There is not lacking evidence that Negroes distinguished themselves in the struggles of the pioneer settlers against the Indians.  This was particularly true of the early history of Kentucky.  The following incidents are recorded in Thompson’s “Young People’s History of Kentucky:” 

“Ben Stockton was a slave in the family of Major George Stockton of Fleming county.  He was a regular Negro, and though a slave, was devoted to his master.  He hated an Indian and loved to moralize over a dead one; getting into a towering rage and swearing magnificently when a horse was stolen; handled his rifle well, though somewhat foppishly, and hopped, danced and showed his teeth when a prospect offered to chase ‘the yaller varmints’.  His master had confidence in his resolution and prudence, while he was a great favorite with all the hunters, and added much to their fun on dull expeditions.  On one occasion, when a party of white men in pursuit of Indians who had stolen their horses called at Stockton’s station for reinforcements, Ben, among others, volunteered.  They overtook the savages at Kirk’s Springs in Lewis county, and dismounted to fight; but as they advanced, they could see only eight or ten, who disappeared over the mountain.  Pressing on, they discovered on descending the mountain such indications as convinced them that the few they had seen were but decoys to lead them into an ambuscade at the base, and a retreat was ordered.  Ben was told of it by a man near him; but he was so intent on getting a shot that he did not hear, and the order was repeated in a louder tone, whereupon he turned upon his monitor a reproving look, grimaced and gesticulated ludicrously, and motioned to the man to be silent.  He then set off rapidly down the mountain.  His white comrade, unwilling to leave him, ran after him, and reached his side just as he leveled his gun at a big Indian standing tiptoe on a log and peering into the thick woods.  At the crack of Ben’s rifle the savage bounded into the air and fell.  The others set up a fierce yell, and, as the fearless Negro said, ‘skipped from tree to tree like grasshoppers.’  He bawled out:  ’Take dat to ‘member Ben—­de black white man!’ and the two beat a hasty retreat.

“In the family of Capt.  James Estill, who established a station about fifteen miles south of Boonesborough, was a Negro slave, Monk, who was intelligent, bold as a lion, and as faithful to his pioneer friends as though he were a free white settler defending his own rights.  About daylight, March 20, 1782, when all the men of the fort except four were absent on an Indian trail, a body of the savages came upon Miss Jennie Glass, who was outside, but near the station, milking—­Monk being with her.  They killed and scalped Miss Glass and captured Monk.  When questioned as to the force inside the walls, the shrewd and self-possessed Negro represented it as much greater than it was and told of preparations for defense.  The Indians were deceived,