and the horse, breaking loose, galloped back to the fort.  The other man likewise turned and ran towards home, but was confronted by an Indian who leaped into the path directly ahead of him.  The two were so close together that the muzzles of their guns crossed, and both pulled trigger at once; the Indian’s gun missed fire and he fell dead in his tracks.  Continuing his flight, the survivor reached the fort in safety.

When the two men in the turnip-patch heard the firing they seized their guns and ran towards the point of attack, but seeing the number of the assailants they turned back to the fort, trying to drive the frightened stock before them.  The Indians coming up close, they had to abandon the attempt, although most of the horses and some of the cattle got safely home.  One of the men reached the gate ahead of the Indians; the other was cut off, and took a roundabout route through the woods.  He speedily distanced all of his pursuers but one; several times he turned to shoot the latter, but the Indian always took prompt refuge behind a tree, and the white man then renewed his flight.  At last he reach a fenced orchard, on the border of the cleared ground round the fort.  Throwing himself over the fence he lay still among the weeds on the other side.  In a minute or two the pursuer, running up, cautiously peered over the fence, and was instantly killed; he proved to be a Shawnee chief, painted, and decked with many silver armlets, rings, and brooches.  The fugitive then succeeded in making his way into the fort.

The settlers inside the stockade had sprung to arms the moment the first guns were heard.  The men fired on the advancing Indians, while the women and children ran bullets and made ready the rifle-patches.  Every one displayed the coolest determination and courage except one man who hid under a bed, until found by his wife; whereupon he was ignominiously dragged out and made to run bullets with the women.

As the Indians advanced they shot down most of the cattle and hogs and some of the horses that were running frantically round the stockade; and they likewise shot several dogs that had sallied out to help their masters.  They then made a rush on the fort, but were driven off at once, one of their number being killed and several badly hurt, while but one of the defenders was wounded, and he but slightly.  After this they withdrew to cover and began a desultory firing, which lasted for some time.

Suddenly a noise like distant thunder came to the ears of the men in the fort.  It was the beat of horsehoofs.  In a minute or two forty-five horsemen, headed by McGarry, appeared on the road leading from Harrodsburg, shouting and brandishing their rifles as they galloped up.  The morning was so still that the firing had been heard a very long way; and a band of mounted riflemen had gathered in hot haste to go to the relief of the beleaguered stockade.