpursuedthem，tracingthewaythecaptorshadtakenbybrokentwigsandscrapsofdressgoodswhichoneofthegirlshadcontrivedtoleaveintheirpath，hadcomeontheIndiansunawares，killedthem，andrecoveredthethreegirlsunhurt。

Inthesummerof1776，Virginiatookofficialnoteof"CaptainBooneofBoonesborough，"forshesenthimasmallsupplyofpowder。Themenofthelittlecolony，whichhadbegunsopretentiouslywithitsconstitutionandassembly，werenowobligedtoputallotherplansasideandtoconcentrateonthequestionoffoodanddefense。Therewasadangerousscarcityofpowderandlead。ThenearestpointsatwhichthesenecessariescouldbeprocuredweretheWataugaandHolstonRiversettlements，whichwerethemselvesnonetoowellstocked。HarrodandLogan，sometimein1777，reachedtheWataugafortwiththreeorfourpackhorsesandfilledtheirpacksfromSevier’sstore；but，astheynearedhome，theyweredetectedbyredscoutsandLoganwasbadlywoundedbeforeheandHarrodwereabletodrivetheirpreciousloadsafelythroughthegatesatHarrodsburg。Intheautumnof1777，Clark，withaboatloadofammunition，reachedMaysvilleontheOhio，havingsuccessfullyrunthegauntletbetweenbanksinpossessionofthefoe。HehadwrestedthepowderandleadfromtheVirginiaCouncilbythreatstotheeffectthatifVirginiawassowillingtoloseKentucky——forofcourse"acountrynotworthdefendingisnotworthclaiming"——heandhisfellowswerequitereadytotakeKentuckyforthemselvesandtoholditwiththeirswordsagainstallcomers，Virginiaincluded。

ByevensuchcogentreasoninghadheconvincedtheCouncil——whichhadtriedtohedgebyexpressingdoubtsthatVirginiawouldreceivetheKentuckysettlersas"citizensoftheState"——thatitwouldbecheapertogivehimthepowder。

Becausesomanysettlershadfledandtheothershadcomeclosertogetherfortheircommongood，HarrodsburgandBoonesboroughwerenowtheonlyoccupiedpostsinKentucky。Othersettlements，once，thriving，wereabandoned；and，undertheterror，theWildreclaimedthem。InApril，1777，Boonesboroughunderwentitsfirstsiege。Boone，leadingasortie，wasshotandhefellwithashatteredankle。AnIndianrusheduponhimandwasswingingthetomahawkoverhimwhenSimonKenton，giantfrontiersmanandheroofmanydaringdeeds，rushedforward，shottheIndian，threwBooneacrosshisback，andfoughthiswaydesperatelytosafety。

ItwassomemonthsereBoonewashisnimbleselfagain。Butthoughhecouldnot"standuptotheguns，"hedirectedalloperationsfromhiscabin。

ThenextyearBoonewasreadyfornewventuresgrowingfromthesettlers’needs。Saltwasnecessarytopreservemeatthroughthesummer。AccordinglyBooneandtwenty-sevenmenwentuptotheBlueLicksinFebruary，1778，toreplenishtheirsupplybythesimpleprocessofboilingthesaltwateroftheLickstillthesalineparticlesadheredtothekettles。Boonewasreturningalone，withapack-horseloadofsaltandgame，whenablindingsnowstormovertookhimandhidfromviewfourstealthyShawanoesonhistrail。Hewasseizedandcarriedtoacampof120warriorsledbytheFrenchCanadian，Dequindre，andJamesandGeorgeGirty，twowhiterenegades。AmongtheIndiansweresomeofthosewhohadcapturedhimonhisfirstexploringtripthroughKentuckyandwhomhehadtwicegiventheslip。Theirhilaritywasunbounded。

BoonequicklylearnedthatthisbandwasonitswaytosurpriseBoonesborough。ItwasaseasonwhenIndianattackswerenotexpected；nearlythreescoreofthemenwereatthesaltspringand，tomakemattersworse，thewallsofthenewfortwherethesettlersandtheirfamilieshadgatheredwereasyetcompletedononlythreesides。Boonesboroughwas，inshort，well-nighdefenseless。ToturntheIndiansfromtheirpurpose，Booneconceivedthedesperateschemeofofferingtoleadthemtothesaltmakers’campwiththeassurancethatheandhiscompanionswerewillingtojointhetribe。HeunderstoodIndianswellenoughtofeelsurethatoncepossessedofnearlythirtyprisoners，theShawanoeswouldnottroublefurtheraboutBoonesboroughbutwouldhastentomakeatriumphalentryintotheirowntowns。Thatsome，perhapsall，ofthewhitemenwouldassuredlydie，heknewwell；

butitwastheonlywaytosavethewomenandchildreninBoonesborough。InspiteofDequindreandtheGirtys，whowereleadingamilitaryexpeditionforthereductionofafort，theShawanoesfellinwiththesuggestion。Whentheyhadtakentheirprisoners，themorebloodthirstywarriorsinthebandwantedtotomahawkthemallonthespot。Byhisdiplomaticdiscourse，however，Boonedissuadedthem，forthetimebeingatleast，andthewholecompanysetoffforthetownsontheLittleMiami。

