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The Adventures of Colonel Daniel Boone



by John Filson






From The Discovery and Settlement of Kentucke

by John Filson







The ADVENTURES of Col。 DANIEL BOON;

containing a NARRATIVE of the WARS of Kentucke。





Curiosity is natural to the soul of man; and interesting objects

have a powerful influence on our affections。 Let these influencing

powers actuate; by the permission or disposal of Providence; from

selfish or social views; yet in time the mysterious will of Heaven

is unfolded; and we behold our conduct; from whatsoever motives

excited; operating to answer the important designs of heaven。 Thus

we behold Kentucke; lately an howling wilderness; the habitation of

savages and wild beasts; become a fruitful field; this region; so

favourably distinguished by nature; now become the habitation of

civilization; at a period unparalleled in history; in the midst of

a raging war; and under all the disadvantages of emigration to a

country so remote from the inhabited parts of the continent。 Here;

where the hand of violence shed the blood of the innocent; where

the horrid yells of savages; and the groans of the distressed;

sounded in our ears; we now hear the praises and adoration of our

Creator; where wretched wigwams stood; the miserable abodes of

savages; we behold the foundations of cities laid; that; in all

probability; will rival the glory of the greatest upon earth。 And

we view Kentucke situated on the fertile banks of the great Ohio;

rising from obscurity to shine with splendor; equal to any other of

the stars of the American hemisphere。



The settling of this region well deserves a place in history。

Most of the memorable events I have myself been exercised in; and;

for the satisfaction of the public; will briefly relate the

circumstances of my adventures; and scenes of life; from my first

movement to this country until this day。



It was on the first of May; in the year 1769; that I resigned my

domestic happiness for a time; and left my family and peaceable

habitation on the Yadkin River; in North…Carolina; to wander

through the wilderness of America; in quest of the country of

Kentucke; in company with John Finley; John Stewart; Joseph Holden;

James Monay; and William Cool。 We proceeded successfully; and after

a long and fatiguing journey through a mountainous wilderness; in

a westward direction; on the seventh day of June following; we

found ourselves on Red…River; where John Finley had formerly been

trading with the Indians; and; from the top of an eminence; saw

with pleasure the beautiful level of Kentucke。 Here let me observe;

that for some time we had experienced the most uncomfortable

weather as a prelibation of our future sufferings。 At this place we

encamped; and made a shelter to defend us from the inclement

season; and began to hunt and reconnoitre the country。 We found

every where abundance of wild beasts of all sorts; through this

vast forest。 The buffaloes were more frequent than I have seen

cattle in the settlements; browzing on the leaves of the cane; or

croping the herbage on those extensive plains; fearless; because

ignorant; of the violence of man。 Sometimes we saw hundreds in a

drove; and the numbers about the salt springs were amazing。 In this

forest; the habitation of beasts of every kind natural to America;

we practised hunting with great success until the twenty…second day

of December following。



This day John Stewart and I had a pleasing ramble; but fortune

changed the scene in the close of it。 We had passed through a great

forest on which stood myriads of trees; some gay with blossoms;

others rich with fruits。 Nature was here a series of wonders; and

a fund of delight。 Here she displayed her ingenuity and industry in

a variety of flowers and fruits; beautifully coloured; elegantly

shaped; and charmingly flavoured; and we were diverted with

innumerable animals presenting themselves perpetually to our

view。In the decline of the day; near Kentucke river; as we

ascended the brow of a small hill; a number of Indians rushed out

of a thick cane…brake upon us; and made us prisoners。 The time of

our sorrow was now arrived; and the scene fully opened。 The Indians

plundered us of what we had; and kept us in confinement seven days;

treating us with common savage usage。 During this time we

discovered no uneasiness or desire to escape; which made them less

suspicious of us; but in the dead of night; as we lay in a thick

cane…brake by a large fire; when sleep had locked up their senses;

my situation not disposing me for rest; I touched my companion and

gently awoke him。 We improved this favourable opportunity; and

departed; leaving them to take their rest; and speedily directed

our course towards our old camp; but found it plundered; and the

company dispersed and gone home。 About this time my brother; Squire

Boon; with another adventurer; who came to explore the country

shortly after us; was wandering through the forest; determined to

find me; if possible; and accidentally found our camp。

Notwithstanding the unfortunate circumstances of our company; and

our dangerous situation; as surrounded with hostile savages; our

meeting so fortunately in the wilderness made us reciprocally

sensible of the utmost satisfaction。 So much does friendship

triumph over misfortune; that sorrows and sufferings vanish at the

meeting not only of real friends; but of the most distant

acquaintances; and substitutes happiness in their room。



Soon after this; my companion in captivity; John Stewart; was

killed by the savages; and the man that came with my brother

returned home by himself。 We were then in a dangerous; helpless

situation; exposed daily to perils and death amongst savages and

wild beasts; not a white man in the country but ourselves。



Thus situated; many hundred miles from our families in the

howling wilderness; I believe few would have equally enjoyed the

happiness we experienced。 I often observed to my brother; You see

now how little nature requires to be satisfied。 Felicity; the

companion of content; is rather found in our own breasts than in

the enjoyment of external things; And I firmly believe it requires

but a little philosophy to make a man happy in whatsoever state he

is。 This consists in a full resignation to the will of Providence;

and a resigned soul finds pleasure in a path strewed with briars

and thorns。



We continued not in a state of indolence; but hunted every day;

and prepared a little cottage to defend us from the Winter storms。

We remained there undisturbed during the Winter; and on the first

day of May; 1770; my brother returned home to the settlement by

himself; for a new recruit of horses and ammunition; leaving me by

myself; without bread; salt or sugar; without company of my fellow

creatures; or even a horse or dog。 I confess I never before was

under greater necessity of exercising philosophy and fortitude。 A

few days I passed uncomfortably。 The idea of a beloved wife and

family; and their anxiety upon the account of my absence and

exposed situation; made sensible impressions on my heart。 A

thousand dreadful apprehensions presented themselves to my view;

and had undoubtedly disposed me to melancholy; if further indulged。



One day I undertook a tour through the country; and the diversity

and beauties of nature I met with in this charming season; expelled

every gloomy and vexatious thought。 Just at the close of day the

gentle gales retired; and left the place to the disposal of a

profound calm。 Not a breeze shook the most tremulous leaf。 I had

gained the summit of a commanding ridge; and; looking round with

astonishing delight; beheld the ample plains; the beauteous tracts

below。 On the other hand; I surveyed the famous river Ohio that

rolled in silent dignity; marking the western boundary of Kentucke

with inconceivable grandeur。 At a vast distance I beheld the

mountains lift their venerable brows; and penetrate the clouds。 All

things were still。 I kindled a fire near a fountain of sweet water;

and feasted on the loin of a buck; which a few hours before I had

killed。 The sullen shades of night soon overspread the whole

hemisphere; and the earth seemed to gasp after the hovering

moisture。 My roving excursion this day had fatigued my body; and

diverted my imagination。 I laid me down to sleep; and I awoke not

until the sun had chased away the night。 I continued this tour; and

in a few days explored a considerable part of the country; each day

equally pleased as the first。 I returned again to my old camp;

which was not disturbed in my absence。 I did not confine my lodging

to it; but often reposed in thick cane…brakes; to avoid the

savages; who; I believe; often visited my camp; but fortunately for

me; in my absence。 In this situation I was constantly exposed to

danger; and death。 How unhappy such a situation for a man tormented

with fear; which is vain if no dan

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