who were in captivity among the Indians.  The Browns were among the fortunate people who were thus rescued from the horrors of Indian slavery.  It is small wonder that the rough frontier people, whose wives and little ones, friends and neighbors, were in such manner rescued by Nolichucky Jack, should have looked with leniency on their darling leader’s shortcomings, even when these shortcomings took the form of failure to prevent or punish the massacre of friendly Indians.

    Efforts of the Settlers to Defend Themselves.

The ravages of the Indians were precisely the same in character that they had always been, and always were until peace was won.  There was the usual endless succession of dwellings burned, horses driven off, settlers slain while hunting or working, and immigrant parties ambushed and destroyed; and there was the same ferocious retaliation when opportunity offered.  When Robertson’s hopes of peace gave out he took steps to keep the militia in constant readiness to meet the foe; for he was the military commander of the district.  The county lieutenants—­there were now several counties on the Cumberland—­were ordered to see that their men were well mounted and ready to march at a moment’s notice; and were warned that this was a duty to which they must attend themselves, and not delegate it to their subalterns.  The laws were to be strictly enforced; and the subalterns were promptly to notify their men of the time and place to meet.  Those who failed to attend would be fined by court-martial.  Frequent private musters were to be held; and each man was to keep ready a good gun, nine charges of powder and ball, and a spare flint.  It was especially ordered that every marauding band should be followed; for thus some would be overtaken and signally punished, which would be a warning to the others. [Footnote:  Robertson MSS., General Orders, April 5, 1789.]

    The Creeks and the Georgians.

The wrath of the Creeks was directed chiefly against the Georgians.  The Georgians were pushing steadily westward, and were grasping the Creek hunting-grounds with ferocious greed.  They had repeatedly endeavored to hold treaties with the Creeks.  On each occasion the chiefs and warriors of a few towns met them, and either declined to do anything, or else signed an agreement which they had no power to enforce.  A sample treaty of this kind was that entered into at Galphinton in 1785.  The Creeks had been solemnly summoned to meet representatives both of the Federal Congress and of Georgia; but on the appointed day only two towns out of a hundred were represented.  The Federal Commissioners thereupon declined to enter into negotiations; but those from Georgia persevered.  By presents and strong drink they procured, and their government eagerly accepted, a large cession of land to which the two towns in question had no more title than was vested in all the others.