Theweatherbecamesevere，verylittlegamecrossedtheirroute，andfordaystheysubsistedonslipperyelmbark。Theloversofblooddidnotholdbacktheirscalpingknivesandseveraloftheprisonersperished；butBlackFish，thechiefthenofmostpowerinShawanoecouncils，adoptedBooneashisson，andgavehimthenameofSheltowee，orBigTurtle。Thoughwatchedzealouslytopreventescape，BigTurtlewastreatedwitheveryconsiderationandhonor；and，aswewouldsaytoday，heplayedthegame。HeenteredintotheIndianlifewithapparentzest，tookpartinhuntsandsportsandtheracesandshootingmatchesinwhichtheIndiansdelighted，buthewasalwayscarefulnottooutrunoroutshoothisopponents。BlackFishtookhimtoDetroitwhensomeofthetribeescortedtheremainderoftheprisonerstotheBritishpost。TherehemetGovernorHamiltonand，inthehopeofobtaininghisliberty，heledthatdignitarytobelievethatheandtheotherpeopleofBoonesboroughwereeagertomovetoDetroitandtakerefugeundertheBritishflag。*ItissaidthatBoonealwayscarriedinawalletroundhisnecktheKing’scommissiongivenhiminDunmore’sWar；andthatheexhibitedittoHamiltontobearouthisstory。HamiltonsoughttoransomhimfromtheIndians，butBlackFishwouldnotsurrenderhisnewson。

TheGovernorgaveBooneapony，withsaddleandtrappings，andotherpresents，includingtrinketstobeusedinprocuringhisneedsandpossiblyhislibertyfromtheShawanoes。

*SowelldidBooneplayhispartthathearousedsuspicioneveninthosewhoknewhimbest。AfterhisreturntoBoonesboroughhisoldfriend，Calloway，formallyaccusedhimoftreacheryontwocounts：thatBoonehadbetrayedthesaltmakerstotheIndiansandhadplannedtobetrayBoonesboroughtotheBritish。Boonewastriedandacquitted。Hissimpleexplanationofhisactssatisfiedthecourt-martialandmadehimagreaterherothaneveramongthefrontierfolk。

BlackFishthentookhissonhometoChillicothe。HereBoonefoundDelawaresandMingosassemblingwiththemainbodyoftheShawanoewarriors。ThewarbeltwasbeingcarriedthroughtheOhiocountry。AgainBoonesboroughandHarrodsburgweretobethefirstsettlementsattacked。ToescapeandgivewarningwasnowtheonepurposethatobsessedBoone。HeredoubledhiseffortstothrowtheIndiansofftheirguard。HesangandwhistledblithelyaboutthecampatthemouthoftheSciotoRiver，whitherhehadaccompaniedhisIndianfathertohelpinthesaltboiling。Inshort，heseemedsoveryhappythatonedayBlackFishtookhiseyeoffhimforafewmomentstowatchthepassingofaflockofturkeys。BigTurtlepassedwiththeflock，leavingnotrace。Tohislamentingparentitmusthaveseemedasthoughhehadvanishedintotheair。DanielcrossedtheOhioandranthe160

milestoBoonesboroughinfourdays，duringwhichtimehehadonlyonemeal，fromabuffaloheshotattheBlueLicks。Whenhereachedthefortafteranabsenceofnearlyfivemonths，hefoundthathiswifehadgivenhimupfordeadandhadreturnedtotheYadkin。

