Chapter I: Preface

The name of Daniel Boone is a conspicuous one in the annals of our country. And yet there are but few who are familiar with the events of his wonderful career, or who have formed a correct estimate of the character of the man. Many suppose that he was a rough, coarse backwoodsman, almost as savage as the bears he pursued in the chase, or the Indians whose terrors he so perseveringly braved. Instead of this, he was one of the most mild and unboastful of men; feminine as a woman in his tastes and his deportment, never uttering a coarse word, never allowing himself in a rude action. He was truly one of nature's _gentle_ men. With all this instinctive refinement and delicacy, there was a boldness of character which seemed absolutely incapable of experiencing the emotion of fear. And surely all the records of chivalry may be searched in vain for a career more full of peril and of wild adventure.

This narrative reveals a state of society and habitudes of life now rapidly passing into oblivion. It is very desirable that the record should be perpetuated, that we may know the scenes through which our fathers passed, in laying the foundations of this majestic Republic. It is probable that as the years roll on the events which occurred in the infancy of our nation will be read with ever-increasing interest.

It is the intention of the publisher of this volume to issue a series of sketches of the prominent men in the early history of our country. The next volume will contain the life and adventures of the renowned Miles Standish, the Puritan Captain.

JOHN S. C. ABBOTT.

Fair Haven, Conn.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

_The Discovery and early Settlement of America._ PAGE

Discovery of the New World.--Of Florida.--Conquest and cruelties of De Soto.--The Wigwam.--Colony at St. Mary.--Sir Walter Raleigh and his Colonies.--Grant of King James.--Settlements in the Virginia.--Adventures of John Smith.--Arrival of Lord Delaware.--Terrible massacres.--Pressures of Colonists to the West.--Doherty Trade with Indians.--Attempted Colony on the Tennessee.--Daniel Boone. 9

CHAPTER II.

_Daniel Boone, his Parentage, and early Adventures._

Trials of the Colonists.--George Boone and his home.--Squire Boone.--Birth and character of Daniel Boone.--His limited education.--A pioneer's camp.--A log house and furnishings.--Annoyance of Boone on the arrival of Scotch emigrants.--His longings for adventure.--Camp meetings.--Frontier life.--Sports.--Squirrel hunting.--Snuffing the candle. 36

CHAPTER III.

_Louisiana, its Discovery and Vicissitudes._

Louisiana, and its eventful history.--The expedition of De Soto.--The Missionary Marquette.--His voyage on the Upper Mississippi.--The Expedition of La Salle.--Michilimackinac.--Its History.--Fate of the "Griffin."--Grief of La Salle.--His voyage of Discovery.--Sale of Louisiana to the United States.--Remarks of Napoleon. 74

CHAPTER IV.

_Camp Life Beyond the Alleghanies._

John Finley and his adventures.--Aspect of the Country.--Boone's Private Character.--His Love for the Wilderness.--First view of Kentucky.--Emigrants' Dress.--Hunter's Home.--Capture of Boone and Stewart by the Indians.--Their Escape.--Singular Incident. 89

CHAPTER V.

_Indian Warfare._

Alleghany Ridges.--Voyage in a canoe.--Speech of Logan.--Battle at the Kanawha.--Narrative of Francis Marion.--Important commission of Boone.--Council at Circleville.--Treaty of Peace.--Imlay's description of Kentucky.--Settlement right.--Richard Henderson.--Boone's letter.--Fort at Boonesborough. 109

CHAPTER VI.

_Sufferings of the Pioneers._

Emigration to Boonesborough.--New Perils.--Transylvania Company.--Beneficence of its Laws--Interesting incident.--Infamous conduct of Great Britain.--Attack on the Fort.--Reinforcements.--Simon Kenton and his Sufferings.--Mrs. Harvey. 129

CHAPTER VII.

_Life in the Wilderness._

Stewart killed by the Indians.--Squire Boone returns to the Settlements.--Solitary Life of Daniel Boone.--Return of Squire Boone.--Extended and Romantic Explorations.--Charms and Perils of the Wilderness.--The Emigrant Party.--The Fatal Ambuscade.--Retreat of the Emigrants.--Solitude of the Wilderness.--Expedition of Lewis and Clarke.--Extraordinary Adventures of Cotter. 151

CHAPTER VIII.

_Captivity and Flight._

Heroism of Thomas Higgins and of Mrs. Pursley.--Affairs at Boonesborough.--Continued Alarms.--Need of Salt.--Its Manufacture.--Indian Schemes.--Capture of Boone and twenty-seven men.--Dilemma of the British at Detroit.--Blackfish adopts Colonel Boone.--Adoption Ceremony.--Indian Designs.--Escape of Boone.--Attacks the Savages.--The Fort Threatened. 182

CHAPTER IX.

_Victories and Defeats._

Situation of the Fort.--Indian Treachery.--Bombardment.--Boone goes to North Carolina.--New Trials.--Boone Robbed.--He returns to Kentucky.--Massacre of Colonel Rogers.--Adventure of Col. Bowman.--New Attack by the British and Indians.--Retaliatory Measures.--Wonderful Exploit. 209

CHAPTER X.

_British Allies._

Death of Squire Boone.--Indian Outrages.--Gerty and McGee.--Battle of Blue Lick.--Death of Isaac Boone.--Colonel Boone's Narrow Escape.--Letter of Daniel Boone.--Determination of General Clarke.--Discouragement of the Savages.--Amusing Anecdote of Daniel Boone. 230

CHAPTER XI.

_Kentucky organized as a State._

Peace with England.--Order of a Kentucky Court.--Anecdotes.--Speech of Mr. Dalton.--Reply of Piankashaw.--Renewed Indications of Indian Hostility.--Conventions at Danville.--Kentucky formed into a State.--New Trials for Boone. 249

CHAPTER XII.

_Adventures Romantic and Perilous._

The Search for the Horse.--Navigating the Ohio.--Heroism of Mrs. Rowan.--Lawless Gangs.--Exchange of Prisoners.--Boone Revisits the Home of his Childhood.--The Realms beyond the Mississippi.--Habits of the Hunters.--Corn.--Boone's Journey to the West. 271

CHAPTER XIII.

_A New Home._

Colonel Boone welcomed by the Spanish Authorities.--Boone's Narrative to Audubon.--The Midnight Attack.--Pursuit of the Savages.--Sickness in the Wilderness.--Honesty of Colonel Boone.--Payment of his Debts.--Loss of all his Property. 292

CHAPTER XIV.

_Conclusion._

Colonel Boone Appeals to Congress.--Complimentary Resolutions of the Legislature of Kentucky.--Death of Mrs. Boone.--Catholic Liberality.--Itinerant Preachers.--Grant by Congress to Colonel Boone.--The Evening of his Days.--Personal Appearance.--Death and Burial.--Transference of the Remains of Mr. and Mrs. Boone to Frankfort, Kentucky. 320