“’That he was very well known; that he himself had a worthless dog, to which he had given the name of ‘Simon Girty,’ in consequence of his striking resemblance to the man of that name; that if he had either artillery or reinforcements, he might bring them up and be d——­d; that if either himself, or any of the naked rascals with him, found their way into the fort, they would disdain to use their guns against them, but would drive them out again with switches, of which they had collected a great number for that purpose alone; and finally he declared, that they also expected reinforcements; that the whole country was marching to their assistance; that if Girty and his gang of murderers remained twenty-four hours longer before the fort, their scalps would be found drying in the sun upon the roofs of their cabins.’"[41]

Girty affected much sorrow for the inevitable destruction which he assured the garrison awaited them, in consequence of their obstinacy.  All idea of continuing the siege was now abandoned.  The besiegers evacuated their camp that very night; and with so much precipitation, that meat was left roasting before the fires.  Though we cannot wonder at this relinquishing of a long-cherished scheme when we consider the character of the Indians, yet it would be impossible to account for the appearance of precipitancy, and even terror, with which their retreat was accompanied, did we not perceive it to be the first of a series of similar artifices, designed to draw on their enemies to their own destruction.  There was nothing in the circumstances to excite great apprehensions.  To be sure, they had been repulsed in their attempt on the fort with some loss, yet this loss (thirty men) would by no means have deterred a European force of similar numbers from prosecuting the enterprise.

Girty and his great Indian army retired toward Ruddle’s and Martin’s Stations, on a circuitous route, toward Lower Blue Licks.  They expected, however, to be pursued, and evidently desired it, as they left a broad trail behind them, and marked the trees which stood on their route with their tomahawks.[42]

[Footnote 40:  McClung.]

[Footnote 41:  McClung.]

[Footnote 42:  Frost:  “Border Wars of the West.”  Peck:  “Life of Boone.”  McClung:  “Western Adventure.”]

CHAPTER XVI.

Arrival of reinforcements at Bryant’s Station—­Colonel Daniel Boone, his son and brother among them—­Colonels Trigg, Todd, and others—­Great number of commissioned officers—­Consultation—­Pursuit commenced without waiting for Colonel Logan’s reinforcement—­Indian trail—­Apprehensions of Boone and others—­Arrival at the Blue Licks—­Indians seen—­Consultation—­Colonel Boone’s opinion—­Rash conduct of Major McGary—­Battle of Blue Licks commenced—­Fierce encounter with the Indians—­Israel Boone, Colonels Todd and Trigg, and Majors Harland and McBride killed—­Attempt of the Indians