Boonenowbeganwithallspeedtodirectpreparationstowithstandasiege。OwingtotheIndian’sleisurelysystemofcouncilsandceremoniesbeforetakingthewarpath，itwasnotuntilthefirstweekinSeptemberthatBlackFish’spaintedwarriors，withsomeFrenchmenunderDequindre，appearedbeforeBoonesborough。Ninedaysthesiegelastedandwasthelongestinborderhistory。Dequindre，seeingthatthefortmightnotbetaken，resortedtotrickery。HerequestedBooneandafewofhismentocomeoutforaparley，sayingthathisordersfromHamiltonweretoprotectthelivesoftheAmericansasfaraspossible。Boone’sfriend，Calloway，urgedagainstacceptanceoftheapparentlybenignproposalwhichwasmade，soDequindreaverred，for"bienfaisanceethumanite。"Butthewordswerethewordsofawhiteman，andBoonehearkenedtothem。Witheightofthegarrisonhewentouttotheparley。Afteralongtalkinwhichgoodwillwasexpressedonbothsides，itwassuggestedbyBlackFishthattheyallshakehandsand，asthereweresomanymoreIndiansthanwhitemen，twoIndiansshould，ofcourse，shakehandswithonewhiteman，eachgraspingoneofhishands。Themomentthattheirhandsgripped，thetrickwasclear，fortheIndiansexertedtheirstrengthtodragoffthewhitemen。

Desperatescufflingensuedinwhichthewhiteswithdifficultyfreedthemselvesandranforthefort。Callowayhadpreparedforemergencies。ThepursuingIndiansweremetwithadeadlyfire。

Afteradefeatedattempttominetheforttheenemywithdrew。

ThesuccessfuldefenseofBoonesboroughwasanachievementofnationalimportance，forhadBoonesboroughfallen，Harrodsburgalonecouldnothavestood。TheIndiansundertheBritishwouldhaveoverrunKentucky；andGeorgeRogersClark——whosebaseforhisIllinoisoperationswastheKentuckyforts——couldnothavemadethecampaignswhichwrestedtheNorthwestfromthecontrolofGreatBritain。

AgainVirginiatookofficialnoteofCaptainBoonewhenin1779

theLegislatureestablishedBoonesborough"atownforthereceptionoftraders"andappointedBoonehimselfoneofthetrusteestoattendtothesaleandregistrationoflots。AnoddofficethatwasforDaniel，whoneverlearnedtoattendtotheregistrationofhisown；hedeclinedit。Hisnameappearsagain，however，alittlelaterwhenVirginiamadethewholeofKentuckyoneofhercountieswiththefollowingofficers：ColonelDavidRobinson，CountyLieutenant；GeorgeRogersClark，AnthonyBledsoe，andJohnBowman，Majors；DanielBoone，JamesHarrod，BenjaminLogan，andJohnTodd，Captains。

Boonesborough’ssuccessfulresistancecausedlandspeculatorsaswellasprospectivesettlerstotakeheartofgrace。PartiesmadetheirwaytoBoonesborough，Harrodsburg，andeventotheFallsoftheOhio，whereClark’sfortandblockhousesnowstood。Inthesummerof1779ClarkhaderectedontheKentuckysideoftheriveralargefortwhichbecamethenucleusofthetownofLouisville。Here，whilehewaseatinghisheartoutwithimpatienceformoneyandmentoenablehimtomarchtotheattackofDetroit，ashehadplanned，heamusedhimselfbydrawingupplansforacity。Helaidoutprivatesectionsandpublicparksandcontemplatedthebringinginoffamiliesonlytoinhabithiscity，for，oddlyenough，hewhonevermarriedwasgoingtomakeshortshiftofmerebachelorsinhisCityBeautiful。Betweenpenscratches，nodoubt，helookedoutfrequentlyupontherivertodescryifpossibleaboatloadofammunitionorthebannersofthetroopshehadbeenpromised。

Whenneitherappeared，hegaveuptheideaofDetroitandsetabouterectingdefensesonthesouthernborder，fortheChoctawsandCherokees，unitedunderawhiteleadernamedColbert，werethreateningKentuckybywayoftheMississippi。Hebuiltin1780

FortJeffersoninwhatisnowBallardCounty，andhadbarelycompletedthenewpostandgarrisoneditwithaboutthirtymenwhenitwasbesiegedbyColbertandhissavages。TheIndians，assaultingbynight，wereluredintoapositiondirectlybeforeacannonwhichpouredleadintoamassofthem。Theremainderfledinterrorfromthevicinityofthefort；butColbertsucceededinrallyingthemandwasreturningtotheattackwhenhesuddenlyencounteredClarkwithacompanyofmenandwasforcedtoabandonhisenterprise。

