Chapter XI Summary and Analysis

After the failure of the British army, the colonies were even more anxious to develop and fund a private militia. The people once again appealed to the Assembly, who agreed to a taxpayer supported militia. The first task was to defend the northwest territories, where enemies were plenty. When they got there, however, they found that those territories had already taken it upon themselves to set up a defense system. The bishop there implied that not all the people were entirely trusting of England's word, and common sense told them to look out for themselves. In leaving this area, they were approached by eleven farmers asking for guns for protection. Franklin's men complied, but it rained shortly afterward, and ten of the farmers were killed by Indians because their guns got wet and wouldn't go off.

Franklin's troops moved...