by Clark’s order, which was furnished with light pieces of artillery.  This new species of defense did not however take very well with the militia, who disliked serving upon the water, probably because they found their freedom of action too much circumscribed.  The regulars were far too few to spare a force sufficient to man it, and it soon fell into disuse, though it is said to have been of considerable service while it was employed.  Had the Kentuckians possessed such an auxiliary at the time of Byrd’s invasion, it is probable that it would have been repelled.  But on account of the reluctance of the militia to serve in it, this useful vessel was laid aside and left to rot.

The campaign, if we may so term it, of 1781, began very early.  In March, several parties of Indians entered Jefferson County at different points, and ambushing the paths, killed four men, among whom was Colonel William Linn.  Captain Whitaker, with fifteen men, pursued one of the parties.  He followed their trail to the Ohio, when supposing they had crossed over, he embarked his men in canoes to continue the pursuit.  But as they were in the act of pushing off, the Indians, who were concealed in their rear, fired upon them, killing or wounding nine of the party.  Notwithstanding this heavy loss, the survivors landed and put the Indians to flight.  Neither the number of the savages engaged in this affair or their loss, is mentioned in the narrative.  In April, a station which had been settled by Squire Boone, near Shelbyville, became alarmed by the report of the appearance of Indians.  After some deliberation, it was determined to remove to the settlement on Bear’s Creek.  While on their way thither, they were attacked by a body of Indians, and defeated with considerable loss.  These are all the details of this action we have been able to find.  Colonel Floyd collected twenty-five men to pursue the Indians, but in spite of all his caution, fell into an ambuscade, which was estimated to consist of two hundred warriors.  Half of Colonel Floyd’s men were killed, and the survivors supposed that they had slain nine or ten of the Indians.  This, however, is not probable; either the number of the Indians engaged, or their loss, is much exaggerated.  Colonel Floyd himself had a narrow escape, being dismounted; he would have been made prisoner, but for the gallant conduct of Captain Wells, who gave him his horse, the colonel being exhausted, and ran by his side, to support him in the saddle.  These officers had formerly been enemies, but the magnanimous behavior of Wells on this occasion, made them steadfast friends.

“As if every month,” says Marshall, “was to furnish its distinguishing incident—­in May, Samuel McAfee and another had set out from James McAfee’s Station for a plantation at a small distance, and when advanced about one-fourth of a mile they were fired on; the man fell—­McAfee wheeled and ran toward the fort; in fifteen steps he met an Indian—­they each halt and present