ClarkknewthattheOhioIndianswouldcomedownonthesettlementsagainduringthesummerandthattomeettheironslaughtseverymaninKentuckywouldberequired。HelearnedthattherewasanewinfluxoflandseekersovertheWildernessRoadandthatspeculatorsweredoingathrivingbusinessinHarrodsburg；so，leavinghiscompanytoprotectFortJefferson，hetooktwomenwithhimandstartedacrossthewildsonfootforHarrodsburg。ToevadethenoticeoftheIndianbandswhichweremovingaboutthecountrythethreestrippedandpaintedthemselvesaswarriorsanddonnedthefeatheredheaddress。SosuccessfulwastheirdisguisethattheywerefiredonbyapartyofsurveyorsneartheoutskirtsofHarrodsburg。

TherecordsdonotstatewhatwerethesensationsofcertainspeculatorsinalandofficeinHarrodsburgwhenablue-eyedsavageinawarbonnetsprangthroughthedoorwayand，withupliftedweapon，declaredtheofficeclosed；butwegetahintofthepowerofClark’spersonalityandofhisgeniusfordominatingmenfromthetersereportthathe"enrolled"thespeculators。Hewasinformedthatanotherpartyofmen，morenervousthanthese，wasnowonitswayoutofKentucky。InhastehedispatchedadozenfrontiersmentocutthepartyoffatCrabOrchardandtakeawaythegunofeverymanwhorefusedtoturnbackanddohisbitforKentucky。ToClarkamanwasagun，andhemeantthateverygunshoulddoitsduty。

TheleadersandpioneersoftheDarkandBloodyGroundwerenowwarriors，allunderClark’scommand，whilefortwoyearslongertheRedTerrorrangedKentucky，fallingwithsavageforcenowhere，nowthere。Inthefirstbattleof1780，attheBlueLicks，Daniel’sbrother，EdwardBoone，waskilledandscalped。Lateroninthewarhissecondson，Israel，sufferedalikefate。Thetolloflifeamongthesettlerswasheavy。Manyofthebest-knownborderleaderswereslain。Foodandpowderoftenranshort。Cornmightbeplanted，butwhetheritwouldbeharvestedornottheplantersneverknew；andthehunter’srifleshot，necessarythoughitwas，provedonlytoooftenaninvitationtothelurkingfoe。Butsometimes，throughallthedangersofforestandtrail，DanielBooneslippedawaysilentlytoHarrodsburgtoconferwithClark；orClarkhimself，intheIndianguisethatsuitedthewildmaninhimnotill，madehiswaytoandfromthegarrisonswhichlookedtohimforeverything。

TwiceClarkgatheredtogetherthe"guns"ofKentuckyand，marchingnorthintotheenemy’scountry，sweptdownupontheIndiantownsofPiquaandChillicotheandrazedthem。In1782，inthesecondoftheseenterprises，hiscousin，JosephRogers，whohadbeentakenprisonerandadoptedbytheIndiansandthenworeIndiangarb，wasshotdownbyoneofClark’smen。OnthisexpeditionBooneandHarrodaresaidtohaveaccompaniedClark。

Theeverpresentterrorandhorrorofthosedays，especiallyofthetwoyearsprecedingthisexpedition，arevividlysuggestedbythequaintremarkofanoldwomanwhohadlivedthroughthem，asrecordedforusbyatraveler。ThemostbeautifulsightshehadseeninKentucky，shesaid，wasayoungmandyinganaturaldeathinhisbed。Deadbutunmarredbyhatchetorscalpingknife，hewassorareandcomelyapicturethatthewomenofthepostsatupallnightlookingathim。

But，weask，whatgoldenemolumentswereshoweredbyagratefulcountryonthemenwhothusheldthelandthroughthoseyearsofwantandwar，andsavedanempirefortheUnion？Whatpracticalrecognitionwasthereofthesebraveandunselfishmenwhodailyriskedtheirlivesandfacedthestealthandcrueltylurkinginthewildernessways？Thereismeagereloquenceintherecords。

Here，forinstance，isaletterfromGeorgeRogersClarktotheGovernorofVirginia，datedMay27，1783：

"Sir。NothingbutnecessitycouldinducemetomakethefollowingrequesttoYourExcellency，whichistograntmeasmallsumofmoneyonaccount；asIcanassureyou，Sir，thatIamexceedinglydistressedforthewantofnecessaryclothingetcanddon’tknowanychannelthroughwhichIcouldprocureanyexceptoftheExecutive。TheStateIbelievewillfallconsiderablyinmydebt。

AnysupplieswhichYourExcellencyfavorsmewithmightbedeductedoutofmyaccounts。"*

*"CalendarofVirginiaStatePapers，"vol。III，p。487。

Clarkhadspentallhisownsubstanceandallelsehecouldbeg，borrow——orappropriate——intheconquestofIllinoisandthedefenseofKentucky。HisonlyrewardfromVirginiawasagrantoflandfromwhichherealizednothing，anddismissalfromherservicewhensheneededhimnolonger。

