Clark spent most of the year at Harrodstown, taking part in the defence of Kentucky.  All the while he was revolving in his bold, ambitious heart a scheme for the conquest of the Illinois country, and he sent scouts thither to spy out the land and report to him what they saw.  The Indians lurked round Harrodstown throughout the summer; and Clark and his companions were engaged in constant skirmishes with them.  Once, warned by the uneasy restlessness of the cattle (who were sure to betray the presence of Indians if they got sight or smell of them), they were able to surround a party of ten or twelve, who were hidden in a tall clump of weeds.  The savages were intent on cutting off some whites who were working in a turnip patch two hundred yards from the fort; Clark’s party killed three—­he himself killing one,—­wounded another, and sold the plunder they took, at auction, for seventy pounds.  At other times the skirmishes resulted differently, as on the occasion chronicled by Clark in his diary, when they “went out to hunt Indians; one wounded Squire Boon and escaped.” [Footnote:  Clark’s Diary, entry for July 9th.]

The corn was brought in from the cribs under guard; one day while shelling a quantity, a body of thirty-seven whites were attacked, and seven were killed or wounded, though the Indians were beaten off and two scalps taken.  In spite of this constant warfare the fields near the forts were gradually cleared, and planted with corn, pumpkins, and melons; and marrying and mirth-making went on within the walls.  One of Clark’s scouts, shortly after returning from the Illinois, got married, doubtless feeling he deserved some reward for the hardships he had suffered; on the wedding night Clark remarks that there was “great merriment.”  The rare and infrequent expresses from Pittsburg or Williamsburg brought letters telling of Washington’s campaigns, which Clark read with absorbed interest.  On the first of October, having matured his plans for the Illinois campaign, he left for Virginia, to see if he could get the government to help him put them into execution.

    The Holston men Help Kentucky.

During the summer parties of backwoods militia from the Holston settlements—­both Virginians and Carolinians—­came out to help the Kentuckians in their struggle against the Indians; but they only stayed a few weeks, and then returned home.  In the fall, however, several companies of immigrants came out across the mountains; and at the same time the small parties of hunters succeeded in pretty well clearing the woods of Indians.  Many of the lesser camps and stations had been broken up, and at the end of the year there remained only four—­Boonsborough, Harrodstown, Logan’s station at St. Asaphs, and McGarry’s, at the Shawnee Springs.  They contained in all some five or six hundred permanent settlers, nearly half of them being able-bodied riflemen. [Footnote:  The McAfee MSS. give these four stations; Boon says there were but three.  He was writing