after the arrival of the party.  The pursuit was renewed with additional ardor, and in twenty minutes the enemy was within view.  They had taken possession of a steep narrow ridge and seemed desirous of magnifying their numbers in the eyes of the whites, as they ran rapidly from tree to tree, and maintained a steady yell in their most appalling tones.  The pursuers, however, were too experienced to be deceived by so common an artifice, and being satisfied that the number of the enemy must be inferior to their own, they dismounted, tied their horses, and flanking out in such a manner as to enclose the enemy, ascended the ridge as rapidly as was consistent with a due regard to the shelter of their persons.

The firing quickly commenced, and now for the first time they discovered that only two Indians were opposed to them.  They had voluntarily sacrificed themselves for the safety of the main body, and succeeded in delaying pursuit until their friends could reach the mountains.  One of them was instantly shot dead, and the other was badly wounded, as was evident from the blood upon his blanket, as well as that which filled his tracks in the snow for a considerable distance.  The pursuit was recommenced, and urged keenly until night, when the trail entered a running stream and was lost.  On the following morning the snow had melted, and every trace of the enemy was obliterated.  This affair must be regarded as highly honorable to the skill, address, and activity of the Indians; and the self-devotion of the rear guard, is a lively instance of that magnanimity of which they are at times capable, and which is more remarkable in them, from the extreme caution, and tender regard for their own lives, which usually distinguished their warriors.

From this time Simon Kenton’s name became very prominent as a leader.  This year, at the head of forty-six men, he pursued a body of Indians, but did not succeed in overtaking them, which he afterward regarded as a fortunate circumstance, as he ascertained that they were at least double the number of his own party.  A man by the name of Scott, having been carried off by the Indians, Kenton followed them over the Ohio, and released him.

As early as January, 1783, the Indians entered Kentucky, two of them were captured near Crab Orchard by Captain Whitley.  The same month, a party stole a number of horses from the Elkhorn settlements; they were pursued and surprised in their camp.  Their leader extricated his hand, by a singular stratagem.  Springing up before the whites could fire, he went through a series of the most extraordinary antics, leaping and yelling as if frantic.  This conduct absorbing the attention of the whites, his followers took advantage of the opportunity to escape.  As soon as they had all disappeared, the wily chief plunged into the woods and was seen no more.  The attacks were continued in March.  Several parties and families suffered severely.  Lieutenant McClure, following the trail of a marauding party of Indians, fell in with an other body, and in the skirmish that ensued, was mortally wounded.