AllthatClarkhadaskedforhimselfwasacommissionintheContinentalArmy。Thiswasdeniedhim，asitappearsnow，notthroughhisownerrors，whichhadnotatthattimetakenholdonhim，butthroughtheinfluenceofpowerfulenemies。ItissaidthatbothSpainandEngland，seeingagreatsoldierwithoutserviceforhissword，madehimoffers，whichherefused。Aslongasanyacreageremainedtohimonwhichtoraisemoney，hecontinuedtopaythedebtshehadcontractedtofinancehisexpeditions，andinthiscoursehehadtheassistanceofhisyoungestbrother，William，towhomheassignedhisIndianagrant。

Hishealthimpairedbyhardshipandexposureandhisheartbrokenbyhiscountry’sindifference，Clarksankintoalcoholicexcesses。Inhissixtiethyear，justsixyearsbeforehisdeath，andwhenhewasahelplessparalytic，hewasgrantedapensionoffourhundreddollars。ThereisaringofbitterironyinthewordswithwhichheacceptedtheswordsenthimbyVirginiainhiscrippledoldage："WhenVirginianeededaswordIgaveherone。"HediednearLouisvilleonFebruary13，1818。

KentuckywasadmittedtotheUnionin1792。ButevenbeforeKentuckybecameaStateheraffairs，particularlyastoland，werearranged，letussay，onapracticalbusinessbasis。ThenitwasdiscoveredthatDanielBoonehadnolegalclaimtoanyfootofgroundinKentucky。Danielownednothingbuttheclotheshewore；andforthose——aswellasformuchpowder，lead，food，andsuchtrifles——hewasheavilyindebt。

So，in1788，DanielBooneputthelistofhisdebtsinhiswallet，gatheredhiswifeandhisyoungersonsabouthim，and，shoulderinghishunter’srifle，oncemoreturnedtowardsthewilds。ThecountryoftheGreatKanawhainWestVirginiawasstillawilderness，andahunterandtrappermight，insomeyears，earnenoughtopayhisdebts。Forothers，now，thepathshehadhewnandmadesafe；forBooneoncemorethewildernessroad。

ChapterVIII。TennesseeIndianlaw，tradition，andevensuperstitionhadshapedtheconditionswhichthepioneersfacedwhentheycrossedthemountains。ThissavageinheritancehaddecreedthatKentuckyshouldbeadarkandbloodyground，fosteringnolifebutthatoffour-footedbeasts，itsfertilesodnevertostirwiththegreenpushofthecorn。AndsothewhitemenwhowentintoKentuckytobuildandtoplantwentaswarriorsgo，andforeverycabintheyerectedtheybattledaswarriorstoholdafort。Inthefirstyearstheyplantedlittlecornandreapedless，foritmaybesaidthattheirrifleswereneveroutoftheirhands。Wehaveseenhowstationswerebuiltandabandoneduntilbuttwostood。

UntiringvigilanceandceaselesswarfarewerethepricepaidbythefirstKentuckianseretheyturnedtheIndian’splaceofdesolationanddeathintoalandproductiveandalivinghabitation。

Hereinliesthedifference，slightapparently，yetsignificant，betweenthefirstKentuckyandthefirstTennessee*colonies。

WithinthememoryoftheIndiansonlyonetribehadeverattemptedtomaketheirhomeinKentucky——atribeofthefightingShawanoes——andtheyhadbeenterriblychastisedfortheirtemerity。ButTennesseewasthehomeoftheCherokees，andatChickasawBluffs（Memphis）beganthesouthwardtrailtotheprincipaltownsoftheChickasaws。Bytheredman’sfiat，then，humanlifemightabideinTennessee，thoughnotinKentucky，anditfollowedthatinseasonsofpeacethefrontiersmenmightsettleinTennessee。Soitwasthatasearlyas1757，beforethegreatCherokeewar，acompanyofVirginiansunderAndrewLewishad，onaninvitationfromtheIndians，erectedFortLoudonnearGreatTelliko，theCherokees’principaltown，andthat，afterthetreatyofpeacein1761，WaddellandhisrangersofNorthCarolinahaderectedafortontheHolston。

*Tennessee。Thename，Ten-as-se，appearsonAdair’smapasoneoftheoldCherokeetowns。Apparentlyneitherthemeaningnorthereasonwhythecolonistscalledbothstateandriverbythisnamehasbeenhandeddowntous。

ThoughFortLoudonhadfallentragicallyduringthewar，andthoughWaddell’sforthadbeenabandoned，neitherwaswithoutinfluenceinthecolonizationofTennessee，forsomeofthemenwhobuiltthesefortsdriftedbackayearortwolaterandsetupthefirstcabinsontheHolston。Theseearliestsettlements，thinandscattered，didnotsurvive；butin1768thesamesettlersorothersoftheirkind——dischargedmilitiamenfromBackCountryregiments——oncemoremadehomesontheHolston。TheywerejoinedbyafewfamiliesfromnearthepresentRaleigh，NorthCarolina，whohaddespairedofseeingjusticedonetothetenantsonthemismanagedestatesofLordGranville。AboutthesametimetherewaserectedthefirstcabinontheWataugaRiver，asisgenerallybelieved，byamanofthenameofWilliamBean（orBeen），hunterandfrontiersoldierfromPittsylvaniaCounty，Virginia。Thisman，whohadhuntedontheWataugawithDanielBoonein1760，choseasthesiteofhisdwellingtheplaceoftheoldhuntingcampnearthemouthofBoone’sCreek。Hesoonbegantohaveneighbors。

MeanwhiletheRegulationMovementstirredtheBackCountryofboththeCarolinas。In1768，theyearinwhichWilliamBeanbuilthiscabinonthebankoftheWatauga，fivehundredarmedRegulatorsinNorthCarolina，arousedbyirregularitiesintheconductofpublicoffice，gatheredtoasserttheirdispleasure，butdispersedpeaceablyonreceiptofwordfromGovernorTryonthathehadorderedtheprosecutionofanyofficerfoundguiltyofextortion。EdmundFanning，themosthatedofLordGranville’sagents，thoughconvicted，escapedpunishment。Enragedatthismiscarriageofjustice，theRegulatorsbeganasystemofterrorizationbytakingpossessionofthecourt，presidedoverbyRichardHenderson。Thejudgehimselfwasobligedtoslipoutbyabackwaytoavoidpersonalinjury。TheRegulatorsburnedhishouseandstable。TheymetedoutmobtreatmentlikewisetoWilliamHooper，lateroneofthesignersoftheDeclarationofIndependence。

Twoelements，withantitheticalaims，hadbeenatworkintheRegulation；andtheunfortunatefailureofjusticeinthecaseofFanninghadgiventhecorruptelementitsopportunitytoseizecontrol。InthepetitionsaddressedtoGovernorTryonbytheleadersofthemovementinitsearlierstagestheaimsofliberty-lovingthinkersaretraceable。Itisworthyofnotethattheyincludedintheirdemandsarticleswhicharenowconstitutional。Theydesiredthat"suffragebegivenbyticketandballot"；thatthemodeoftaxationbealtered，andeachpersonbetaxedinproportiontotheprofitsarisingfromhisestate；thatjudgesandclerksbegivensalariesinsteadofperquisitesandfees。Theylikewisepetitionedforrepealoftheactprohibitingdissentingministersfromcelebratingtheritesofmatrimony。Theestablishmentofthesereforms，thepetitionersoftheRegulationconcluded，would"conciliate"theirmindsto"everyjustmeasureofgovernment，andwouldmakethelawswhattheConstitutioneverdesignedtheyshouldbe，theirprotectionandnottheirbane。"HereinclearlyenoughwecandiscernthethoughtandthephraseologyoftheUlsterPresbyterians。

Butachangetookplaceinbothleadersandmethods。DuringtheRegulators’careerofviolencetheywereundertheswayofanagitatornamedHermonHusband。ThisdemagoguewasreportedtohavebeenexpelledfromtheQuakerSocietyforcause；itisonrecordthathewasexpelledfromtheNorthCarolinaAssemblybecauseaviciousanonymousletterwastracedtohim。HedesertedhisdupesjustbeforetheshotscrackedatAlamanceCreekandfledfromthecolony。HewasafterwardsapprehendedinPennsylvaniaforcomplicityintheWhiskyInsurrection。

FouroftheleadingPresbyterianministersoftheBackCountryissuedaletterincondemnationoftheRegulators。OneoftheseministerswasthefamousDavidCaldwell，son-in-lawoftheReverendAlexanderCraighead，andamanwhoknewthedifferencebetweenlibertyandlicenseandwhoprovedhimselfthebravestofpatriotsintheWarofIndependence。TherecordsofthetimecontainsworntestimonyagainsttheRegulatorsbyWaightstillAvery，asigneroftheMecklenburgResolves，wholaterpresidedhonorablyovercourtsinthewesterncircuitofTennessee；andthereisevidenceindicatingJacobiteandFrenchintrigue。ThatGovernorTryonrecognizedahiddenhandatworkseemsclearlyrevealedinhisproclamationaddressedtothose"whoseunderstandingshavebeenrunawaywithandwhosepassionshavebeenledincaptivitybysomeevildesigningmenwho，actuatedbycowardiceandasenseofthatPublickJusticewhichisduetotheirCrimes，haveobscuredthemselvesfromPublickview。"WhattheAssemblythoughtoftheRegulatorswasexpressedin1770inadrasticbillwhichsoshockedtheauthoritiesinEnglandthatinstructionsweresentforbiddinganyGovernortoapprovesuchabillinfuture，declaringit"adisgracetotheBritishStatuteBooks。"

OnMay16，1771，sometwothousandRegulatorswereprecipitatedbyHusbandintotheBattleofAlamance，whichtookplaceinadistrictsettledlargelybyaroughandignoranttypeofGermans，manyofwhomHusbandhadluredtoswellhismob。Opposedtohim，wereelevenhundredofGovernorTryon’stroops，officeredbysuchpatriotsasGriffithRutherford，HughWaddell，andFrancisNash。

Duringanhour’sengagementabouttwentyRegulatorswerekilled，whiletheGovernor’stroopshadninekilledandsixty-onewounded。Sixoftheleaderswerehanged。TheresttooktheoathofallegiancewhichTryonadministered。

IthasbeensaidabouttheRegulatorsthattheywerenotcastdownbytheirdefeatatAlamancebut"likethemammoth，theyshooktheboltfromtheirbrowandcrossedthemountains，"butsuchfloweryphrasesdonotseemtohavebeeninspiredbyfacts。

Nordotherecordsshowthat"fifteenhundredRegulators"

arrivedatWataugain1771，ashasalsobeenstated。NorarethenamesoftheleadersoftheRegulationtobefoundinthelistofsignaturesaffixedtotheone"statepaper"ofWataugawhichwaspreservedandwrittenintohistoricannals。NoryetdothosenamesappearontherosteroftheWataugaandHolstonmenwho，in1774，foughtwithShelbyunderAndrewLewisintheBattleofPointPleasant。TheBoonesandtheBryans，theRobertsons，theSeviers，theShelbys，themenwhoopeneduptheWestandshapedthedestinyofitsinhabitants，weregenuinefreemen，withasenseoflawandorderasinseparablefromliberty。TheywouldfollowaWashingtonbutnotaHermonHusband。

JamesHunter，whosesignatureleadsonallRegulationmanifestoesjustpriortotheBattleofAlamance，wasasycophantofHusband，towhomheaddressedfulsomeletters；andintherealbattlefordemocracy——theWarofIndependence——hewasaTory。TheColonialRecordsshowthatthosewho，"likethemammoth，"shookfromthemtheethicalrestraintswhichmakemansuperiortothegiantbeast，andwholaterboltedintothemountains，contributedchieflythelawlessnessthatharassedthenewsettlements。Theywerethebandittiand，in1776，theToriesofthewesternhills；

theypillagedthehomesofthemenwhowerefightingforthedemocraticideal。

ItwasnottheRegulationMovementwhichturnedwestwardthemakersoftheOldSouthwest，butthefreeandenterprisingspiritoftheage。Itwasemphaticallyanageofdoers；andifmenwhofelttheconstructiveurgeinthemmightnotlayholdonconditionswheretheywereandreshapethem，thentheymustgoforwardseekingthatenvironmentwhichwouldgivetheirgeniusitsopportunity。

OfsuchadventurousspiritswasJamesRobertson，aVirginianbornofUlsterScotparentage，andaresidentof（thepresent）WakeCounty，NorthCarolina，sincehisboyhood。Robertsonwastwenty-eightyearsoldwhen，in1770，herodeoverthehillstoWatauga。Wecanimaginehimashewasthen，fortheportraittakenmuchlaterinlifeshowsthetypeoffacethatdoesnotchange。Itisahightypecombiningthebestqualitiesofhisrace。Intelligence，strengthofpurpose，fortitude，andmoralpowerarethere；theyimpressusatthefirstglance。Attwenty-eighthemusthavebeenaseriousyoungman，littlegiventolaughter；indeed，spontaneityisperhapstheonlygoodtraitwemissinstudyinghisface。Hewasathinkerwhohadnotyetfoundhispurpose——athinkerinleash，foratthistimeJamesRobertsoncouldneitherreadnorwrite。

AtWatauga，RobertsonlivedforawhileinthecabinofamannamedHoneycut。Hechoselandforhimselfand，inaccordancewiththecustomofthetime，sealedhisrighttoitbyplantingcorn。

Heremainedtoharvesthisfirstcropandthensetofftogatherhisfamilyandsomeofhisfriendstogetherandescortthemtothenewcountry。Butonthewayhemissedthetrailandwanderedforafortnightinthemountains。Theheavyrainsruinedhispowdersothathecouldnothunt；forfoodhehadonlyberriesandnuts。Atoneplace，wheresteepbluffsopposedhim，hewasobligedtoabandonhishorseandscalethemountainsideonfoot。

Hewasinextremitywhenhechancedupontwohuntsmenwhogavehimfoodandsethimonthetrail。Ifthisexperienceproveshislackofthehunter’sinstinctandthewoodsman’sresourcefulnesswhichBoonepossessed，itprovesalsohisspecialqualitiesofperseveranceandendurancewhichweretoreachtheirzenithinhissuccessfulstruggletocolonizeandholdwesternTennessee。

HereturnedtoWataugainthefollowingspring（1771）withhisfamilyandasmallgroupofcolonists。Robertson’swifewasaneducatedwomanandunderherinstructionhenowbegantostudy。

NextyearayoungVirginianfromtheShenandoahValleyrodeondownHolstonValleyonahuntingandexploringtrip，andloiteredatWatauga。Herehefoundnotonlyanewsettlementbutanindependentgovernmentinthemaking；andforthwithhedeterminedtohaveapartinboth。ThisyoungVirginianhadalreadyshowntheinclinationofapoliticalcolonist，forintheShenandoahValleyhehad，attheageofnineteen，laidoutthetownofNewMarket（whichexiststothisday）andhaddirecteditsmunicipalaffairsandinvitedandfostereditsclergy。ThisyoungVirginian——bornonSeptember23，1745，andsoin1772

twenty-sevenyearsofage——wasJohnSevier，thatJohnSevierwhosemonumentnowtowersfromitssiteinKnoxvilletotestifyofboththewildandthegreatdeedsofoldTennessee’sbelovedknight。LikeRobertson，Sevierhastenedhomeandremovedhiswholefamily，includinghiswifeandchildren，hisparentsandhisbrothersandsisters，tothisnewhavenoffreedomatWatauga。

ThefriendshipformedbetweenRobertsonandSevierinthesefirstyearsoftheirworktogetherwasneverbroken，yettwomoreoppositetypescouldhardlyhavebeenbroughttogether。Robertsonwasamanofhumbleorigin，unlettered，notadourScotbutasolemnone。Sevierwascavalieraswellasfrontiersman。Onhisfather’ssidehewasofthepatricianfamilyofXavierinFrance。

Hisprogenitors，havingbecomeHuguenots，hadtakenrefugeinEngland，wherethenameXavierwasfinallychangedtoSevier。

JohnSevier’smotherwasanEnglishwoman。SomeyearsbeforehisbirthhisparentshademigratedtotheShenandoahValley。ThusithappenedthatJohnSevier，whomingledgoodEnglishbloodwiththebluebloodofoldFrance，wasbornanAmericanandgrewupafrontierhunterandsoldier。Hestoodaboutfivefeetninefromhismoccasinstohiscrownoflightbrownhair。Hewaswell-proportionedandasgracefulofbodyashewashard-muscledandswift。Hischinwasfirm，hisnoseofaRomancast，hismouthwell-shaped，itsslightlyfulllipsslantinginasmilethatwouldnotberepressed。Underthehigh，finelymodeledbrow，smallkeendarkblueeyessparkledwithhealth，withintelligence，andwiththeman’sjoyinlife。

JohnSevierindeedcannotbelistedasatype；hewasindividual。

Thereisnoothercharacterlikehiminborderannals。Hewascavalierandprinceinhisleadershipofmen；hehadtheirhomage。Yetheknewhowtobecomradeandbrothertothelowliest。Hewonandheldtheconfidenceandfriendshipoftheserious-mindedRobertsonnolessthantheidolatryofthewildestspiritsonthefrontierthroughouttheforty-threeyearsofthespectacularcareerwhichbeganforhimonthedayhebroughthistribetoWatauga。Inhistimeheworethegovernor’spurple；andaportraitpaintedofhimshowshowwellthisdescendantofthenobleXavierscouldfithimselftothedignityandformalhabilimentsofstate；Yetinthefringeddeerskinoffrontiergarb，hewasfleeteronthewarpaththantheIndianswhofledbeforehim；andhecouldoutrideandoutshoot——and，itissaid，outswear——thebestandtheworstofthemenwhofollowedhim。